Bronx hardware store owner: Plan ahead to get in front of supply chain issues

William Pedone, who is the owner of Van Nest True Value Hardware, tells News 12 supply chain shortages have drilled into business. Pedone says he has been waiting six months to have some items come into stock.

News 12 Staff

Dec 8, 2021, 10:38 PM

Updated 1,040 days ago

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The shortages by supply chains are having its effect on tons of businesses, including hardware stores that have been waiting months to have orders filled.
William Pedone, who is the owner of Van Nest True Value Hardware, tells News 12 supply chain shortages have drilled into business. Pedone says he has been waiting six months to have some items come into stock. He says all these shortages have forced him to think ahead of time.
"It's knowing how long things are going to take and sometimes an extended period of time," said William Pedone. "You never really know. You try to get out in front of things."
But despite the clog, he's been able to fill 90% of his orders.
"It takes a lot of management," Pedone also said. "It takes a lot of skill to look at not only primary, high-demand items but also secondary and tertiary items."
Christmas lights have been especially hard to get with the shortages. Some of the boxes Pedone is selling in the store are leftovers from last year. He started ordering lights at the beginning of this year, but some still have not shown up.
"We obviously did some preparation in February and March and started picking them off the shelves to have them here in December," he added.
The nuts and bolts of the shortage, Pedone feels, is if you think you may need to order something in a few weeks - or even months - you're better off buying now.