Shortages of stuff you wouldn't think of....

Those pesky laws of economics have a tendency to bite you in the butt if they aren't followed.

Law #1: There is no such thing as a free lunch.

Law #2: There is always a delicate dance between supply and demand.
 
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Law #2: There is always a delicate dance between supply and demand...


...when you run most businesses on the knife edge of cash flow using the "just in time" methodology. Toyota learned their lesson when the Fukushima earthquake wiped out their chip supplier. Ever since they have been stockpiling, that's why they can build complete trucks while Ford are filling up car parks with partly built trucks to the degree you can see them from space.


**Apologies for any distress caused to those with business degrees for using the word "stockpiling" without the required FTC/CoC warning. I almost used the word "warehouse", but I didn't want to be really offensive.** :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:
 
Toyota can build them, but for the ones made in other countries, they can't get them here.

Tacomas are made in Mexico and shipped here by ship. The ones coming into Long Beach are slow in getting here because the terminal is jammed. I don't know if they all come in by Long Beach, but it doesn't matter because every US POE is back logged.

As a result, I could trade my 2019 in for more than I paid about a year ago. Of course, I wouldn't be able to find a replacement.

A friend of mine ordered a refrigerator last fall. Stainless Steel is the popular color currently and since his wife wanted white, it was a special order.

When he last talked to the salesman early last month, the salesman said they had no idea when it might show up and suggested looking for an alternative brand.



...when you run most businesses on the knife edge of cash flow using the "just in time" methodology. Toyota learned their lesson when the Fukushima earthquake wiped out their chip supplier. Ever since they have been stockpiling, that's why they can build complete trucks while Ford are filling up car parks with partly built trucks to the degree you can see them from space.


**Apologies for any distress caused to those with business degrees for using the word "stockpiling" without the required FTC/CoC warning. I almost used the word "warehouse", but I didn't want to be really offensive.** :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:
 
Shortage of everything except ^*&(ing lawyers :mad:

I think people are beginning to understand that it might be a bad thing to be getting some much of out stiff from China. Hell, If I were China I'd crop dust the next virus over the entire counrty and then stop all exports-wait a year and then step in and those of us left will all be speaking mandarin in 6 months
 
Shortage of everything except ^*&(ing lawyers :mad:

I think people are beginning to understand that it might be a bad thing to be getting some much of out stiff from China. Hell, If I were China I'd crop dust the next virus over the entire counrty and then stop all exports-wait a year and then step in and those of us left will all be speaking mandarin in 6 months
Be careful what you wish for :eek: We have become very dependent on China and I'm sure they know it...

I have noticed on Amazon that more and more often, items with a good price are shown as "Shipped from China." No thank you.(Even if that's where they come from originally.)
 
All the stuff that is imported is being held up at the ports because they don't have the work force to unload the containers, put them on trucks or trains, and move them to distribution centers. No one wants to work because they are receiving state and federal unemployment benefits that are more than their normal paycheck.
Companies in my area are paying people $50-100 just to fill out an application.
They are having to pay truck drivers much more than last year to stay out on the road moving freight because life on the road sucks with all the covid restrictions they have been dealing with for the last year.
 
I counted 28 giant container ships anchored off San Pedro/Long Beach.

That costs millions per day, but they can't get them docked and unloaded.

No one seems to know why.
 
My son works in management for a large company that runs several terminals, including one in Long Beach. He knows why and that it's going to be months before the problem is solved.

They can't get full containers out of the yards at the terminals fast enough. Not enough truck drivers, not enough rail capacity.

The yards are also full of empty containers that have to go back to wherever to be refilled and then brought back to the US or wherever.

The empties can't go back on the ships because the ships haven't been unloaded yet.

So, the ships sit out in harbors waiting their turn. As you point out, that's expensive. It also means things imported to the US are delayed by weeks or even months.

It's going to get worse in the US southeast because of the pipeline attack. Truck stops are running out of fuel so the trucks can't move.


I counted 28 giant container ships anchored off San Pedro/Long Beach.

That costs millions per day, but they can't get them docked and unloaded.

No one seems to know why.
 
I had been zipping my own hair for the past year, #2 all the way, nice not to have the bushy hair I once had and fussed over. :D
Needed a little help around the ears and my eyebrows though.

My man Kenneth finally came back to Great Clips after a year away. He has some health issues so I understand. Last month he was vaccinated finally, with the "all come and get it" folks even though he should have gone with the first group.

After a bunch of whazz up and great to see youzz, we get to talking. "Mr Mike, I have to admit that unemployment was great, I was getting tons of money to just sit home".

Me, "why did you come back then?"

Kenneth, " they took me off unemployment because I was offered my job back".

Me, "how'd they find out?"

Kenneth, " somehow they know, "they" know everything". We yucked that up.:D

OK, so how's it going says I.

Kenneth, "the owner is giving me $5 more an hour" :cool:

Me, "great, glad to have you back, my eyebrows really needed you" :p. I gave him a huge tip.

Haircuts are up 15% from a year ago.

Expect inflation everywhere.

Consumer price index April 2021:
 
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Again yesterday at the gym.

What's up Gil?

Another day says Gil.

Gil, "went to Roadhouse for lunch the other day".

Me, "man, I can never get in there, it's always packed".

Gil, "went the last Thursday @3, no cars in the lot, I'm thinking this is good. I get to the front and ask for a table for two. The girl tells me a 30 minute wait. :eek: Huh, no cars in the lot?"

Me, "so what was the issue?"

Gil, "they told me they were short staffed and can't get people to come in for even an interview" :rolleyes:
 
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