Where'd they go?

[Gliderman8]

Went to Lowes today to pickup an electrical box for existing construction (has the locking tabs for behind the wall). I walked up and down the electrical isle and just couldn't find any... lots of bare shelves. Found an employee and asked him "where the electrical boxes were?" He pointed to where the boxes were for new construction but I said "no, no... I want the one for existing construction"
He pointed to the bare shelves and told me they haven't had those boxes for the last two months. He also said when a carton comes in usually an electrical contractor buys the entire box.
Went to Home Depot and the same situation.
What's up?

 

[NutmegCT]

Can you say "profiteering"? Can you say "COVID shutdowns"? Can you say "megaships full of cargo stuck in ports waiting for unloading"?

I've seen the same with dry goods at the store - toothbrushes, screwdrivers, transformers, even boxed or canned foods missing from supermarket shelves. Entire shelves completely empty. "No chicken this week - sorry". (shades of WW2 rationing)

The $25 4x8 plywood disappeared about a year ago, and prices rose to $75 each *when* you could find them. Contractors buy up the materials online before they even hit the stores.

Went to HD for 8 foot high deer fencing and fence posts. They had the fencing (made in Tennessee!), but only four foot posts. Said the taller posts had been bought up by construction companies out west. I asked why I should buy 8 foot fencing with only four foot posts available.

Answer: fold the fencing in half.

yeesh

 

[mikephillips]

I've noticed odds and ends missing from shelves too, and it seems to be getting more prevalent as time goes by. Wanted to frame a poster this last weekend to hang in the garage, could get all the bits, except for the connectors for the corners so I couldn't fit the frame actually together. Told me they had been out of stock for a couple months and didn't even have any in the back for the store's contracted projects. And I have seen as other have pointed out, deliveries to the house getting more inconsistent. I've had a book on back order with Moss since December, and still getting a once a month still waiting notice..

 

[PAUL161]

I think a lot of this problem stems from bulk shipping delays. The ports are full of stacked-up containers full of supplies waiting to be delivered. If it's coming from the orient, it could be months to get supplies back on an even keel. With some people of questionable intelligence rejecting getting vaccinated, the pandemic and world disorder will just go on until the virus spreaders are gone!

 

[Basil]

I think a lot of this problem stems from bulk shipping delays. The ports are full of stacked-up containers full of supplies waiting to be delivered.

I think you're correct. And you have a PM.

 

[NutmegCT]

Interesting article on the current shipping mess - not expected to get any better ...

The shipping crisis is getting worse. Here's what that means for holiday shopping | CNN Business

The vast network of ports, container vessels and trucking companies that moves goods around the world is badly tangled, and the cost of shipping is skyrocketing.

www.cnn.com

CA - Record-breaking 44 container ships are anchored off the coast of California

Normally the number of ships anchored outside the twin ports is between zero and one, according to the Marine Exchange of Southern California. Additionally, August and September are peak periods for commerce from China, as businesses stock up ahead of the holidays. The ports of Los Angeles and...

www.coastalnewstoday.com

eek