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Original poster

Are you stockpiling?

581 replies

CravingHobnobs · 01/09/2021 23:22

Are you stockpiling food, clothes, toys, medicines? I’ve gotten a bit worried lately with the news of price increases and limited supplies. Shelves seem fairly full where I am (London) but perhaps that’s not going to last? Can’t help but notice much of my food comes from abroad, not to mention medicines, DC clothes and toys, etc.

I’m a bit skint already but if prices will rise and I can do a bit of Christmas shopping for DC now I reckon I’d rather have it sorted.

OP posts:
shouldbeworkingmore · 03/09/2021 17:14

🤣🤣

DottyHarmer · 03/09/2021 17:18

I think “preppers” often have egg (dried, of course) on their faces. Millennium bug, anyone?

I detest waste and I hope people who bought 50 long-life milk cartons (yes, I saw you, Barbara and Roy, back in Spring 2020) actually used them. I have a sneaking suspicion a lot of the goods will end up being nobly donated to food banks one week before use by date, sat in the Harvest Festival pyramid at schools or lurking at the back of the local fete’s tombola next year.

shesellsseacats · 03/09/2021 17:31

No, we've just seen what happens when people are selfish and walk out of supermarkets with their trolleys pilled high. It creates a problem for everyone else especially people who can't afford this.

But as long as you're alright Jack, eh?

JFC, not again. You're talking about panic buying, which is when everyone piles trolleys high AT THE SAME TIME.

That's not the same as stockpiling, which can be done sensibly over time without creating a problem for anyone.

What has happened to people that they can't see that well stocked cupboards are a good insurance against all sorts of unexpected circumstances life might throw at you?

Anon778833 · 03/09/2021 17:37

I detest waste and I hope people who bought 50 long-life milk cartons (yes, I saw you, Barbara and Roy, back in Spring 2020) actually used them. I have a sneaking suspicion a lot of the goods will end up being nobly donated to food banks one week before use by date, sat in the Harvest Festival pyramid at schools or lurking at the back of the local fete’s tombola next year.

The ones I despise the most are the ones who bought baby formula to put in their tea & coffee - absolute pricks.

Katsuwonus · 03/09/2021 17:43

Yes, lots of people are doing it, and you are not alone. There's absolutley nothing wrong with being prepared for potential supply chain disruptions, climate chaos, unexpected pandemic-related crap, etc. Get the longer shelf life stuff that doesn't expire until 2023/2024 and even 2025 like corned beef. Make a spreadsheet recording all the sell by dates. Here's a good video if anyone else needs it to get started:

This is good too: www.lost-ways.net/intadw/?tid=yt&ADID=536401307957

Also, buy Bitcoin, gold and silver and have a small stash of cash at home in case the ATMS go down. Get solar.

And if/when the good times roll around again, and you haven't needed it you can always give it away to the local food bank or have street party with it.

shesellsseacats · 03/09/2021 17:45

I think a lot of people just hate preppers because preppers admit fear and do something about it, whereas in British society suppressing fear is the norm. We are all just a little scared of the zombie apocalypse really, but most push it out of their minds.

I agree, I think there's some serious head-in-the-sand action going on here.

But I think it's also that a lot was made of this on the media and places like Mumsnet, and lots of people love to judge others.

Instead of asking questions about the system and whether we should organise it differently so we don't end up with empty shelves so easily, it's easier to point fingers at a bunch of selfish idiots panic buying while feeling morally superior about not doing what they're doing.

But it seems to have gone too far, people aren't just admonishing those who are blatantly selfish, who buy all of a dwindling resource just because they can, but also people who are stocking up in a sensible way over time.

if this thread is anything to go by, lots of people seem to think that having full cupboards is being selfish rather than prudent, which is nuts if you ask me.

Ash2956 · 03/09/2021 17:47

Christmas dinner is just a roast. So relax it’s not the end of the world if you have to improvise. The media create this shite and then sit back.

shouldbeworkingmore · 03/09/2021 17:48

and lots of people love to judge others.

Clearly

But it seems to have gone too far, people aren't just admonishing those who are blatantly selfish

So judging is ok, if targeted at the "right" people?

shouldbeworkingmore · 03/09/2021 17:52

That's not the same as stockpiling, which can be done sensibly over time without creating a problem for anyone.

This confuses me, surely the OP is not one of those sensible ones as the shortages have already hit media & Christmas stock has been ordered. She's prompted to buy because she's worried, isn't that panic buying?

AliBear90 · 03/09/2021 17:55

Not stockpiling, but I’ve been buying daughter’s Christmas presents a couple a month since after her birthday in June. But that’s what we do every year to spread costs as we’re rubbish savers so this way it’s easier for us

justasking111 · 03/09/2021 17:55

But friends and do a big online shop once a month, that's prepping. My granny always had a pantry full of dried goods and tins for feeding a large family that's prepping. We have freezers these days that's prepping.

WHY is it frowned upon now?

vinoinveritas · 03/09/2021 17:58

I laughed when I heard on radio there would be pigs in blankets shortages! Surely people have enough imagination to buy a packet a sausages and a pack of bacon & make them themselves if they are THAT desperate for them!

Goldbar · 03/09/2021 18:02

I think a lot of people just hate preppers because preppers admit fear and do something about it, whereas in British society suppressing fear is the norm. We are all just a little scared of the zombie apocalypse really, but most push it out of their minds.

No hatred here. I’m pleased that so many of you have found a hobby you enjoy.

shesellsseacats · 03/09/2021 18:05

So judging is ok, if targeted at the "right" people?

No, that's not what I'm saying.

My point is that people have started off criticising something that's harmful to others (selfishly panic buying) - there's some logic there - but have ended up confusing it with something different and somehow we're now in a situation that people are judging others for sensible stocking up.

shouldbeworkingmore · 03/09/2021 18:05

@shesellsseacats so what category is the OP?

LittleMissMe99 · 03/09/2021 18:08

No. I work in retail. There is a plentiful amount of stock.

calvados · 03/09/2021 18:15

Just NO to stock piling!! Don’t do it and you won’t cause others to do it and force the vulnerable to go without!

Bertiebiscuit · 03/09/2021 18:16

No, in principle I refuse to stockpile - I am single, frugal and healthy so I will not buy extra as it means someone vulnerable may have to go without - I used washable rags rather than toilet roll and sewed my own masks in the worst of the lockdown panic, my view is that we shouldn't be greedy, none of us will die without pigs in blankets

Goldbar · 03/09/2021 18:22

none of us will die without pigs in blankets

No, but keeping a pig in the backyard and investing in a sausage-making kit isn't a bad idea if people are worried. Pigs need surprisingly little space (around 8 square feet per pig) and curing meat is quite simple when you get the knack of it.

calvados · 03/09/2021 18:22

Best comment and acutely observed! People really are stupid!

Sarbears28 · 03/09/2021 18:31

Not stockpiling food as I dont think its ever needed. However my 2 DC are done for Christmas already but that's me buying in the toy sales as they happened. Fenwicks had an amazing one a few months back when a lot of toys where less then half price, some reduced from £20-30 to a couple of pounds. But I'm lucky, my children are 2 and 3. They are happy with anything and are not into the latest hot item (yet). So I'm able to do this.

HungryHippo11 · 03/09/2021 18:34

@justasking111

But friends and do a big online shop once a month, that's prepping. My granny always had a pantry full of dried goods and tins for feeding a large family that's prepping. We have freezers these days that's prepping.

WHY is it frowned upon now?

Because people don't understand the difference between stockpiling and panic buying, and think that shortages at the beginning of covid were caused by stockpiling, when in fact the opposite is true.
shouldbeworkingmore · 03/09/2021 18:42

@HungryHippo11 so what category is the OP as her motivation is the news of shortages?

Mollymoostoo · 03/09/2021 18:44

We always do a big monthly shop, stock the freezer and then just get milk, veggies etc weekly. I didn't know anyone who shopped weekly until COVID hit and suddenly everyone was panicking about not having food.

ChelleMum85 · 03/09/2021 18:45

😂😂😂😂😂

Aww...Best reply ever! "Not this shite again".

People panicking about empty shelves go and empty the shelves.