Coronavirus (COVID-19) Panic Buying?

[lovetravellingoz]

Indeed, I get the impression Aussies are too busy emptying supermarket shelves to go on holiday!
cheers skip

Not at the supermarkets I frequent. And at Costco, when don't shoppers here have full trollies?

I think it is more that hand sanitiser has a run on.

 

[Pushka]

Told mum in law we set up for for Woolies home delivery. Shes 87, walking frame, Parkinsons ect so qualifies.

Mum in law: It'sa all right. Im'a O.K. I go to bank.

Told her we will go to the bank for her (and she doesnt need money) but cant force the woman to hand over her card.

Theft during the night? My kids are now strict on what I can and can't do. I owe it to them to reduce their stress in these awful times.

 

[DC3]

Apparently plumbers are rather overwhelmed with people putting inappropriate things down toilet bowls

Putting wet wipes and hand towel into the toilet bowl will provide you with your own personal fatberg.

 

[Denali]

Theft during the night? My kids are now strict on what I can and can't do. I owe it to them to reduce their stress in these awful times.

Hubby is gonig to temp her that she can order a few items for her favourite sons family and save them the stress of going out and risking either not getting the item or getting sick...... not us, the youngest son is the fav

Its italian guilt v greek stubborn.

 

[Pushka]

Hubby is gonig to temp her that she can order a few items for her favourite sons family and save them the stress of going out and risking either not getting the item or getting sick...... not us, the youngest son is the fav

Its italian guilt v greek stubborn.

I dont like the favouritism thing but I did read an interesting book where the DIL was seemingly despised by the old dragon MIL. When she died she had left a letter to DIL saying how much she admired her strength and resilience and care.

We shouldn't leave saying such things too late.

 

[Flashback]

Aussies went early, blew all their cash, so now we have sensible orderly shopping again. It is comforting to know that Australia produces sufficient food to feed 75 million.

You'd think so in the UK but nope, today bad been the craziest day yet. Likely due to last night's announcement.

Surely everyone who was into panic buying had already panic bought everything they could possibly panic want. How could they still have further panic left to panic?!

You'd be surprised.. as more strict measures come in, people panic more.

Depends where the stuff is now located I guess. $15 for a bunch of fresh broccoli. Frozen all sold out. Ended up buying brocollini which was cheap. Clearly not as well known. An annoying thing - I bought a chicken yesterday for a roast tonight. They were only selling in packs of two. I dont want or need two, I just have the normal fridge size freezer. Oh, do I sound like JohnK? I offered it to DIL and son but she has already bunkered down and wants no contact.

I found the same yesterday with shallots. Onions all out but plenty of shallots. Bet most people have no idea what they are

Its like a highschool math test, how Im to get hand sanitiser thats in 12 x 1.2ltr bottles to 5 states and approx 20 people.

No point in it sitting in my office so trying to get it out to the sales troops who are still out there. I have more arriving next week and end of April

Our company has done the same with masks for staff that can't avoid having to go onsite.

 

[juddles]

RE panic buying, today I witnessed something that does not make sense to me - and I have been witness to much insanity over the years...

At my local Dan Murphys a guy was covering his trolley with beer cases and arguing with staff regarding restrictions on multi-buys. He was obsessed in getting his "horde".

Was it Tooheys? Was it some craft miracle beer? No. It was Carlton Zero.

WTF would anyone fear running out of non-alcoholic beer? My mind boggles.....

 

[pauly7]

There are a few ESO workers on AFF. Coles has offered them (us) shopping on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 0700-0800 with the priority shoppers.

I am pretty right getting what I need at other times but good to know it is available for those who may need it.

Hoping Woolies will match, more convenient for our household for the few things I can’t get at the independent shops and markets that I prefer.

I can then also use our access to help some vulnerable people on our street who are trying to catch up after mask wearing hoarder preppers found out about our supermarket and wiped our local out. Supply normalising now as people calm down and realise how much money they have wasted.

Credit card bills must be rolling in

 

[juddles]

Further commentary of mine on the whole "panic buying" thing....

(1) There are a few in society that read the writing on the wall and thus attempt sensible purchases that will enable them to have a bit of a buffer - really this is commendable as it is people actively recognizing the status quo and desiring to restrict their habits of frequenting supermarkets and thus allowing them to be perfect citizens in the necessary new times of minimizing social contact.

(2) The logistics of supermarkets etc have been so finely honed to predictable buying patterns that they have removed their inherent capacity for any surge buying - hence the empty shelves.

(3) IMHO the PM needs to cease and desist from his tedious and uninspiring rhetoric of waffle using the tired old terms of "in the medical experts advice" and "scaleable response". He comes across, at least to me, as someone who is just reading scripts... I would prefer a leader who actually - leads.

(4) a hugely important point is that Australia has both the capability to supply all basic needs (from electricity to pasta to toilet paper to wine) and this virus will not stop that. Why on earth hasn't he made this a predominant point of assurance for the people? That is what the public need to hear.

 

[p--and--t]

Apparently plumbers are rather overwhelmed with people putting inappropriate things down toilet bowls

I had a similar report from my rental manager today. The great toilet paper crisis of 2020 is a real thing and people have been using other materials such as newspaper and wipes that are not flushable. The tenant will be charged for a plumber callout as the lease specifically states not to do that.

 

[LadyC]

Nice to see our local market opening today (its usually closed) specifically for vulnerable people (the elderly, those with disabilities and their carers).

 

[luxury-lizard]

back to panic buying specifically - I've tried to register for Woolies Priority home delivery - doesn't seem to work (no response) - Mr LL also tried to register with his e-mail/account - no response. We are both over 70 and self-isolated - he's scheduled for surgery one week after our self-isolation ends - getting anxious - freinds have been amazing but I don't want to rely on them for weeks on end.

I cannot find a phone number to call and find our what's going on - several people in my area were approved overnight. Does any one know how to escalate.

 

[Denali]

When you say no response, its during the registration process and you click Submit and nothing happens?

When we registered mum in law yesterday, after clicking Submit we got a screen saying thank you, we'll be back in contact in 48hrs. Havent asked hubby about it yet, we used his email address as mum in law not online.

Hubby is going to talk to his mum again today about not going out on Friday. I told him to tell her the bank tellers will be closing. She doesnt need a single cent but being a older migrant, doesnt want the govt to keep an eye on her bank balance either. Apparently the woman doesnt have a debit card either (so we could go to atm for her) - hes going to triple ask about that.

 

[blackcat20]

Nice to see our local market opening today (its usually closed) specifically for vulnerable people (the elderly, those with disabilities and their carers).

Sounds like we might have the same local market (local to my work, not home).

 

[luxury-lizard]

When you say no response, its during the registration process and you click Submit and nothing happens?

When we registered mum in law yesterday, after clicking Submit we got a screen saying thank you, we'll be back in contact in 48hrs. Havent asked hubby about it yet, we used his email address as mum in law not online.

Hubby is going to talk to him mum again today about not going out on Friday. I told him to tell her the bank tellers will be closing.

Yes it said wait up to 48 hours - no response after 24 hours BUT others received their response in less than 12 hours - I'll wait another 24 hours - just concerned ATM. There are other delivery options in Sydney but these are very expensive which is OK for a few weeks but if its months on end would prefer the Woolies option (or Coles if they ever get their online ordering/delivery working again). The 'alternatives' do not offer a full range of producst but focus on ready made / almost ready meals and some F&V - in fact a couple of near by restaurants have started this - again very expensive but I'm willing to use if it helps keep some of their staff in jobs.

 

[Denali]

Did you get an email about "Start shopping now?" We got one last night but I assumed it was an automated response from registering mum in law in the first place.

I just signed into Woolworths with mum in laws account and it seems I can place an order for her, min $100 plus delivery fee

 

[Flashback]

I have had some moments with grocery staff, not abusive or rude but 20yrs ago I would try to explain to the staff that the watermelon was the natural enemy of the strawberries and not to go in the same bag. I would repack bags while telling them that things need to be packed safer for the items to get home undamaged.

But where Ive been shopping for the last 15+yrs seem to have older staff so I guess they have more life knowledge about these things.

I keep forgetting that Aussies get everything handed to them on a silver platter

I'm so used to the UK where you pack your own goods, that it's the norm for me and whenever I'm back in Australia I always feel strange when someone starts doing it for me!

Yes it said wait up to 48 hours - no response after 24 hours BUT others received their response in less than 12 hours - I'll wait another 24 hours - just concerned ATM. There are other delivery options in Sydney but these are very expensive which is OK for a few weeks but if its months on end would prefer the Woolies option (or Coles if they ever get their online ordering/delivery working again). The 'alternatives' do not offer a full range of producst but focus on ready made / almost ready meals and some F&V - in fact a couple of near by restaurants have started this - again very expensive but I'm willing to use if it helps keep some of their staff in jobs.

As you say, you have 24 hours to go - so just sit tight, I'm sure it'll be responded to within that time. I'm sure they're under immense pressure to review and respond as more people find out about the option.

 

[Denali]

These bays are refilled numerous times per day. Just now at a Bunnings (I didnt take phone/Im at home)

 

[LadyC]

Sounds like we might have the same local market (local to my work, not home).

My local is Prahran Market. We do most of our shopping there and at the nearby farmers markets. Nice to see local businesses supporting the disadvantaged community and vice versa.

 

[blackcat20]

My local is Prahran Market. We do most of our shopping there and at the nearby farmers markets. Nice to see local businesses supporting the disadvantaged community and vice versa.

Indeed that's the one. I havent shopped there in a while given I've been on mat leave, but I do like popping in for meat and veg. And felafels.

 

[luxury-lizard]

Did you get an email about "Start shopping now?" We got one last night but I assumed it was an automated response from registering mum in law in the first place.

I just signed into Woolworths with mum in laws account and it seems I can place an order for her, min $100 plus delivery fee

Mr LL never got n e-mail confirmation (and neither did I) but was just now able to place an order - so that's good as we only need one account to order - placed an order for Monday delivery (could have been earlier but friends still assisting this week).