RFI: Commodities Prices, Gas Prices, Shortages, Oh My!!
AP has been reporting on COVID-19 since January 2020. For a complete list of all of our articles relating to the pandemic, click here: https://www.americanpartisan.org/2020/03/coronavirus-link-rollup-american-partisan/
Way back in April 2020, I put out an RFI for sitreps with regards to the availability of food, water, medical, and other supplies in order to get a clearer picture of the scale and scope of the supply problems. The community responded in a resounding way and really gave great information. The other one was January 14th here. I would like to repeat that RFI now.
Here are my Requests for Information (RFIs):
- What supplies are low or nonexistant in your AO?
- What supplies are suprisingly available?
- What supplies would you recommend that are outside the box of normal thinking?
- What interruptions in public services are you seeing?
- What interruptions in patterns of like are you seeing?
- If comfortable, a general idea of where you are located (vagueness is obviously fine – I mean, AP gets it lol)
My Responses:
- Â Meat is hit or miss. Some places still have fresh meat. Others run out quickly. Canned meat seems good to go.
- Â Yeast, which was in short supply in the early part of the pandemic. Also, lithium batteries given the shortages forthcoming.
- Lithium batteries, grains, petroleum products
- None yet
- People driving less. People using more delivery services
- NE PA/SE Pa/ NJ
Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!
About the Author: Patriotman
Patriotman currently ekes out a survivalist lifestyle in a suburban northeastern state as best as he can. He has varied experience in political science, public policy, biological sciences, and higher education. Proudly Catholic and an Eagle Scout, he has no military experience and thus offers a relatable perspective for the average suburban prepper who is preparing for troubled times on the horizon with less than ideal teams and in less than ideal locations.
Brushbeater Store Page: http://bit.ly/BrushbeaterStore
10 Comments
Comments are closed.
GUNS N GEAR
1) Crackers are hard to find. Nabisco, Saltine, Fancy Cheese Crackers. It’s like trying to find a sober Marine on a 4 day weekend at the beach.
Also, Shoes in my size. I haven’t seen the brand I like for sale in my size in a LONG time. Since 2020.
2) Basically everything else can be found. Although, some equipment/parts are still hard to come by. It took me 3 stops to find a rear window wiper blade. And 2 stops to find a new battery for my car (Which cost $228). I drive a basic economy car. It actually ranks as “The most sold car in history” by some metrics.
3) I recommend performing basic preps on all things. Do you have 10,000 Q-Tips? Why Not? Do you have 30 tubes of toothpaste? Do you have 3-4 five packs of tooth brushes?
But truthfully, one of my favorite preps was spending about $2,000 on shoes, premium socks, and boots several years ago when I first got that GI Bill money.
4) No total public service interruptions. But sometimes the gas pumps are out of Premium or Regular. FYI, The State of Maryland performed a great service. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/maryland-suspends-gas-tax-offset-215504578.html The suspended Gas Taxes for 30 days. We are saving about 36.5 cents in MD. Penn is considering a gas holiday for 1 year, which would be about 57.56 cents. Penn has one of the highest gas taxes in the nation. https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2022/03/23/pennsylvania-bill-state-gas-tax-cut-jake-corman
5) MD/PA/VA/WVA
1. Crackers, pet food, sugar, new 20 lb propane tanks, ground turkey, some toner cartridges.
2. Most everything is available although at much higher costs. Once the cost goes up though, it doesn’t come back down.
3. Canning supplies, extra propane, wheat, canned meats.
4. None that I’m aware of.
5. I have not observed any major disruptions in the patterns of life in my AO. Unfortunately, I have observed very few who are actively preparing. Most Normies seem to be totally unaware of what is heading their way. On the good side a close friend and some family have stepped up their prepping game.
6. NW GA
We have everything, for now. One of the benefits of living near a blue hive is good availability and thats about it. The shortages have not begun as we now have only inconveniences. The post is still running, stores arent fully stocked but they have most anything you could want. I dont think ammo is coming back down so bite the bullet and get it whilst its available but not cheap; Those days are gone.
“One of the benefits of living near a blue hive is good availability”
That in itself is a good observation.
Two things I believe people should take into consideration when making their physical move to safety (which they normally don’t):
1. A precipitation map of the US: https://gisgeography.com/us-precipitation-map/
2. The basic understanding that common sense and history would dictate that in a dire situation, resources are going to be diverted by the ruling class to areas they consider to be their power bases.
Good topic for one of this site’s authors to touch on.
1) Chicken, turkey, and pork at some markets has been non-existent at times. Beef has been low at times. Crackers have been low at times. Tortillas, same. Some produce like fresh lettuce wasn’t around for a while.
2) Junk food. Chips, candy bars. That type of stuff.
3) Rechargable batteries and off grid power packs. Your NODS and other enablers only go as far as your batteries will power them.
Water purification as well. The tablets can still be gotten.
4) Delayed responses to organized retail thefts and catalytic converter thefts. It’s like a sport in my AO.
5) Not a lot, because many are choosing to shove their head further in the sand. Picture the meme of the house on fire and the dog saying it’s all fine. Some gas stations did post signs though begging people to not blame them for the price.
6) Southeast PA.
Stopped by a regional chain grocery- United Supermarkets.
Crackers, Microwave meals, any sort of pasta, canned meats, frozen vegetables—In short supply.
Everything else was not only stocked but they had good variety and deep shelves. Surprised at this honestly.
Was at a local Gun shop/Pawn Shop yesterday. Ammo is still in short supply in many caliber and expensive. They have large “wait lists” for certain types of firearms but if you are not picky there are plenty of guns to be had. Right now is one of their best times of the year- income tax time. People come and buy stuff and pay off their pawn tickets. They did have a fair number of guns in the “purchase cage”- either stuff that was sold or traded to them. The guns included several AR’s, an AK, M1 carbine- USGI, two “precision rifles”- Savage and an AR10….In handguns they had several Glocks, Beretta 92 and a bunch of “odd stuff”….
I will try to get to a Super Walmart later though I was in one this last weekend looking at vehicle supplies. Some of the brands of oil were low stock but otherwise they seemed to have most auto stuff.They are well stocked in shotgun ammo- this had lagged quite a bit and was hard to find recently, they had piles of .22 LR and even a few boxes of various hunting rifle ammo. That’s the only part of the store I was in.
1. Implements/attachments for tractors continue to be in short supply. Lead times are crazy, prices are increasing steadily. Prices on power tools also going-up considerably. Dairy products, while available, always seem to be in low stock.
2. Fuel (gas, diesel, propane), while expensive, is readily available. For now.
3. Dish soap, contractor bags (can liners), socks & underwear, USB drives, Raspberry Pi computers, extension cords, work gloves (the Mechanix Durahide Cow Drives have proven to be exceptionally durable).
4. Postal service is still intermittent, government administrative services are back-logged (i.e. Circuit Court Clerk’s office, Division of Vital Records, Permitting/Zoning, etc…).
5. Businesses are short-staffed. Everyone is hiring, across all industries. Unskilled labor is in high demand and hard to find.
6. MD/PA/VA/WV
1 – Beef, Pork, Chicken hit or miss on cuts. Over all stock level about 40% of norm. Pasta, rice, canned goods, cleaning supplies, cracker / cookies, cereals, fresh vegetables all under supplied. Store clerk appeared to be monitoring meat section and restocking items a small bit at a time.
Situation is store dependent. Some stores appear to have no supply issue
2 – Fuel available, price has dropped from 1 week ago
3 – Batteries, OTC meds, garden supplies of all types
4 – City & State admin services are back logged. DMV renewals 2 or 3 months lag. State Dept of Health 9 ths and counting for updated Certificate. Emergency Services still short staffed. (My last station lost 1/3 of its rescue medics)
5 – Increased foot traffic in immediate are. Contractors are booked months out in advance due to volume in addition to staff and supply issues.
6 – SI, NY
Local grocery chain CEO says they only receive 55 percent of what they order, across the board.
1. In regards to large chains, Fresh Fruit/Veg seems to be down about 15% (Hard to pin down exactly, since stores rearrange displays to visually confuse consumers). Animal food availability is erratic. Chicken legs in shorter supply, along with certain frozen foods. Also noticing propane cylinders and gardening tools harder to come by. One small family owned market I’m familiar with is being told by suppliers to expect shortages and price increases in the future. Generally higher prices all around.
2. Higher Gas doesn’t seem to be dissuading people from driving. Roads are full.
3. Materials that are conducive to insulating ones home so as to mitigate future heating and air conditioning costs.
4. Some Issues with sanitation services (being blamed on Covid personnel disruptions). Somewhat Lax law enforcement (some communities are telling officers to avoid conflict with certain racial communities).
5. Nothing blatantly obvious where I live at least.
6. East Coast.