Panic buying toilet paper is ridiculous

[Downunderduchess]

In a supermarket in suburban Sydney today. Zero toilet paper left on the shelf. Zero anti-bacterial hand sanitiser left. Saw two women leaving the store with a trolley overloaded with boxes of tissues nothing else. I honestly feel this is selfish. I’ve attached a photo of the non-existent toilet paper stock.

chuckling at those thinking reusable cloths (that can be boil washed) or fresh water of a bidet are less sanitary than a bit of processed wood that's been sat on a shelf for months.

You'll notice that your through loo roll quite a bit faster if you start to WOH, esp if you decide to go out socially less often

Panic buying of anything is, quite frankly, nonsense. Most people will have access to online shopping and can have a delivery left on their doorstep or will have a neighbour, friend or family member who could do some shopping and leave it on the doorstep if at some point they need to self isolate.

Who cares how many loo rolls others buy?! hmm

It's obvious isn't it? If selfish panic buyers go mad there's not enough for everyone else. Is look at what's happened to hand sanitizer, people who actually need it can't get it because others are being ridiculously worried or even worse buying to profiteer.

@BeepOpsiePie

This is definitely not just buying an extra pack or two... Selfish fuckers.

Two words. Nut Jobs.
This is partly why in war times there is rationing. Some inherently selfish.

chuckling at those thinking reusable cloths (that can be boil washed)

Chucking at those who maintain this a more environmentally friendly option.

I think if I were to panic buy I would be more concerned with what I'm going to put in the top end, rather than what comes out of the bottom.
Many people on here must have travelled to countries where loo paper isn't used, and your only option for cleaning yourself is the handy hose attached to a tap and a jug, both kept adjacent to the loo.

there is no sensible/practical alternative to running out of loo roll
Printed newspaper will be selling out too soon.

@ShatnersWig that's assuming delivery drivers, shop workers and people within the supply chain are at work. I think if you use a particular product it is sensible to have been stocking up gradually ie an extra item or 2 on the past months food shop, but what are people expecting to happen that requires that much loo roll?

Doesn't help that Amanda Holden has been talking about her panic buying on the radio for at least the last 2 days, this morning heard her proudly saying that her house was absolutely stuffed with toilet roll.

The issue is that if this virus spreads more, travel, including into towns may be restricted. Friends in China have been through this already- only allowed out at certain times, one person from a household.
This can impact on deliveries to shops as well as consumers buying products.

@MintyMabel I'm not sure I said anything about environmentally friendly. The question was on hygiene

Most people will have access to online shopping and can have a delivery left on their doorstep or will have a neighbour, friend or family member who could do some shopping and leave it on the doorstep if at some point they need to self isolate.

@ShatnersWig I don't think you understand supply chains. To get it into a store, the store relies on warehouses. The delivery to stores depends on drivers. If they are ill, deliveries will be reduced. Online shopping will stop, be slower or items will be in short supply if there are travel bans owing to the virus.

Is everyone here living under a rock?

The worst case scenario will be travel restriction. Has no one seen the news and Italy ? Or not heard about China? (Though China is restricting news about it.) Road blocks anyone???

Travel can be stopped. That means no lorries in or out to deliver supplies to shops or warehouses.

With the amount people are buying they will run out of food and be dead long before the loo roll runs out. How long do they think they will be isolating for?! A year?

Yes, some of you are oddly sure about what will and won't be available in the event of circumstances we can't predict.

Yes .
My Australian cousin has just posted the same about loo rolls over on FB
Balkahan Hills (sp?) supermarket she posted some photos of .

Jingling No, I quite understand. But even if the worst case scenario comes into play it needs to get incredibly serious before we get to the situation you're talking about and, that situation is at least two months away if we get to it (and frankly it's more likely that Meghan will come back here to live than worst case scenario).. So there is no need to panic buy yet. There's a big difference between SENSIBLE purchasing of an extra item or two and doing what people are doing now.

You can't EAT loo roll...

Priorities, people!

Aussie humour at its best:
[courtesy of @MichelleMackey1]

"When my grandchildren ask how I survived the great #toiletpaper #panicbuying shortage of 2020, I’ll tell them how my copy of 50 Shades of Grey was finally good for something."

There's no shortage in Waitrose.

You can order online! Look up Cheeky Monkey or Who Gives a Crap. They deliver boxes of 48

I haven't seen anyone panic buying @ShatnersWig Some of the photos loaded here look staged to be honest.

The other thing though with supply chain is that because of cash flow, most supermarkets do not have oodles of stock 'out the back' or at their warehouses. Margins on products are very low. They don't hold huge supplies in store or at warehouses. so there will always be a delay if people panic buy.

@Lycidas That photo you posted- it's not the UK is it because no one in this weather would be in a shop in shorts and flip flops.

Who cares how many loo rolls others buy?!

Me. I care. If people are buying loads that they don't need then that obviously creates a supply problem for me next time I do need it.