AI datacenters buying up the hardware is why their hosting costs increased. Worsening the problem significantly.

I'm sorry but this is bullshit. For basic storage you absolutely don't need a lot of RAM or SSDs, older gen hard drives are extremely easy to find and very cheap. People have been hypnotized into believing they absolutey definitely need the latest gen of hardware, without realizing it's useless, and it's the only kind of hardware that knows shortages and high prices.

edit : okay seems i've overplayed my hand a little here. My personal experience comes from buying used hardware which is still going pretty cheap but obviously that's a dicey sell for professional hosting.