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Panic buying again!

(138 Posts)
Teacheranne Mon 21-Sept-20 12:34:54

I was horrified to read in the papers today that people are rushing out to stockpile food again - and toilet paper! It was very stressful at last March trying to buy essential food items and I was hoping people would be more sensible and not panic at the thought of stricter restrictions over the winter.

I really hope this is not true and is just the tabloids stirring things up. I also heard that slots for online deliveries are also being snapped up, which makes me even more stressed.

I am not physically able to walk far so find grocery shopping difficult yet not being in the vulnerable category, I lost access to online deliveries. I switched to click and collect, staying up until the early hours to snaffle a newly released slot and really don't want to do that again!

I think I need to go and have a lie down! At least I think I have enough toilet rolls at the moment, after getting down to my last one and having to beg one off a friend, I made sure that I always have an unopened pack of nine in my house!

Sarnia Tue 22-Sept-20 13:15:14

The shops and supermarkets need to ration items such as loo rolls, long-life milk etc from now. There will be enough for all of us then.

Dorsetcupcake61 Tue 22-Sept-20 13:08:34

Let's hope people come to their senses. We are not going into lockdown again. I find myself wondering how some people have already got through the mountains of toilet roll they bought in March. Have they eaten all that pasta? Maybe it's the ones who were late to stockpile last time? I'm glad regulations have been tightened up. Not sure how long Christmas puddings last? In days gone by the top tier of the wedding cake was saved for the Christening but contraception wasnt as reliable!

Callistemon Tue 22-Sept-20 12:38:22

Any Christmas puddings left?

I have one I made 4 years ago - will it be ok?

Jess20 Tue 22-Sept-20 12:36:57

In July 2020 we finally used up all the bog roll I 'stockpiled' in December 2019.... grin

4allweknow Tue 22-Sept-20 12:01:19

Had been away in caravan for a week. Came home and went into Morrisons Monday am. Couldn't help but notice big gaps on shelves but didn't think anything of it until reaching hand wash area- none!. At checkout I commented to assistant the store seemed busy for a Monday morning. Her response was people are panic buying again. On recollection there was no flour (noticed all the dust), tinned food section had big gaps, no hand wash and yes the toilet roll section was depleted but not empty. It's started again whether we like it or not.

Jaxjacky Tue 22-Sept-20 11:55:35

cupcake1 no loo roll or pasta in my normal online shop...just the usual fortnightly wine box?

CrazyGrandma2 Tue 22-Sept-20 11:43:42

In the light of our lockdown experience, I did open another online Sainsbury's account in my husband's name as he is over 70 and has underlying health issues so deemed vulnerable. The fact that I had shopped with them for years meant nothing. Just being prepared. I always bulk buy toilet rolls etc on line so no panic buying needed here.

Theoddbird Tue 22-Sept-20 11:39:52

There are no problems with booking slots at Tesco or Sainsbury's...I just checked. Hopefully stores will quickly bring in limits on the numbers of each item people can buy

cupcake1 Tue 22-Sept-20 11:32:48

Just got back from Tesco. The cashier said she’d served someone earlier with two packs of 48 loo rolls, enormous amounts of pasta, frozen food, butter, flour etc. She said she couldn’t speak to them she was so mad at their selfish behaviour. I didn’t buy anything extra than my normal shop. I did stock up on the wine though ??!

Lucyloo12 Tue 22-Sept-20 11:25:22

As an NHS worker who ran out of loo roll and many other items last time..... I have today purchased one pack of 18 loo rolls. Why do I feel so guilty... and even felt I needed to explain my actions to the cashier! Please don't judge us all too badly. X

Gwenisgreat1 Tue 22-Sept-20 11:13:58

Why toilet rolls? Are folk expecting a run on them? You can only use so many at a time. If the worst happens, in the olden days we would use any tissue paper or newspaper

HazelF Tue 22-Sept-20 10:47:05

It's the same with Covid tests I think. Get one in case they run out, regardless. All those queues if "ill" looking people standing next to each other, some without masks. I don't think there is as much common sense iur there as I first thought.

Craftycat Tue 22-Sept-20 10:46:37

No sign of it in either Sainsbury's or Morrisons down here. Really quiet thus morning.

Startingover61 Tue 22-Sept-20 10:34:48

I did an online grocery shop (Sainsbury’s) yesterday but earliest delivery I could get was Sat evening, so went for that one. I noticed some items were out of stock and they were suggesting alternatives.

polnan Tue 22-Sept-20 10:29:19

well I don`t understand the panic buying.. I thought the media,, don`t we love to blame them for winding us up?

the media have suggested only a 2 week lockup? but then, being in an optimistic mood (till I read the other thread here) I don`t think we will get a lockup just yet,, warning,,, yes,, telling off! (does the Government tell us off?)

but I was thinking no lockup just yet..

but I have heard that our smallish Morrisons is making us queue again, not sure I can face that...

HannahLoisLuke Tue 22-Sept-20 10:20:01

Listening to Radio 5L yesterday morning, Nicky Campbell mentioned that he hoped people wouldn't start panic buying again. He was quickly admonished by his co presenter who told him that just mentioning it would trigger that very thing.
Even I, who loathes the selfishness had a twinge of worry that I ought to get a delivery booked. I'm shielding still so can't go shopping and wouldn't normally worry about my next shop but he stirred something in me.
I haven't booked a shop yet though.

NannyG123 Tue 22-Sept-20 10:08:56

Why are people stockpiling the only reason there was a problem was because of people stockpiling. People need to get a grip and shop normally, as in buying only things you need that week, or month . Not looking forward to queuing again. Hope it won't come to that.

Maggymay Tue 22-Sept-20 10:08:27

Went to our local Sainsbury’s yesterday afternoon it was quieter than usual and plenty on the shelves,I expect that will change very soon.

TanaMa Tue 22-Sept-20 10:01:22

My GD has a weekend job with pne of the top supermarkets and mentioned to me that people were already emptying the shelves and stockpiling. All the s/m should enforce a limit to certain items now rather than wait until the situation gets as dire as before.

Desdemona Tue 22-Sept-20 09:51:24

I work in a supermarket and there are some people starting to purchase large amounts of certain items again, ie loo roll, flour, dried yeast etc.

Hopefully they will remain in a minority.

25Avalon Tue 22-Sept-20 09:45:33

Remember all the food that got chucked away because stupid people stocked up on everything leaving others with nothing.
I did read that similar problems occurred in WW11 which was another reason for rationing so maybe some people are just wired to panic and be selfish and thoughtless. Did I hear the word ‘morons’?

WoodLane7 Tue 22-Sept-20 09:39:53

Tesco by me ran out of toilet paper and eggs back end of last week according to a couple of people I have been talking to, They had eggs today, don’t know about toilet paper as I have plenty and don’t need to buy any more
Did we learn nothing from earlier in the year? There would be ample Togo round if people didn’t run around like headless chickens stockpiling stuff

inishowen Tue 22-Sept-20 09:39:13

We saw Christmas stuff in Lidl yesterday and I felt it was a deliberate ploy to start panic buying. People may think it won't be around by Christmas.

Barmeyoldbat Tue 22-Sept-20 09:38:56

iI am ok for toilet rolls, I buy ones made from bamboo online and have a subscription for a box every 16 weeks. Just taken delivery of a box. As for food I will put my hand up and say that I have bought two or three of most cupboard essentials, pasta, olive oil, sugar, coffee, tea etc. and put it away in a box. The reason being is I don't want to be queuing up outside a supermarket in the winter, in the rain and cold. I also have a delivery from my veg shop. I feel that by doing it this way I am one less person using home delivery from a supermarket.

Aepgirl Tue 22-Sept-20 09:31:45

It’s the selfish over the considerate again. My usual supermarket has said that they won’t allow people to over-buy items, putting a limit on numbers.