05/28/2021
Look, a pallet full of unicorns!
Seriously though, never in my career have I ever seen anything like the world market we're in today. Almost every industry is struggling with supply chain issues. Fab shops are struggling to get metal. Marine distributors can't keep anything in stock so rather than buying in bulk as usual, we're snatching a handful of each item as they become available. The big block Vanguards we use, the "unicorns" in this photo, are in short supply and prices have skyrocketed. Anything that involves shipping is difficult because there is a huge shortage of truck drivers, shipping containers, train capacity, you name it. Again, prices have skyrocketed. The list goes on and on.
So, if you know a small business owner be sure to buy them a beer or at least extend a bit more patience that you might normally do. They may put on a happy face but they're probably pulling their hair out behind the scenes.
If, on the other hand, that business owner is someone who has to buy a lot of lumber, well, the safest thing might be to avoid them entirely for now. Just send a fruit basket... if you can find one in stock. 🤪