There are giant swaths of area with no coverage, especially in the mountains of arizona, including the freeways and especially highways. The entire western US can be spotty with signal out in the great wide open. It isn’t until the Midwest and more east that one should largely not worry about signal coverage anymore.

What is a non-mechanical mechanical part?

There’s really not much to it. I don’t understand why you’re so dumbfounded such a thing is possible. People steal or buy up formula. Those who steal it make a profit no matter what price they sell it at. Those who live in an area where it sells out have the ability to mark it up big time. Paying 10 extra bucks is better than driving hours away with the hope they have it in stock there. People will sell it on offerup, craigslist, facebook, etc. Search for “formula” offerup if you’re in the US and you’ll likely see it. This was especially a problem during Covid and we saw the same scheme extend to many other products. In 2022, there was a massive shortage for the better part of a year. Any that came around got bought up immediately - by some that were lucky enough to get it at the right time and the rest by scalpers. This is not a new thing and I find it surprising that you’re so surprised. I often see them locked up and purchase limits at the store because of this.

Holy naivete, my sweet summer child. This has nothing to do with conservatives. This is a well-known scheme that is problematic in many areas.