Anybody noticing price volatility?

[OkieJonesClan]

We have noticed the same things. We also shop with cash and keep an eye on trends in the marketplace. Have for several years and things do seem unhinged to us as well

 

[On Our own]

OK today freaked me out. I stopped by the market to pick up milk and a few other things. (I only had $20 so I knew it wouldn't be much!)

milk - $4.15 a gallon !!!!! Up almost 40 cents
flour - store brand was $4.75 for a 5 lb bag, but right next to it Gold Medal was 2 bags for $3.00.

Last week flour was $2.00 a bag.

Then I got to yeast and nearly fell over. I usually get the cheaper yeast - seems to work just as well - it runs about $4.00 generally. It was $8.59!!! The Fleischmanns was $7.75!

Call me paranoid but this is worrisome to me.

 

[Beekissed]

They know people are running scared, maybe stocking up...so they raise prices before they really need to do so.

Example of this kind of thing: My local hardware store started to carry the batteries for my dog's collars at $3 cheaper than I can get them at Radio Shack, which is also 42 miles away. When they were out of them, I asked when they would have them in and the guy said they couldn't keep them on the shelf because people bought them out all the time.

I proceeded to explain that they were cheaper and closer than anywhere else I could get them....... stupid, stupid, stupid!

Two days later I check back in to see if they have them....they do....for a dollar more than they used to be. I asked the man if he raised the price because of what I told him and he just shrugged his shoulders, looked a little sheepish and nodded his head.

And they wonder why small town stores can't stay in business? He obviously was getting a profit on the batteries before or he wouldn't have put that particular price on them.....but now he is getting a dollar more profit. Just to make an extra buck, he is screwing his local customers.....

 

[Wifezilla]

the price to conditions connections seem unhinged.

Agreed, this seems ominous to me.

Exactly. The price of a barrel of gas goes down, prices at the pump go up. You hear there are too many dairy cattle and beef prices are higher than ever. I so don't get it.

CJ...isn't that an old Chinese curse?

"May you live in interesting times, often referred to euphemistically as the Chinese curse, is reputed to be the English translation of an ancient Chinese proverb and curse. It is reported[who?] that it was the first of three curses of increasing severity, the other two being:
May you come to the attention of those in authority
May you find what you are looking for"

 

[Homesteadmom]

I have been noticing shalves not as full with some items in the stores. Ds went to spend his B'day money a week ago at Walmart & the toys were spread out farther to keep the shelves from looking so bare. Plus I could not find any oil lamps, oil or wicks there either(I wanted wicks) & the candles were not as plentiful either. I am wondering if more people here aren't trying to prepare more now. Or if they are just having trouble getting some items like the ammo(we are out in our local stores). One week milk is $1.57/gal on sale & the next it is $4/gal makes no sense to me so I stock up on it & freeze it when it is cheaper like that. So I am going to focus now on stocking up on preservation supplies, like canning supplies, storage bags & everything to make ketchup, jams & pickles with, yeast too.

 

[On Our own]

Can't find wicks for love nor money round these parts.

Canning supplies too. They usually are sitting dusty this time of year and start going in summer, nope none to be found.

I have candle making supplies in good stock, but I need those canning lids. I don't want to order them on-line but I will probably have to.

 

[Homesteadmom]

I am going to try the hardware stores next. One lamp is a small old one we got from his mom & it uses a round wick that looks like a shoelace. Not sure I will be able to find one of those or not. But I was thinking of buying another lamp too & haven't even found one of those. So far canning supplies aren't flying off the shelves here. But the prices were jacked up at Walmart on them over the winter.

 

[DrakeMaiden]

Yes, I had read that the dairy market had expanded to other countries not accustomed to dairy foods and that they suddenly found themselves with a surplus of milk, some of which our government bought as powdered milk. But it wasn't until last week that my husband told me they would be thinning the dairy herds. :/

Hearing about the price of yeast is kind of shocking. Probably about three years ago I bought a huge package of yeast from Costco. Half of it I left in a jar at room temp. The other half I kept in the fridge. The yeast stored at room temperature maybe lasted a year, but I'm still using the stuff in the fridge. If you had a few friends that baked, it would be worthwhile to buy some and split it between yourselves. I think you can freeze it too.

 

[CJHames]

the price to conditions connections seem unhinged.

Agreed, this seems ominous to me.

Exactly. The price of a barrel of gas goes down, prices at the pump go up. You hear there are too many dairy cattle and beef prices are higher than ever. I so don't get it.

CJ...isn't that an old Chinese curse?

"May you live in interesting times, often referred to euphemistically as the Chinese curse, is reputed to be the English translation of an ancient Chinese proverb and curse. It is reported[who?] that it was the first of three curses of increasing severity, the other two being:
May you come to the attention of those in authority
May you find what you are looking for"

It sure is. Well done. You get an A+ today.

 

[CJHames]

There are some important government reports coming out in March. These may help tell us if we are in more more deflation or beginning to inflate. My guess is we're going to be deflating for some time.

March 15 - Milk Production Report
March 20 - Cattle on Feed Report
March 27 - Hogs & Pigs Report
March 31 - Grain Stocks Report
March 31 - Planting Intentions Report