Outdoor Equipment Shortage?

[Perry Holbrook]

The front entrance at both my local Lowes and Home Depot is completely clear of outdoor power equipment, mowers, log splitters, tillers, etc. I assume it is related to Covid shut down of mfg plants. Do ya'll have the same in your area? Just found it interesting, not in the market for anything just now.

Perry

[Kev Williams]

Most likely reason for this phenomenon IMO is simply a lot of people now have time to do projects they've been putting off...

[Stephen Tashiro]

The front entrance at both my local Lowes and Home Depot is completely clear of outdoor power equipment, mowers, log splitters, tillers, etc. I assume it is related to Covid shut down of mfg plants. Do ya'll have the same in your area? Just found it interesting, not in the market for anything just now.

Perry

I don't pay attention to outdoor power equipment displays, but there are other shortages.

My local Lowes didn't have a Square-D 30 Amp double pole breaker last Thursday and there were other bare spots on the shelves for electrical breakers. (Home Depot didn't have such a breaker either when I went on Friday). Lowes has half a dozen models of corded orbital sanders on display, but none for sale. It's been that way for several months. There are bare spaces on the rack for sanding discs. The local Sutherlands Hardware did not have the breaker. They were also out of roofing felt!

[Matt Day]

Definitely shortages on outdoor sporting goods too, like bikes.

[Bill Dufour]

One of the three Home Despots near me had to stop having that stuff outside about two years ago. Too much was walking off at night and even before closing.
Bill D

[Jim Becker]

Perry, 'hope all is well with you and yours.

I think that what you observe is actually a combination of increased demand given so many folks are at home these days as well as supply pressures.

[Ronald Blue]

Treated outdoor lumber is in high demand as well.

[Ron Selzer]

West side of Columbus Lowe's has had the normal amount of outside equipment right on thru.
don't shop the Lowe's in Lancaster anymore to know.
Ron

[David Publicover]

Treated outdoor lumber is in high demand as well.

I know the local supplier in my community is having a hard time getting enough PT lumber to meet demand this summer. It seems everyone is doing decks since they are spending more time home. The Garden Centres are all sold out and closed and I hear the pool installation folks are booked solid. It seems at least some businesses are doing ok this year. Thank goodness!

[Brian Elfert]

My local Lowes didn't have a Square-D 30 Amp double pole breaker last Thursday and there were other bare spots on the shelves for electrical breakers. (Home Depot didn't have such a breaker either when I went on Friday). Lowes has half a dozen models of corded orbital sanders on display, but none for sale. It's been that way for several months. There are bare spaces on the rack for sanding discs. The local Sutherlands Hardware did not have the breaker. They were also out of roofing felt!

I read that a Square D breaker plant in Mexico had a fire or something so there is a shortage of Square D breakers.

[ChrisA Edwards]

HD and Lowes seem to have their normal selection of lawn mowers, etc., outside, here just outside Nashville, TN.

I recently ordered a wood chipper from HD, about 6 weeks ago, and it arrived a week later.

[Bill Dufour]

Some states shut down logging as non essential for the duration but lumber mills could stay open since lumber is essential.
Bill D

[Brian Elfert]

Some states shut down logging as non essential for the duration but lumber mills could stay open since lumber is essential.


That makes so much sense. Do government officials know where lumber comes from?

[Ron Selzer]

Some states shut down logging as non essential for the duration but lumber mills could stay open since lumber is essential.
Bill D
In Ohio trees have to be cut down by a certain date which coincided with the shutdown this year, claim this is to protect a certain bat who nest in those trees in the spring. Then logging will resume sometime later this year, or may have already started back.

[Perry Hilbert Jr]

My wife decided suddenly to take up kayaking with a bunch of her co workers. Can't find a decent kayak for love or money. Used are selling for more than new MSRP. There isn't a bicycle to be had in this corner of the state, unless you are willing to steal one, and that has become even more common than before. I was at walmart yesterday and noticed empty shelves all over the place. I assume because foreign manufacturers were/are closed. Mrs. also wants a new SUV, we went looking and asked about 2021 models, when due in. Sales mgr told us maybe not until November and then just dribble into the country. Toyota dealer told us the same. Some power tools are hard to find. And now, one local hardware store, that had a good selection of hard to find items is going out of business. Means I will have to order on line and pay shipping for stuff like unwaxed shellac.

[mike stenson]

My daughters been wanting a new mountain bike since before all of this and she finally had the $$ ready to go. Now nothing's around.

I can still buy stuff to BUILD a bike (it's very common in higher end, boutique bikes to buy a frameset and all the components individually), and I can still buy a much higher end bike than she's looking for.

But yes, the local bike stores are all out.. and when they do come in, they're gone within hours.

[Bill Dufour]

Percy; years ago we went by train from Chicago to California. We met a young couple who boarded just west of Chicago heading to Seattle. We talked with them at dinner and they had bought two kayaks at a yard sale and had them in the baggage car. They were charged $5.00 extra each for oversize luggage! I think they met the weight requirements. Later we looked in the baggage car door and saw two big yellow kayaks on top of the suitcases.
Bil lD

[Andrew Pitonyak]

Lots of supply chain problems. My 12 year old just learned to ride a bike so wanted to buy her a new one because her old one was broken. Bike shop has no new bikes, said he cannot get them. Have only been able to fix the broken bike with used parts, and that includes a replacement tire and a broken brake handle. He did have high end tires that he managed to get in, but, they would not fix this old used bike.

[mike stenson]

Yea, almost all (good) components come from Taiwan, certainly SRAM does, and much of Shimano is made either there or in the mainland. I think only their high end components are made in Japan. I can't think of anything short of Campagnolo that comes from Europe. All of the US made stuff is boutique, ie.. very high end. Well, I think we successfully ordered a bike last night, that was just a touch over her budget. We'll see if it arrives.

[Dave Lehnert]

i just noticed today that a local compact tractor dealer had almost zero stock out front. They have ALWAYS had a full parking lot of new equipment.

[Ron Selzer]

Just in the WalMart in Lancaster, Ohio this morning and they had a couple of bikes that would work for her. $150 and down
Ron

[Andrew Seemann]

Outdoor power equipment, outdoor rec equipment, home improvement supplies, woodworking, crafting, gardening, basically things you can do by yourself or in small groups or things to do at home; it is all in high demand now. State campgrounds are nearly full the all week not just weekends. Below is the fishing line isle from the local Dick's Sporting Goods.

Couple high demand with Covid related disruptions in supply and transportation and you get shortages. I've been waiting three months for the screens for the windows I replaced. The windows only took six weeks (about 3 longer than normal), but the screen factory was totally shut down for months and only just reopened. The shingles I just ordered will take about twice as long as normal.

438665

[Bruce Wrenn]

Son and extended family are on vacation at beach this week. Their jet ski needed a new pump. He had trouble finding parts to fix it, so he said "Lets buy a new one." None available for love nor money. So yesterday, DIL and her mother drove to Charlotte (AA hub) to pick up MIL's grandkids from Montana, while son fixed pump on jet ski. Oh yeah, DIL was pulling a 17 foot Bayliner with her to the airport, then on to the beach. See very few bicycles at dumpsters right now

[Stan Coryell]

I just quoted a job, 3 ton AC and 80k heater.
8-12 WEEKS for a coil. The salesman and Goodman said, "at least 12 weeks."

[mike stenson]

I just quoted a job, 3 ton AC and 80k heater.
8-12 WEEKS for a coil. The salesman and Goodman said, "at least 12 weeks."

Not surprising, I ordered mineral wool insulation with an 8 week lead.. at week 9, I was told "who knows". So ended up using fiberglass (I wanted the extra r value for thickness, and more important the sound proofing. oh well, the neighbors can put up with more shop noise).

[Frank Drackman]

My grandkids needed new mountain bikes but as you said, none to be had. I'm lucky that I live in a town with many vacation homes. People throw out stuff that needs to be repaired, so I went to our dump.

Picked up three bikes in two days & combined with parts I had in my stash, built two great new to them bikes. I expect to get inducted into grandfather hall of fame soon.



My daughters been wanting a new mountain bike since before all of this and she finally had the $$ ready to go. Now nothing's around.

I can still buy stuff to BUILD a bike (it's very common in higher end, boutique bikes to buy a frameset and all the components individually), and I can still buy a much higher end bike than she's looking for.

But yes, the local bike stores are all out.. and when they do come in, they're gone within hours.