Just returned from a trip to my local Costco warehouse. This was the first time in two years that they had NO generators in stock. Has anyone else noticed similar shortages at Sam's, etc.? Glad I purchased my unit several months back.

-- Brian E. Smith (besmith@mail.arc.nasa.gov), March 01, 1999

Answers

Yes, I have noticed it at local Sams. One month ago they were 8 gens. one week later there was one, next week none and last week none. You might have noticed I go shopping on a weekly basis. We got carried away and bought one right after the first of the year. If they get a batch of gens in I will post it.

-- Watching (Down@South.com), March 01, 1999.

I ordered a tri-fuel generator from the Tool Crib back in January -- with an expected shipping date of July, 99. I received a letter today stating that Winco generators are SOLD OUT for 1999 orders placed today. I had to return a signed letter agreeing that my order is NOW a firm, non-cancelable, non-returnable order with an expected shipping date of October 1999! They do, however, have in stock Honda, Makita, and Yamaha generators.

-- lparks (lparks@eurekanet.com), March 01, 1999.

Price/Costco in Azusa, CA sold out of all generators the weekend of February 21. Today they were still out of generators. The manager said they were getting heavy y2k related orders of canned goods and are stocking up accordingly. No other shortages were apparent: still lots of bags of rice/beans, etc.

-- brett45 (brett45@bigfoot.com), March 01, 1999.

Our news last night from Jacksonville, Fl. showed the Lowes store and the run on generators.Funny thing is what are you going to do with a generator in a city like Jacksonville? Can't pump your water, move your sewage or run your air conditioning for very long

Obviously, they are preparing for the 3 day outage!

Oh yeah, forgot! Can't live without the microwave, the VCR, the TV (gone to black probably) the computer(also possibly gone to black)and heaven help them if the kids game machines didn't work!

Got fuel?

-- Sue (deco100@aol.com), March 02, 1999.

There are many reasons for having a generator (and fuel for two or three weeks). Our next-door neighbor is an invalid dependent on an AC-powered oxygen generator due to emphezema. We purchased our generator to be in position to help her in the event of long-duration power outages. It will also operate our forced-air furnaces (assuming the natural gas hasn't been cut off!) and basic amenities.

-- Brian E. Smith (besmith@mail.arc.nasa.gov), March 02, 1999.

Guys: Check with Northern Tool @ (800) 533-5545. I was told that they are the largest generator dealer in the U.S. They sell many different brands and that's where I got mine (around the holidays they still had the hard-to-find Generac 4000XL in stock in the retail stores).

-- RickH. (Igotagenerac@home.house), March 02, 1999.