yknot
Guest
DiverRick69:Guess again. Common building materials like OSB that cost about $8 before Iraq have almost tripled in price since, and that was before hurricane season. All because most of it is going to Iraq. It's still on the shelves, but it is having a serious effect on the economy.
The materials in question are available, just not at prices we like. The recent increase in fuel prices haven't been driven by traditional supply and demand issues either. As far as scuba tanks and steel are concerned, regardless of what has caused the increase in steel prices, steel is still available. Say that steel is at $800 a ton today (which is nearly double where it was two years ago). That's 40 cents a pound, or $16 for a 40 lb tank. If prices double again, the resulting retail price increase could make the tanks cost prohibitive. PST is most likely being very cautious with their production, rather than simply being out of steel.