Pandemic product shortages

[Nativetexan]

Went to buy a mattress and was told there was a foam shortage.

Went to buy my dad a power recliner, was told there's a wood shortage for framing.

Went to buy a…you get the idea.

I think most companies are saying there are shortages (which there is) but are using it as an excuse to limit having to hold capitol up in inventory. The days of high inventory are gone, I think. Businesses are not going back. Just like a lot of workers want remote more so than in office now.

[cmyx6go]

Originally Posted by vreihen16

In these parts (self-proclaimed logistics hub of the northeast), every trucking terminal and warehouse is also advertising (more like begging!) for forklift operators, pallet pushers, and order pickers...at well above minimum wage. Even if there were enough truck drivers, the stuff won't move itself once it reaches the terminal/warehouse docks!

I'm thinking that electronic "nanny" ELD laws have also taken all of the fun out of being a truck driver these days, which probably isn't helping in the recruitment process.....

If anything, it forced out old timers that either didn’t want to or couldn’t deal with the new technology, which is a shame. The old timers were a good breed for the most part.

I have no problem with the ELD as it hopefully did away with cowboys that were dangerous on the road. Younger drivers can adapt.

I love the technology. Especially for insurance purposes. Freaking nuclear verdicts against the big bad trucking companies sucks. Now we have safety features like collision avoidance and I love the drive cams; both forward facing and driver facing. I can’t tell you how many times we have had stupid accidents in the past where the four wheeler said we did something wrong. All my trucks have dash cams and capture the nonsense. Previously it was a he said, she said and insurance companies paid just to make it go away. Now driver just shows the LEO the video and he writes a ticket on the scene to car driver that did something stupid and shows at fault.

[No one]

Originally Posted by cmyx6go

Who wants to be a truck driver?

You mean, like this (the "White Line Fever" movie):

?

[hubbahubba]

We use Sysco Foods. We just hung up with our rep. We are a franchise, send them (Sysco) $50k plus per month. Our truck was cancelled today, is cancelled for tomorrow, and our only truck before the weekend will be Wednesday. What is happening to Sysco in Az right now is absolutely insane. They say labor shortages. We have been open almost 7 years. We have never been pushed off for delivery. Now it's twice in 5 days. They say it's regional, but any way I slice it, it ain't good. For all you Az peeps, get ready for your favorite restaurant to tell you that they are out of it, no matter what it is. Our paper goods and plastics supplier has been telling us for weeks that he can't get some plastic goods. People need to go back to work. Period. Eff Covid.

[Our03z4]

Starting last week it's now almost impossible to get 12/2 low voltage wiring, irrigation wire good luck. Poly piping extremely hard to buy in bulk. Usually can get on the same day now it's taking a month.

[UncleWede]

Originally Posted by kscarrol

Yes and whisky, whiskey, rum Murf993....

Whiteclaw

[hubbahubba]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

Whiteclaw

MODS! Where is the UN-appreciate button???

[UncleWede]

Neener neener neener

[hubbahubba]

OK Auntie Wede.

[upstatedoc]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

Neener neener neener

May I see your man card please

[UncleWede]

Originally Posted by upstatedoc

May I see your man card please

Let me ask my wife

[DETRoadster]

Originally Posted by Our03z4

Starting last week it's now almost impossible to get 12/2 low voltage wiring, irrigation wire good luck. Poly piping extremely hard to buy in bulk. Usually can get on the same day now it's taking a month.

Makes me nervous for our upcoming house build. Might have to shelve that for a year and let things recover.

[MsGoGoMoto]

Went on Amazon to order some products.
Shipment date on the product listing said BY: (4 days from now)
Got all the way to the end of the cart, shipping changed to a month from now..
Backed out of order

[vreihen16]

Originally Posted by cmyx6go

If anything, it forced out old timers that either didn’t want to or couldn’t deal with the new technology, which is a shame. The old timers were a good breed for the most part.

Do you have to deal with driver illiteracy? I've seen over-the-road teams where one of the drivers could not read, and the only way that they could earn a living was to be paired with a driver who could read. Losing the literate driver could take the illiterate one out of the workforce as well.....

[cmyx6go]

Originally Posted by vreihen16

Do you have to deal with driver illiteracy? I've seen over-the-road teams where one of the drivers could not read, and the only way that they could earn a living was to be paired with a driver who could read. Losing the literate driver could take the illiterate one out of the workforce as well.....

No, I haven't experienced that.

[Tommy-G]

It has proven to be an insane 2 years, I was fortunate in last year to not have to lay anyone off due to our employer making sure everyone was taken care of. Our work level was down 50-60% but we pulled through.
Starting the beginning of this year, work really started to pick up. Normal amount of "work in process" for my Collision shop is $300k at any given time, we have been at $650k for most of the year with no new employees to be found. I have skilled labor who want to relocate from other areas but can not find or afford the housing b/c it has gone through the roof. Add to that, most manufacturers can not supply parts in a timely fashion and we have a parking lot full of dead wood.

[omasou]

Originally Posted by cmyx6go

And how about those prices for food and necessities? Costs for all the packaging and ingredients went up. Cost of pallets, costs of warehousing, cost of freight to ship all the components and the finished goods skyrocketed whether they are trucking rates or container rates. Put the fuel increase on top. Who do you think pays for that? The consumer of course.

I’ve been in domestic transportation for 31 years. I have never seen rates so high. It’s insane. There is way more freight than trucks and drivers to move said freight. Transportation costs have a huge impact in the cost of goods. Supply and demand 101, except I don’t see the supply getting any better anytime soon. Trucking companies are throwing money at driver in an effort to recruit but the guys that want to work just jump from company to company to get sign on bonuses or increased pay. The pool isn’t getting any bigger. Who wants to be a truck driver?

Unfortunately, I think the only thing that will change the current situation is inflation. When people can’t afford to purchase stuff, the demand will go down on transportation which will force the rates down when people complete for business again. But you can’t take back the increased wages to drivers.

I apologize for typos. This is a long post to do from my phone.

drones will solve it. /s

[omasou]

Originally Posted by Our03z4

Starting last week it's now almost impossible to get 12/2 low voltage wiring, irrigation wire good luck. Poly piping extremely hard to buy in bulk. Usually can get on the same day now it's taking a month.

Romex, what with romex?. The home centers are hiding what they have b/c people are stealing it and the prices for what they do have is insane!

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by ryan stewart

Motorcycles, parts and tools like lifts have been bad too. Tires arent great either.

A lot of truckers were near retirement age and a lot just bailed when covid came along and there isnt a big influx of younger people going into that industry to replace them.

Been waiting two months on a rear tire for my scooter.

[3.0L]

Originally Posted by vreihen16

Do you have to deal with driver illiteracy? I've seen over-the-road teams where one of the drivers could not read, and the only way that they could earn a living was to be paired with a driver who could read. Losing the literate driver could take the illiterate one out of the workforce as well.....

This might not be a new problem. For as far back as I can recall, truck drivers have been trying to drive a 12 foot 8 inch tall rigs under a nearby 12 foot 6 inch RR bridge. Signs are clearly posted, but the "tuna can" incidents continue.

[freakystyly]

[King Rudi]

My issues currently: Lots of unfinished projects. Chip shortage - MFP printer for a control room that was ordered in May, still no ETA. Building materials scarce to the point where it's impossible to plan project completion. Employee/contractor issues with COVID or just overall shortage. Car shortage on rental so I can get my car in the shop. Other's involved but I'm being called out on my laptop for not paying attention on a teams call.

Originally Posted by rebekahb

This is a random thing but we ordered a fountain for our front garden in early March. It just arrived a week ago. Waiting for it to be custom stained.

The lady who owns the place where they're made said she can't keep employees. They start work and then quit.

I'm seeing much of this at my office. Typical shelf-life right now is about 3 days.

Originally Posted by rebekahb

My friend owns a trucking company and has been struggling with drivers for a few years now. He says the new ones are a bunch of nut sacks and can barely hack it. They get a flat tire or something breaks and they sit on the side of the road calling him asking what to do. Not much in the way of forward thinking. He has to do a lot of babysitting.

THIS....all day long! Have a friend who owns a logistics company here and he's complaining about the same thing.

Originally Posted by vreihen16

Do you have to deal with driver illiteracy? I've seen over-the-road teams where one of the drivers could not read, and the only way that they could earn a living was to be paired with a driver who could read. Losing the literate driver could take the illiterate one out of the workforce as well.....

I deal with this daily. Plus having to explain that receiving department is receiving for us, not for them; they pick up in shipping and drop off in receiving. They can not figure this out. Also, communication, most do not speak English now.