Yesterday, (03/15) I received their flyer #709...'Lawn & Garden' SUPPLY S A L E. Pages 26 and 27 are loaded with generators, some 23 in all ranging from 1600 watts up to 15000 watts. Just out of curiosity, I called and asked the salesman who answered about the status of their generator supply. His response? .."All generators are on back-order.." When I asked if it was y2k related, he said "..Yes, in fact, one generator has 5000 back-orders.." I didn't ask which one..

Got Power?

\/\/illis in OKC on 03/16/1999

-- Willis (BANDIT1@ontheroad.com), March 17, 1999

Answers

I'll assume that I'll be accused of taking unsubstantiated rumor as fact but... Thanks for the info. From what I've seen, I don't doubt it for a second.

-- d (d@usedtobedgi.old), March 17, 1999.

Think about this. If this is true, we in heap big trouble! This is ONE VENDOR giving a number on one model. How many thousands of gens. have been ordered that will not be delivered? What will these people do when they find out they ain't gonna get it?

-- SCOTTY (BLehman202@aol.com), March 17, 1999.

You'll find an estimated delivery times page for Northern's generators here: Northern Generator Delivery Update Link. URL: http://www.northern-online.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce/;execmacro/generat e/wizard/Update_chart.d2w/main

Might be a good bookmark to keep handy if you haven't ordered a generator yet.

-- J.W.Moore (jwm@jude3.org), March 17, 1999.

You people here know that I have been encouraging people to call Northern about generators. When I bought mine on about January 1st or 2nd they had plenty of all models available. When i called them to check last week all I got was a fax about delivery delays. I am guessing that it might be too late for most people now although at my local Home Depot they had some Colemans for sale, mostly the smaller ones. When I heard of the shortages I went out and bought some 3/8 inch link chain and chained that sucker to the snowmobile. It might not keep someone from trying to steal it but trying to drag the snowmobile AND the generator should slow someone down enough to make an easier target to shoot at. I will bet the "5000 backorders" one is the Generac 4000XL.

-- Rick (I'mset@home.house), March 17, 1999.

Bought our generator a little over a month ago. Got the line "130 on order and 125 already pre-sold". I only had to wait about 4 days, but before I went to Northern, I looked up and down the valley where I live and for this particular Honda model, 3 suppliers were out and had no date for getting any in (out permanently is what one supplier told me), and the 4th one had one more unit coming in that was not spoken for. This is DEFINITELY NOT URBAN LEGEND. Folks, we've got an old fashioned shortage on our hands. The question is how long it will take for the public to react in shock and panic.

-- Bumble Bee (bumble@icanect.net), March 17, 1999.

When I called in mid February, they only had one ,2500 w Honda, gas generator available. As that would start my furnace and supply some light, I said "sold" !! Arrived in a week. My son-in-law , who has an alarm business, said he has installed quite a few , and knows how to wire them up. Goodbye electrician expense and someone outside my family that knows where one is. Ideas ?? I'm always loaded with double aught buck . Eagle .... Watching !

-- Harold Walker (e999eagle@freewwweb.com), March 17, 1999.

Went to Sams today in College Station, Tex. and there were 3 '5000' watt coleman generators on the self at $499. I have not seen any at the store in more than a month. Bet they will be gone in a few days. Anyone reading this that lives within driving distance? PS I bought one in January.

-- SurprisedAggie (Doen@south.com), March 17, 1999.

bought a coleman 5000w yesterday at home depot in crystal lake il. they had 2 in stock, 3 in stock at the menards store and 2 at the honda dealer in the same town...however I dont think thats an indicator that supplies are good---honda said only dealers will be allowed to order more and all future orders backordered...saw one at sears as well...funny thing is everytime I have gone to one of these stores other people are "looking" at generators, and when I bought mine the clerk said we are selling these like hot cakes but she didnt know why.

question: should I buy another one if I can get my hands on one right now as either a backup or (gasp) an investment to sell at a later date

-- Billy (bregan2070@aol.com), March 18, 1999.

Really makes you wonder if ALL the generator sales are to GI's... or are there some DGI's out there who "just might want to do a little camping this summer, and if this YtoK thing turns out to be a little mare than the bump-in-the-road that some are predicting, why then I'll be ready".

-- rick (I'mset@home.house), March 18, 1999.