A couple of weeks ago I tried to find laundry soap, and everything was gone. Just bare shelves the entire aisle. Why laundry soap?
I don’t necessarily think people are hoarding and people are using that word for people buying things in a different pattern than we’re used to during a pandemic.
Before this started I would rewear clothes multiple times. I would do laundry maybe once every 2 weeks. Now I immediately strip down and put my clothes in the washer. I’m doing laundry every 3-4 days since I’m still working and working out. So yeah I did buy 2 small things of laundry soap last time I went to the store because I’m washing more than usual, and I don’t want to go to the store more than once every 2 weeks.
So that is an example for laundry soap but that applies to many many items that people aren’t hoarding excessive amounts to save for a rainy day, just buying more of because they’re using more of it and trying to limit trips to the store. I live in a large city so even just 100 people buying more soap is going to clean out a store.
I hope people are able to find the items they need!!!
We have 4 people in our home, which are now home all day, every day, eating every meal here. So no more school lunches or lunch from the caf at work or even 1/4 the amount of takeout/eating out/eating at friends’ houses we used to do. So that’s a lot more food. I spent about $300/week before.
I’m now also buying for my ILs (mil is in hospice at home, FIL has health issues) and an aunt staying with them to help, as well as my parents who can’t be out in this.
So I’m shopping for 9 people, once a week. It’s a lot of food. I’m not hoarding, I’m buying meat directly from a local butcher and packaging up/freezing to dole out. But thanks to limits on things, I couldn’t get any milk for my family yesterday (limit if two milk products - one for each set of parents means none for us). I got a bunch of comments on my one full cart yesterday. Mostly from people buying like 5 things. Oh well, I haven’t been in the store in two weeks and won’t be back for a week. I’m not hoarding, I’m just buying it in fewer trips than normal.
Is anyone finding toilet paper? We're not dire yet, but if we can't find some in the next week or so, we might be rationing.
I had a product search on Amazon for toilet paper and I just refreshed it every so often. It comes in stock surprisingly throughout the day but you have to order it immediately. I just got some delivered yesterday that was not supposed to come until 4/22 from Amazon.
Post by litskispeciality on Apr 7, 2020 10:19:57 GMT -5
My DH is being passive aggressive about grocery shopping. He went last week at the end of his shift, but made a lot of comments about it. Sure, I'll go after work, or on the weekend, when it's more crowded, instead of you going after you've already been out. I understand his stress, he's decided he's not at high risk for exposure at his job but would be at high exposure at the store (he's at risk at both). It's hard to have shopping cause stress.
I don't get the hoarding of water either. That's a thing I will call real hoarding when this was kicking off in my area you'd see people taking two, three, four cases of water bottles. Even during a hurricane people don't take that much water. I'd say that people will drink more water at home, and maybe it doesn't taste as good, but are you going to drink that much water before your next trip to the store?
Also, ditto all the others regarding hoarding vs different buying habits. I spent $350 at the store yesterday for my family of 5 in an attempt to make it as many days as possible before returning. No more take out, DH is not buying lunch at work anymore, etc... It all really adds up to so much more food in the house.
I am also doing more laundry and washing towels constantly.
My grocery store was completely out of random things yesterday like broccoli and my favorite tortilla chips. Part of the reason I am still going to the store vs Instacart or the like is because when I couldn’t get broccoli I changed my mea plan.
ETA: We use ibuprofen, not acetaminophen. When I first heard that ibuprofen might be a problem if taken while you have the virus, I went and bought Tylenol. It was almost entirely sold out. I got a generic adult, and they had a 2 pack of children's at the pharmacy. I contributed to the lack of Tylenol, because I was buying so they sold more than they usually would have stocked. That's not hoarding, but the empty shelves would have someone screaming "HOARDERS TOOK MY TYLENOL!"
I'm allergic to ibuprofen and aspirin, and take only acetaminophen. This has me panicking a bit. I bought a giant bottle in late February after I tweaked my back, but I've been battling a headache or two a week since, so I'm not confident my supply will last much longer.
I think some of it is supply chain too. Amazon has already said it is prioritizing the delivery of critical items: "We're working with our selling partners to temporarily prioritize household staples, medical supplies and other high demand products coming into our fulfillment centers so we can more quickly receive, restock and ship these products to customers."
I would think other large retailers like Target and Wal-Mart are doing the same.
you’re dying to ask and have nothing better to do.
I’ve heard a theory that high melatonin levels in kids might be a reason they aren’t as affected by covid as adults. I have nothing to back that up. But it might be a reason for people to stock up
I heard something about that too, but I wasn't paying too much attention. Lots of things are getting thrown out as helpful, hard to keep track and filter through what is real or crap.
ETA: We use ibuprofen, not acetaminophen. When I first heard that ibuprofen might be a problem if taken while you have the virus, I went and bought Tylenol. It was almost entirely sold out. I got a generic adult, and they had a 2 pack of children's at the pharmacy. I contributed to the lack of Tylenol, because I was buying so they sold more than they usually would have stocked. That's not hoarding, but the empty shelves would have someone screaming "HOARDERS TOOK MY TYLENOL!"
I'm allergic to ibuprofen and aspirin, and take only acetaminophen. This has me panicking a bit. I bought a giant bottle in late February after I tweaked my back, but I've been battling a headache or two a week since, so I'm not confident my supply will last much longer.
I'm sorry. Have you been seeing it anywhere? Does Midol have a good amount in it? It might do if you can't find Tylenol, because I don't think many would think to buy that. Or get even the small packets they might have at gas stations.
For the water thing, maybe people are worried the power will go out? That doesn't seem too likely, but if we did have an unrelated outage, it's possible it might take longer to resolve if the power company has less people working. If the power goes out, my house has no water.
Didn’t realize that the word hoarding was so controversial!
Lol. I just think it's funny that people are confused as to why store shelves are empty of things. Life as we know it has completely changed. A lot of people are at home. We're told not to go to the store often. All non-essential businesses are closed. People are getting sick. Supply chains have changed. Ordering patterns have changed. Of course a lot of items are going to be out of stock in unusual patterns at the moment! But I've had an anxiety ridden morning so I should probably step away from the internet lol.
Didn’t realize that the word hoarding was so controversial!
It’s not controversial - it’s inaccurate. People are just buying things they need, maybe in a pattern that is outside their usual one, plus supply chain changes.
(besides the outliers who truly are hoarding things for no good reason, and they suck)
I'm allergic to ibuprofen and aspirin, and take only acetaminophen. This has me panicking a bit. I bought a giant bottle in late February after I tweaked my back, but I've been battling a headache or two a week since, so I'm not confident my supply will last much longer.
I'm sorry. Have you been seeing it anywhere? Does Midol have a good amount in it? It might do if you can't find Tylenol, because I don't think many would think to buy that. Or get even the small packets they might have at gas stations.
Midol is not a bad idea, especially for headache relief. Thank you!
Didn’t realize that the word hoarding was so controversial!
Lol. I just think it's funny that people are confused as to why store shelves are empty of things. Life as we know it has completely changed. A lot of people are at home. We're told not to go to the store often. All non-essential businesses are closed. People are getting sick. Supply chains have changed. Ordering patterns have changed. Of course a lot of items are going to be out of stock in unusual patterns at the moment! But I've had an anxiety ridden morning so I should probably step away from the internet lol.
But if you never followed the world of supply chain management then you wouldn't know that until now. Also it has a bit of a ripple effect. Not only are you trying to shop for more food, for more people, in larger quantities to lessen the need for your trips, but you feel a bit of panic seeing empty shelves. As said above once you see a low supply of something you feel the need to buy two or three just in case they run out and don't restock in two weeks or a month. It's irrational and wasteful sure, but it's certainly human nature to follow the heard. I saw my friend has a month of groceries, so I better buy the same amount even though I'm not sure why.
There was an article out the other day about how commercial TP companies are sitting on excessive amounts of stock intended for office buildings and schools. On the flip side Charmin can't keep up with production. Deli meat, bread, and other items one might consume for lunch are also hard to get. People are no longer buying food in school and office cafeterias, workday takeout, etc. That would also be a cause of the uptick in hand soap and paper towels. Not only are we trying to be cleaner right now, but we're in our homes 40-60 waking hours more than usual.
A few local restaurant and office supply companies are now allowing residential addresses to create accounts so they can sell off their excess. They've even delivering, but their minimums are around $250.
wildrice Two weeks ago I treated myself to painting my nails with a pretty gel nail polish. As you would expect, a week later it started to chip. That’s when I realized that I could not find my acetone nail polish remover. I hunted everywhere in my house. I can relate to your mom. I finally solved the half-on, half-off look (that was driving me crazy) by using a nail file to file it off. Not the greatest solution for the health of your nails, so I won’t be polishing again.
I am worried about super market exposure, so I have committed to eating what is in the house and running out of of favorite foods and fresh produce. I am surprised that it makes me feel really weird. I keep trying to shake the feeling because we have enough to eat. But the weirded-out feeling creeps back in.
Lol. I just think it's funny that people are confused as to why store shelves are empty of things. Life as we know it has completely changed. A lot of people are at home. We're told not to go to the store often. All non-essential businesses are closed. People are getting sick. Supply chains have changed. Ordering patterns have changed. Of course a lot of items are going to be out of stock in unusual patterns at the moment! But I've had an anxiety ridden morning so I should probably step away from the internet lol.
But if you never followed the world of supply chain management then you wouldn't know that until now.
Most of the people on these boards are highly intelligent and have decent amount of common sense (keyword being most!) So even if they aren't working in supply chain management just a little bit of a thought process can make it clear why items aren't fully stocked. I certainly have no experience in business, buying or supply chains at all, but it seems pretty clear to me why more items are out of stock and I don't think it's because everyone has bunkers full of nail polish removers. There are obviously outliers to this. Obviously people are also just making chit chat on the boards, but there is pretty much one of these posts daily lol.
As far as melatonin goes I was at work this morning and 2 of my colleauges, both doctors, said that they're giving their kids melatonin now pretty much on a daily basis and occasionally use it for themselves. So yes I think melatonin usage is up more than usually due to schedule changes and difficulty sleeping.
It drives me crazy that stores are opening slots at midnight. I get it. I understand the reasons. It just doesn't work for our family. We are all asleep by 9:30. So, I go to the store once a week at like 8 am. If I go at that time it's not too crowded and everything is in stock. HEB has been wonderful on replenishing things. No problem finding toilet paper if you at 8.
It does not surprise me that laundry and dishwashing detergent are getting hard to find. Like all I do is wash dishes. We run the dishwasher twice a day now. It's so annoying. DH and I do rock, paper, scissors to see who has to unload the stupid thing. We do more laundry, too.
My local Target is out of feminine hygiene products. Maybe it’s because the manufacturer is focused on producing toilet paper (?) but women’s still get their periods, virus or not. So I don’t get it.
Melatonin was also on a list I saw floating around as a preventative (like elderberry, etc.) I certainly can't vouch for the veracity of this list, but that may be why some people are buying it who haven't in the past.
If I see another person say "Oh, I just ran out for this one ingredient I needed for dinner," I will lose it. Make something else.
But if you never followed the world of supply chain management then you wouldn't know that until now.
Most of the people on these boards are highly intelligent and have decent amount of common sense (keyword being most!) So even if they aren't working in supply chain management just a little bit of a thought process can make it clear why items aren't fully stocked. I certainly have no experience in business, buying or supply chains at all, but it seems pretty clear to me why more items are out of stock and I don't think it's because everyone has bunkers full of nail polish removers. There are obviously outliers to this. Obviously people are also just making chit chat on the boards, but there is pretty much one of these posts daily lol.
As far as melatonin goes I was at work this morning and 2 of my colleauges, both doctors, said that they're giving their kids melatonin now pretty much on a daily basis and occasionally use it for themselves. So yes I think melatonin usage is up more than usually due to schedule changes and difficulty sleeping.
I was being hyperbolic!
I know why things are missing from the shelves, but I need stupid banter to make the time go by and to keep me from reading the news in between my classes! Should we talk about shoes in the house?? #guiltyaboutthesamepotseveryday
But if you never followed the world of supply chain management then you wouldn't know that until now.
Most of the people on these boards are highly intelligent and have decent amount of common sense (keyword being most!) So even if they aren't working in supply chain management just a little bit of a thought process can make it clear why items aren't fully stocked. I certainly have no experience in business, buying or supply chains at all, but it seems pretty clear to me why more items are out of stock and I don't think it's because everyone has bunkers full of nail polish removers. There are obviously outliers to this. Obviously people are also just making chit chat on the boards, but there is pretty much one of these posts daily lol.
As far as melatonin goes I was at work this morning and 2 of my colleauges, both doctors, said that they're giving their kids melatonin now pretty much on a daily basis and occasionally use it for themselves. So yes I think melatonin usage is up more than usually due to schedule changes and difficulty sleeping.
I took it was a light hearted post. Of course I can figure out a supply chain. The laundry soap just threw me when I saw the empty aisle.
My local Target is out of feminine hygiene products. Maybe it’s because the manufacturer is focused on producing toilet paper (?) but women’s still get their periods, virus or not. So I don’t get it.
This is the one that gets me too.
and while people may not be hoarding them, I can tell you they are buying in bulk.
Post by Leeham Rimes on Apr 7, 2020 12:14:46 GMT -5
Oh. Oh. I can’t find vitamin c to save my life. H takes it daily for his vitamin regimen and was legit like an addict at the prospect of not having it, “but no need it. I NEEED IT. I CANT WORK WITHOUT IT” ok. Chill out bro.
I don’t think people are hoarding it but we’ve never ever (literally. Not ever) not been able to find it so people are certainly using it like never before creating shortages for those that always use it. I think people are desperate for control and they feel like “vitamins make you healthy. If you’re healthy you can’t catch covid” so h, in his infinite wisdom paid $20 for a third party amazon seller for $5 worth of vitamins. GUESS WHO NEVER GOT THEIR VITAMINS?! this has turned my husband into a panicked moron buying things without reading or using common sense.
I need ham like water Like breath, like rain I need ham like mercy From Heaven's gate Sometimes ham salad or casserole or ham that’s free range, all natural I need ham
Yeah I really didn't mean that I think people have boxes of nail polish remover in their homes, lol. I think y'all are right that hoarding is not the right term, but has become a current slang term for the reasons why items are in short supply lately. Perhaps we need to think of a better word for it.
Multiple stores near me are out of Garlic powder. I'm assuming because it is a common ingredient in a lot of seasonings and rubs and people are doing so much more home cooking. I doubt anyone is hoarding a huge stash of garlic powder, but I haven't been able to find it anywhere this week.