Re: This must be a bug/s

I have. I forget what my first SimCity version was, but the first one to really hook me was SC2000.

I understand that when compared to the full titles, this game can be pretty weak.  But it's intended as a mobile platform game designed to be played occasionally (considering how fast it drains my phone battery, "occasional" is the ONLY way I can play it unless it's plugged in 🙂 ), not obsessed over for hours at a time.  That's partly why I think there are so many timer-based game elements -- because you set up stuff to build, close the app and come back to it later.

At any rate, I don't think they intended for the trade depot to be as difficult as it is either, but that's the way it is, regardless.  Therefore, it is a part of the game. You need to make decisions about how hard you concentrate on increasing your storage capacity, or on expanding the map, or upgrading buildings, because you generally only have time to buy something in HQ once per cycle before the other items you want are gone.  Then you need to decide whether it's worth trying to find it in HQ or if you just save the money and build it yourself.

Intended or not, it's all part of the game.  It may change, or it may not, but that's the reality and I'm still happy playing it the way it is.