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Original poster

Why are people panic buying?

209 replies

Brokenchair1 · 01/11/2020 09:18

I'm genuinely confused. People were queuing at some local supermarkets from yesterday afternoon, even before announcement. All delivery slots got booked up in my local area after the announcement. Supermarkets are still open. We can still drive to Sainsburys or Tesco or wherever and do a big shop like before, or walk/bus to local shop for those who don't drive.

My understanding is that in England stores will not cordon off non essentials anyway like in Wales. I plan to do one big shop a week as always at my local supermarket, wearing a mask and social distancing like I have been doing for the last few months. This is still allowed isn't it?

So why are people panic buying?

OP posts:
RedToothBrush · 01/11/2020 11:52

[quote Sparklingbrook]@RedToothBrush I did wonder if people survived the last lockdown living on pasta and tinned tomatoes with a side helping of tinned potatoes maybe. Sad

How about some Pot Noodles-worth a stock up?[/quote]
Pot noodles? Probably marketable in the right places, but maybe not as profitable overall.

You can sell tinned tomatoes to people who still have money. If they still have money, they don't want pot noodles. But pot noodles are easy on energy consumption and cooking skills so definitely have a reasonably sized market. Pot noodles are an easy food of last resort.

Tinned Tomatoes
Pot Noodle
Corned Beef

In that order.

bluerad · 01/11/2020 11:54

So I've run out of coffee and its half price in Sainsbury's - would I be classed as a panic buyer if I bought six tins as I always do when it's on offer?

RedToothBrush · 01/11/2020 11:54

Also tinned tomatoes may be in shorter supply and/or more expense after 1st Jan due to where they are mainly produced.

nannybeach · 01/11/2020 11:55

It's a "Banana loaf", actually!!! Tinned tomatoes,pasta, bit of basil yeah, now you are talking, sprinkling of cheese on the top.

myhobbyisouting · 01/11/2020 11:55

@Ginfordinner we are tier 3. Maybe that's the difference. Parts of the country have had it relatively good. We've been at home since March

RedToothBrush · 01/11/2020 11:55

@bluerad

So I've run out of coffee and its half price in Sainsbury's - would I be classed as a panic buyer if I bought six tins as I always do when it's on offer?
Given this is how I shop all the time - in bulk - then I would excuse you. But I'm sure millions would call you a baby killer or something.
user1471562688 · 01/11/2020 11:56

Because they're THICK?

NeonGenesis · 01/11/2020 11:59

the selfish ones are the non regular shoppers who suddenly expect slots in a crisis

What the heck is selfish about somebody wanting to book a delivery slot for their online shopping, just because they don't usually use the service?! And someone upthread has referred to the people stocking up as "exceptionally thick". Wow. I'll admit that I haven't lived in the UK for years now, but I don't remember people being this nasty, and blaming each other so fiercely. For God's sake, there's a pandemic. Brexit is underway. BJ the clown is your PM and he has totally fucked up in a monumental way. But somehow, your anger is directed at people trying to book delivery slots for their food shopping?

Get a fucking grip. Your anger is wildly misplaced.

Badgerbadger22 · 01/11/2020 12:01

Thankfully there’s no panic buying reported anywhere in our county and it’s lovely. Everyone is calm. Just went to the city centre - calm.

The usual hustle and bustle Smile

SuperbGorgonzola · 01/11/2020 12:02

I went food shopping yesterday morning and the only thing I couldn't get way coconut milk. I couldn't get my frozen veg either but that was because of a faulty freezer. It was only as busy as it usually is.

Primark was busy on Thursday but I suspect that was because of pay day, the weather getting colder and people starting to Christmas shop. I went in for warmer loungewear to see me through the next few months.

Bambooble · 01/11/2020 12:03

I went food shopping yesterday morning and the only thing I couldn't get way coconut milk.

Weirdly I have found that hard to get hold of for a while now, wondering if it's more of a supply/logistics issue than people buying loads.

RedToothBrush · 01/11/2020 12:06

@NeonGenesis

the selfish ones are the non regular shoppers who suddenly expect slots in a crisis

What the heck is selfish about somebody wanting to book a delivery slot for their online shopping, just because they don't usually use the service?! And someone upthread has referred to the people stocking up as "exceptionally thick". Wow. I'll admit that I haven't lived in the UK for years now, but I don't remember people being this nasty, and blaming each other so fiercely. For God's sake, there's a pandemic. Brexit is underway. BJ the clown is your PM and he has totally fucked up in a monumental way. But somehow, your anger is directed at people trying to book delivery slots for their food shopping?

Get a fucking grip. Your anger is wildly misplaced.

What I'd like to know is why no one ever talks about click and collect??? Only home delivery.

I've checked our local area for one of the supermarkets I use regularly (screw loyalty). No delivery slots til Friday. Can't book after that yet.

But click and collect? Billions of slots. As normal.

Also Aldi are now trialling click and collect in some areas which they weren't previously.

JinglingHellsBells · 01/11/2020 12:07

I don't think they are.
Posts like this just make people think they are and cause more people to panic buy.

HeronLanyon · 01/11/2020 12:09

@nannybeach

It's a "Banana loaf", actually!!! Tinned tomatoes,pasta, bit of basil yeah, now you are talking, sprinkling of cheese on the top.
Oh yes. Can we agree that this underlines the ‘bread’ aspect though? (ignoring ‘sugarloaf’ and indeed ‘meatloaf’ angles obvs)
rwalker · 01/11/2020 12:16

The one thing last lockdown taught me was you can do without plenty off things.
Call me lazy but sooner do without than que
normally eat out of freezer and shop every 2 weeks.
left freezer alone so some stuff in there and generally have pasta tinned soup and cereals in .

Mumofsend · 01/11/2020 12:17

I've also booked my slots as far ahead as i can. Same slot as I always use but just made sure I reserved them slightly further ahead this time.

LindaEllen · 01/11/2020 12:18

I'm bloody annoyed, because I always do my food shopping on a Sunday, as it fits best with family life. I've seen photos of our supermarkets on social media this morning and it's carnage. There's loads of gaps on the shelves, no milk, bread, eggs or toilet roll (of those I need milk and bread), and they're queuing a third of the way round a very large car park.

So I think I'm actually going to just leave it for today and hope it's quieter tomorrow when people are in work.

bluerad · 01/11/2020 12:20

RedToothBrush - hopefully with my mask and balaclava I'll not be recognised!

DownstairsMixUp · 01/11/2020 12:22

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

madcatladyforever · 01/11/2020 12:23

Because......sheeple. They think it's WW3.

i only bought just what I needed the last time and was absolutely fine. i still have most of the industrial gigantic toilet rolls I brought online last time all the toilet rills arrived. They are 2 feet across.

I bought 6 ordinary toilet tolls online or so I thought and this enormous box turned up Grin I think I will still be using them up when I'm 90.

FleecyMoo · 01/11/2020 12:23

People do love a good panic don't they? If only there were more calm and rational individuals amongst us. Still, that wouldn't be half as much fun as running around like headless chickens I guess?

RedToothBrush · 01/11/2020 12:27

@rwalker

The one thing last lockdown taught me was you can do without plenty off things. Call me lazy but sooner do without than que normally eat out of freezer and shop every 2 weeks. left freezer alone so some stuff in there and generally have pasta tinned soup and cereals in .
Top (tongue in cheek) tip for stockpilling

Christmas Turkey
www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-54636563
Shortage of poultry workers could hit Christmas dinner

DryRoastPeanut · 01/11/2020 12:30

My DH and I did a big shop yesterday. We are hoping we have enough in so as we don’t have to go out again for at least the next month.
I didn’t need rice as I always have a huge (15kilo bag) in. I did buy some extra pasta, but no extra cans as the pantry is already very well stocked, I’ve kept it full all of our married life. It is a huge pantry.

DH has a heart condition, I have diabetes and we’re in our late 50’s so we just need to look after ourselves, I’m not sure we’d both survive if we did catch Covid.

Fresh veggie box delivery comes every week, I put milk in the freezer and I bake my own bread. A 24 pack of loo roll should be enough once added to the normal stock I always have in. So we really can just hunker down. Hope that’s ok with you. We really didn’t buy much more than normal. But we definitely did buy some extra bits.

The way I look at it is I’m not using a delivery slot, I’m not spreading Covid. I think that’s my way of helping.

I hope this helps you understand.

RedToothBrush · 01/11/2020 12:32

@FleecyMoo

People do love a good panic don't they? If only there were more calm and rational individuals amongst us. Still, that wouldn't be half as much fun as running around like headless chickens I guess?
Yeah. Like the ones who prepped for this scenario in August. And still get rinsed!

You can't win.
You prep and get called hysterical
You panic buying and get called selfish
You plan to shop normally on Sunday only to find there is no milk or bread left

I think the whole damn thing is ridiculous that we are even in this scenario to begin with.

Juniperandrage · 01/11/2020 12:32

Also you can book rolling slots if you have a delivery pass. I'm surprised how many people don't know this