Lack of Stock within the UK

[Martyn A E]

Being relatively new to the hobby I've found most UK suppliers have little or no stock of many of their advertised eye pieces such as Televue, Baader, Explore scientific etc.,

Is this normal at this time of year or as a result of the Pandemic?

It seems very difficult even to get information of when they'll receive new stock.

[johninderby]

Welcome to the world wide shortage of astro gear. Not just a problem in the UK.😢

[Mr Spock]

The current situation has created an increase in demand. Combine that with shortages and you have no stock. It will settle down. When is anybody’s guess. 

[Don Pensack]

10 hours ago, Martyn A E said:

Being relatively new to the hobby I've found most UK suppliers have little or no stock of many of their advertised eye pieces such as Televue, Baader, Explore scientific etc.,

Is this normal at this time of year or as a result of the Pandemic?

It seems very difficult even to get information of when they'll receive new stock.

the factories making the raw materials have had staff shortages and increases in labor costs.

the factories that gather the raw materials and make the products have had staff shortages and increases in labor costs.

the shipping companies--overland, sea, and overland again have all had staff shortages and increases in labor costs.

the distributors who import have paid higher costs and received reduced shipment sizes.

The freight delivery companies have had staff shortages and increases in labor costs.

The retailers have paid more (a LOT more in the US due to very high tariffs paid by the importers) and had staff shortages and increases in labor costs.

ALL of this is due to the Pandemic except the politically-motivated tariffs in the US.

People are staying home and are not eating in restaurants, or traveling places or driving as much.

For the first time in a generation, Americans saved more last year as a % of income.  It had steadily gone down.

That extra cash created demand 300-400% higher than it was 2 years ago.

Had that happened without a pandemic, it would have created shortages.

But add the supply chain problems due to Covid, and the shortages became even worse.

 

Edited January 20, 2022 by Don Pensack

[vagk]

The issue is if we will return to the previous price and availability situation...and if yes, when this will happen...

[Carbon Brush]

To the OP. Be patient. Easy to say, but difficult to do.

The world supply situation for absolutely everything is in turmoil. It will take an indeterminate time to settle. I think a year or two o r more.

When your post count and SGL membership allow access to the 'classifieds' (not an onerous threshold) you will have access to affordable and well looked after eyepieces, and much more.

In the meantime, enjoy your SGL chats. Have a read at, and contribute to,  eyepiece discussion threads to get a better idea of what will be your best spend.

Enjoy the hobby, David.

Edited January 21, 2022 by Carbon Brush