GAF/ELK 10% PRICE INCREASE 3/1/09

Thats the letter faxed to me today. It said due to the increased instability of raw material costs. WTF Looks like they're getting a jump start for the season.>>>

I was sitting in the office of a giant supply house here in this area having a conversation with my old friend and CEO . Jim and I are talking about inventory. The inventory in his warehouses are way down . Jim won't overstock them . Here the market is going towards the specialties markets ie metal panels with solar etc . I know where the market is going in this area and if you want to stay ahead here you will need to pay closer attention. There are a few niche markets here for the smart aware savvy contractor's small large .>>>

I'm watching this whole pricing thing with great interest. Oil goes up gas goes up asphalt goes up. Oil comes down gas comes down asphalt does not come down. We've all heard about the cokers by now. We know refineries aren't making much margin right now. We'll see about this economy. Distributors are NOT stocking up as usual for the next cycle. Asphalt product plants don't do too well unless they go full-bore. Of course they can hold the line now...it's winter. This spring though...we shall see. I've run my inventory down, I'll say that much.>>>

bradco is national,they just opened a new place in Texas>>>

The Seattle-Tacoma....Washington state.....We have several major local suppliers....and.... ABC as well as Allied. We can get anything we want from the local suppliers where ABC and Allied charge higher rates on the average for all we buy. Business accounts set aside... when a residental home owner walks into ABC and pays an extra couple bucks per bundle of 3-tab, why not stick with the local distributers. No pun is meant on ABC specifically...the national chains just charges a higher price. overall>>>

Bradco is in the Southeast. Hop and myself ar from Florida.>>>

This is a joke. I hear CertainTeed will follow suit. One will annouce it and if enough follow suit they'll all go for it.>>>

Is Bradco a national supplier similar to the abc supply stores and what general part of the country are you in?>>>

How is it that prices can go up in one area of the country and go down in another. Ill have to ask my supplier if this is a GAF increase or a supplier increase. ABC is my main supplier and maybe thet are only raising their prices to recoup loses from last year just like I was planning to do. Has anyone else got anything on paper form your supplier?>>>