Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Panic buyers

297 replies

Idliketoteachtheworldtosing1 · 05/03/2018 01:11

Aibu to think that it's damn ridiculous the way people have been panic buying?
Personally I think that all the supermarkets should take a leaf out of our co ops book and allow one 6 pint per person! Yes it caused a few rows but surely that is the fair way when stocks are running low.
It's always milk and bread, some people are so selfish and buy ridiculous amounts of the stuff.
It drives me mad.

OP posts:
saoirsesoige · 05/03/2018 12:56

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

gussyfinknottle · 05/03/2018 12:57

I don't panic buy because I prep for bad weather and have stuff in just in case.

saoirsesoige · 05/03/2018 12:57

I agree. I think in regard to milk especially supermarkets should keep some blue top milk back, and give it to parents with young children

by not allowing parents with young children to buy it? Hmm

Idliketoteachtheworldtosing1 · 05/03/2018 13:07

I have a child with SN too but he was still told one glass of milk and then switch to juice or water, come on seriously it really wouldn't harm your child not to drink milk all day, I'm sure it's not that healthy to drink vast quantities of milk.
Just because you have a child with SN does not mean that your attitude is right, If your child needs milk that badly then keep a stock of long life for emergencies because you never know next time we get snow you may be the one up in arms about the selfishness of other people but I hope that the next time around all the shops will use their loaf and limit how much everybody can have, sometimes you need to think of others!

OP posts:
morningconstitutional2017 · 05/03/2018 13:12

It's the panic buying that causes the shortages. The only thing I did that was different to my usual routine was to make sure that I didn't run out of cat food and litter, tea bags and toilet paper - but not in any huge quantity.

If I'd wanted bread I'd make my own soda bread which isn't up to much but is acceptable at a pinch. The weather is usually not too fierce in the East midlands and the snow was only ankle deep fora few days. We've got off very lightly indeed compared to other regions and for that I'm thankful.

FairiesVsPixies · 05/03/2018 13:16

It's my job to feed my children, not worry about yours.

Funnily enough I can feed my children and still have enough compassion to worry about other people's kids too Hmm

saoirsesoige · 05/03/2018 13:20

I have a child with SN too but he was still told one glass of milk and then switch to juice or water, come on seriously it really wouldn't harm your child not to drink milk all day, I'm sure it's not that healthy to drink vast quantities of milk

Are all children with SN the same? Do you think it possible that my kid has different needs to yours?

Just because you have a child with SN does not mean that your attitude is right, If your child needs milk that badly then keep a stock of long life for emergencies because you never know next time we get snow you may be the one up in arms about the selfishness of other people but I hope that the next time around all the shops will use their loaf and limit how much everybody can have, sometimes you need to think of others!

I can see you're having fun on your high horse there but you haven't actually understood what you are mad about. I bought the correct amount of milk to feed my family for the time we were snowed in for.
That's not panic buying, thats not selfishness, that's not unfair to anyone. That's just shopping. I usally buy a 3 litre a day or so, we haven't got to a shop in 6 days, so I didn't even buy the normal amount I would have done in that time.

Now stop being a twat about people doing a perfectly normal thing like buying just enough milk to feed their own children!

HunterofStars · 05/03/2018 13:41

YANBU. I bought a litre of milk last Wednesday on my way to work as I didn't want to go out shopping in the snow. I don't eat much bread so didn't buy any.

I went to Tesco yesterday to get some diet coke and there was a notice saying that supplies had been affected by the snow and they were trying their best to restock asap. I noticed that the frozen food looked as if it had been ransacked.

I'm going to check my cupboards soon and see if I have enough to last until tomorrow. Although will need to buy some cheese.

WizardOfToss · 05/03/2018 14:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Hillingdon · 05/03/2018 14:02

I really don't think that Saoir realises how entiled and selfish she sounds. As long as she is OK it doesn't matter about anyone else.

The shopping habits of us all were out of the window over the last couple of days. It wasnt a normal shopping day. The fact that she states she doesn't care about other people's kids sums it all up really

Hillingdon · 05/03/2018 14:04

Wizard - I so agree. Defininitely brings out the loons, the I'm alright Jack are also on this thread....

hairycoo · 05/03/2018 14:09

I think YAB a bit U. Panic buying is organised people realising that they might not get to the shop for a bit due to the weather and buying 3/4 days of goods rather than just the 1? Id call that common sense. And whilst 1 pint of milk may do one family a whole month only on mn other families need more. We go through about 20 pints of milk a week for 4 adults and 1 child. I dont think its panic buying that causes shortages, but the lack of deliveries to keep up with demand. Supermarkets arent going to be upset that they are selling out of stuff, but sad that they cant get deliveries in to keep up with demand.

Oysterbabe · 05/03/2018 14:11

We had a fair amount of snow. I picked up an extra 4 pinter of milk so I had just enough to last a few days for my toddler. The shops are only today stocking milk so I'm glad I did. The problem wasn't panic buying, it was no deliveries. If people had bought their normal amount it still would have run out. I don't feel bad that I was prepared.

GreatDuckCookery6211 · 05/03/2018 14:15

I think if you or your dc have certain needs for a specific item then it's wise to stock up. If not and you're just getting caught up in the hysteria of buying over and above and not thinking about anyone else this is selfish.

saoirsesoige · 05/03/2018 14:16

I really don't think that Saoir realises how entiled and selfish she sounds. As long as she is OK it doesn't matter about anyone else

Yes, buying just enough milk for her children, she's practically Pol Pot.

Hmm
RoseWhiteTips · 05/03/2018 14:21

Selfish parents are mainly to blame. It’s pathetically greedy.

GreatDuckCookery6211 · 05/03/2018 14:23

Pol Pot Grin

saoirsesoige · 05/03/2018 14:24

You know I really think that's whats wrong with society, people buying their regular amount of weekly milk in one go instead of daily.
Such awful, selfish, entitled people. How dare they give their kids milk, they should leave it on the shelf for someone else to give their kids milk!!

steff13 · 05/03/2018 14:26

But why buy 20 pints of milk? Milk lasts what 3 days

Why does your milk only last 3 days? I bought 4 gallons of milk on Saturday, and it doesn't expire until the 17th.

Kleinzeit · 05/03/2018 14:28

UHT milk? Soya milk? Coconut? In tea? The horror! Clutches pearls, faints.

I haven't been panic buying, just going to the shops when we need something, but DH has nobly gone without cornflakes on days when we couldn't find milk in the shops so that I can drink proper tea.

RoseWhiteTips · 05/03/2018 14:30

Anyone who buys x (ridiculous) number of pints is doing it for them and theirs. It is selfish in the extreme for whatever reason. There is no defence for that sort of behaviour. None.
Shops should ration milk at times like that.

RoseWhiteTips · 05/03/2018 14:31

Yeah, we went without cereal too whilst greedy creatures hoarded.

milliemolliemou · 05/03/2018 14:39

Surely it's just a matter of thinking ahead? We had ten days notice of dire weather (though no particular idea of where it would worst hit - except coming from the East that would mean East Anglia, Kent and as ever Scotland and all the high grounds in between. Early buying would have meant early restocking by the supermarkets. It's not beyond anyone to keep a stock cupboard if they have the space.
We live fairly near a rural town. You had to be fit and strong to get through the 3 foot of snow and incoming storm Emma to get to the nearest shop (2 hours there and back) with little idea of what was on the shelves or even if staff had been able to get in. Even 4WDs were stuck for a day and a half. My worry should this happen again is the loss of power and heat. Not everyone has a fire and logs.

Avasarala · 05/03/2018 14:43

I avoided the shops completely! I bulk order from the butcher every 6 months for a good is count so the freezer is always stocked. We grow our own veg so out of season, it's all in the freezer and my pantry is good for 6 months. We didn't have fresh fruit or snacks but plenty for meals and flour for about 20 loaves of bread. Would only be in trouble if the power went off for more than a day. It's really not difficult to plan ahead; there's no need to panic buy.

hairycoo · 05/03/2018 14:57

So planning ahead is ok if its 6 months in advance (for no known extremities, but just in case) but planning ahead 4/5 days in advance (for a forewarned circumstance) is panic buying. Okaaay then!

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.

Swipe left for the next trending thread