Panic Buying Hitting Costco and Big Box Retailers

[zannej]

Oops. I didn't think about the math & couldn't see the . between the 1 & the 5 bc I need reading glasses. LOL. I have to hand stuff to my mother to read fine print bc my vision has rapidly declined & I have a very hard time with small print or writing on colored backgrounds.

 

[Curmudgeon]

The Wally World close to me carries those 5 gallon containers for less than $15.00. If you save the containers, and bring them back to be refilled it is half that.

Wow, that's seems a tad high. We use the 5 gallon bottles on a cooler for cooking and drinking (our well water is high in iron). I just got 2 jugs the other day for $6.90. It's 8.45 per jug which includes a 5 dollar deposit per jug, then swap them out for 3.45 a jug, we usually keep 4 on hand. I may add to that in the next couple a weeks..

 

[Morgan101]

Wow, that's seems a tad high. We use the 5 gallon bottles on a cooler for cooking and drinking (our well water is high in iron). I just got 2 jugs the other day for $6.90. It's 8.45 per jug which includes a 5 dollar deposit per jug, then swap them out for 3.45 a jug, we usually keep 4 on hand. I may add to that in the next couple a weeks..

I'm sure it is high as far as the market is concerned. It is a convenience to grab one and put it in a cart. I wanted it more for the container than the water.

Plus, I am only getting one or two. If I spend a few extra bucks I'm not to worried about it.

 

[Amish Heart]

We have our 5 gal hot and cold water dispenser right next to the Berkey. Fill the Berkey with tap well water, filter it, put it in the empty 5 gal. Set that up for cold or hot filtered water.

 

[The Lazy L]

Today I made my semi-monthly trip into the city (population 33,000). Standing in line at a drug store the customer in front of me ( a Hispanic) asked about sanitized hand cleaner. Before the customer could finish asking her question the Cashier said they were out and they were out of masks too. I was rather startled that the west coast panic had reach this far East. I told both of them if they would grow mustaches and sprinkle a little school on the mustaches they should be good. Neither one of them smiled, just they didn't card for my attempt at humor?

Anyway here is a Youtube on how to make your own mask. No it isn't as good as a N95 but it would be (IMHO) better then nothing. Better then cutting up your wife's best bra (don't ask me how I know).

 

[The Lazy L]

Reminds me of the Johnny Carson show when he joked about a shortage a toilet paper. The next day there was a shortage because of the idiots who watched his show and didn't comprehend it was a joke!!!!!!!

 

[Sewingcreations15]

Thanks @Tank-Girl yes we have about 2 years worth of toilet paper and will try officeworks for more masks if we can get them.

 

[angie_nrs]

Anyway here is a Youtube on how to make your own mask. No it isn't as good as a N95 but it would be (IMHO) better then nothing. Better then cutting up your wife's best bra (don't ask me how I know).

That's awesome! It would be great to know as a hiker or adventurer who got stuck in a dust storm, volcanic ash, pollen storm, etc. Great video!

 

[Supervisor42]

Reminds me of the Johnny Carson show when he joked about a shortage a toilet paper. The next day there was a shortage because of the idiots who watched his show and didn't comprehend it was a joke!!!!!!!

I find this the most strange.
The supply chain that is being interrupted is stuff coming from ASIA.
Because TP is low price per volume, all that we use here is from trees grown in the US, and produced right here in the US.
Will there be a shortage of Xboxes, yes.
Hard to find an iPhone to buy, yep.
Shortage of Nike shoes? Most likely.
Toys for children out of stock? Absolutely.
Are people panic buying them? Naaa.

Something for you to wipe your hiney with being unavailable, nope.
Bottled water, bread & butter to make toast, coffee, eggs, bacon, milk, meats and most foods? All made in the USA.
No disruption.
Panic for what?
....must ...buy... TP

 

[Haertig]

I highly doubt a folded paper towel is going to stop much from getting to you, especially not something as small as a virus. However, it might help a little in keeping YOU from infecting OTHER people - it might do minor duty in capturing droplets from your coughing and sneezing.

You know, surgical masks are really to protect the patient, not the surgeon. To protect yourself, you'd need something with a rock-solid air-tight seal and adequate filter material with small enough pores to filter the threat you are facing. A surgical mask, let alone a paper towel, is not going to provide that.

 

[goshengirl]

I find this the most strange.
....must ...buy... TPView attachment 36406

Supervisor, I don't disagree with you in general. But I think the drive for TP is the same as it is for canned goods and disinfectant wipes - it's not a concern about supply so much as a fear that they'll need to isolate at home, and don't have the supplies to do that.

Of course, once people get to the store and see scarcity on the shelves, that fuels even more panic buying. When those images are on TV regarding a foreign country or a hurricane zone, that's one thing. People freak out when it's their own neighborhood store - that's decidedly more real.

 

[Supervisor42]

Supervisor, I don't disagree with you in general. But I think the drive for TP is the same as it is for canned goods and disinfectant wipes - it's not a concern about supply so much as a fear that they'll need to isolate at home, and don't have the supplies to do that.

Of course, once people get to the store and see scarcity on the shelves, that fuels even more panic buying. When those images are on TV regarding a foreign country or a hurricane zone, that's one thing. People freak out when it's their own neighborhood store - that's decidedly more real.

I'm glad you mentioned hurricane zones because we live in one.
We get to play that game every year.
After going thru the drill 4 or 5 times, everyone here keeps at least a months worth of TP on hand year round.
I guess others don't have that luxury.
When they sound the hurricane alarm down here, there is no run on gasoline, plywood, generators or TP.
There is no panic.
You buy beer, and you buy ice.
With that we can last for weeksdrink buddy

 

[Sewingcreations15]

Read the other day that the rush on toilet paper psychologically is that TP represents control, cleanliness, comfort and it is cheap to buy and makes people feel they are doing something @Supervisor42 .

There has been a rush on it here too and 60% is produced in Australia and only 40% of it produced in China. The Australian TP manufacturers are working around the clock to get supplies to all the stores currently. There are many people panicking that they are down to one or two rolls and can't buy any.

We are the same here in the fact we have 2 years worth in stock. I just kept buying it as it fills the top shelf of our food storage shelves . Our local country supermarkets have lots of TP in stock so it appears country people are used to looking after themselves better than those in the capital cities and have supplies ahead of time stored.

 

[Amish Heart]

Went to Lowes this morning to return all our unused pieces of tile. They had 7 pkgs of 3 N95 masks out. Thought I bought them out the last time I was there. Bought all 7. Gave me 21 more, at $2 a piece.

 

[Sewingcreations15]

Well done I would have sniveled them too @Amish Heart .

 

[Supervisor42]

Read the other day that the rush on toilet paper psychologically is that TP represents control, cleanliness, comfort and it is cheap to buy and makes people feel they are doing something @Supervisor42 .

There has been a rush on it here too and 60% is produced in Australia and only 40% of it produced in China. The Australian TP manufacturers are working around the clock to get supplies to all the stores currently. There are many people panicking that they are down to one or two rolls and can't buy any.

We are the same here in the fact we have 2 years worth in stock. I just kept buying it as it fills the top shelf of our food storage shelves . Our local country supermarkets have lots of TP in stock so it appears country people are used to looking after themselves better than those in the capital cities and have supplies ahead of time stored.

I'm not debating panic buying as much as the supply of TP is solid.
If you are going to panic, buy beer.

 

[Caribou]

I'm pleased people are stocking up. The more people out there that are prepared the better. Unfortunately this will blow over and most will use all their stores up. Next fall when the flu season hits and COVID-19 is in the news again they will have to rush out and buy more masks, gloves, TP, etc.

The wife finished a box of latex gloves, didn't tell me or write it in the shopping list. Fortunately I noticed the empty box so I was able to restock today.

 

[Sentry18]

Media manipulation.

 

[Amish Heart]

We've been going through gloves a lot. Cleaning out dusty stuff, working with the animals and their food dishes, and painting. I put on a fresh pair when I paint so I don't have to scrub my the paint off my nails.

 

[Weedygarden]

I'm not debating panic buying as much as the supply of TP is solid.
If you are going to panic, buy beer.View attachment 36417

The supply might be solid, but what if we have a lock-down? What if we are all told to stay home, Marshall Law type of thing? And what if we get sick and have to quarantine? How long was everyone told to stay home in China? You might have been able to previously go to the store, but now you aren't supposed to. And, if and when the corona virus is at its peak in the population, I won't want to go to the store. I have been doing this for years anyway. I limit my visits to the store, and thereby limit my exposure to the flu and colds and other bugs out there. I have limited my shopping to once a week, and it is usually Wednesday or Friday morning.

I have been well stocked for years, so I haven't gotten any more t.p. since the Corona Virus announcement. I have enough to last me for a few years. My daughter did buy some about a month ago when we were at Costco, and since she generally doesn't take this stuff seriously when the information comes from me, I am grateful she needed a new package and bought it. What she has gotten from me over the years is that I never wanted to come home from work and then needed to the store to go buy toilet paper, butter, olive oil, aluminum foil, or anything. I have had backups for years of basic needs. I remember her going to the store for me once and I asked her to get the largest roll of aluminum foil they have, the most feet. I may actually still be using that roll, but, I have a few more unopened packages as well.

When this corona virus was first announced, I did buy more bleach, Lysol wipes, gloves. I was ahead of the hysteria. I also rarely go into a store and buy an unreasonable quantity of anything to draw attention to myself. When daughter and I go together, the carts can be full, but there are two of us buying for two households, so it shouldn't draw attention.

 

[Weedygarden]

A former colleague of mine lives outside of Boston. She went to Costco yesterday, and a woman ahead of her had 10 packages of toilet paper. Some of us may have that at home. Friend saw the craziness. If you want to have 10 packages of t.p., why wait until the last minute and clear the shelves? Why not buy a package every time you go there and build up a supply? When woman with 10 packages got to checkout, she was told there was a limit of 4 packages. that is still 120 rolls of t.p. I wonder how many people are stocking as a barter item, or to sell to others?

 

[hiwall]

It is a nice day here and the wife wanted to go for a drive so we went the 50 miles to the LDS Food Center. It was fully stocked but we really did not need much. We did buy a couple cans of this or that and did make sure we got another case of the dried apples which we use all the time. Stayed to talk to the couple running it who are always very friendly when you stop in.

 

[Meerkat]

Never been in a Costco.

Me either but one of my daughters really likes the place.

 

[Meerkat]

Does anyone order from Walmart for "Mail Order" shipping.
Or any other supplier that ships USPS or UPS.......???

I have been with Amazon.com for a little over ten years. They have been wonderful, with the exception of their packaging for shipping.......SUCKS. Plus many things they will not ship to Alaska.

I don't like the malls closing .I just got a blouse and a skirt from Amazon and both are actually too small. I can add to the waste [that is more like the size of a 10 yr old ] but can't make it longer or make the blouse larger.
Its terrible not being able to try things on. Our malls here are all closed or closing plus I don't care to be in publicnow snyway.

 

[Meerkat]

Now that so many are getting hysterical, I think I am going to up my fresh foods.
I have been making a list for the grocery store this morning. It is a good time to buy some extra food insurance. Over the past week I did some grocery shopping, but I am evaluating my gaps and considering what meals I could make if I am without fresh fruits and vegetables. I plan on getting more frozen vegetables and cheeses. It is time to plant some greens in pots, lettuces, spinach, collards. I wish I had gotten a 20 or 25 pound bag of flour at Costco. I also need to look at what it would take to make gluten free bread for daughter. I may have the necessary grains and flours, but I want to evaluate that. A loaf or two of g.f. bread for the freezer is on my list. I also think I should try to make a loaf of gf bread this week.

Weedy we are trying to plant our fresh foods but time will tell if it produces. We did buy some canned goods and canned soem lima beans and 12 lb.s of roast beef in pint jars that was buy one get oen free. Hubby likes them but I don't care for the taste ,beef is not what it use to be. We will store what little we got from the roast.

 

[Meerkat]

Thanks @Tank-Girl yes we have about 2 years worth of toilet paper and will try officeworks for more masks if we can get them.

Sewing you can " let your fingers do the walking thtrough th Yellow Pages " over here it is what we call the phone book. Worked fro people back in the day when times got hard and no tissue, No respectable outhouse was without a Sears and Roebuck catalog or and it bears ot remind people there is an alternative, just don't save the shiney paged ones they don't soften up that good. Phone nooks now are the best,easy to store too.
Not jokingsae old phone books.

 

[zannej]

Today I made my semi-monthly trip into the city (population 33,000). Standing in line at a drug store the customer in front of me ( a Hispanic) asked about sanitized hand cleaner. Before the customer could finish asking her question the Cashier said they were out and they were out of masks too. I was rather startled that the west coast panic had reach this far East. I told both of them if they would grow mustaches and sprinkle a little school on the mustaches they should be good. Neither one of them smiled, just they didn't card for my attempt at humor?

Anyway here is a Youtube on how to make your own mask. No it isn't as good as a N95 but it would be (IMHO) better then nothing. Better then cutting up your wife's best bra (don't ask me how I know).

A friend of mine in is a nurse in Tennessee & she said she's still waiting to be fitted for an N95 (said they are no good unless they are fitted for you or if you know your size/fitment). She also said people have been stealing the masks so there aren't enough for the nurses.

We've been going through gloves a lot. Cleaning out dusty stuff, working with the animals and their food dishes, and painting. I put on a fresh pair when I paint so I don't have to scrub my the paint off my nails.

That reminds me, I should pick up more gloves for painting & food prep (I wear them when taking apart rotisserie chicken so it's easier to handle & I don't have to scrub grease off my hands).
There's some other home improvement stuff that I'm thinking about buying now instead of waiting for prices to go up again. Some of the stuff I priced out about a year ago has doubled or even tripled in price or gone out of stock.

 

[goshengirl]

There's some other home improvement stuff that I'm thinking about buying now instead of waiting for prices to go up again. Some of the stuff I priced out about a year ago has doubled or even tripled in price or gone out of stock.

That's very much on my mind, as we've been planning on putting up a basic structure at our farm (there's no livable house there now). That's our retirement location. We're having someone else put up the basic structure (something we can't do), and we'll finish it out on the inside as we're able. But we cannot handle price increases.

 

[Morgan101]

I still have not seen any evidence of panic buying. Did my routine shopping Friday at Wally World. Shelves were fully stocked, including TP, store wasn't overly crowded. Maybe we are just lucky. I picked up some extras just to add to the supply. Focused a little more on things my son would eat. If we were quarantined tomorrow I would not foresee a problem. My wife has been staying close to home. She is in the Extremely High Risk category.

 

[CrackbottomLouis]

We have our 5 gal hot and cold water dispenser right next to the Berkey. Fill the Berkey with tap well water, filter it, put it in the empty 5 gal. Set that up for cold or hot filtered water.

My system too