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Have you noticed shortages?


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2021 Mar 19, 10:06pm   9,782 views  372 comments

by Patrick   ➕follow (55)   💰tip   ignore  

https://www.zerohedge.com/economics/things-are-out-control-there-shortage-everything-and-prices-are-soaring-what-happens-next?source=patrick.net

From a reader:


I've commented to a few others about my perceptions, exactly the same as in the article above.

This is a major reason I suspect that your "Wuhan" virus is my "Ft Detrick" virus -- that the US bioweapons people created it and released it overseas to make it look like it came from there, to cover the criminal failure and looting of our one-percenters, who have wrecked our economy with their policies of peasant labor in across the Rio Grande, skilled labor deported overseas, create a financialization economy to replace our once-unrivaled manufacturing economy, no taxes or penalties for hi-tech, banks, wall street etc.


I was interested in getting a phone with good privacy, the Librem, but they can't say when it will be available because they can't get parts.

My laptop is dying too, and I looked into the Dell XPS 13, but guess what? Six week lead time because of supply chain issues, and they won't even commit to six weeks.

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297   RC2006   2021 Dec 21, 6:54pm  

WTF, is that like when you see some item on eBay that's marked up 100000% for no reason?
298   SunnyvaleCA   2021 Dec 21, 7:37pm  

AmericanKulak says
The Great Reset Talking Point is that "Now everything is going to be local and organic!"
That is what Wife's Facebook Small Lib Arts College Friends are repeating as NPC hotspots.

So after the Great Reset we'll be eating food produced far less efficiently! Super.
I'll remind all that in the 1960s the food was somewhat local and mostly organic. The gloom-and-doom in the 1960s was that there would be mass world starvation within 20 years.

What happened? Paul Erlich was famously wrong and instead we had the "green revolution" (yes, THAT green revolution was exactly the opposite of what is now called by the same name). Non-organic farming practices massively increased yields while excellent long-distance transportation allowed food to be grown in more suitable conditions. World population is now 2x what is was in the 1960s and the biggest problem with people being hungry or malnourished is a matter of terrible local distribution (usually due to terrible government).

I believe Freaconomics did an evaluation of "eating local" and concluded that the total costs (money, energy, time, damage to earth, etc) of transportation are far less than the total costs of trying to produce food "locally" in places where growing that kind of food isn't efficient. For example, it's far more efficient to transport vegetables grown closer to the equator than growing locally in indoor hothouses in the winter.
299   zzyzzx   2021 Dec 22, 4:56am  

SunnyvaleCA says
For example, it's far more efficient to transport vegetables grown closer to the equator than growing locally in indoor hothouses in the winter.


Ummm... you won't be getting stuff grown in a greenhouse, you will be getting whatever is produced locally that time of the year. I.E. - your diet will change to fit the local environment.
300   zzyzzx   2021 Dec 22, 5:02am  

FuckCCP89 says
LOLWHAT?


I guess that $50,000.00 additional dealer markup wasn't enough, so they added on the nitrogen filled tires, etching, and fabric protection to bloat the price even more.
301   WookieMan   2021 Dec 22, 7:21am  

zzyzzx says
FuckCCP89 says
LOLWHAT?


I guess that $50,000.00 additional dealer markup wasn't enough, so they added on the nitrogen filled tires, etching, and fabric protection to bloat the price even more.

I don't think that is real. That's why there's an MSRP for legal reasons. Plus Dodge is going to want a cut of that, which they wouldn't get if this is the dealer doing it. You can do add ons, but I don't believe you can go above MSRP as a dealer unless you have multiple people in the dealership and a bid war starts. Pretty sure this is BS.
302   SunnyvaleCA   2021 Dec 24, 1:41pm  

zzyzzx says
Ummm... you won't be getting stuff grown in a greenhouse, you will be getting whatever is produced locally that time of the year. I.E. - your diet will change to fit the local environment.
So if you live in Vermont you'll be getting snow and ice from December through April? Ha! Well, OK, you'll be getting things stored in cold storage over the winter, which is pretty dreary.
303   Robber Baron Elite Scum   2021 Dec 24, 3:53pm  

big corporations must pay tax

and employees must stop paying tax

this is what was written in the us constitution but it
is not being followed

everything nowadays is just backwards


corporations in US evading taxes is exactly why roads, public transports and highways are far behind in this country...

the schools are behind.

colleges too

hospitals too

and the welfare system is not like Europe. Its a con...

fuck this country - its all finished...
304   Automan Empire   2021 Dec 25, 2:54pm  

SunnyvaleCA says
the total costs (money, energy, time, damage to earth, etc) of transportation are far less than the total costs of trying to produce food "locally" in places where growing that kind of food isn't efficient. For example, it's far more efficient to transport vegetables grown closer to the equator than growing locally in indoor hothouses in the winter.


It's harder to reach an economy of scale growing warm loving crops at higher latitudes, but at small to medium scales, don't underestimate how much can be done with how little energy input. There's a guy in Nebraska who made geo-moderated earthen greenhouses where he actually grows decent oranges with little to no fuel burned for heat annually. Also look into the "microgreens" revolution, with urban ultra-local "farm to table" using stacked dense indoor LED-lit optimized growing systems.

SunnyvaleCA says
Paul Erlich was famously wrong and instead we had the "green revolution" (yes, THAT green revolution was exactly the opposite of what is now called by the same name). Non-organic farming practices massively increased yields while excellent long-distance transportation allowed food to be grown in more suitable conditions.


The "economy of scale" farming practices, like many other mass enterprises, thrive and derive much of their economy by massively EXTERNALIZING costs.

Falling water tables, collapsing aquifers, rivers sucked so dry they don't reach the sea, or with such diminished volume that saltwater intrusion into deltas and water tables becomes a huge issue, agricultural runoff like the Salton Sea we were just discussing which in 30 years went from a world class resort and fishing/boating destination to a fetid dead sea with all the human settlement around it abandoned, extraction and burning costs of fuel to fly bananas and oranges across the globe constantly, even fuel costs to ship them. Refrigeration costs in storage, transport, and retailing for many exotic fruits. Cattle feedlots and 25,000 bird chicken barns, whose practices outright endanger not only the local environment, but export danger into the food chain from salmonella to CJD.

I'm not saying it's unnecessary or immoral or that we need to stop these practices and return to unspoilt natual pastoral farming practices; I'm not THAT kind of hippie-dippy idealist. I'm saying, don't ignore these externalities when considering and ranking modern mass farming practices against "local" farming. Especially on the basis of one particular analysis that was probably commissioned by some special interest or another to "prove" a specific point of theirs anyway.
305   HeadSet   2021 Dec 25, 8:16pm  

Automan Empire says
The "economy of scale" farming practices, like many other mass enterprises, thrive and derive much of their economy by massively EXTERNALIZING costs.

+1000. And that is aggravated by farm subsidies that encourage overproduction. And to reach high output for the subsidies, the farmers rape the land by ignoring contour plowing and crop rotation, plus overuse of fertilizers, soil treatment, and pesticides.
306   mell   2021 Dec 25, 9:33pm  

HeadSet says
Automan Empire says
The "economy of scale" farming practices, like many other mass enterprises, thrive and derive much of their economy by massively EXTERNALIZING costs.

+1000. And that is aggravated by farm subsidies that encourage overproduction. And to reach high output for the subsidies, the farmers rape the land by ignoring contour plowing and crop rotation, plus overuse of fertilizers, soil treatment, and pesticides.

Agreed.
307   zzyzzx   2021 Dec 27, 9:39am  

Not as bad as the one above, but still:
308   zzyzzx   2021 Dec 27, 9:41am  

2022 Honda Passport Base Price Rises by $5080
The mid-size SUV drops its previous base Sport trim, and the new TrailSport off-road model starts at $43,695.

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a38438462/2022-honda-passport-price/?source=patrick.net
309   Patrick   2022 Jan 3, 7:48pm  

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10280709/Number-cargo-ships-LA-coast-time-high-despite-claims-port-officials.html?source=patrick.net


Cargo ship bottleneck off LA coast is STILL at all-time high - with nearly 100 ships waiting to berth - despite port officials claiming number had HALVED
The number of ships docked off the California coast is still at an all-time high - contradicting claims from officials the number has dwindled in recent weeks
On Tuesday, Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka announced there were 46 boats stationed off the shores of Long Beach and Los Angeles
However, according to data provided by ship-tracking outfit MarineTraffic, there are currently 96 cargo ships docked near the two popular ports
The inconsistency in the number of ships stems from a new policy recently employed by shipping trade groups
The new policy encourages boats traversing the Pacific, often hailing from Asia, to sit 150 miles offshore as they wait to unload their precious cargo
Some ships have been waiting to berth since October, amid the US' continuing supply chain crisis
The policy, put into effect of November 16, encourages incoming vessels to wait out in the open ocean amid the traffic jams - rather than at the backed-up ports


What? Would Brandon lie to us?
311   Eric Holder   2022 Jan 13, 10:40am  

Patrick says
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10280709/Number-cargo-ships-LA-coast-time-high-despite-claims-port-officials.html?source=patrick.net


Cargo ship bottleneck off LA coast is STILL at all-time high - with nearly 100 ships waiting to berth - despite port officials claiming number had HALVED
The number of ships docked off the California coast is still at an all-time high - contradicting claims from officials the number has dwindled in recent weeks
On Tuesday, Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka announced there were 46 boats stationed off the shores of Long Beach and Los Angeles
However, according to data provided by ship-tracking outfit MarineTraffic, there are currently 96 cargo ships docked near the two popular ports
The inconsistency in the numb...


Same thing reported for SF Bay: all container ships idling in the bay were ordered to go fucking idle in the fucking ocean 50 miles away from the shore. "It's for the air quality!"
312   Automan Empire   2022 Jan 13, 1:09pm  

zzyzzx says
Not as bad as the one above, but still:
(image of RIP OFF invoice)


Man I hope everyone who saw that WALKED straight off that dealer's lot obviously in response to reading it, then never returned no matter what. The vehicle market IS crazy, but those who can hold out for a year or two won't face this bullshit.

I've been looking at Suburbans to upgrade my dead 99 for heavy towing. 2 years ago when my budget was tighter, people were GIVING the damn things away. Now I'm seeing 20yo quarter million mile trucks with disclosed rust damage and salvage/lemon law buyback titles in Philadelphia getting nationwide bids well into 5 figures.
313   WookieMan   2022 Jan 13, 1:17pm  

Automan Empire says
Now I'm seeing 20yo quarter million mile trucks with disclosed rust damage and salvage/lemon law buyback titles in Philadelphia getting nationwide bids well into 5 figures.

There are no cars. We are now in the market again. Hopefully with $30k extra cash, but I'm not sure WTF we're going to get. Never thought we'd buy new, but it might be the only option. We can get what the dealer paid for it from the manufacturer (Toyota) with some sales commission in there, but I've never liked the idea of buying new. I do know it would be nice to have all the bells and whistles though. We're in the car a lot.
314   Eric Holder   2022 Jan 13, 1:18pm  

Automan Empire says
zzyzzx says
Not as bad as the one above, but still:
(image of RIP OFF invoice)


Man I hope everyone who saw that WALKED straight off that dealer's lot obviously in response to reading it, then never returned no matter what. The vehicle market IS crazy, but those who can hold out for a year or two won't face this bullshit.

I've been looking at Suburbans to upgrade my dead 99 for heavy towing. 2 years ago when my budget was tighter, people were GIVING the damn things away. Now I'm seeing 20yo quarter million mile trucks with disclosed rust damage and salvage/lemon law buyback titles in Philadelphia getting nationwide bids well into 5 figures.


I'm automatically tracking KBB value of my jalopies in a financial planning app I use. Mostly for shits and giggles since I don't consider them "assets". And giggles I got plenty: over the last two years they APPRECIATED between 50% and 100%. =)) My son who was planning to buy one of them from me is sad though because it's the hooptie he wants to buy that went up 100%. Ironicallly, it's the one with the most miles on the clock (but not the oldest one).
317   zzyzzx   2022 Jan 14, 7:18am  

Patrick says
https://notthebee.com/article/um-is-anyone-at-all-concerned-that-grocery-stores-around-the-country-seem-to-be-running-out-of-food-at-an-alarming-rate?source=patrick.net


As fat as we are (collectively) I doubt starvation would be an effective means of wiping out significant numbers of Americans.
318   RC2006   2022 Jan 14, 9:36am  

Part shortages on the rise, what was once overnight is now pushing 2-3months for industrial equipment I work on. Around here stores seem stocked but prices are up, maybe inventory is moving from poorer cities to wealthier ones for maximized profit.
322   Patrick   2022 Jan 18, 12:45pm  

https://notthebee.com/article/heres-your-bidens-america-photo-of-the-day?source=patrick.net


That's one way to overcome #EmptyshelvesBiden's economy.

Yes, that is one entire produce section of a grocery store containing nothing but heads of iceberg lettuce, all spread out.

Let's zoom in a bit on that.



323   Eric Holder   2022 Jan 18, 1:13pm  

Patrick says
https://notthebee.com/article/heres-your-bidens-america-photo-of-the-day?source=patrick.net


That's one way to overcome #EmptyshelvesBiden's economy.

Yes, that is one entire produce section of a grocery store containing nothing but heads of iceberg lettuce, all spread out.

Let's zoom in a bit on that.







This is what they used to do in the USSR: spread some goods which were in low demand* over many surfaces to create an illusion that the store is not empty.


*) Some really weird stuff, like "birch juice" or canned seaweed.
325   SunnyvaleCA   2022 Jan 25, 5:42am  

Given the high inflation rate and possibility of shortages, I've been buying durable goods in bulk. I'm now the go-to person for toilet paper. 😳
326   EBGuy   2022 Jan 25, 7:37pm  

US warns that chip shortage could shut down factories
Companies that use semiconductors are down to less than five days of inventory — a sharp drop from 40 days in 2019, according to a department survey of 150 companies. The chips used in the production of automobiles and medical devices are especially scarce.
We're starting to cannibalize old assemblies for chips that are no longer available. Not a good sign...
327   Patrick   2022 Jan 25, 7:47pm  

https://patriotpost.us/articles/85760?source=patrick.net


JANUARY 25, 2022
The Price-Jabbing International Trucking Vax Mandate
Team Biden’s latest diktat will only make the current supply chain crisis worse.

The nation’s supply troubles might have just gotten worse following the Department of Homeland Security issuing yet another COVID vaccine mandate. A new U.S. port regulation recently went into effect mandating that noncitizens may not enter the U.S. through ports of entry unless they have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. While the new mandate does not apply to American truck drivers, it does apply to all Canadian and Mexican drivers. Furthermore, both Canada and Mexico have implemented similar rules, effectively preventing U.S. truck drivers from hauling cargo internationally if they have not been vaccinated.
328   RC2006   2022 Jan 25, 7:49pm  

EBGuy says
US warns that chip shortage could shut down factories
Companies that use semiconductors are down to less than five days of inventory — a sharp drop from 40 days in 2019, according to a department survey of 150 companies. The chips used in the production of automobiles and medical devices are especially scarce.
We're starting to cannibalize old assemblies for chips that are no longer available. Not a good sign...


Its really is getting bad, but this is what happens when you outsource everything to slavers to save a few bucks. Outsourcing to China has been hiding true inflation.
329   HeadSet   2022 Jan 26, 7:37am  

RC2006 says
US warns that chip shortage could shut down factories

Remember how Trump wanted to bring back chip production to the US?
330   B.A.C.A.H.   2022 Jan 26, 8:12am  

I've noticed a shortage of customer service.

It's all small stuff so far.

Here is an example: for the first time ever, after decades, I did not receive a "courtesy call" from the service advisor to tell me my car would be ready for pickup.

I had to call the shop to inquire.
331   zzyzzx   2022 Jan 26, 9:44am  

B.A.C.A.H. says
I had to call the shop to inquire.


That's normal and has been the case my entire adult life.
332   B.A.C.A.H.   2022 Jan 26, 6:59pm  

zzyzzx says
That's normal and has been the case my entire adult life.

Yes, I know.

I don't think of myself as an Entitled Princess, nor was I complaining that I didn't get such a phone call. It's just a first time that I didn't receive such a call after using the local Toyota (and Honda and Subaru) dealers for so many services for two decades. Just an observation. Here's another one, again, small sh*t but it may portend of macro economic trends: fewer and fewer tellers at the banks. Yes, I know, automation and cost reduction and all that. Also, less service.
333   HeadSet   2022 Jan 27, 6:43am  

B.A.C.A.H. says
Yes, I know, automation and cost reduction and all that. Also, less service.

Has anyone been to a sit down restaurant where you order from a tablet mounted to the table, and an R2D2 robot brings the food, or something similar?
334   Patrick   2022 Jan 29, 3:50am  

No, but I don't think I'd like that.
335   WookieMan   2022 Jan 29, 5:58am  

HeadSet says
Has anyone been to a sit down restaurant where you order from a tablet mounted to the table, and an R2D2 robot brings the food, or something similar?

No robot delivering the food. Dealt with plenty of restaurants with the QR codes and ordering on the phone though. Love hate relationship with that process. If a server is busy and takes my order, but doesn't put it in, I'm waiting and pissed. Using the phone you at least know someone got the order either bartender or cook and the potential weak link, server, is taken out of the equation if the place has people running drinks/food to tables and not taking orders.

Geezers are the problem with this system being widely implemented in a meaningful way that would work for 95% of customers. As an introvert I'll do just about anything to not have to deal with a random human. Mind you I'm super social with people I know and trust, but I just can't stand random interactions. It's like nails on a chalkboard sometimes. Like a gas station cashier trying to shoot the shit with you who is clearly a moron, but you have to be polite. It's awkward as fuck. Golfing it is super annoying when the starter/ranger tries to be your buddy at the nicer courses. Or they're complete ass holes telling you to keep pace of play when the fucks in front of you suck at golf.

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