View Full Version : Covid-19 Shortages
kidicarus13
10-10-2020, 16:04
Besides guns, ammo, and TP, what else have you guys not been able to find in stock. For me? I know it is not essential, but I haven't been able to find Pibb Xtra on shelves since April. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201010/6a4185bcb3df592a4f1d4399f1fcd2e1.jpg
BladesNBarrels
10-10-2020, 16:22
Paid Home Depot for a Frigidaire Freezer, listed as "In Stock", delivery promised on Sept. 24.
No call, no show. When I called and finally got a manager, the answer was it must have been damaged on the truck.
Next scheduled delivery, promising it would come, Oct 7.
Uh, no show again.
Supposed to be here on Oct 17 now.
Absolutely, without fail.
Okay
Rubbing alcohol. Finally ordered some online.
For awhile, you couldn't find hydrogen peroxide very easily either. Has popped up here and there at Wally World and King's.
BushMasterBoy
10-10-2020, 16:31
Albuterol is being rationed at military hospitals. It is an inhaler for breathing problems. I saw cheap sliced bread shelf in local Walmart was bare around 1st of month. Mask prices are outrageous, but plentiful now. I figure second wave is coming, since that is the reports from western Europe. Supposedly 75% of Utah ICU beds are occupied with COVID-19. I would recommend stocking up on benadryl, tylenol & iburofen before winter hits with snow. I went through 40 bottles of cough syrup since Feb.
Holger Danske
10-10-2020, 17:47
Canning jars are hard to find at the store.
Regular powder type dishwasher detergent at least at sams.
Wife likes Ruffles All Dressed Potato Chips, hasn't been able to find any since March.
Anyone looking for isopropyl go to a farm supply store they have it by the Gallon
Liquid hand soap seems to come and go in cycles. It was very hard to find March-May.
Paid Home Depot for a Frigidaire Freezer, listed as "In Stock", delivery promised on Sept. 24.
No call, no show. When I called and finally got a manager, the answer was it must have been damaged on the truck.
Next scheduled delivery, promising it would come, Oct 7.
Uh, no show again.
Supposed to be here on Oct 17 now.
Absolutely, without fail.
Okay
^
appliances.
Demand rose during to 1200 per person ,and supplies had reduced due to labor output.
I had to give up top 2 korean manufacturers (lg and samsung) and went with Amana. I had to manually pickup washer all the way at the Arvada and wait 10 days for dryer there.
Good looking single women interested in old poor guys, haven't found one in years.
TEAMRICO
10-10-2020, 19:44
Regular powder type dishwasher detergent at least at sams.
Im having trouble me finding our favorite dishwasher detergent packs! What the heck?
Anyone looking for isopropyl go to a farm supply store they have it by the Gallon
Thanks for the tip!
Good looking single women interested in old poor guys, haven't found one in years.
Hahahahahahaha!!!!!!
Caffeine-free diet Dr. Pepper..... they have forsaken me!
Grant H.
10-10-2020, 20:36
Not really a shortage, but lumber is insanely priced... 2-4x depending on wood product.
Appliances were already mentioned.
"hobby" level solar components. Commercial level is still around, but higher priced.
Good quality (largely organic) flour and sugar were nearly impossible to find.
All American Pressure Canners (got offered $600 cash for mine)
Aloha_Shooter
10-10-2020, 23:07
Common sense is in seriously short supply. Haven’t seen it this scarce since the Carter Administration.
GilpinGuy
10-10-2020, 23:35
Common sense is in seriously short supply. Haven’t seen it this scarce since the Carter Administration.
I was going to post common sense. Also, respect for your fellow man, common decency, politeness, rule of law, etc. It's really a shit show and amazing to see.
newracer
10-10-2020, 23:58
For a while powdered Buttermilk Ranch Dressing was very hard to find.
I had to give up top 2 korean manufacturers (lg and samsung) and went with Amana Thank your lucky star that you couldn't get LG. After the disastrously mess of warranty repair that I am still in the middle of with LG, I will NEVER buy another LG appliance again. Our LG fridge picked a bad time to quit with the appliance shortage, getting ours repaired was the best option, but LG couldn't seem to get their "authorization letter" sent to MR. Appliance so that they could even order the parts. After 6 weeks of empty promises from LG, I finally told Mr. Appliance to come fix it. Now I'm going on a month waiting for LG to refund us for the parts that were covered under warranty. A fickin' mess....LG NO MORE!!!
Common sense is in seriously short supply. Haven’t seen it this scarce since the Carter Administration.
That and a shortage of freedom.
Thank your lucky star that you couldn't get LG. After the disastrously mess of warranty repair that I am still in the middle of with LG, I will NEVER buy another LG appliance again. Our LG fridge picked a bad time to quit with the appliance shortage, getting ours repaired was the best option, but LG couldn't seem to get their "authorization letter" sent to MR. Appliance so that they could even order the parts. After 6 weeks of empty promises from LG, I finally told Mr. Appliance to come fix it. Now I'm going on a month waiting for LG to refund us for the parts that were covered under warranty. A fickin' mess....LG NO MORE!!!
My LG fridge quit. Stupid Linear compressor that was supposed to be more efficient died. They're failing all over the place due to a design problem, but the replacements have the same problem. They replace the parts under warranty but the repair was going to cost me $600 in labor with no assurance it wouldn't happen again. Bought a Whirlpool fridge instead for $1200 that was made here in the US and we couldn't be happier.
LG and Samsung used to be top notch, but I won't buy them again.
Punkface
10-11-2020, 11:11
The walmart by me is always sold out of ramen. Then again, I live in Brighton so that may just be the way things are here.
JohnnyEgo
10-11-2020, 11:16
For a while, it was Seagrams Ginger Ale, although they appear to be bottling it again. The story I heard was that between people now being at home all the time and limited ability to source cans, Coke was experiencing a lot of difficulty keeping Coke, Cherry Coke, and Diet Coke going out the door, so they suspended some of their less popular products for a while. But now I have seen Seagrams and Mr. Pibb back on the shelves at the local King Sooper, so maybe that is over. For a while, I couldn't get soy sauce, but that appears to be back as well.
The one thing I haven't really been able to get a hold of is paper towels. I suspect that is more of a product of my doing grocery shopping on Sunday night then general availability though.
I hear there's a national shortage of coins.
Fact check: Yes, there's a national coin shortage. Here's why (https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/fact-check-yes-theres-a-national-coin-shortage-heres-why/ar-BB1717BB)
hollohas
10-11-2020, 12:05
I sell wholesale electrical supplies to contractors. We're seeing shortages of very odd things.
Electrical PVC conduit...VERY hard to get in larger sizes. Almost impossible to get in significant qty. And the price has tripled.
Many types of circuit breakers. Fuses. Some brands of plastic junction boxes. Meter sockets.
We're seeing significant shortages in many categories.
Thank your lucky star that you couldn't get LG. After the disastrously mess of warranty repair that I am still in the middle of with LG, I will NEVER buy another LG appliance again. Our LG fridge picked a bad time to quit with the appliance shortage, getting ours repaired was the best option, but LG couldn't seem to get their "authorization letter" sent to MR. Appliance so that they could even order the parts. After 6 weeks of empty promises from LG, I finally told Mr. Appliance to come fix it. Now I'm going on a month waiting for LG to refund us for the parts that were covered under warranty. A fickin' mess....LG NO MORE!!!
My LG fridge quit. Stupid Linear compressor that was supposed to be more efficient died. They're failing all over the place due to a design problem, but the replacements have the same problem. They replace the parts under warranty but the repair was going to cost me $600 in labor with no assurance it wouldn't happen again. Bought a Whirlpool fridge instead for $1200 that was made here in the US and we couldn't be happier.
LG and Samsung used to be top notch, but I won't buy them again.
Both Samsung and LG uses six sigma. I guess they are now using three sigma now for their defective rate on a durables.
For a while, it was Seagrams Ginger Ale, although they appear to be bottling it again. The story I heard was that between people now being at home all the time and limited ability to source cans, Coke was experiencing a lot of difficulty keeping Coke, Cherry Coke, and Diet Coke going out the door, so they suspended some of their less popular products for a while. But now I have seen Seagrams and Mr. Pibb back on the shelves at the local King Sooper, so maybe that is over. For a while, I couldn't get soy sauce, but that appears to be back as well.
The one thing I haven't really been able to get a hold of is paper towels. I suspect that is more of a product of my doing grocery shopping on Sunday night then general availability though.
Pepsi is doing the same thing with some of their products. Pepsi guy at the store said there is an AL shortage, so Pepsi makes the popular stuff first, if they have extra AL they make the less popular stuff.
This thread helped me made a decision to buy a 2L diet Pepsi.
I like it.
[Pepsi]
Scrubbing Bubbles bathroom cleaner. Sam's, Costco: sold out. I got the last 4 cans Walmart in Lakewood had (ordered 6, they cancelled 2)...
Common sense is in seriously short supply. Haven?t seen it this scarce since the Carter Administration.
See. I bet if we had a ?like? button you would be feeling rather proud of how smart and witty you are.
BushMasterBoy
10-11-2020, 17:02
Scrubbing Bubbles bathroom cleaner. Sam's, Costco: sold out. I got the last 4 cans Walmart in Lakewood had (ordered 6, they cancelled 2)...
I use Easy Off oven cleaner. Gets the scum off way better. Yeah I know, I cheat...
Zundfolge
10-11-2020, 18:40
The weird thing I've noticed is random shortages ... it seems like every time I go to the store 1 thing on my list will be out and its never the same thing twice. This last time it was coffee ... like the entire coffee section was picked clean (including the store brand). I suspect someone comes along and buys 2 or 3 of a thing and other people see them and assume "OMG that's the next thing to have a shortage" and they buy the whole display out.
Meat is also usually pretty sparse.
Oh, and I know this is generally non-gun items in this thread, but it looks like all of the sudden 30-30 has become as expensive as .50BMG (at least on ammoseek.com) That seems weird to me.
clodhopper
10-11-2020, 19:03
I hear there's a national shortage of coins.
Fact check: Yes, there's a national coin shortage. Here's why (https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/fact-check-yes-theres-a-national-coin-shortage-heres-why/ar-BB1717BB)
That is about the lamest "fact check" I have seen. "We have determined the coin shortage is true cause we talked with a few people who also heard there was a shortage and we saw some signs posted about it, so it must be true".
I still haven't actually run into a situation where change couldn't be made. Asked a bunch of register operators who all said they had plenty of coins but were directed to tell people there was a coin shortage. Maybe in some locations, but not here. Weird. I still think there is something else driving it. Guess I will have to wait and see.
Holger Danske
10-11-2020, 19:16
The walmart by me is always sold out of ramen. Then again, I live in Brighton so that may just be the way things are here.
Its the same here in the Springs. Can't find Ramen at Wal-Mart or King Soopers near me. My teenager may starve :-)
That is about the lamest "fact check" I have seen. "We have determined the coin shortage is true cause we talked with a few people who also heard there was a shortage and we saw some signs posted about it, so it must be true".
I still haven't actually run into a situation where change couldn't be made. Asked a bunch of register operators who all said they had plenty of coins but were directed to tell people there was a coin shortage. Maybe in some locations, but not here. Weird. I still think there is something else driving it. Guess I will have to wait and see.
On our road trip from Denver to Washington Fri. & Sat., came across a McD's that had a sign asking folks to use credit rather than cash due to a lack of coins to make change. I think it was in UT or ID.
hollohas
10-11-2020, 20:22
Canned green beans at Costco. I haven't seen a flat of canned green beans in months.
mindfold
10-11-2020, 20:38
I sell wholesale electrical supplies to contractors. We're seeing shortages of very odd things.
Electrical PVC conduit...VERY hard to get in larger sizes. Almost impossible to get in significant qty. And the price has tripled.
Many types of circuit breakers. Fuses. Some brands of plastic junction boxes. Meter sockets.
We're seeing significant shortages in many categories.
PVC.... yup almost had a huge bust in an estimate. Which supply house?
By any chance would you have 8 inch PVC? Schedule 40? [emoji51]
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
kidicarus13
10-11-2020, 21:13
On our road trip from Denver to Washington Fri. & Sat., came across a McD's that had a sign asking folks to use credit rather than cash due to a lack of coins to make change. I think it was in UT or ID.The Arby's at Kipling and 470 has a sign at the drive-thru window that requests exact change or credit card.
Canned green beans at Costco. I haven't seen a flat of canned green beans in months.
Sam's on Quebec & C-470 had some recently. I usually go there on Mondays and Fridays . . . will check tomorrow.
The change thing seems legit I've seen signs at Chick-Fil-A and my son works at a restaurant chain. . . they've been buying my wife's hoarded change recently.
SideShow Bob
10-11-2020, 21:57
Albuterol is being rationed at military hospitals. It is an inhaler for breathing problems. I saw cheap sliced bread shelf in local Walmart was bare around 1st of month. Mask prices are outrageous, but plentiful now. I figure second wave is coming, since that is the reports from western Europe. Supposedly 75% of Utah ICU beds are occupied with COVID-19. I would recommend stocking up on benadryl, tylenol & iburofen before winter hits with snow. I went through 40 bottles of cough syrup since Feb.
Getting high on cough syrup to escape reality is not the answer......
SideShow Bob
10-11-2020, 22:09
Its the same here in the Springs. Can't find Ramen at Wal-Mart or King Soopers near me. My teenager may starve :-)
Ramen, the poor man?s MRE, will keep for years, and only need hot water to prepare it...
Aloha_Shooter
10-11-2020, 22:14
Its the same here in the Springs. Can't find Ramen at Wal-Mart or King Soopers near me. My teenager may starve :-)
Tons of ramen available at the commissary or the Asia-Pacific Mart at Platte and Wooten. Of course, the Asia-Pacific Mart tends to be a little more expensive but it's also better grade ramen/ramyun/mein/udon/etc.
Thank your lucky star that you couldn't get LG. After the disastrously mess of warranty repair that I am still in the middle of with LG, I will NEVER buy another LG appliance again. Our LG fridge picked a bad time to quit with the appliance shortage, getting ours repaired was the best option, but LG couldn't seem to get their "authorization letter" sent to MR. Appliance so that they could even order the parts. After 6 weeks of empty promises from LG, I finally told Mr. Appliance to come fix it. Now I'm going on a month waiting for LG to refund us for the parts that were covered under warranty. A fickin' mess....LG NO MORE!!!
My LG fridge quit. Stupid Linear compressor that was supposed to be more efficient died. They're failing all over the place due to a design problem, but the replacements have the same problem. They replace the parts under warranty but the repair was going to cost me $600 in labor with no assurance it wouldn't happen again. Bought a Whirlpool fridge instead for $1200 that was made here in the US and we couldn't be happier.
LG and Samsung used to be top notch, but I won't buy them again.
How old were these?
Ours is going on 2 years and still seems OK. Repair guy I talked to before buying said the new compressor redesign wasn't seeing the same failure rate the old one did. Same guy said pass on Samsung as they can't get parts.
I don't usually get them, but got a 5 year extra warranty from HD when we bought the fridge. Then LG extended the compressor warranty (parts only?) to 10 years. DW has been repaired twice now. Faulty (redesigned) door latch/sensor, and failed water tube to upper deck. Range repaired once for a broken (plastic) oven knob shaft.
Our 20 year old Kenmore/Whirlpool is still doing duty as the beer fridge.
BushMasterBoy
10-12-2020, 01:19
Getting high on cough syrup to escape reality is not the answer......
Only way to stop coughing. The albuterol and tessalon perles helped too. You don't get high off of tussin.
1 to 2 year older prepaid phones.
Difficult to find.
How old were these?
Ours is going on 2 years and still seems OK. Repair guy I talked to before buying said the new compressor redesign wasn't seeing the same failure rate the old one did. Same guy said pass on Samsung as they can't get parts.
I don't usually get them, but got a 5 year extra warranty from HD when we bought the fridge. Then LG extended the compressor warranty (parts only?) to 10 years. DW has been repaired twice now. Faulty (redesigned) door latch/sensor, and failed water tube to upper deck. Range repaired once for a broken (plastic) oven knob shaft.
Our 20 year old Kenmore/Whirlpool is still doing duty as the beer fridge.
Our fridge was coming up on 6 years, and yes it had the "Linear" compressor that the owner of Mr. Appliance described as being "nothing more than good as a boat anchor." The newer compressor isn't the same compressor as it's a known issue for LG. We had to buy a new PCB/power control board also and apparently this new system runs on a variable speed control and ramps up and down, instead of OFF or ON. Time will tell if it lasts any longer.
One of my wife's close girl friends also had her LG fridge quit at about the same time ours did, also with the Linear compressor. Weird thing is she got warranty service completed in less then 2 weeks, where we couldn't even get an "authorization letter" from LG so that Mr. Appliance could order the parts.
clodhopper
10-12-2020, 11:46
On our road trip from Denver to Washington Fri. & Sat., came across a McD's that had a sign asking folks to use credit rather than cash due to a lack of coins to make change. I think it was in UT or ID.
The Arby's at Kipling and 470 has a sign at the drive-thru window that requests exact change or credit card.
You guys are no better. "I saw some signs.. must be true." Did you take the time to talk with someone about it? Ask the manager maybe? I have where ever I can and no one seems to have an answer beyond "that is what we were told, but we still have plenty of change".
The change thing seems legit I've seen signs at Chick-Fil-A and my son works at a restaurant chain. . . they've been buying my wife's hoarded change recently.
That may be the first real example of a coin shortage I have heard.
Having the mint shut down for awhile is the only reason that connects to a coin shortage. The excuse that people have been staying home is reducing the transfer of change doesn't click for me. Maybe someone else can help me understand this. If the majority of people were to suddenly reduce their purchases, pay mostly be credit to avoid handling diseased money, … this should result in coins languishing from non-use, essentially a reduction in the coin requests for businesses, as no one was using them. Not a shortage.
kidicarus13
10-12-2020, 11:50
You guys are no better. "I saw some signs.. must be true." Did you take the time to talk with someone about it? Ask the manager maybe? I have where ever I can and no one seems to have an answer beyond "that is what we were told, but we still have plenty of change".
I couldn't care less if this is an actual or contrived shortage, just get me my roast beef sandwich and throw some Arby's sauce in the bag please.
I should empty out a few junk drawers, I could solve this coin shortage.
^ how about we all do just that and start a new thread with the tally for how much we collectively put back into circulation when deposited at the bank?
I'm sure I have more than 100 dollars in coins at home... albeit we try to take a large container of them to the bank every year or two for counting/deposit... it's still likely pushing $150 if I had to guestimate.
Everyone knows the coin shortage was a made up thing to save us all from the Covid. It?s way safer handing credit cards back and forth than cash.
Bailey Guns
10-12-2020, 13:35
^ how about we all do just that and start a new thread with the tally for how much we collectively put back into circulation when deposited at the bank?
I'm sure I have more than 100 dollars in coins at home... albeit we try to take a large container of them to the bank every year or two for counting/deposit... it's still likely pushing $150 if I had to guestimate.
I save mine in a plastic Folgers coffee container. At half full with an average mix of coins I usually wind up with somewhere in the neighborhood of $50 to $75. There's always more there than what I think.
Sam's on 470 & Quebec did have canned green beans.
But was also completely wiped (no pun intended . . . or IS there??) clean of TP and paper towels. There were stacks of them on Saturday.
Vitamin C was missing for a while at a couple places I frequent. Same for Loperamide HCI. The Vitamin C is still spotty. Co Q10 is similar. The Loperamide HCI is back but only in 25 count bubble packs at a correspondingly higher price, the 100 count bottles have been unavailable for months.
Albuterol is being rationed at military hospitals. It is an inhaler for breathing problems. I saw cheap sliced bread shelf in local Walmart was bare around 1st of month. Mask prices are outrageous, but plentiful now. I figure second wave is coming, since that is the reports from western Europe. Supposedly 75% of Utah ICU beds are occupied with COVID-19. I would recommend stocking up on benadryl, tylenol & iburofen before winter hits with snow. I went through 40 bottles of cough syrup since Feb.
We have probably 500+ packets of liquid albuterol. The stuff that goes in a nebulizer. Each one is maybe 5 doses.
BushMasterBoy
10-12-2020, 15:56
We have probably 500+ packets of liquid albuterol. The stuff that goes in a nebulizer. Each one is maybe 5 doses.
I think the sign was talking about the inhalers. I'm sure my cough was getting worse due to fire smoke. I'm on my fourth inhaler this year. I never had a cough like this until COVID-19 infection. I can't imagine having asthma and COVID-19.
The liquid ones are the same stuff just meant for ease of use so you can give it to kids. He used it a bunch when it got really smokey.
BladesNBarrels
10-12-2020, 16:09
My wife and I went to Kaiser for the Extra Strength Flu Vaccine.
None at Southwest. No one knew where there might be some doses.
When we asked at Reception, the Pharmacy, and the Nurse's Station, no one knew if they would be getting any more or when.
Went to Ken Caryl and got two of the few they had left.
They had a small cooler and when she looked in it, she just shook her head and said that was the last of it.
There were still regular vaccine shots left.
clodhopper
10-12-2020, 17:09
I couldn't care less if this is an actual or contrived shortage, just get me my roast beef sandwich and throw some Arby's sauce in the bag please.
Normally, I am in your camp. However, with all the govt intrusion/orders lately, I have gotten more sensitive to the contrived social engineering that is being pushed on us.
Same goes with coinstars.
The signs on Walmart coinstar had those coin shortage signs.
How old were these?
Ours is going on 2 years and still seems OK. Repair guy I talked to before buying said the new compressor redesign wasn't seeing the same failure rate the old one did. Same guy said pass on Samsung as they can't get parts.
I don't usually get them, but got a 5 year extra warranty from HD when we bought the fridge. Then LG extended the compressor warranty (parts only?) to 10 years. DW has been repaired twice now. Faulty (redesigned) door latch/sensor, and failed water tube to upper deck. Range repaired once for a broken (plastic) oven knob shaft.
Our 20 year old Kenmore/Whirlpool is still doing duty as the beer fridge.
Mine was about 4 years old.
You guys are no better. "I saw some signs.. must be true." Did you take the time to talk with someone about it? Ask the manager maybe? I have where ever I can and no one seems to have an answer beyond "that is what we were told, but we still have plenty of change".
That may be the first real example of a coin shortage I have heard.
Having the mint shut down for awhile is the only reason that connects to a coin shortage. The excuse that people have been staying home is reducing the transfer of change doesn't click for me. Maybe someone else can help me understand this. If the majority of people were to suddenly reduce their purchases, pay mostly be credit to avoid handling diseased money, ? this should result in coins languishing from non-use, essentially a reduction in the coin requests for businesses, as no one was using them. Not a shortage.
It is what it is. If you don't like the information we shared, you get a full refund for what you paid for it.
In other words, you'll get nothing and like it, mister.
^ how about we all do just that and start a new thread with the tally for how much we collectively put back into circulation when deposited at the bank?
I'm sure I have more than 100 dollars in coins at home... albeit we try to take a large container of them to the bank every year or two for counting/deposit... it's still likely pushing $150 if I had to guestimate.
We turned in $195.23 in coins from our change jar before the move. Didn't know about the shortage that may or may not be real at the time.
Great-Kazoo
10-12-2020, 22:52
We turned in $195.23 in coins from our change jar before the move. Didn't know about the shortage that may or may not be real at the time.
Guy at the bank friday had who knows how many rolls of coins he was handing in for paper. I heard her count out 16 - $100 bills.
Out here i ask if they would like change. Everyone just looks and says. No we're good, thanks.
Fry's( Kings in CO) tried telling me , last month, or was it the month b4? Anyway .
Sorry, exact change , as they could not give any coins back. I asked for a gift card and the cashier got the deer in the headlights look. OR i could buy something else and owe you. How's that sound?
hollohas
10-13-2020, 06:07
The mints were running at reduced capacity in spring and early summer but ramped back up around July.
The Gov specifically said they were allocating coin distribution. A fancy word for rationing what they sent out to banks.
https://www.frbservices.org/news/communications/061120-strategic-allocation-of-coin-inventories.html
Nacho Cheese and Chili at the C stores. I miss chili cheese dogs.
I missed this thread when it happened but wanted to comment on the coin shortage. I went to my credit union and asked them what the deal was. Mostly because I had heard that some banks were paying for change. They basically said that since they don't really deal with business accounts, it hasn't effected them, but big banks like Wells Fargo had issues. I know, not very helpful info. For all the times I heard about a coin shortage, I never once heard anything, or saw any articles asking people to dig through their drawers and couches to find coins to turn in to banks to help out. That's what I thought was the most odd. Seems like a pretty simple thing that the public could do to help, but it wasn't even asked.
I do believe there is some level of a shortage.
That said, there is a profit incentive for things like drive-throughs to tell people there is a shortage, and they can't give change. For 90% of drivers, the drive through just increased their profit margin by an average of around 5-10%. That's a ton. I know one drive through has even been sued over this. At any rate, even when the "shortage" ends, I look for some unscrupulous owners to keep saying it hasn't.
I don't see how they could be increasing their profit margins, as it costs money to process credit cards, and I bet more people would pay with a card than abandon their change.
I do believe there is some level of a shortage.
That said, there is a profit incentive for things like drive-throughs to tell people there is a shortage, and they can't give change. For 90% of drivers, the drive through just increased their profit margin by an average of around 5-10%. That's a ton. I know one drive through has even been sued over this. At any rate, even when the "shortage" ends, I look for some unscrupulous owners to keep saying it hasn't.
I find it hard to believe, without seeing evidence, that the cost of a merchant transaction offsets the cost to handle cash/coins.
Maybe I'm overlooking something obvious.
Great-Kazoo
10-18-2020, 18:02
I find it hard to believe, without seeing evidence, that the cost of a merchant transaction offsets the cost to handle cash/coins.
Maybe I'm overlooking something obvious.
People who pay with cash at grocery stores and other business with cash. I always ask , excuse me but i believe you forgot to give me change back. There are some people for who it's not even on their radar. With the amount of seniors in this area. I believe some of that is guilting them in to "doing their part" since they were kids during the depression.
As well as, in the war, or part of "The War Effort" From early 40's till the cease fire in SEA.
GilpinGuy
10-18-2020, 20:56
I do believe there is some level of a shortage.
That said, there is a profit incentive for things like drive-throughs to tell people there is a shortage, and they can't give change. For 90% of drivers, the drive through just increased their profit margin by an average of around 5-10%. That's a ton. I know one drive through has even been sued over this. At any rate, even when the "shortage" ends, I look for some unscrupulous owners to keep saying it hasn't.
Are you implying that some drive throughs claim they can't give change for cash transactions and the customer has to just absorb the difference and NOT get change back? I'd simply say "cancel my order" and drive off if that was the case. Who knows, maybe lots of people wouldn't drive off and not care about a few coins. I'm one of those wierdos that likes to have some change in my pocket or in my truck and pay exact change cash anyway.
I don't get to town much, but the only real signs of a "shortage" I've seen was when I drove to Des Moines a few months ago. Most Nebraska convenience stores had signs out, some with "exact change only". Crossed into Iowa and no signs. Other than that, we haven't seen it at all up here in Gilpin, in Las Vegas, Idaho, or Washington Sate. Giant nothing-burger IMHO.
Are you implying that some drive throughs claim they can't give change for cash transactions and the customer has to just absorb the difference and NOT get change back? I'd simply say "cancel my order" and drive off if that was the case. Who knows, maybe lots of people wouldn't drive off and not care about a few coins. I'm one of those wierdos that likes to have some change in my pocket or in my truck and pay exact change cash anyway.
I don't get to town much, but the only real signs of a "shortage" I've seen was when I drove to Des Moines a few months ago. Most Nebraska convenience stores had signs out, some with "exact change only". Crossed into Iowa and no signs. Other than that, we haven't seen it at all up here in Gilpin, in Las Vegas, Idaho, or Washington Sate. Giant nothing-burger IMHO.
Maybe that's where I got lost because I would never imagine having to pay in cash and not get change. Sorry, but if you don't accept cash, then you can pay 3% to Visa and take my card. If you piss me off and you take Amex, then it will cost you 5%.
There was at least one drive through that was retaining change and got sued for it. But I haven't paid in cash at a drive through in a long time. Still, I suspect most people paying with cash aren't going to immediately switch to a card, but certainly some would.
Now, a rounding policy would be brilliant (under 49 cents, we keep, over 50 cents, we round up to the next dollar in change for you) but every good-ol-penny skimping accountant-wanna bees would get their panties in a twist every time they fell under 49 cents, meaning anything like that will forever be impossible.
There's just so much bigger issues in life than for me to get torq'ed over pocket change.
I don't really understand the push to get rid of cash from the perspective of businesses, especially small ones.
I just can't imagine it would be so much easier to operate the business that it would outweigh the card processing fees. I also can't imagine that most businesses don't enjoy the freedom of accounting that working with cash provides.
Great-Kazoo
10-19-2020, 06:16
I don't really understand the push to get rid of cash from the perspective of businesses, especially small ones.
I just can't imagine it would be so much easier to operate the business that it would outweigh the card processing fees. I also can't imagine that most businesses don't enjoy the freedom of accounting that working with cash provides.
OR just getting paid in, CASH. Think about it.
Went to a couple Costco stores just to get enough canned veggies to put on my shelves. One store only had canned peas and was empty in the other slots, then the other had the corn and green beans I wanted, but no peas. I usually get those 3 in bulk there to rotate on my shelves and fill in with single cans, frozen or fresh other vegetables in my meals. If SHTF, I want more than MRE's and freeze dried food even if it's just me.
Any updates for this thread ? Things seems to be escalating a little lately. Ive noticed prices increasing on appliances still and limits on toilet paper already lol.
You guys think meat is going to start drying up again ?
I went to two different Costco locations two days in a row and neither had ANY paper towel or toilet paper.
Aloha_Shooter
10-30-2020, 20:14
Odd. I've seen plenty of both at Sam's Club and the commissary the past week.
hollohas
10-30-2020, 20:39
The Costco by me has been out of TP each time I've went shopping for the last 3 weeks. Great TP shortage of 2020 take two.
GilpinGuy
10-30-2020, 22:42
We went to Costco on Wednesday and there was a mountain of TP and paper towels. One per customer, but weird how its dried up.
I'm going to miss Sams Club. Nearest one is over 100 miles away.
Great-Kazoo
10-31-2020, 00:00
I'm going to miss Sams Club. Nearest one is over 100 miles away.
likewise. The costco here is ok, except it's the only large bulk buying place in the area. Even b4 cv19, there were never any parking spots open, till past 4 p.m.
I have found there are delays and shortages on certain wheeling/overland type products. Seems like there’s a lot of outdoor recreation and prepping going on still, which is great as far as I’m concerned. Knowing there’s a heightened number of folks who are able to plan ahead and be prepared to be at least somewhat self sufficient for a while, is a good thing.
Safeway near me was low on flour and sugar, but it's hard to tell if it's pandemic related or if everyone is like me and ready to bake with the cooler weather. I made a sourdough starter a few weeks ago and followed the Good Eats recipe of keeping it going and now I'm ready to see how well it works. Most of his recipes do well with me, been a few that I question though. Paper products were low there and Costco, but I didn't see any signs that limit quantities at either place.
Think Costco is still limiting paper products to one per, regardless of sign. I tried to buy two toilet papers a month or so ago and was told I couldn't, even though there wasn't a sign.
Safeway near me was low on flour and sugar, but it's hard to tell if it's pandemic related or if everyone is like me and ready to bake with the cooler weather. I made a sourdough starter a few weeks ago and followed the Good Eats recipe of keeping it going and now I'm ready to see how well it works. Most of his recipes do well with me, been a few that I question though. Paper products were low there and Costco, but I didn't see any signs that limit quantities at either place.
People may already be loading up for holiday baking, as well. Costco in CoSpgs had zero TP on Saturday afternoon.
.455_Hunter
11-02-2020, 08:21
I went to the Eastside Longmont Walmart. My teenage son wanted some new underwear in size M. The briefs section was heavily raided, and the M size was essentially gone.
I would suspect a sourcing problem versus people crapping their pants, but what do I know.
Media is hyping baking goods and pasta shortages.
Do suppliers pay these outlets to drive demand?
Went to the same two Costco locations that told me they were getting TP on Friday. They are completely out.
StagLefty
11-02-2020, 17:25
King Soopers on 136th had plenty of tp and paper towels this morning.
I went to Safeway to get some. I'm used to buying the Costco size so had to buy about 4 Safeway sized packages and looked like a hoarder.
hurley842002
11-02-2020, 18:13
I went to Safeway to get some. I'm used to buying the Costco size so had to buy about 4 Safeway sized packages and looked like a hoarder.
Did the same, Safeway even.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Great-Kazoo
11-02-2020, 18:26
my order from the mormon store is about a week out, for delivery. That and what we've usually kept on hand, will keep us for some time. Outside the 20k of primers i'm picking up, later this week.
tactical_2012
11-02-2020, 18:28
Good to see the LDS store is back up again will have to call this week to see if they reopened their store front
Great-Kazoo
11-02-2020, 20:19
Good to see the LDS store is back up again will have to call this week to see if they reopened their store front
yes it is.
I'm buying from their website providentliving.org. It's a bit more for on line buying, but easier then going to their store front. Their stores for me are almost a 2 hr drive, one way, open 2 days a week.
They restocked most items about 2 months ago, for on line sales.
FYI: they finally have powdered milk, in stock, or did last week.
Went to the same two Costco locations that told me they were getting TP on Friday. They are completely out.
Costco in Sheridan had an ok supply of Charmin today at lunchtime. I probably didn't really need more . . . but I bought one anyway. Sam's in Lone Tree has been pretty barren lately except for a few cases of some off-brand "POM" or something.
Both King Soopers near me have been pretty picked clean of TP the last couple weeks.
funkymonkey1111
11-03-2020, 09:30
Went to the same two Costco locations that told me they were getting TP on Friday. They are completely out.
remember, the guy telling you something is coming is just trying to get you off his back. "sure, we have a truck coming tomorrow....."
.455_Hunter
11-03-2020, 09:33
Plenty of paper products last night at the Flatirons Mall Walmart.
No rifle ammo in the locked case, but shotshells on the shelf. Of course, the total ammo in the case before being removed would fit in one or two hand baskets.
Costco at I70 and Wads had plenty of parper this morning about 10:30. There were probably six pallets of TP staged between the freezer cases, but I didn't even go further back to the normal sundries area to see how much more. Still limit of 1.
Sorry I didn't get this up sooner. Am at work.
That's the one that was out when I last posted.
At Wal-Mart this afternoon, I found a bottle of isopropyl alcohol. They've been out of stock for months.
It was a 1-gallon bottle. $39.97
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.3 Copyright © 2025 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.