Construction costs are currently skyrocketing

Refrigerators, really? I hadn’t noticed yet.

Delivery time for my dishwasher: 12 weeks. And no, it’s not some exotic model that also makes barista coffee with milk foam or reorders milk when the fridge is empty. Just a high-quality "standard dishwasher." So it’s not only the refrigerators. Anywhere there is electronics involved, things can get tight.

A colleague has had a new GLC at Mercedes on hold for six weeks now. A small electronic component is missing – it generates the sound when reversing (it’s a hybrid, applies to electric driving). It may also take a while longer until it arrives and it gets delivered.

Hmm.... Our washing machine is signaling its imminent death (bearing)... Should I start looking now?

Yesterday I went through our old invoices and realized that the TV, dishwasher, and the washing machine have already exceeded their average age. You can wait a few weeks for the first two, but you really need a washing machine several times a week.
I killed our refrigerator two years ago in the middle of summer. We also had to wait two weeks then...

The question is whether it will last until November. The annual series of special offers will probably start again despite availability problems, etc.

The question is whether it will hold out until November. Despite availability problems, the annual series of special offers is likely to start again.

I wouldn't be so sure about that. Unfortunately, I can't find it anymore, but I only read one article that was mainly about toys and electronic items. Based on an interview with someone who is apparently active in wholesale. And his forecast was that this year’s Christmas business could turn out a bit differently. The recurring closures of Chinese ports are causing problems, the effects come with a delay. It must be expected that shelves in certain product areas could be emptier and some items may not be (timely) restocked anymore. Although trade and industry are trying to use other capacities and relocate things, which he believes will partially succeed, one must certainly expect price increases of 10-20% in many areas. (As mentioned, it was mainly about electronic items and toys).

Yes, of course there are price increases (also already now). And the absolute bargain prices from previous years simply no longer exist (that was already the case last year). Nevertheless, November and the entire pre-Christmas period will be cheaper than now until October.

Hmm.... Our washing machine is announcing its imminent death (bearing)... Should I start looking now?

If you’re not looking for something very specific, it’s not necessary. My son just bought one, a Siemens with all the necessary (and unnecessary) features, delivery time about a week, but that was due to the shipping schedules, otherwise it could have arrived immediately.