prices going up! inflation?

[rockriver]

i broke a shear pin on a mower...
--
went to tractor supply today... another guy was there with same situation.
he advised they would be in a 3 pack for 5.99 that's $2 each
manager came around to help... he found them... 5 pack for 19.99 that is $4. each !!

manager acknowledged the last ones they had for 3 for 5.99
nice guy... both of us customers said let's look around for the $2 bolts..
manager laughed and gave us a big discount.... i bought the pack. sold one to other customer.

bottom line... if we need something, whatever it is, we need to get it now...

what have y'all seen?

[rockriver]

an associate owns an hvac dealership..... he explained that in the first 20 years of his business. material costs went up 1 -3 % per year.
this year or so.. material cost has increased a total of 40% ...
i need a new a/c unit.. it is limping along. he says next price increase is rumored to be september... he's real busy. hot and humid in our part of the country.
i asked him to buy my unit. i'd pay for it. then we could let it sit for a few months till things calmed down and he could replace it then.
he could not predict september price increase, but it's reasonable that it won't be in the 1 to 3 % cateogory!

[surviort_wwdnet]

So far, my AC is holding and working almost constantly to keep the house cool. The 100+ degree days are lining up like little soldiers! I get it serviced every year, run bleach down the drain line, and keep filters changed on time. I hope I don't need to replace it anytime soon. Estimate for a new one was about $5k last year and who knows what a new one would cost. Our AC tech said the refrigerant has changed again.