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Original poster

Panic buying toilet paper is ridiculous

73 replies

Downunderduchess · 04/03/2020 07:18

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.

OP posts:

MNHQ

GloriaMumsnet · 04/03/2020 08:41

We've moved this over to our new Coronavirus topic!

ShatnersWig · 04/03/2020 08:42

Jingling Those pictures are clearly not UK but I did my usual shop in my usual supermarket on Tuesday and there was no loo roll to be had. There was no soap to be had. There was no dry pasta to be had.

coconuttelegraph · 04/03/2020 08:43

Tbh the Australians have only got themselves to blame is they are allowing shoppers to buy unlimited amounts of toilet paper if they are struggling to get supplies. I know that wouldn't make for interesting scaremongering news photos though

lowlandLucky · 04/03/2020 08:45

There is always old newspapers !

JinglingHellsBells · 04/03/2020 08:45

@ShatnersWig That is because as someone else explained, stock is tightly controlled day by day, through data analysis of shopping habits.

Any increase even if it's just you or me buying 2 packs in a week not one, will result in a shortage.

As people are being told they may need to self isolate for up to 3 weeks, isn't it sensible to have a bit more of everything in the house?

Multiply a bit more of everything by 65 million people and shelves get empty.

ShatnersWig · 04/03/2020 08:47

Jingling When did it become 3 weeks not 2?

AspergersMum · 04/03/2020 08:51

Costco is for businesses too though - who is to say they aren't stocking their own shops with the bulk TP?

coffeeforone · 04/03/2020 08:52

, but there is no sensible/practical alternative to running out of loo roll.

There are plenty of countries that have better alternatives as standard. We've been meaning to get a bidet spray fitted on our loos for a few years...maybe it's time!

coconuttelegraph · 04/03/2020 08:56

Costco is for businesses too though - who is to say they aren't stocking their own shops with the bulk TP?

I don't know about other countries but Costco in England isnt really like a cash and carry, whenever I go you can see that most of the shoppers are buying for their own use. One pack of toilet rolls from there would keep most households going easily for weeks.

Heismyopendoor · 04/03/2020 09:00

@BrimfulofSasha we are a family of five. Everyone at home most days apart from DH, my kids are home educated and we go through at least one roll a day.

Deux · 04/03/2020 09:00

That photo is in a Costco and they only sell in massive packs anyway of 48.

If it's on offer it's not that unusual a sight especially during the trade only hours between 10 - 12.

The trouble with out of stocks of loo roll is that the supply chain isn’t that short from cradle to grave.

squirrelsbizaar · 04/03/2020 09:00

Haven’t noticed any issues with loo roll, soap, rice, pasta etc near me, north west uk. No hand sanitiser, not sure why people want that anyway, if you’re gonna be self isolating.
I don’t think sharing photos like that helps, it just creates more panic.

woodchuck99 · 04/03/2020 09:02

Why assume people are panicking? Some will be buying an extra pack in case they need self quarantine which seems sensible rather than panicky. What's wrong with that?

The ones buying huge trolley loads are the ones intending to make a profit and they are just selfish tossers. I read the Amazon keep trying to remove sellers who do this with sanitisers etc but more appears all the time. I think that's the reason the shops are sold out really. I hope that the manufacturers make loads more on those people are unable to sell.

JinglingHellsBells · 04/03/2020 09:08

@ShatnersWig There have been several cases where signs of the virus did not appear or show up for 17 days so the '2 week rule' is being re-thought.

JinglingHellsBells · 04/03/2020 09:09

That photo of trolleys with loo rolls is either

1 not in the uk
2 not in a supermarket used by most people (ie bulk buy for businesses)
3 not in Feb or March judging by their clothes!

Titsywoo · 04/03/2020 09:19

I always buy loo roll in bulk at costco as it is cheaper so I have 60 rolls. I'm more concerned about food if we do have supply issues. Probably have enough here to last us a couple of weeks at a push - apart from the dog. Not sure if I should get more in or not really. I'm not panicking but not sure if I should be!

carlyclock · 04/03/2020 10:10

I do t know why everyone is going on about the picture not being in the U.K. the OP is talking about a suburban shop in Sydney 🤷🏻‍♀️

bellinisurge · 04/03/2020 10:14

Already sorted anyway but I have a condition that means I need loads of loo roll. TMI but, that's loo roll threads for you.

myfaceismyown · 19/03/2020 23:43

Now out of toilet paper. None in any local shops or supermarkets. I remembered what my Nanna said about WW2 so have been clipping newspaper squares. On eBay the prices are ridiculous. DH and DCs are repulsed by my idea but what else can I do?

Gogreener · 26/03/2020 18:43

I don't understand why people are so averse to using a cloth or a flannel to clean themselves after having a wee. If you each have your own there's no problem. Many of us use a flannel to clean between our legs when we are washing - so what's the problem. I just wash the flannel out when I wash my hands after the wee. Loads of loo paper saved doing this, especially when you're forced to stay at home.

myfaceismyown · 26/03/2020 20:43

@gogreener we are washing, obviously! My son has profound special needs and in his late teens. Took years for him to get the hang of using paper on his own. So we are now back to having to wash him after a number 2 if he remembers to tell us he has gone. Have had several accidents to deal with. Still not found any paper. The situation is unnecessary.

Gogreener · 26/03/2020 21:15

@myfaceismyown - I'm new to Mumsnet so not sure how to interact - my message was not directed at you, it was a general comment. I certainly use paper when I poo! I am so sorry to hear of your predicament - I do hope someone can help you out. Could you perhaps have a word with your local supermarket manager - see if they can hold some for you? They say they get stock in every day. Good luck!

myfaceismyown · 26/03/2020 21:25

@gogreener sorry if it sounded like I snapped. Just it has now been 8 days for a family of 4 without TP. Its not good. DH and DD were working last week so not so bad but now both working from home, of course. As a family we made a conscious decision not to stock pile, and now realise we have been made fools of simply by trying to be comciderate. My DH did speak to the helpdesk re holding a roll or 2 back for us but they said it was not possible as everyone would want that. The advice was to try corner stores. There is only one near us and none there either. Hopefully it won't go on much longer as stores catch up with restocking and people realise there isn't actually a reason to stockpile. Thanks for your thoughts.

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