We bought 4 mill runs in January and hit a reorder point for 4 more, and quotes in December on identical material specs were initially 90% higher. Then we mentioned it and the quotes moved to 40% higher (still unsustainable motion). I live in the same economy as everyone else, with ~3% inflation.

Is there a better place to buy 17-4 bar stock? Or did the whole stainless steel market collude and raise prices 40%?

Is there a service for getting information on which metal market companies are most competitive?

My company hasn't raised prices since 2012, so we are 9 years behind and thats not maybe 24%, but steel mills do have anual motion and 40% in one year is 1333% of inflation.