You can actually make your own vanilla. I believe it is vanilla beans steeped in vodka, but you can google the exact recipes. It should be cheaper to make as well, but it does take time.

I am seeing that I should have worded this thread differently maybe. My biggest concern after I thought about what she told me at the store, is that we will very possibly no longer have access to many items that are essential.

The access that we do have will be alot more expensive every step of the way.

One concern of mine after searching for a few days is that the hazmat list would basically be it, right?
If they get rid of our domestic exemption classification, then it all just falls back under hazardous materials with the paperwork, and permits and extra regulation.

Our economy is already in the toilet with so many people struggling to feed their families and put fuel in their vehicle to get work, when there is work available. What happens when these items that we rely so much on for in our daily lives are either gone, or we cannot afford them?

I have seen the panic that happens when people THINK they can no longer get supplies into a town, for a SHORT period of time.It was chaos, and people did not even have the presence of mind to buy water. What they were going to do with 8 gallons of milk if the power went out is still beyond me. Talk about SHTF, When people show up in January for propane bottles to run heat or appliances and there is shortage or not enough money in their pockets, WHAT HAPPENS THEN?

I am still hoping to be way off on all of this, but nobody has debunked this for me yet. I understand about the vanilla shortage, it has nothing to do with baking spray as well or Costco. She was pretty clear that this was a SHIPPING issue.

I need help here, I know how everyone feels about lazy research and doing it for yourself, trust me I have spent more time on this than I really should, but it is time better spent that way, if this is what is happening.
I want to be debunked and laughed out of here for this. I understand this is a world wide site, but tell me that there aren't a few Americans out there who have access to better info than I can find.

Thanks everyone for your help and input, I really do appreciate it!!

I refuse to let this thread die until I have something better than what I started with, after my sons' birthday party this weekend I will jump in head first until this makes more sense, has been confirmed or denied.


Another thing that I can't believe is the classification of CARBON, animal or vegetable on the hazmat list. How can they do that? Or am I taking it too literally and they mean some form of product?

I am curious as to how wrong (or right) I was about this. I honestly have not been back into the store in question since the first of the year, I figured that I would give it another week or so and go see what is or is not on their shelves any longer. Prices continue to rise, but for oh so many reasons that it is hard to pinpoint it just to shipping changes.

Has anyone else seen any major changes concerning shipped items that may fall onto the haz-mat list?

Well, I have yet to find out why, but they were correct. Costco is no longer shipping certain items to that store ( I haven't checked the other store they stock here yet ) the vanilla and baking spray have disappeared from their shelves along with some of their medications. These items are still available locally at other stores, but I have yet to go make a price comparison. Thanks again Zaphod for all of your help, and the most recent heads up on lack of changes. If I get to the bottom of this, or see other things disappearing then I will update.