TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — Jerry Long was selling masks long before the pandemic began.
His store, Tucson Safety & Medical Supply has changed location since then, but demand for masks has remained high.
Long says there’s been a spike in interest since Thanksgiving, and that’s only increased as Omicron’s push has more and more people looking for high-quality masks like the N95s. or the KN95s.
“They see so many of their friends getting sick, or worse,” Long said.
Long’s store still has N95s and KN95s in stock, but he manages how many customers can buy. He says he rarely allowed a customer to buy more than a box of 20 or two at a time.
“We had a few people say, ‘Yeah, I want to have a bunch. I’m going to put them in my van and sell them around the corner,” Long said. ” I do not want that [price] gouging… We don’t sell large quantities to people. Because I want to broadcast availability to everyone in the community.
But while business is good, the supply chain is not.
Long says there are still out-of-stock mask orders since last February. Some shipments ordered months ago are coming in dribs and drabs, but now with a much higher shipping cost.
Long says shipping costs have “skyrocketed” even since last winter.
“The shipping charge will kick in when they send it to us. So the shipping charge is unknown until we receive it and receive the invoice,” he explained. Very frustrating and difficult to work on our budget, difficult to work on our prices.”
Those costs forced Long to charge more for the masks in his store.
He is working through supply chain headaches and has even extended store hours, however, to keep his community safe.
“We’re here for the audience,” Long said. “I hope more people will take the necessary precautions to reduce this transmission.”
