Over the last several weeks you have seen articles and other social media posts displaying our extensive preparations for the 2021 stone/landscape construction season here in northern Georgia are in full swing. So why would we now put out a headline and article that says almost the exact opposite?
Good question… let us explain.
An integral part of our preparations includes ramping up orders with our vendors for the stones and materials you and our contractors need to complete your projects. Unfortunately, this very important piece of the ramp up puzzle for the second straight year is turning into a serious issue for us.
Last year the significant delays in shipments reaching our yard were mostly due to the COVID pandemic. This year the issue is apparently a chain of events that has led to larger demand, a resulting significant spike in shipping rates (by as much as 50%) and a significant decrease in shipments being delivered.
In the words of one of our trucking vendors:
“As you are already aware………rates have gone up dramatically in the last 4-8 weeks (especially the last couple). This is probably the worst I have ever seen in my 23 years of doing this.
I get asked daily (20 times or so) “Why are rates going so high”…. and it is simply Supply and Demand for the most part.
(1) A lot of freight is available
(2) Not enough drivers for the freight
(3) New drivers aren’t entering the industry (driving school #’s are way down)
(4) Orders for new trucks aren’t being fulfilled due to shortages of parts, etc.
(5) Diesel prices rising (biggest reason freight prices are spiking)
The bottom line is that drivers are cherry picking the best paying loads. I don’t see this getting any better in the coming months based on what I am seeing and hearing.
Some of the rates I have given to some customers over the last week are scary in comparison to what was being paid last year or even in January. I will continue to try to keep rates lower for you, but if your load is still sitting after a week, it is time to take a look at the rate in order to get the load moved in a timely manner.
Let me know if I can help in any way or offer any guidance in the weeks and months ahead.”
Things can change in this industry – quickly. Sometimes even we are amazed with how quickly changes can happen. At Stone Distributors we will continue to do everything we can to get the many shipments we have on order now and throughout this supply crunch moving toward our lot so that we can continue to offer you the widest variety of product possible.
As always, if you have any questions we are happy to work with you to ensure the stones and other materials you purchase from us get to your job site in as timely a manner as possible.
Come on into Stone Distributors and talk to us about the stone/landscaping project you are thinking of doing; get some ideas, look at our ample variety of stone and materials, and we can show you how to put those visions into reality for yourself (DIY project) or put you in touch with one of the highly- qualified contractors right here in our area of Marietta/Cobb County/Atlanta area.
We are conveniently located at 1675 Bells Ferry Road in Marietta. Come right onto our lot, contact us at (678) 354-0566, or visit us online at https://www.stonedist.com. You can also follow us at or our Stone Distributors Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/stonedist/ or on Instagram. We are open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays (today) from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; closed on Sundays. #Stone_Distributors.
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