Quote:
Originally Posted by billethkid
If everybody just kept everything they rushed out to get for hurricane Irma preparations would the panic buying for the next one be eliminated?
Generators?
I would be curious how many are being returned this week.
I was just wondering out loud.
|
I don't believe that panic buying will ever be eliminated:
Consumables will need to be replaced. The amount needed will depend upon what is left from this last storm and when the next storm occurs.
Theoretically, there should not be, but there will be, a run on batteries again just because people will hear they need them. I guess the ones in the "junk drawer" won't suffice even though they may be stamped with a 2019 or 2020 expiration date. (Side note: When I lived in Michigan, every year when the first winter storm was predicted, there was a run on snow shovels. Apparently snow shovels have expiration dates of which I was unaware).
Generators can't be returned if they had gas in them, but people will wait again and purchase when the next storm is coming. Not sure why if someone feels they need to have a generator that they don't purchase one before an emergency when inventory is "flush" and/or on sale.
How many people purchased tarps just in case they needed them? How many people wish they did? I would expect there will be a run on tarps if there is another storm that impacts us this year. If we are fortunate to not be impacted by a major storm, then tarps will go to the back of the shelf and forgotten until they are needed again.
There will be long lines at gas stations merely from the perspective that you can't keep your gas tank full all of the time.
Unfortunately panic buying IMHO may be, in part, an offshoot of "I don't need it now so why spend the money?"