Why the cost increase?


I went to buy materials for a speaker project. I also priced some T-111 siding on 8" centers, 5/8 thick, Ship lap.
I hadn’t picked up any sheets or anything in over 18 months.

48" x 96 x 5/8 wood siding was 19-26.00 and on sale 15-20.00 per sheet, NOW 74-84.00 per sheet.

MDF 3/4" 48 x 96" if you can find it. 45-55.00 per sheet it was 22.00 to 27.00 per sheet.

2x4x8 DF stud grade 1.99-3.00 per. Now 4-6.00 per stud,

There is no shortage but there sure is a LOT of price gouging. NOTHING changed. Just the price..

The quality is worse. The workers aren’t paid worth a crap...Why the increase?

I’m getting ready to finish my home out. WOW.. I might have to rethink this a bit..

The price all most tripled in 12-18 months.. This kind of stuff is NOT cool at ALL.

Just my opinion of course. Any projects you’re doing get put on hold or STOPED?

YES I’m very frugal. Money never came easy, and it leaves the same way..

oldhvymec
It is 450.00 per week in CA. I've never drawn unemployment.

I did have to collect on a broken neck the last 4 years though. The only time I've ever had to use my EARNED benefits.

It cost me a LOT of money being injured. It didn't cost my employer a nickel AND he fired me..

BUT it did cost him his franchise. No one was qualified for the work... LOL they terminated his contract and sent ME an Email explaining why..
He owed 2 million in unpaid parts bills.. TRUE "Travelholic" 5-70k every 3 month.. Ruined a cool 1-1.2 million dollar profit per year business. It made over 12 million gross. To just paying some of the bills and 1-2 million in sales. So sad the addicts that screw people.
Gamblers cut from the same cloth. I've worked with TWO, that I knew of just horrible to see what a real gambler will do just to gamble..

I remember having to explain to a guys wife why he was being arrested.
I was a shop steward at the time.. Stealing company fuel by the thousands of gallons.. Gambler...

I'll take a drunk or heroin addict over either.. Most of my European counterparts were one or the other.. Tough being a HD mechanic. ;-)

When was the last time anyone saw a pay raise unless you work for the government OR the gouging bunch that's taking advantage of JOE American. Price increase? Surely not their workers.. JUST the sale price.

Home Depot or Lowes has NOT removed the "NOW Hiring" sign from in front of their store for 10 years..

I use a local lumber company when he has stock.. 

I'm going back to work.  Start organizing again!.. Need some Union order back in things.. I knew I saw Hoffa the other day.. Little rough around the edges, BUT He was born in 1913.. BIG stereo guy too.. LOL

Regards
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Oh BS, Hoffa was on one side, and Elvis on the other, of Marilyn Monroe.

JFK was in close third..

and no Paul in NOT dead.. :-)

Regards
Almost certainly a bubble caused by speculators.
All markets are like this - driven by greed on the upside.

Don't worry, as soon as one speculator thinks the price will fall, he will sell.  Other speculators will see he has sold and they will sell.  Soon they will all try to sell, driving the price below where it started.  Driven by fear on the downside.

If you want to play, the trick is to learn how to catch the falling knife.