A little frustrating. A while ago, I went to the RCBS website to purchase a few reloading tools. Many items not in stock, but had a price listed. I put in a "notify me" request. I have not received an in stock notice, but going back to the website, I see they have raised the prices and are now about 25% -28% higher, and still not in stock. Smart business on their part maybe? Gauge demand with "notify me" requests, raise prices accordingly for when supply catches up an only manufacture enough to supply the requests? Taking my tinfoil hat off now. Any familiarity among members here on what the issues would be for the price increases? Is 24% typical for reloading tools in the last 3 months? I've heard, but not really followed, that steel shortages are a problem. I figured demand was high, but prices 3 months ago should have reflected that demand I would think.
25% is not typical but these are not typical time. they next few months will be interesting with mandates, lots of people are quitting.
In 2018 I was buying 4 foot by 8 foot 1/4 inch steel plate $80-90 a piece.......... last week it was $518.63. Steel is through the roof and anything involving steel is priced equally stupid. Please be aware that a company selling a product of this nature is not trying to screw you over they just have to charge for the increase in business expenses, or go out of business.
These are unusual times for sure and likely the reason for a price increase, but I've been reloading for over 20 years and the prices of dies and presses as well as components have all gone up over that time. You might try Midwayusa as they usually offer a discount off of list price plus free shipping sometimes. I also noticed that RCBS has a store front presence on amazon too.
I'm paying the exact price for 45 SWC as I was 10 years ago. I'm paying 15% more for Purina dog food than I did in May of this year at Walmart.
Not in stock? Agreed, frustrating. Price increase? Meh. How long has it been since the last time they raised prices on whatever you were looking at? They do have to make a profit or you'll be even more frustrated when they go out of business.
Just an opinion since much of rcbs is now from in china , U.S. importers absorbed more than 90% of additional costs resulting from the 20% U.S. tariff on Chinese goods,
The USA no longer has steel Mills When I wanted to put up some chain link fence I couldn't believe the price , Guess what we import our most of the steel from China , seems we are very dependent on imported goods
they also got global shipping issues! I buy Lee because it easy to find and cheaper and made in America by cheap child labor
I get it. I pretty sure it’s supply chain, steel prices as well as supply and demand. There is enough competition in reloading equipment that I’m sure supply and demand is working for (and against) us.
PC5/PC7 conversion went from $258 to $321. PC5 shell plates went from $29 to $37. Case feeder went from $103 to $128. I see die plates only went up 5% to 6%. They are aluminum, maybe that's part of it, but the Rock Chucker is cast iron so who knows - loss leader to get you into all the great "time saving" tools that I "need" ?
Midway is selling Rockchuckers for $210. Says "made in USA" also. https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1013033452?pid=513567 Why dies? Don't loan them to anybody and they will last a lifetime!
That's a really good price right now, I just priced a 4x8x 3/16 plate @ 375. Never thought it would be that much.
Well the cost of 1.25 inch black iron plumbing pipe went from like $1.76 a foot to $10.89 a foot wholesale cost IIRC since the end of January this year at the place I retired from last year. So for some reason the cost is way up on some materials. This year especially.
Cat and dog food prices also up because aluminum and steel shortages. Not quite 25% but close to 15% and availability is spotty. Does anybody know if steel mills and mining operations were exempted from COVID closure and lockdown mandates? Is there a labor shortage now in related industries? You want inflation and shortages, try shopping for something that has a newer microchip in it.
You need a bigger shovel. Supply and Demand - people buying 4 or 5 things they already have because... ??? ...increases demand, raising prices.
Not a bigger shovel....TWO shovels. I kid, I kid. I'm here all week.. Says the guy who buys another package of toilet paper when I'm down to two packages...of Costco bulk size.
I don’t remember any prices like we are seeing now the 4 previous years. But I do recall screwed up prices back 5-10 years ago.
