3 ms·
There are a few differences between you having to wait and a Soviet having to wait for a car multiple years: * You most probably already have a car and just wan
by logical_ferry 4y ago
There are a few differences between you having to wait and a Soviet having to wait for a car multiple years:
* You most probably already have a car and just want a newer model. A Soviet citizen just had a bike.
* Soviet citizen had one or two models they could choose from. You have a plethora, some of which are probably more readily available than others.
Don't compare UK shortages with what the Eastern Bloc went through. They had people going to surgery without anesthesia. You'll manage with your existing car for a bit more.
- thriftwy 4y agoThe difference is mostly quantitative. In USSR you could buy a car if you were willing to pay over MSRP (which was mandatory rather than recommended). Simply buy a new car used. Reselling your car immediately after purchase for a profit was a thing. Some people (occupations such as arctic coal miner) had financial means to do so easily. Other people (notably, engineers on non-management positions like most of HN readers today) would never realistically afford one. The choice was indeed very limited. But again, it is mostly a quantitative difference.