Was at the local speed shop Thursday and was told that their main warehouse that they purchase from is at approx half inventory level. Russell fittings, helmuts of any brand, fabricated steel bars, etc - all none available. He was told that last summer they worked off from built up inventory, but have had almost nothing received, hence no inventory. I heard that and made some calls about a helmut because that is one of my 'need to buy' before this season. Contacted two more shops and found one in my size in stock - drove to get it. The other two shops advised of the same thing. Also, all mentioned a steel price jump because of no production - 100-200% increase lol.
Regarding the increase in shipping costs - they are real and no one is making big money off from the increases other than online retailers with two being the largest winners - Amazon and Walmart. Fedex and UPS had contracts with each prior to Covid that allowed for discounted and free rates for the free shipping deals for members. Because Covid put these business's sales into exponetial growth, the shippers had to honor the shipping contracts. So the end result is that the cost of shipping everything else has increased 2 and 3 fold.
A heads up for would be terrorists - if you want to cripple the US, then hack FedEx's computer system - this country would come to a halt for months if not a year. This kind of stuff is a direct result of Covid, but it will get blamed on you know who. Just be ready and think for yourself when you start hearing outlandish claims that some current politician caused this. Follow the money and you'll find the cause.
Bottom line, if you can find parts that you need locally or wherever, then buy them now because it's going to get worse before it gets back to normal.
But perhaps I'm all wet and don't sh*t from shinola. Time will tell - 'hold fast brother'
Regarding the increase in shipping costs - they are real and no one is making big money off from the increases other than online retailers with two being the largest winners - Amazon and Walmart. Fedex and UPS had contracts with each prior to Covid that allowed for discounted and free rates for the free shipping deals for members. Because Covid put these business's sales into exponetial growth, the shippers had to honor the shipping contracts. So the end result is that the cost of shipping everything else has increased 2 and 3 fold.
A heads up for would be terrorists - if you want to cripple the US, then hack FedEx's computer system - this country would come to a halt for months if not a year. This kind of stuff is a direct result of Covid, but it will get blamed on you know who. Just be ready and think for yourself when you start hearing outlandish claims that some current politician caused this. Follow the money and you'll find the cause.
Bottom line, if you can find parts that you need locally or wherever, then buy them now because it's going to get worse before it gets back to normal.
But perhaps I'm all wet and don't sh*t from shinola. Time will tell - 'hold fast brother'
