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#1
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Paint Thinner Prices
The last time I bought a gallon of mineral spirits (about 18 months ago,
I believe) it cost $2.50. That was very high I thought at the time. Yesterday in Lowe's, I noticed the cheapest brand was selling for $8.00! Is there any reason for this other than plain greed and price gouging? Paul in San Francisco |
#2
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Paint Thinner Prices
"Paul MR" wrote in message ... The last time I bought a gallon of mineral spirits (about 18 months ago, I believe) it cost $2.50. That was very high I thought at the time. Yesterday in Lowe's, I noticed the cheapest brand was selling for $8.00! Is there any reason for this other than plain greed and price gouging? Paul in San Francisco Sure, lots of reasons. What is paint thinner made from? What fuel is used to transport it? What fuel is used to keep the store heated? What is selling for $100 a barrel? |
#3
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Paint Thinner Prices
Edwin Pawlowski wrote: "Paul MR" wrote in message ... The last time I bought a gallon of mineral spirits (about 18 months ago, I believe) it cost $2.50. That was very high I thought at the time. Yesterday in Lowe's, I noticed the cheapest brand was selling for $8.00! Is there any reason for this other than plain greed and price gouging? Paul in San Francisco Sure, lots of reasons. What is paint thinner made from? What fuel is used to transport it? What fuel is used to keep the store heated? What is selling for $100 a barrel? Crude at $100 is up around 70 percent, but paint thinner at $ 8 then is up around 400 percent. Looks like greed and gouging to me at that rate. |
#4
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Paint Thinner Prices
"Jack" wrote in message Sure, lots of reasons. What is paint thinner made from? What fuel is used to transport it? What fuel is used to keep the store heated? What is selling for $100 a barrel? Crude at $100 is up around 70 percent, but paint thinner at $ 8 then is up around 400 percent. Looks like greed and gouging to me at that rate. There may be a bit of gouging, but that 70% applies to the cost of everything involved in making and transporting the mineral sprits also. Add fuel surcharges, heat, lighting, year end bonus for the CEO of Lowes, it all adds up. Have you price other materials? Take a look at the cost of copper tubing and steel pipe. I'm paying $48 a foot for 12" pipe right now, 4" is about $28. |
#5
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Paint Thinner Prices
"Edwin Pawlowski" wrote in message
. net... "Jack" wrote in message Sure, lots of reasons. What is paint thinner made from? What fuel is used to transport it? What fuel is used to keep the store heated? What is selling for $100 a barrel? Crude at $100 is up around 70 percent, but paint thinner at $ 8 then is up around 400 percent. Looks like greed and gouging to me at that rate. There may be a bit of gouging, but that 70% applies to the cost of everything involved in making and transporting the mineral sprits also. Add fuel surcharges, heat, lighting, year end bonus for the CEO of Lowes, it all adds up. I deal with shipping grocery products as part of my job. Cases of liquids like cooking oil can't be stacked as high in the truck as stuff like cereal or paper towels, to use two examples at the other extreme. So, across-the-board shipping cost increases have a greater affect on products that don't occupy the space in the trailer to its fullest capacity. |
#6
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Paint Thinner Prices
"JoeSpareBedroom" wrote in message ... "Edwin Pawlowski" wrote in message . net... "Jack" wrote in message Sure, lots of reasons. What is paint thinner made from? What fuel is used to transport it? What fuel is used to keep the store heated? What is selling for $100 a barrel? Crude at $100 is up around 70 percent, but paint thinner at $ 8 then is up around 400 percent. Looks like greed and gouging to me at that rate. There may be a bit of gouging, but that 70% applies to the cost of everything involved in making and transporting the mineral sprits also. Add fuel surcharges, heat, lighting, year end bonus for the CEO of Lowes, it all adds up. I deal with shipping grocery products as part of my job. Cases of liquids like cooking oil can't be stacked as high in the truck as stuff like cereal or paper towels, to use two examples at the other extreme. So, across-the-board shipping cost increases have a greater affect on products that don't occupy the space in the trailer to its fullest capacity. Thanks, Joe. That's a component that had never occured to me. Life is full of facts which help to tie ends together. |
#7
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Paint Thinner Prices
"Edwin Pawlowski" wrote in
t: "Paul MR" wrote in message ... The last time I bought a gallon of mineral spirits (about 18 months ago, I believe) it cost $2.50. That was very high I thought at the time. Yesterday in Lowe's, I noticed the cheapest brand was selling for $8.00! Is there any reason for this other than plain greed and price gouging? Paul in San Francisco Sure, lots of reasons. What is paint thinner made from? What fuel is used to transport it? What fuel is used to keep the store heated? What is selling for $100 a barrel? Budweiser? |
#8
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Paint Thinner Prices
On Sat, 22 Dec 2007 18:54:56 -0600, Red Green
wrote: "Edwin Pawlowski" wrote in et: What is selling for $100 a barrel? Budweiser? Sewing Machine oil? |
#9
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Paint Thinner Prices
"Paul MR" wrote in message
... The last time I bought a gallon of mineral spirits (about 18 months ago, I believe) it cost $2.50. That was very high I thought at the time. Yesterday in Lowe's, I noticed the cheapest brand was selling for $8.00! Is there any reason for this other than plain greed and price gouging? Paul in San Francisco Interesting question. Make a note to call the manufacturer and find out more. Let us know what they say. |
#10
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Paint Thinner Prices
The selling price of a product is essentially unrelated to the cost of the
product. All selling prices are set by the free market system, by the law of supply and demand, by what a buyer is willing to pay for it. You paid $ 8 because that is the best price you can get anywhere. You cannot buy it cheaper. If you have a garage sale, do you base your selling prices on your cost, or on what you think a buyer may pay for it? -- Walter www.rationality.net - "Paul MR" wrote in message ... The last time I bought a gallon of mineral spirits (about 18 months ago, I believe) it cost $2.50. That was very high I thought at the time. Yesterday in Lowe's, I noticed the cheapest brand was selling for $8.00! Is there any reason for this other than plain greed and price gouging? Paul in San Francisco -- Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com |
#11
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Paint Thinner Prices
Walter R. wrote:
The selling price of a product is essentially unrelated to the cost of the product. All selling prices are set by the free market system, by the law of supply and demand, by what a buyer is willing to pay for it. True, unless plain greed, price gouging or illegal price fixing enter into the picture. I plan to follow JoeSpareBedroom's suggestion and see what spin the manufacturer tries to make me believe. Paul in San Francisco You paid $ 8 because that is the best price you can get anywhere. You cannot buy it cheaper. If you have a garage sale, do you base your selling prices on your cost, or on what you think a buyer may pay for it? |
#12
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Paint Thinner Prices
In real life there is no such thing as "plain greed, price gouging or
illegal price fixing". These are just slogans cooked up by smart politicians for their dumb constituents. If you were in the business of selling paint thinner, how much would you sell your product for? $ 2? or $ 8? -- Walter www.rationality.net - "Paul MR" wrote in message ... Walter R. wrote: The selling price of a product is essentially unrelated to the cost of the product. All selling prices are set by the free market system, by the law of supply and demand, by what a buyer is willing to pay for it. True, unless plain greed, price gouging or illegal price fixing enter into the picture. I plan to follow JoeSpareBedroom's suggestion and see what spin the manufacturer tries to make me believe. Paul in San Francisco You paid $ 8 because that is the best price you can get anywhere. You cannot buy it cheaper. If you have a garage sale, do you base your selling prices on your cost, or on what you think a buyer may pay for it? -- Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com |
#13
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Paint Thinner Prices
In real life there is no such thing as "plain greed, price gouging or
illegal price fixing". These are just slogans cooked up by smart politicians for their dumb constituents. If you were in the business of selling paint thinner, how much would you sell your product for if you had customers waiting to buy? $ 2? or $ 8? Ah, you are a price-gouger, too? -- Walter www.rationality.net - "Paul MR" wrote in message ... Walter R. wrote: The selling price of a product is essentially unrelated to the cost of the product. All selling prices are set by the free market system, by the law of supply and demand, by what a buyer is willing to pay for it. True, unless plain greed, price gouging or illegal price fixing enter into the picture. I plan to follow JoeSpareBedroom's suggestion and see what spin the manufacturer tries to make me believe. Paul in San Francisco You paid $ 8 because that is the best price you can get anywhere. You cannot buy it cheaper. If you have a garage sale, do you base your selling prices on your cost, or on what you think a buyer may pay for it? -- Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com |
#14
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Paint Thinner Prices
On Dec 22, 6:54*pm, "Walter R." wrote:
In real life there is no such thing as "plain greed, price gouging or illegal price fixing". These are just slogans cooked up by smart politicians for their dumb constituents. If you were in the business of selling paint thinner, how much would you sell your product for if you had customers waiting to buy? $ 2? or $ 8? Ah, you are a price-gouger, too? I agree with you 99%, except that the government can impose price fixing, and institute monopoly powers, like in the case of the USPS. Of course, technically it's not illegal since it's got the government's stamp of approval. |
#15
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Paint Thinner Prices
Paul MR wrote:
Walter R. wrote: The selling price of a product is essentially unrelated to the cost of the product. All selling prices are set by the free market system, by the law of supply and demand, by what a buyer is willing to pay for it. True, unless plain greed, price gouging or illegal price fixing enter into the picture. I plan to follow JoeSpareBedroom's suggestion and see what spin the manufacturer tries to make me believe. Paul in San Francisco It is not sane to believe a national chain - Lowes or Home Depot - would "gouge" or collude to fix prices on a gallon of paint thinner! Millions of dollars in fines, legal expenses, depositions, and possible jail terms would simply not be worth the profit. Greed, on the other hand, is good. |
#16
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Paint Thinner Prices
Paul MR wrote:
The last time I bought a gallon of mineral spirits (about 18 months ago, I believe) it cost $2.50. That was very high I thought at the time. Yesterday in Lowe's, I noticed the cheapest brand was selling for $8.00! Is there any reason for this other than plain greed and price gouging? Paul in San Francisco Looked at the cprice of uel lately? Transporting gallon cas of liquid ai't cea. And its not just the fuel to transport the finished produc. Most generic paint thinners appear to be petroleum derivatives. Feed stock is expensive. |
#17
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Paint Thinner Prices
"Paul MR" wrote in message ... The last time I bought a gallon of mineral spirits (about 18 months ago, I believe) it cost $2.50. That was very high I thought at the time. Yesterday in Lowe's, I noticed the cheapest brand was selling for $8.00! Is there any reason for this other than plain greed and price gouging? Paul in San Francisco I use my thinner several times, by settleing out the paint till it's clear again. Thus, cost becomes less significant. |
#18
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Paint Thinner Prices
On Fri, 21 Dec 2007 23:50:02 -0800, Paul MR wrote:
The last time I bought a gallon of mineral spirits (about 18 months ago, I believe) it cost $2.50. That was very high I thought at the time. Yesterday in Lowe's, I noticed the cheapest brand was selling for $8.00! Is there any reason for this other than plain greed and price gouging? Paul in San Francisco Nest time you're in the store; price Kerosene. +35 bucks for 5 gal. :-)) |
#19
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Paint Thinner Prices
Oren wrote:
On Fri, 21 Dec 2007 23:50:02 -0800, Paul MR wrote: The last time I bought a gallon of mineral spirits (about 18 months ago, I believe) it cost $2.50. That was very high I thought at the time. Yesterday in Lowe's, I noticed the cheapest brand was selling for $8.00! Is there any reason for this other than plain greed and price gouging? Paul in San Francisco Nest time you're in the store; price Kerosene. +35 bucks for 5 gal. :-)) I was shocked to see that in the Lowes the other day. I was afraid that the price had gone up to that universally, but was pleasantly surprised to find that my regular supplier still has it for 4.75 per gallon. Once again, the big box stores are much more expensive than the real suppliers. -- Robert Allison Rimshot, Inc. Georgetown, TX |
#20
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Paint Thinner Prices
"Robert Allison" wrote in message
news:Ndwbj.8955$GV4.3403@trnddc05... Oren wrote: On Fri, 21 Dec 2007 23:50:02 -0800, Paul MR wrote: The last time I bought a gallon of mineral spirits (about 18 months ago, I believe) it cost $2.50. That was very high I thought at the time. Yesterday in Lowe's, I noticed the cheapest brand was selling for $8.00! Is there any reason for this other than plain greed and price gouging? Paul in San Francisco Nest time you're in the store; price Kerosene. +35 bucks for 5 gal. :-)) I was shocked to see that in the Lowes the other day. I was afraid that the price had gone up to that universally, but was pleasantly surprised to find that my regular supplier still has it for 4.75 per gallon. Once again, the big box stores are much more expensive than the real suppliers. They make big money on the accessories. Their paint prices might be competitive, but they hope you won't be knowledgable about prices for items like thinner. |
#21
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Paint Thinner Prices
On Dec 23, 11:48*am, "JoeSpareBedroom" wrote:
"Robert Allison" wrote in message news:Ndwbj.8955$GV4.3403@trnddc05... Oren wrote: On Fri, 21 Dec 2007 23:50:02 -0800, Paul MR wrote: The last time I bought a gallon of mineral spirits (about 18 months ago, I believe) it cost $2.50. *That was very high I thought at the time. Yesterday in Lowe's, I noticed the cheapest brand was selling for $8.00! Is there any reason for this other than plain greed and price gouging? Paul in San Francisco Nest time you're in the store; price Kerosene. +35 bucks for 5 gal. :-)) I was shocked to see that in the Lowes the other day. *I was afraid that the price had gone up to that universally, but was pleasantly surprised to find that my regular supplier still has it for 4.75 per gallon. *Once again, the big box stores are much more expensive than the real suppliers. They make big money on the accessories. Their paint prices might be competitive, but they hope you won't be knowledgable about prices for items like thinner. It's more complex than them hoping you won't know going prices for items. Big box stores have a convenience aspect to them, as well as buying less quantities of each item because they stock so many different products. If you need 1 gallon of Kerosene, the convenience of buying it while you're buying paint, and a couple of 2x4s, and a drill bit, and a couple light bulbs is probably worth the extra 2 bucks, rather than trying to find a kerosene dealer, drive to it, and spend extra time... all to save 2 bucks. |
#22
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Paint Thinner Prices
Robert Allison wrote:
I was shocked to see that in the Lowes the other day. I was afraid that the price had gone up to that universally, but was pleasantly surprised to find that my regular supplier still has it for 4.75 per gallon. Once again, the big box stores are much more expensive than the real suppliers. You can fight back. One of the more effective efforts: Editor, New York Times New York, New York Sir: If the goddamn government can bust the goddamn trusts and lower the goddamn price of goddam oil, then why can't the goddamn government do goddamn something about the high goddamn price of goddamn opera tickets? Most cordially yours, John D. Rockefeller --- John, I sent the above letter over your name because I figured you would have more influence. Yours, Mark Twain |
#23
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Paint Thinner Prices
Posted and emailed
On Fri, 21 Dec 2007 23:50:02 -0800, in alt.home.repair you wrote: :The last time I bought a gallon of mineral spirits (about 18 months ago, :I believe) it cost $2.50. That was very high I thought at the time. :Yesterday in Lowe's, I noticed the cheapest brand was selling for $8.00! : Is there any reason for this other than plain greed and price gouging? :Paul in San Francisco I haven't bought any paint thinner for a number of years. I remember it being pretty cheap, maybe $2/gallon, and I have two gallon cans (one metal the other plastic), in varying degrees of fullness. I generally pour a little off into glass jars from which I get whatever paint thinner I need for a variety of purposes. I usually recycle my paint thinner. Thus, if I clean a brush with paint thinner, I pour the liquid into another jar which is kept for the purpose. After a time, clear liquid rises to the top and the impurities settle to the bottom and form a firm substance. Thus, I can decanter off what is essentially simply clear paint thinner from that jar when I next need a bit of thinner. Using this practice is a big part of the reason I don't need to buy thinner very often. I even reuse thinner I use to clean the chain on my bike, after the sediment has settled out. Reusing it is also better for the environment, certainly better than pouring it down the drain or allowing it to evaporate (unburned hydrocarbons). Dan in Berkeley |
#24
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Paint Thinner Prices
"Dan_Musicant" wrote in message
... Posted and emailed On Fri, 21 Dec 2007 23:50:02 -0800, in alt.home.repair you wrote: :The last time I bought a gallon of mineral spirits (about 18 months ago, :I believe) it cost $2.50. That was very high I thought at the time. :Yesterday in Lowe's, I noticed the cheapest brand was selling for $8.00! : Is there any reason for this other than plain greed and price gouging? :Paul in San Francisco I haven't bought any paint thinner for a number of years. I remember it being pretty cheap, maybe $2/gallon, and I have two gallon cans (one metal the other plastic), in varying degrees of fullness. I generally pour a little off into glass jars from which I get whatever paint thinner I need for a variety of purposes. I usually recycle my paint thinner. Thus, if I clean a brush with paint thinner, I pour the liquid into another jar which is kept for the purpose. After a time, clear liquid rises to the top and the impurities settle to the bottom and form a firm substance. Thus, I can decanter off what is essentially simply clear paint thinner from that jar when I next need a bit of thinner. Using this practice is a big part of the reason I don't need to buy thinner very often. I even reuse thinner I use to clean the chain on my bike, after the sediment has settled out. Reusing it is also better for the environment, certainly better than pouring it down the drain or allowing it to evaporate (unburned hydrocarbons). Dan in Berkeley Another trick for using less is to NOT clean the brush if you're painting today, and then doing another coat tomorrow. Instead, wrap the brush in aluminum foil, being careful to keep the bristles nice & flat. Put that into a plastic bag, and place in the freezer. Take it out about 30 minutes ahead of painting, and it'll be as if you'd never stopped the day before. |
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