Are you seeing the product availability/price problem anywhere?

Sparkchaser

In a recent study I did of one product ( I often jump to conclusions), Barry’s tea is low on stock and high on price.

Local stores that usually carry it are low or out of stock.
The clincher was when I checked Amazon and the prices were about 20% higher than local and very little in stock. 😮

urbanriot

Sparkchaser

Are you seeing the product availability/price problem anywhere?

Yes. Almost everywhere in manufacturing.

There’s an issue in much of the supply chain right now where a number of companies, from distributers to manufacturers, are sitting on stock and not releasing orders until they know what’s going to happen with tariffs, with the Canadian government, etc..

Take auto and bike parts, all the orders that were made pre-tariffs were wiped for most industries, resellers, dealerships, etc., so they could “apply tariffs” for the parts they were sitting on once the tariffs go through and make a profit.

Most high volume manufacturing industries are doing this - sitting on pre-tariff parts so they can make a profit off tariffs.

Astyanax

Sparkchaser In a recent study I did of one product ( I often jump to conclusions), Barry’s tea is low on stock and high on price.

I saw plenty of reasonably-priced Lipton boxes on the shelves when I went to the store last. 😉

Somewhat-Reticent

Ask them.

Sparkchaser

Somewhat-Reticent

First place I checked.

egeezer

Sounds like a classic Laffer curve issue. The causes are typically demand exceeding supply and/or supply chain capacity, higher costs of production, suppliers colluding to restrict supply to drive higher prices, and taxes on products being passed on to consumers.

HooRU

Does most actual tea come from China? Would the tariffs be a possible factor?

I drink a LOT of tea, but it’s mostly herbal and hibiscus.

Donoreo

HooRU Does most actual tea come from China?

India is also a large tea producer. Fun Fact: Khaki colour military uniforms came from British army officers dying their white trousers in tea in India. They could not keep them clean.

Sparkchaser

Astyanax I saw plenty of reasonably-priced Lipton boxes on the shelves when I went to the store last.

Ahhh, but they are not made in Cork, Ireland. The other was Lyons but Lipton bought them and moved them to the UK.

I rarely drink it but the wife does all day long.

Astyanax

Sparkchaser Ahhh, but they are not made in Cork, Ireland. The other was Lyons but Lipton bought them and moved them to the UK.

I rarely drink it but the wife does all day long.

I’m happy with a gallon of pre-made store-brand unsweet tea. Try sneaking some of that into her cup and see if she tastes a difference. 😄

broknsymetry

I get the Lipton gallon size bags and make it in my instant pot adding 24 packs of Equal to the gallon.

Sparkchaser

broknsymetry I get the Lipton gallon size bags and make it in my instant pot

Nope. Have to boil the water, put bag in cup and pour water add milk and sugar.
If company is here, tea bags in the tea pot. Used to be loose tea but we’ve modernized.

Found another local store that had it but Amazon is still about $2 a box higher. Not use to that. I used them as my price check on stuff. 😉

Astyanax

broknsymetry I get the Lipton gallon size bags and make it in my instant pot adding 24 packs of Equal to the gallon.

If you’re going to do all that might as well buy a gallon of “diet sweet” tea for around $3-$4. It’s not exactly an extravagance. You’re probably spending more on Equal packets.

broknsymetry

Astyanax You’re probably spending more on Equal packets.

Actually, I misstated, it’s actually Luzianne, Black Iced Tea Gallon, Tea Bags, 24 Ct. for $6.73 from Walmart, not Lipton. I also use the generic Great Value No Calorie Sweetener, 8.82 oz, 250 Count For $2.77. So 24 gallons for $13.11 (1 box of tea + 2.3 boxes of sweetener) or about $0.55/gallon.

Astyanax

broknsymetry Actually, I misstated, it’s actually Luzianne, Black Iced Tea Gallon, Tea Bags, 24 Ct. for $6.73 from Walmart, not Lipton. I also use the generic Great Value No Calorie Sweetener, 8.82 oz, 250 Count For $2.77. So 24 gallons for $13.11 (1 box of tea + 2.3 boxes of sweetener) or about $0.55/gallon.

Well your OP didn’t include all this data showing a box of tea made 24 gallons of it so I retract what I said. 😜

dave

What the heck does any of this horrorshow have to do with tea? ;-)

Tea: served hot, with milk or lemon. Made with the leaves of a tea plant - anything else is a tisane.

Sparkchaser

dave What the heck does any of this horrorshow have to do with tea? ;-)

They all come from the “you want a glass of sweet tea” part of the country. 😃

Astyanax

dave What the heck does any of this horrorshow have to do with tea? ;-)

Tea: served hot, with milk or lemon. Made with the leaves of a tea plant - anything else is a tisane.

Are you always “mother” when you serve your tea? 😉

broknsymetry

Astyanax I could make it a little cheaper by using Great Value tea or a little more expensive using Lipton but still much cheaper than buying pre-made. Ironically I use Arizona Tea gallon jugs (they make convenient storage containers) from past purchases of green tea.