- Joined
- Apr 14, 2014
- Messages
- 3,172
Over the past few months I've been researching and purchasing the tooling necessary to complete a few PM Research models I purchased earlier this year. The plan is to acquire everything necessary now, and and commence working on them when the snow flies. To that end I have been purchasing smaller number drills, taps, and dies. I now have some of all the sizes needed, but still go to places like eBay and Craigslist to see if more are available.
I can't believe how high the prices have risen in the last couple months. In early October I purchased packages (10 to 12 per pkg depending on the manufacturer) of 0-80, 1-72, 2-56, 3-48, 4-40, and 5-40 taps. The highest per piece price was $2.60 for the 0-80 taps. These are not cheap Chinese taps, but brands like Morse, WIDA, Butterfield, and Pratt & Whitney. I just did another check on eBay for several of the sizes, and was shocked at the asking prices. Most were in the $10.00 to $12.00 range for a single 0-80 or 1-72 tap. Some asking prices were as high as $43.00 per unit. These weren't place holder prices for out of stock inventory, but rather for off the shelf in stock supplies.
Most vendors are asking the same or higher prices than premium industrial suppliers. The big difference is no guarantee they're new, and no return if not as advertised. I don't mind paying McMaster prices IF I can be assured they are the actual brand advertised, NEW, and can be returned if not as advertised. This is not the case however with the majority of the vendors.
Is it just that it's near Christmas time and vendors are raising their prices, or have things gone somewhat off the rails as far as valuation and demand? Is anyone else experiencing similar price increases on other items?
I can't believe how high the prices have risen in the last couple months. In early October I purchased packages (10 to 12 per pkg depending on the manufacturer) of 0-80, 1-72, 2-56, 3-48, 4-40, and 5-40 taps. The highest per piece price was $2.60 for the 0-80 taps. These are not cheap Chinese taps, but brands like Morse, WIDA, Butterfield, and Pratt & Whitney. I just did another check on eBay for several of the sizes, and was shocked at the asking prices. Most were in the $10.00 to $12.00 range for a single 0-80 or 1-72 tap. Some asking prices were as high as $43.00 per unit. These weren't place holder prices for out of stock inventory, but rather for off the shelf in stock supplies.
Most vendors are asking the same or higher prices than premium industrial suppliers. The big difference is no guarantee they're new, and no return if not as advertised. I don't mind paying McMaster prices IF I can be assured they are the actual brand advertised, NEW, and can be returned if not as advertised. This is not the case however with the majority of the vendors.
Is it just that it's near Christmas time and vendors are raising their prices, or have things gone somewhat off the rails as far as valuation and demand? Is anyone else experiencing similar price increases on other items?
