No doubt this question will resurface in the coming months (heck! I'd be asking it if I were in your position), and those who think that Galibier should be run as a charity will surely give me no small amount of grief for the price increases - even though I've worked hard to hold the line on Gavias and Stelvios for some two years.
Last Friday (Feb. 1), I received a price quote for the raw PVC blanks which are transformed into Serac platters. Their price increased 69% since my last purchase, some 8 months ago. The stainless steel hardware used in turntable assembly reflected increases ranging from a 50% to 80% depending on the part.
I'm working on quantifying aluminum pricing which has historically has been as volatile as soybean futures, while steadily trending upward over the past 4 years. I've been advised by my machinist to expect similar sticker shock for raw aluminum and stainless.
I have no doubts that these increases will affect demand, but given the challenges I've faced in meeting my delivery schedule over the past year, this isn't necessarily a bad thing for those who order. I hate keeping people waiting as much as the fellow on the other side of the transaction hates to wait. Some manufacturers might feel secure in having a two plus year order backlog, but I consider my speed of delivery over the past year to be my one failing.
Cheers,
Thom
