I keep hearing that, but I just don't buy it..... Every time you turn around you hear some "excuse" about why something is going up in price because of the "global economy"..... wind turbines have been around for a LONG time and IMO there has not been such a drastic increase in them ALL OF A SUDDEN that balsa has SUDDENLY shot up. Even if all the old ones needed repairs/replacement. Sooner or later, they'll find a way to make them with "artificial" products because we know that's always cheaper and they have to answer to stock-holders..... you think the price of balsa will come back down? I don't think so. Not unless people completely quit buying it and the growers are about to get the shaft.... then all of a sudden we'll see a renaissance and all of a sudden balsa will be back in "vogue" and the price will be rock bottom. Am I cynical? Why, yes I am, thank you. <br type="_moz" />