Hi Scuba,

I have noticed the shortage of hardware store items.. I have a theory on some of it. Look on Amazon, these people are buying out shippable items, in bulk, and selling it for fortunes on Amazon. My mother was looking for Metamucil thins, we looked all over for them and finally found hoards of them on Amazon. What cost $6.99 at Walgreens (but they were sold out) was selling for $16.00 + $6.00 shipping :-) A few had free Amazon Prime shipping, but they wanted $19.00 for a box. I kid you not. Dollars to doughnuts a lot of this 'small' stuff is on Amazon. Caulk, tape, screws, nails etc..

Thanks,
Lynda

PS MY SIL can not find workers in his construction business. They pay a very decent wage too.

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Re: Before They Were An Inconvenience, But Now....

Hi Lynda,

Shortages at the grocery stores here in Utah aren’t extensive, but some items are out of stock at most places. Where I am noticing shortages is relating to construction/remodeling needs. Home Depot is out of common items like caulk, circuit breakers and electrical outlets and other common items. This has been going on since late spring 2020 and has only gotten worse. Sherwin Williams is almost always out of many of the materials preferred by contractors. The cabinet supply places are out of stuff like cabinet door hinges. Try and finish a cabinet job with no hinges. So far clients have been reasonably understanding, but the fact that they are annoyed is becoming increasingly apparent.

The other shortage here is good labor. Many prefer sitting at home on the dole than going to work.

Anyhow, life as a remodeler has been filled with issues due to supply chain problems.

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