USA My personal warning about the availability of products from China

Dennis Olson

Dennis Olson

Chief Curmudgeon
_______________
On the main "shortages" thread as well as on several others, evidence is mounting that Chinese-made products are going to be in short supply (or unavailable) for a considerable period, perhaps for years. These products seem to include TVs, computers, freezers, refrigerators, stoves, window a/c units, etc. And the list seems to be growing weekly. You may not be able to get replacement parts if a piece of equipment breaks down.

And recently, I posted a thread that indicated that China has once again placed over 100 MILLION people on lockdown. This is very concerning to me.

I suggest that you obtain critical infrastructure and spare parts as fast as you can reasonably accomplish it. I'm also looking at a severe national (if not world-wide) backlash against Chinese products over this. Further, China is clearly becoming belligerent on the world stage, quite possibly leading to a widespread, if not world-wide, war.

Strap in everyone, it gets bumpy from here....


ETA: Evidently clothing and shoes too.
 
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psychgirl

psychgirl

Has No Life - Lives on TB
China, is in a huge pickle.
One of their own doing. I also think this fall will be a totally different world if they keep up with this belligerence.

I’ll be working on prepping this summer as best as our single income (due to hub losing his job last month) will allow.

I’m trying to not let paralysis take over though... I’m good at food preps but the “other stuff” , not so much. I don’t know where to start. :(
 
Cyclonemom

Cyclonemom

Veteran Member
I concur. After reading the "shortage" thread last night, I went online and ordered new shoes for my boys for the next couple sizes, and winter clothing as well.

Our central A/C is about 25 years old. Thinking of getting that replaced ASAP as well. While there are companies in the US that make A/C units, I don't know where they get their parts from......
 
Dobbin

Dobbin

Faithful Steed
Um. Almost anything "hardware" is sourced from China. Even the leather straps of my traces trace their origins from China.

Almost any plumbing fitting, copper tube, steel pipe, "durable goods."

Almost all "consumer electronics" are from China, or a Pacific Rim subsidiary.

A good portion of the food supply is China grown, or supplied. Baby Formula with Melamine comes to mind of an egregious case.

Dobbin
 
Red Baron

Red Baron

Paleo-Conservative
_______________
Cyclonemom said:
I concur. After reading the "shortage" thread last night, I went online and ordered new shoes for my boys for the next couple sizes, and winter clothing as well.

Our central A/C is about 25 years old. Thinking of getting that replaced ASAP as well. While there are companies in the US that make A/C units, I don't know where they get their parts from......
Click to expand...

My central A/C is 23 years old. Doubt it will survive another season.

Going to fire it up for the first time this year and start getting quotations for a new unit.
 
S

school marm

Veteran Member
I would add that it doesn't matter if your particular product (whatever it is) is made in the USA. If most of that particular product is made in China, that will put pressure on the domestically produced items, so that they also become in short supply and prices rise.

Oh, and keep in mind that most medical supplies are still made in China. Not just the drugs and masks, but also the gauze, tapes, wraps, etc. Get while the getting's good.
 
Kathy in FL

Kathy in FL

Administrator
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We've been stocking up on all repair and maintenance parts and equipment as cost effective. I've had word from some people that should know that several governors that put off evictions ... Florida is Jun 2 now ... are having to rethink their methods due to the effect it is having on property values, both investment and private ownership. The problem has been that if people are not paying their rent there is no money coming in to do repairs and maintenance with. There are some lawyers out there trying to strategize how to get their clients out of eviction by saying the property wasn't maintained which will trigger a mandatory hearing in most states.

Now if they have to further extend eviction moratoriums I've heard that there is a possibility for some governors to enact landlord protections ... meaning if you don't pay your rent your landlord will have the right to exempt some repairs from occurring. I've also heard there is a possibility to tack on "intentional" property damage the eviction amount if it isn't paid before the moratorium is over. Lastly, there is a possibility that during the eviction process a landlord may have the right to further penalize the tenant if they received a stimulus check and/or unemployment and did not use it to pay their rent. What that penalty will be I have no idea. I do know that Section 8 recipients that received stimulus/unemployment better report the income and it will affect their rent portion amounts. If they don't report it they can and will lose their bennies.

Again, at the moment this is gossip/rumors/FOAF.
 
R

raven

TB Fanatic
The first week that this started out in January I bought,
Compound Miter Saw and Stand
Chain Saw "Chain Sharpener"
Weed eater
Crown Moulding
Base Board and Base Shoe
Stair Nose
Stair Riser
Laminate Saw and Extra Blade
Compressor and Nailer and Nails
(you need to by nails)
Paint And Brushes and Rollers
(you need to get brushes and rollers)
Liquid Nails and Painters Caulk
 
M

mecoastie

Veteran Member
Not only the end use products but even manufacturers here in the US rely on equipment that is most likely loaded with Chinese components. If their stuff goes down and they cant get spares they may have to idle parts of their lines.

Personally I have a list of stuff that I am working through for spares/backups. I wrote down what we have for appliances etc and what spares/ work arounds I need or have. Garden hoses and fittings is one that I just added. It is something that I don't think about as I drag it up to the garden, over to the chickens etc. Woodstove gasket is another. I keep a fair amount of that but it is not something you think about until you need it. I just got a new computer and now I am going to look at getting my old one up to speed as a backup. Dishwasher and clothes dryers I look at as a convenience but not the washing machines. I have a spare controller for one and I just replaced the controller in the other. Fridge I am stuck on as I don't want to have a spare just sitting in the garage but I am thinking about. Also if you can find them get the repair manuals for your appliances.
 
Kathy in FL

Kathy in FL

Administrator
_______________
For those of you concerned with your AC ... they now make a portable AC unit. The thing is on wheels and can be moved from room to room as needed. Hubby bought one yesterday to leave here at the BOL. We've arrived a few times to find the HVAC system out for whatever reason. This will be a back up for here. I wasn't part of the purchase so I don't know the cost but I think it has 10,000 BTUs and it was easy to set up and cooled down two upstairs rooms very quickly. It is 110 power so will work with a gennie. Giving serious consideration to getting a couple more ... one for our primary location and one or two for the business in case we have older tenants in distress. It will be a matter of finding a way to secure them as they roll away quickly.

ETA: It is a Toshiba brand. $379.00 10,000 BTU. On wheels. Straight cool (no heat). They have other ones that cost less, my hubby just likes toshiba and it was recommended by a friend.

Some brands go all the way up to 14,000 BTU

I know the window shakers might be a better option for some folks. We like this one because it is not something you have to install in a window which can be problematic, especially due to weight, window frame issues, and if you have to install braces, etc.
 
Milkweed Host

Milkweed Host

Veteran Member
Many household electrical outlets are fused at 15 amps. An old rule of thumb was, start looking at
a dedicated outlet on a window AC unit when in the 8000 BTU area. A 10000 unit draws about 10 amps.
If the outlet wire is 12-2 with a 20 amp outlet and fuse, that 8000-10000 unit might be okay. I don't know
what the startup current draw would be. I understand that when an electrical motor doesn't get it's full
power when running, the motor tends to heat up. When a electrical motor gets too hot, the vanish on the
electrical coil wires melts. This would cause the unit to fail more quickly. YMMV.
 
Blacknarwhal

Blacknarwhal

Let's Go Brandon!
Red Baron said:
My central A/C is 23 years old. Doubt it will survive another season.

Going to fire it up for the first time this year and start getting quotations for a new unit.
Click to expand...

Thanks for jinxing it, everybody; me and the folks started up OUR ACs recently and discovered the compressors aren't firing. Now we've got repair calls in, but no word on when they can make it out, as yet.

Ah well...better to get it repaired now than not be able to at all later.
 
T

Terrwyn

Veteran Member
psychgirl said:
China, is in a huge pickle.
One of their own doing. I also think this fall will be a totally different world if they keep up with this belligerence.

I’ll be working on prepping this summer as best as our single income (due to hub losing his job last month) will allow.

I’m trying to not let paralysis take over though... I’m good at food preps but the “other stuff” , not so much. I don’t know where to start. :(
Click to expand...
I'm with you. You look around and try to figure things out and it seems impossible. Truth is there is just no replacing modern day living if it all goes belly up. We just have to do the best we can and may have to make some sacrifices some day soon.
 
mzkitty

mzkitty

I give up.
psychgirl said:
China, is in a huge pickle.
One of their own doing. I also think this fall will be a totally different world if they keep up with this belligerence.

I’ll be working on prepping this summer as best as our single income (due to hub losing his job last month) will allow.

I’m trying to not let paralysis take over though... I’m good at food preps but the “other stuff” , not so much. I don’t know where to start. :(
Click to expand...

If it was me, which it was when I moved down here to FL last year and we could hardly bring anything, so starting over -- get things like shoes and spare underwear, a new toaster and coffee maker, a hand mixer, little other appliances like that -- just so you have a spare. Fresh toiletries, disposable razors, stuff like that. Extra spices that you don't open until really needed. I have found with coffee makers, you never know when they'll croak or you break the glass beaker (I had one deliberately fly out of my hands once, LOL). If there's things you don't have a lot of like Tupperwear, get that too. Those things are not too expensive. Also, I got a new scale in Tarjay - it was cheap, like $8. What a deal. Works good too. Get a spare mop and carpet sweeper or vacuum, doesn't have to be the top of the line models. Just look around and say what can I live without if I don't duplicate it. It will be obvious to you.

:)
 
Txkstew

Txkstew

Veteran Member
With China Crap getting scarce, I bought a small 5000 btu window unit AC last week. I want to get 3 of them as a standby in case my Central Unit goes out (20 years old). Walmart has had stacks of the plane jane manual switch ones for years. They've gone up in price every year for a while. Last week, the stack was down to about 8 units, 7 now. If they have any later this week when I get paid, I'll get another one. I'm taking my own advice I've been giving others for years, to have one stashed in the garage so you can have a cool sleep room if the Central Unit takes a crap. Texas is no place to live in Summer, without AC. Well, I did as a kid, but it sucked back then too, even with an attic fan.
 
TheSearcher

TheSearcher

Are you sure about that?
Dennis Olson said:
Does it matter? The effect is the same.
Click to expand...

Lockdown for medical reasons is very different from political reasons, and presents differing consequences for the world. Medical reasons means they could be self-absorbed in ways that keep them out of the world's hair for a bit, political reasons could mean a plan at work to lash out at enemies. That's an additional effect to what you've brought up.

Either reason for the lockdown definitely will contribute to supply-chain problems, I have no disagreement.
 
T

Terrwyn

Veteran Member
mzkitty said:
If it was me, which it was when I moved down here to FL last year and we could hardly bring anything, so starting over -- get things like shoes and spare underwear, a new toaster and coffee maker, a hand mixer, little other appliances like that -- just so you have a spare. Fresh toiletries, disposable razors, stuff like that. Extra spices that you don't open until really needed. I have found with coffee makers, you never know when they'll croak or you break the glass beaker (I had one deliberately fly out of my hands once, LOL). If there's things you don't have a lot of like Tupperwear, get that too. Those things are not too expensive. Also, I got a new scale in Tarjay - it was cheap, like $8. What a deal. Works good too. Get a spare mop and carpet sweeper or vacuum, doesn't have to be the top of the line models. Just look around and say what can I live without if I don't duplicate it. It will be obvious to you.

:)
Click to expand...
You were smart to get underwear. JC Penny men's cotton is out of stock. Forever probably.
 
psychgirl

psychgirl

Has No Life - Lives on TB
mzkitty said:
If it was me, which it was when I moved down here to FL last year and we could hardly bring anything, so starting over -- get things like shoes and spare underwear, a new toaster and coffee maker, a hand mixer, little other appliances like that -- just so you have a spare. Fresh toiletries, disposable razors, stuff like that. Extra spices that you don't open until really needed. I have found with coffee makers, you never know when they'll croak or you break the glass beaker (I had one deliberately fly out of my hands once, LOL). If there's things you don't have a lot of like Tupperwear, get that too. Those things are not too expensive. Also, I got a new scale in Tarjay - it was cheap, like $8. What a deal. Works good too. Get a spare mop and carpet sweeper or vacuum, doesn't have to be the top of the line models. Just look around and say what can I live without if I don't duplicate it. It will be obvious to you.

:)
Click to expand...
Good ideas, thank you! Stuff that jumped out at ya once you start looking.
 
J

John Deere Girl

Veteran Member
Txkstew said:
With China Crap getting scarce, I bought a small 5000 btu window unit AC last week. I want to get 3 of them as a standby in case my Central Unit goes out (20 years old). Walmart has had stacks of the plane jane manual switch ones for years. They've gone up in price every year for a while. Last week, the stack was down to about 8 units, 7 now. If they have any later this week when I get paid, I'll get another one. I'm taking my own advice I've been giving others for years, to have one stashed in the garage so you can have a cool sleep room if the Central Unit takes a crap. Texas is no place to live in Summer, without AC. Well, I did as a kid, but it sucked back then too, even with an attic fan.
Click to expand...
We keep two units in case our power goes out during a storm. We have a whole house generator to run them.
 
Milkweed Host

Milkweed Host

Veteran Member
Txkstew said:
With China Crap getting scarce, I bought a small 5000 btu window unit AC last week. I want to get 3 of them as a standby in case my Central Unit goes out (20 years old). Walmart has had stacks of the plane jane manual switch ones for years. They've gone up in price every year for a while. Last week, the stack was down to about 8 units, 7 now. If they have any later this week when I get paid, I'll get another one. I'm taking my own advice I've been giving others for years, to have one stashed in the garage so you can have a cool sleep room if the Central Unit takes a crap. Texas is no place to live in Summer, without AC. Well, I did as a kid, but it sucked back then too, even with an attic fan.
Click to expand...
That's actually a great idea. With 5000 btu units, all you all to do is place each one on a different circuit. That should be relatively safe.
 
jazzy

jazzy

Advocate Discernment
psychgirl said:
China, is in a huge pickle.
One of their own doing. I also think this fall will be a totally different world if they keep up with this belligerence.

I’ll be working on prepping this summer as best as our single income (due to hub losing his job last month) will allow.

I’m trying to not let paralysis take over though... I’m good at food preps but the “other stuff” , not so much. I don’t know where to start. :(
Click to expand...

i think the same. i look at my little place and ask, if there is war or greater depression or total crack up what is it i Got to have to still get by? it can feel overwhelming even tho most of us have been prepping the best we can for a long time.
i dont think we are going back to 'normal'
 
S

Sub-Zero

Veteran Member
Dobbin said:
Um. Almost anything "hardware" is sourced from China. Even the leather straps of my traces trace their origins from China.

Almost any plumbing fitting, copper tube, steel pipe, "durable goods."

Almost all "consumer electronics" are from China, or a Pacific Rim subsidiary.

A good portion of the food supply is China grown, or supplied. Baby Formula with Melamine comes to mind of an egregious case.

Dobbin
Click to expand...
No, not the food supply from China. We supply them.
 
ChicagoMan74

ChicagoMan74

ULTRA MAGA
The mixed messages is getting to be really maddening. 100 million on lockdown in China but shoulder to shoulder crowded beaches and bars in SC. Masks required in retail stores in some states....and not in others. SIGH.

Are international passenger flights FROM China to the US still effectively cancelled?

Funny mention about central air replacement. I just re-invested my stimulus back into the economy by replacing my vintage ~1980's era/effective 4 or 5 SEER unit at my house. Had to make some basement damper adjustments as it was getting cold enough to hang meat down there!
 
S

Sub-Zero

Veteran Member
Red Baron said:
My central A/C is 23 years old. Doubt it will survive another season.

Going to fire it up for the first time this year and start getting quotations for a new unit.
Click to expand...
Be careful. A lot of them are very computer centric. Some of the new furnaces require that you change the filter (must be an RFID on it) every three months. If you miss two of those, the furnace shuts down.

If it's in good shape (have it checked out) you may be better off keeping it.
 
V

vestige

Deceased
jazzy said:
i think the same. i look at my little place and ask, if there is war or greater depression or total crack up what is it i Got to have to still get by? it can feel overwhelming even tho most of us have been prepping the best we can for a long time.
i dont think we are going back to 'normal'
Click to expand...
I believe this is the mindset we should all have today.

"We plan to" and "Over time we will" and many other such dreams are likely shot to hell for the vast majority of people.

What you have now and what precious little you can do or acquire in the next few weeks is it. There is no ship coming in.

The s*** has hit the fan and more is on the way.

IMHO we ain't seen nothing yet.
 
Hfcomms

Hfcomms

EN66iq
There is perception among the masses that the Covid is fading and things are going to gradually return to 'normal'. This is patently impossible as those who are educated on the issue realize. Even if Covid disappeared today the damage has been done and we've taken a torpedo below the waterline.

The Covid is the pin that pricked the bubble and while all attention is on the virus little attention outside of forums and people like us is on the bubble that was popped. Use this time of anticipated return to normalcy and fill in the holes in your preps that you have discovered over the last 8 weeks. I believe Dennis to be correct as to the supply chain issues.

China has not returned to normal and is getting financially squeezed hard and their newest lockdowns suggest that another wave of the virus has started. With our gradual lifting of restrictions we should be about six to eight weeks behind them so use this time wisely.
 
S

seraphima

Veteran Member
Homeschooling materials! I don't know where they are printed, but some probably come from abroad. I read that as many as 40% of parents are now considering home schooling starting this fall. If even 10% actually decided to do so, there would not be sufficient texts, workbooks, etc.
 
mzkitty

mzkitty

I give up.
ainitfunny said:
Stock up on socks. Buy bras. Get multi packs of underwear (unless you are OK with paying $5 to $10 for EACH pair of underpants.It's all made in China.
Click to expand...

Tellin' ya. Can't emphasize that enough. When I went to get even more spare pantie packs at Tarjay a couple of weeks ago, they had exactly ONE pack left in my size of the style I like. Mine's a popular size, so I can partially understand, but I've never seen the racks so bare before. Oh, they had tons of size 5, but who wears that but tiny women? And socks there? Forget it, and men's wasn't much better. As I mentioned somewhere else, I finally found a 10-pack of little white sockies in my grocery store, of all places (or rather my son found them for me).

I suppose we'll have to go roam Wallyworld for these items to see what's left there, but that involves a car trip on the expressway, which neither of us like. Wah. :lol: I'm not going to the department stores because those items are generally more expensive there, and they don't have my favorite brands anymore either.
 
V

vestige

Deceased
Hfcomms said:
There is perception among the masses that the Covid is fading and things are going to gradually return to 'normal'. This is patently impossible as those who are educated on the issue realize. Even if Covid disappeared today the damage has been done and we've taken a torpedo below the waterline.

The Covid is the pin that pricked the bubble and while all attention is on the virus little attention outside of forums and people like us is on the bubble that was popped. Use this time of anticipated return to normalcy and fill in the holes in your preps that you have discovered over the last 8 weeks. I believe Dennis to be correct as to the supply chain issues.

China has not returned to normal and is getting financially squeezed hard and their newest lockdowns suggest that another wave of the virus has started. With our gradual lifting of restrictions we should be about six to eight weeks behind them so use this time wisely.
Click to expand...
Extremely pertinent post above.

As predicted... the virus will subside... if only a little this summer and the short sighted, rather than using the time wisely, will let the good times roll (again). These ARE the good times. The problems with which we currently deal have only just begun. Our problems are going to get a hell of a lot worse.
 
Marie

Marie

Veteran Member
I would also suggest vehicle and ag replacement parts. Several manufacturers shut down with the guise of c-virus safety, but actually had no parts to build vehicles, because the parts all come from China. We went and bought a spare matching cheap vehicle for parts
 
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