"Swingman" wrote in message
...

"Robatoy" wrote in message

I just can't get my head around the whole idea of plywood being shipped
from China and retailing for same/less money than our stuff.

That's just nuts.

I could be wrong, but I suspect that we've been buying Chinese/Pacific Rim
plywood for a lot longer than most realize. And I'm willing to bet that
the
source of the higher price sheet goods at the "wood boutiques" would make
you even more nuts.

I think you're right. I know for a fact that local cabinet shops use the
stuff by the pallet. Around here, it is about $12 a sheet cheaper than run
of the mill birch/soft maple plywood. I've used some, and it's pretty
decent. Built a wood rack out of it earlier in the year. The only thing
wrong was the planning--the rack is too small.

I'm another who has difficulty with the pricing and shipping. From what I
understand (and I may not understand all that well), we sell them the logs,
which are then shipping to China. They process it and return the plywood and
come in about 40% under plywood produced only 3000 miles away--or 500.

It makes no sense to me, but my guess is we're looking at some kind of
government support of that industry so it can get a foothold worldwide.