In addition to shortages, I have noticed another significant issue - quality control.
I have purchased toploaders from three different sources during the pandemic:
- a local card shop (game store, really)
- a few packs from one dealer on eBay
- a case from a different dealer on eBay
In each case, there were defective toploaders. Not all of them; however, roughly 1/3 to 1/2 of the individual toploaders were significantly curled once I opened the pack.
These were all Ultra-Pro 3x4 regular toploaders, the same ones I have been buying for decades. I refuse to put cards in them, for fear of causing damage.