View Full Version : Hoarding vs?
JoMar
04-12-2020, 11:40 AM
So I have been one of those that have been shaking my head at the "hoarders" that continue to take stuff from the shelves. Today there was as interview with several mental health experts who explained what is going on and yes, it boils down to mental illness. It is OCD at best, and at worst, a fear of never having enough of anything. When anything out of the usual occurs (hurricanes is another example) the fear of not being in control kicks in and taking stuff gives them a feeling of being in control. So maybe hoarders is too broad a term and maybe we should sympathize with those that are afflicted...??
golfing eagles
04-12-2020, 11:43 AM
So I have been one of those that have been shaking my head at the "hoarders" that continue to take stuff from the shelves. Today there was as interview with several mental health experts who explained what is going on and yes, it boils down to mental illness. It is OCD at best, and at worst, a fear of never having enough of anything. When anything out of the usual occurs (hurricanes is another example) the fear of not being in control kicks in and taking stuff gives them a feeling of being in control. So maybe hoarders is too broad a term and maybe we should sympathize with those that are afflicted...??
I'll sympathize up to the point where I have no TP and someone has 500 rolls in their garage.
retiredguy123
04-12-2020, 11:53 AM
I think that mental health experts like to diagnose people as either affIicted or not afflicted. But, it is really a spectrum, based on personality. Some people do not feel comfortable unless they have a stockpile of certain supplies, food, or money in the bank. Other people are fine living day to day. However, it does seem that a very small number of people go to the extreme and need professional help. Did the mental health experts tell you how many rolls of toilet paper you need to have before seeking professional help?
Marathon Man
04-12-2020, 12:02 PM
I'll sympathize up to the point where I have no TP and someone has 500 rolls in their garage.
Yep.
BS Beef
04-12-2020, 12:46 PM
I do want to sympathize, especially today. But I believe it’s only a small portion of those that are hoarding that have an emotional reason for doing so. I think the majority doing it are just not good people. I mean to their soul they are not good.
dewilson58
04-12-2020, 02:07 PM
Are the shelves empty now because people continue to empty them to hoard, or are the shelves empty now because normal need purchasing & the supply chain has not caught up??
claricecolin
04-12-2020, 02:18 PM
One must consider the whole supply chain thing. I have learned thing I never have much thought to. Toilet paper there are 2 markets consumers and industrial. Most people don't use the majority of toilet paper at home as they are at work/school during the day. The industrial supply chain doesn't have contracts with the consumer market. Even if that were to happen today shelves wouldn't be stocked overnight. They use different material also, they would need enough staffing and have to make changes to reformat the rolls. Not as simple as it seems at first glance.
CFrance
04-12-2020, 02:34 PM
Are the shelves empty now because people continue to empty them to hoard, or are the shelves empty now because normal need purchasing & the supply chain has not caught up??
I read somewhere online that it is a supply chain problem that is partly caused by the pandemic and might not be solved for a while.
billethkid
04-12-2020, 03:26 PM
However.....one has to wonder.
Given that just about every public venue is no longer open.
Hence the supply of paper products needed for all these institutions has literally shut down.
Also given (I think) it has been weeks since the run on these products started.
So one would think between the hoarders larder being full and the lack of commercial demand there should be more than enough to go around. The companies that package for commercial use should be able to switch to some sort of retail packaging.
It just does not compute that the system has not been able to "recover" to a steady state.....(based on my limited knowledge how it works).
CFrance
04-12-2020, 03:31 PM
However.....one has to wonder.
Given that just about every public venue is no longer open.
Hence the supply of paper products needed for all these institutions has literally shut down.
Also given (I think) it has been weeks since the run on these products started.
So one would think between the hoarders larder being full and the lack of commercial demand there should be more than enough to go around. The companies that package for commercial use should be able to switch to some sort of retail packaging.
It just does not compute that the system has not been able to "recover" to a steady state.....(based on my limited knowledge how it works).
I hope you are right and that the situation will be resolved soon. We are one of the ones who did not stock up enough. Didn't realize there would be a supply problem. My amazon.com order of 250 lunch napkins got cancelled. I did manage to get 8 boxes of kleenex...
billethkid
04-12-2020, 03:36 PM
There were folks coming out of Walgreens (Paar Drive) with TP and paper towels.
Also the little country store set on the City Fire front porch (Sumter Square) has it as well.....to name a couple.
Retiring
04-12-2020, 04:11 PM
So I have been one of those that have been shaking my head at the "hoarders" that continue to take stuff from the shelves. Today there was as interview with several mental health experts who explained what is going on and yes, it boils down to mental illness. It is OCD at best, and at worst, a fear of never having enough of anything. When anything out of the usual occurs (hurricanes is another example) the fear of not being in control kicks in and taking stuff gives them a feeling of being in control. So maybe hoarders is too broad a term and maybe we should sympathize with those that are afflicted...??
As a layman I can’t say someone is suffering from mental illness but I wonder. Couple weeks ago I got to watch a woman load a shopping cart with hundreds of rolls of TP. The mountain of TP was taller than her. (in NY the supermarkets still have TP). I said to the lady, is it necessary to buy years worth of TP at this time? She said nothing, she had that laser beam focus to get to the register and out the door. Also, shame on the store for not limiting TP purchases.
It seems to me that something in their brain says buy it now because you might never be able to buy it again. I don’t know if that’s the definition of a hoarder but there is definitely something going on upstairs.
queasy27
04-12-2020, 08:10 PM
The continued shortages are surprising to me, too, especially since I believe all the grocery stores here are limiting purchases of food and other high-demand items. The 20 oz container of Italian spice blend I've ordered for years was either unavailable or twice the usual price. It's a puzzlement.
My new year's resolution this year was to switch to just in time purchasing instead of stocking up on 2 each of BOGO pantry items like I usually do. Good thing that, as usual, I didn't stick to it!
mtdjed
04-12-2020, 10:38 PM
There may be some that hoard that have problems, but I have always stocked up on several items. I may only use 5 bottles of water per week. But when I buy , I get a months worth. The same with many things. That is why pantries were built. That is why Costco, SAMS do business. When the COVID-9 crisis erupted, I made sure I had a months worth of needed items that I have seen hoarded in prior emergencies. TP was one item. Who wants to stand in line to buy this crap when the shelves are bare. Recall that our pioneer ancesters had to make sure they could withstand long periods without certain items being available. Perhaps it Is in our genes.
My question is why are these items unavailable. One evening on a recent Lake Sumpter walk, we noticed several customers coming out of Winn Dixie with cart loads of TP. Sure they may have limits , but what clerk is going to argue. Hopefully, that is not the stuff that is showing up for sale at new general stores
redwitch
04-12-2020, 11:05 PM
Stores may be limiting amounts purchased but that doesn’t stop couples from each purchasing the limit, going to their car unloading and going back to buy more as I witnessed the other day. Nor does it stop people from buying as much as they can from different stores.
I was using Sam’s concierge service (LOVE it) and heard a “gentleman” arguing with the clerk that he had a RIGHT to buy 5 packages of toilet paper. Ultimately, he was refused any service. Wish more stores were willing to stand behind their guidelines like that. I went over a month without an egg in the house because InstaCart shopped too late and I refuse to go into any store. So, I’d guess folks are still hoarding. Maybe those that missed out on the initial hoarding are now taking their turn?
And then there’s my neighbors. Their lanai is crammed with stuff — toilet paper, paper towels, bottled water, canned goods, etc. They had a heck of a fight when they found out they wouldn’t be able to return any of it. Hate to admit it, but I had a good laugh about their little problem. Think it’ll take them about two years to use everything that doesn’t go bad.
queasy27
04-12-2020, 11:19 PM
Stores may be limiting amounts purchased but that doesn’t stop couples from each purchasing the limit, going to their car unloading and going back to buy more as I witnessed the other day. Nor does it stop people from buying as much as they can from different stores.
Oh, for heaven's sake. I hadn't even thought of that.
I'm kind of curious what people are doing with all the baked beans. Those shelves were almost bare in Publix yesterday.
l2ridehd
04-13-2020, 05:38 AM
But why hoard something that you can't possibly be using more of today than you were before this started? Are folks actually using more TP now than before? Not really possible. So to me it makes no sense. During a hurricane it might pass the smell test as roads could be closed and supply chain might be interrupted. But now none of that type problem is happening. So why hoard anything? You might buy a bit more to limit trips to an area where you are exposed to more people, but no more than an extra couple rolls.
It's a completely artificial shortage created by people to stupid to understand how resupply works and to selfish to care how their behavior impacts others.
coffeebean
04-13-2020, 05:46 AM
............My question is why are these items unavailable. One evening on a recent Lake Sumpter walk, we noticed several customers coming out of Winn Dixie with cart loads of TP. Sure they may have limits , but what clerk is going to argue. Hopefully, that is not the stuff that is showing up for sale at new general stores
Which Winn Dixie? Why should it be up to the clerk? The clerk should call the manager. Isn't that what a manager is for? The store posts a sign that a certain item has a limit. STICK TO IT for crying out loud!
davem4616
04-13-2020, 07:12 AM
I'm not completely convinced that it's mental illness thing....it could be that they just have a more evolved sense of self awareness than the rest of us
My theory is (and by no means am I an expert on this subject, I majored in finance)...there are some folks that are so full of sh*t that even the slightest disruption in the TP supply chain sends them into a panic 'bulk buying' mode and they stock pile TP
I've known a few people that I'm quite sure were completely full of sh*t and never once did I ever hear them say that they were low on TP when we were all standing around the water cooler talking about previous runs on TP
now call me crazy, but that's my story and I'm sticking to it
riley2011
04-13-2020, 07:22 AM
Bull!
Maxine
04-13-2020, 07:23 AM
No tp in any NY metro area supermarkets for weeks.
jfkilduff
04-13-2020, 07:28 AM
Is it hoarding? Hoaxing should be over by now. Every day I see people walking the neighborhood I’ve never seen before. Make us wonder if they are here staying with relatives. Increasing our population substantially thereby creating shortages for Floridians. Seems this is the time of year businesses would be cutting back on stock and deliveries adjusting to the decrease in the population.
jeffy
04-13-2020, 07:32 AM
Sad that so many people are quick to judge. You never know someone’s situation. So much better stress wise and all around mental health to think the best of people. I was in a plane and about to take off...we were to,d to upright our seats. Person in front of me complied as flight attendant came thru. A minute latter, they reclined their seat 🤬. Same thing happened as we landed, however I heard the passenger in front of me tell the attendant, they needed to have their seat fixed as it would not stay upright😮. If someone goes speeding by me on the highway, is it better to get angry at them , which achieves nothing, or think.....maybe they just got a call from the hospital about their injured child? Yes, I may be a patsy, but I am an evolving calmer patsy 😀.
Andyb
04-13-2020, 07:33 AM
Yes
kayak
04-13-2020, 07:34 AM
About 3 weeks ago there was a food drive for the Wildwood Food Pantry. I went to Walmart and loaded my cart with canned goods. A case or two or three of one item and then a case or two or three of another. I wonder how many people looked at my cart and thought I was hoarding? All the while it was for a good cause.
mellincf
04-13-2020, 07:36 AM
So I have been one of those that have been shaking my head at the "hoarders" that continue to take stuff from the shelves. Today there was as interview with several mental health experts who explained what is going on and yes, it boils down to mental illness. It is OCD at best, and at worst, a fear of never having enough of anything. When anything out of the usual occurs (hurricanes is another example) the fear of not being in control kicks in and taking stuff gives them a feeling of being in control. So maybe hoarders is too broad a term and maybe we should sympathize with those that are afflicted...??
Yet another Smithfield factory shut down because their workers were getting the virus. There’s been a spike in coronavirus cases at meat plants in the U.S., with hundreds of reported infections in just the last week. Just sayin'.
Jazzman
04-13-2020, 07:39 AM
So I have been one of those that have been shaking my head at the "hoarders" that continue to take stuff from the shelves. Today there was as interview with several mental health experts who explained what is going on and yes, it boils down to mental illness. It is OCD at best, and at worst, a fear of never having enough of anything. When anything out of the usual occurs (hurricanes is another example) the fear of not being in control kicks in and taking stuff gives them a feeling of being in control. So maybe hoarders is too broad a term and maybe we should sympathize with those that are afflicted...??
The shortage scare started with postings on the internet and in particular Facebook. There wasn’t a supply chain issue at the outset but many who get their “news” from Facebook postings ran to the stores and cleaned the shelves. The supply chain has now caught up with demand or maybe the lack thereof. Last week Walmart on 466 had 5 pallets of toilet paper lined up in the grocery section and even Publix had paper on their shelves. Winn Dixie, specifically the one in Pinellas still had empty shelves.
Jazzman
04-13-2020, 07:42 AM
Selfish people.
coconutmama
04-13-2020, 07:47 AM
Plenty of paper products at the Walmart on 466 this past Saturday morning. All kinds. No employee controlling amounts. Seems supply issue resolved. However, hand sanitizer & liquid soap is still an issue. Progress!
CFrance
04-13-2020, 08:01 AM
Supply issue not resolved at Winn Dixie in Pinellas Plaza nor Publix at Traverse. Don't know why.
Stu from NYC
04-13-2020, 08:03 AM
Supply issue will be resolved when we all have no reason to discuss it.
Sadly that day has not yet come.
tedquick
04-13-2020, 08:03 AM
Your last sentence is an absolute scream! Thanks for the morning laugh.
tanzicakes
04-13-2020, 08:12 AM
We also just had a regular supply on hand when the craziness started. We tried to find TP everywhere and my husband just ordered some online from Home Depot. Hasn't arrived yet but never knew that HD sold TP.
merrymini
04-13-2020, 08:41 AM
I am so glad they cannot return this stuff. Where would merchants put it all if it was all returned? What if someone was ill and another person got ill from handling it? If a policy says one per customer, the seller should enforce it so crazy people, who have penalized the non crazy, from even buying one package of TP!
It' not sumpter .. It's SUMTER
BlackhawksFan
04-13-2020, 09:00 AM
I do want to sympathize, especially today. But I believe it’s only a small portion of those that are hoarding that have an emotional reason for doing so. I think the majority doing it are just not good people. I mean to their soul they are not good.
These are the same idiots who hoard bottled water in hurricane season and return it in December
EnglishJW
04-13-2020, 09:03 AM
Stores may be limiting amounts purchased but that doesn’t stop couples from each purchasing the limit, going to their car unloading and going back to buy more as I witnessed the other day. Nor does it stop people from buying as much as they can from different stores.
I was using Sam’s concierge service (LOVE it) and heard a “gentleman” arguing with the clerk that he had a RIGHT to buy 5 packages of toilet paper. Ultimately, he was refused any service. Wish more stores were willing to stand behind their guidelines like that. I went over a month without an egg in the house because InstaCart shopped too late and I refuse to go into any store. So, I’d guess folks are still hoarding. Maybe those that missed out on the initial hoarding are now taking their turn?
And then there’s my neighbors. Their lanai is crammed with stuff — toilet paper, paper towels, bottled water, canned goods, etc. They had a heck of a fight when they found out they wouldn’t be able to return any of it. Hate to admit it, but I had a good laugh about their little problem. Think it’ll take them about two years to use everything that doesn’t go bad.
I agree completely with this post. No store should accept any returns of items that left the store during the pandemic and are attempted to be brought back after. This is especially true of all the critical products which are being hoarded (e.g., toilet paper, tissues, masks, hand sanitizers, canned goods, etc.)
chvlt57
04-13-2020, 09:14 AM
It is called impulse control disorder, I had it as a child; fortunately my Dad had a cure.
OhioBuckeye
04-13-2020, 09:23 AM
Are the shelves empty now because people continue to empty them to hoard, or are the shelves empty now because normal need purchasing & the supply chain has not caught up??
Just my opinion! I think the suppliers have kept up very well. When you think about it, has there really been any other time that 1 certain thing is always sold out. The only time I really can think of is during a hurricane & even then there always seems to be certain things that people buy but it does seem like there's always some certain things left that people want, like milk, bread. So yes, I do think some people hoard Toilet Paper. But then again you would think this would be a money maker for a Toilet Paper company to raise production & keep the shelves full. Remember this is just my opinion!
600th Photo Sq
04-13-2020, 09:27 AM
Sad that so many people are quick to judge. You never know someone’s situation. So much better stress wise and all around mental health to think the best of people. I was in a plane and about to take off...we were to,d to upright our seats. Person in front of me complied as flight attendant came thru. A minute latter, they reclined their seat 🤬. Same thing happened as we landed, however I heard the passenger in front of me tell the attendant, they needed to have their seat fixed as it would not stay upright😮. If someone goes speeding by me on the highway, is it better to get angry at them , which achieves nothing, or think.....maybe they just got a call from the hospital about their injured child? Yes, I may be a patsy, but I am an evolving calmer patsy 😀.
Huh ? :doggie:
dewilson58
04-13-2020, 09:37 AM
Just my opinion! I think the suppliers have kept up very well. When you think about it, has there really been any other time that 1 certain thing is always sold out. The only time I really can think of is during a hurricane & even then there always seems to be certain things that people buy but it does seem like there's always some certain things left that people want, like milk, bread. So yes, I do think some people hoard Toilet Paper. But then again you would think this would be a money maker for a Toilet Paper company to raise production & keep the shelves full. Remember this is just my opinion!
The suppliers have done great!!
Unfortunately there is not much more volume the TP manufacturers produce. The lines are very automated and were running pretty much 24/7. Because the USA has tried to keep most of China TP out of the USA (there is some, but not as much as 10 years ago), the margins on TP are low.
boobear51751
04-13-2020, 09:46 AM
First of all these people make their money by saying everyone that buys large amounts of food and household items are hoarders. Wrong, Wrong, Wrong! Let me say that I am one of those that only shops once a month for all of my non perishables, toilet tissue, soap, cleaners, household items. Yes, my bill is usually around $360 - 400. I was brought up out in the country in the northeast where it starts to snow in Oct and sometimes doesn't end until May. You learn to stock up once a month because you never know if you will be hit with a 2-3' snowfall or it drops to minus 20 for a week or more. At best, most people should now try and stock pile enough food for two to three weeks so they don't have to go out in public and can stay safe at home. This business of running to the store every other day is stupid and very dangerous. I agree the toilet tissue issue was not really called for. One should always have at least a month supply for their size family. Again, my parents lived in the depression age and they learned to have things on hand for long periods of no money or work. So please folks, you don't know how often these people go to the store, how many people are in the family and you sure don't have a right to judge anyone. Just you take care of yourself and your family and keep enough supplies to hold you for a couple of weeks. It is not hard to fill the freezer with good old leftovers either. Stay safe and healthy and do the right thing.
Kathi71
04-13-2020, 09:53 AM
We reap what we sow....jus' sayin'...
theruizs
04-13-2020, 09:54 AM
Normally, we all know if we run short on something we can just jump in the car or cart and run to the store and it will be there. But now, we are being told not to go out any more than absolutely necessary. So I think in the beginning of this people wanted to stock up for a few weeks, more than they normally do. Take that times a few tens of thousands of homes here and it adds up pretty quickly. And of course now the shelves are empty quite often so we get all we can when we can which just perpetuates the issue. And as someone else pointed out, supply chains are getting strained due to the virus and stay at home orders. So I am not convinced there as many people hoarding as we may think. BTW, I found a janitorial supply shop online (Simply Supplies by Gilchrist & Soames | Simply Supplies Home (https://www.simplysupplies.com/) ) who just delivered a case of 80 rolls of TP to me. We are distributing to as many as we can now. But there are ways to get what you need.
OrangeBlossomBaby
04-13-2020, 09:59 AM
First of all these people make their money by saying everyone that buys large amounts of food and household items are hoarders. Wrong, Wrong, Wrong! Let me say that I am one of those that only shops once a month for all of my non perishables, toilet tissue, soap, cleaners, household items. Yes, my bill is usually around $360 - 400. I was brought up out in the country in the northeast where it starts to snow in Oct and sometimes doesn't end until May. You learn to stock up once a month because you never know if you will be hit with a 2-3' snowfall or it drops to minus 20 for a week or more. At best, most people should now try and stock pile enough food for two to three weeks so they don't have to go out in public and can stay safe at home. This business of running to the store every other day is stupid and very dangerous. I agree the toilet tissue issue was not really called for. One should always have at least a month supply for their size family. Again, my parents lived in the depression age and they learned to have things on hand for long periods of no money or work. So please folks, you don't know how often these people go to the store, how many people are in the family and you sure don't have a right to judge anyone. Just you take care of yourself and your family and keep enough supplies to hold you for a couple of weeks. It is not hard to fill the freezer with good old leftovers either. Stay safe and healthy and do the right thing.
I grew up in New England and we had nor'easters and snowstorms and hurricanes and power outages just like everyone else in New England. I never felt the need to stock up once a month. What I (and many other people) did:
When I moved in, I got 2 big packages of the usual things: toilet paper, paper towels, dish detergent, case of bottled water, all the disposable things I knew I needed on a daily basis. Two bigs packs of each. Six cans of soup. Six cans of tuna.
Once I got down in volume to one case of something, (or 3 cans of soup/3 cans of tuna) I'd go out and replenish until I was fully stocked again.
That way, in an emergency, I didn't have to panic. I still had most of my usual amount of stuff, and no less than half what I would always keep in my cupboards/closet.
Byte1
04-13-2020, 10:21 AM
Some folks stock up on TP because they know that the gov may not allow folks to leave their homes. Or, maybe they are afraid to go out if it gets any worse. My wife has medical problems, making her susceptible to this illness and making it lethal to her. TP is a commodity that EVERYONE needs and being home, will use it much faster than normal. I had to shop for half a day to get a few gallons of Distilled water for her CPAP machine, which requires ONLY distilled water. Others had the same idea and stocked up. This is NOT a mental illness. This is folks attempting to be prepared and do NOT wish to be around other folks any more than necessary, for fear of catching a DEADLY virus. The less folks are out and about, the faster this thing will go away. Yes, it is a bummer that the stores cannot get shipments of TP in fast enough. They should know by now that they have a special situation and should be adjusting to the demand. How many of you wish to stand in line for hours, just to get inside a grocery store? That is what is happening at several stores in the area.
Instead of sympathizing/empathizing with scared folks, some on here find the need to criticize and complain about anyone that does not see things like they do. Some of the same ones that complain, will be the same ones that insist that everyone GIVE their stimulus money away to others, instead of using it for what it's purpose is....to stimulate the economy so that we don't drop into a depression. Suit yourself, but complaining without a solution is non-productive and a waste of time.
PugMom
04-13-2020, 10:34 AM
As a layman I can’t say someone is suffering from mental illness but I wonder. Couple weeks ago I got to watch a woman load a shopping cart with hundreds of rolls of TP. The mountain of TP was taller than her. (in NY the supermarkets still have TP). I said to the lady, is it necessary to buy years worth of TP at this time? She said nothing, she had that laser beam focus to get to the register and out the door. Also, shame on the store for not limiting TP purchases.
It seems to me that something in their brain says buy it now because you might never be able to buy it again. I don’t know if that’s the definition of a hoarder but there is definitely something going on upstairs.i've seen the same thing & wondered what people were doing with it all--until i saw LOTS of it on ebay. it makes one wonder
CFrance
04-13-2020, 10:40 AM
It' not sumpter .. It's SUMTER
Morris/Morse, Sumpter/Sumter... So tired of those corrections. There are many more serious misspellings and grammar mistakes on here that people thankfully don't point out.
sallybowron
04-13-2020, 10:44 AM
Are the shelves empty now because people continue to empty them to hoard, or are the shelves empty now because normal need purchasing & the supply chain has not caught up??
I was told they had not caught up. I hope they do soon or we will have to get a Sear's Catalogue
:pray:
.
CFrance
04-13-2020, 10:50 AM
I think the stores are starting to stock back up (except for hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes), plus they are instituting limitations. This should help stabilize the supply, plus the hoarders should be about done. I found tp and paper towels at Big Lots (limit 2 per customer), and then tp, chlorox, napkins, paper towels, eggs, chicken breasts (had to buy a 6-lb pkg), lean ground beef and Sara Lee Delightful Bread (impossible to find anywhere for the last three weeks) at Neighborhood Walmart. Out of no-salt canned green beans (use for the dog) but they had frozen. Other canned goods were sparse. Limit one on the paper products. Most everybody observing distance.
Indydealmaker
04-13-2020, 11:00 AM
Absolutely love it!
DrivnEZ
04-13-2020, 11:12 AM
... there is definitely something going on upstairs.
Or there is a serious problem downstairs. 🤣
golfing eagles
04-13-2020, 11:31 AM
Some folks stock up on TP because they know that the gov may not allow folks to leave their homes. Or, maybe they are afraid to go out if it gets any worse. My wife has medical problems, making her susceptible to this illness and making it lethal to her. TP is a commodity that EVERYONE needs and being home, will use it much faster than normal. I had to shop for half a day to get a few gallons of Distilled water for her CPAP machine, which requires ONLY distilled water. Others had the same idea and stocked up. This is NOT a mental illness. This is folks attempting to be prepared and do NOT wish to be around other folks any more than necessary, for fear of catching a DEADLY virus. The less folks are out and about, the faster this thing will go away. Yes, it is a bummer that the stores cannot get shipments of TP in fast enough. They should know by now that they have a special situation and should be adjusting to the demand. How many of you wish to stand in line for hours, just to get inside a grocery store? That is what is happening at several stores in the area.
Instead of sympathizing/empathizing with scared folks, some on here find the need to criticize and complain about anyone that does not see things like they do. Some of the same ones that complain, will be the same ones that insist that everyone GIVE their stimulus money away to others, instead of using it for what it's purpose is....to stimulate the economy so that we don't drop into a depression. Suit yourself, but complaining without a solution is non-productive and a waste of time.
You seem to be in a fairly unique situation, and there are some others in the same boat as well. However, I don't think the vast majority of "hoarders" have those medical issues.
I just got back from Sam's club, and one of the things I needed was paper towels. As I entered, I saw literally dozens of people on the check out line with paper towels. Not Bounty, but some brand called POM. They come in a BIG cardboard carton, with 30 rolls to the carton. There were people on line with those platform carts that had as many as 8 cartons = 240 rolls on them. So I headed immediately to that aisle, and guess what? No paper towels (no TP either). No idea why Sam's allows people to buy 240 rolls, and no idea why anyone, even those with a medical issues, needs that many.
So while medical issues may apply to some, I think most of these people are just hoarding
You and your wife, please stay safe
MandoMan
04-13-2020, 11:38 AM
One must consider the whole supply chain thing. I have learned thing I never have much thought to. Toilet paper there are 2 markets consumers and industrial. Most people don't use the majority of toilet paper at home as they are at work/school during the day. The industrial supply chain doesn't have contracts with the consumer market. Even if that were to happen today shelves wouldn't be stocked overnight. They use different material also, they would need enough staffing and have to make changes to reformat the rolls. Not as simple as it seems at first glance.
Last time I tried to buy paper towels and toilet paper at Sam’s Club—over a month ago, I grant you—the only paper towels left were big boxes of 2400 folded towels for dispensers. The only toilet paper left was giant rolls for restroom dispensers. That fits with what you wrote. But you know, even though they don’t fit the usual paper towel or toilet paper holders at home, they still work! Just not as well.
TJ_Woody
04-13-2020, 12:47 PM
I'm kind of curious what people are doing with all the baked beans. Those shelves were almost bare in Publix yesterday.
Chemical warfare.
:icon_wink:
John_W
04-13-2020, 12:53 PM
Went to the neighborhood Walmart at Colony today about 11am, they had 4 or 5 different brands of TP. My wife got a 12 mega-roll pack of Northern and I got a 20 mega-roll pack of Scott. They a lot to choose from, but limit one per person. I can now give back the pack I borrowed from the neighbor, but haven't opened.
Jima64
04-13-2020, 03:58 PM
I'm still trying to figure out how the canned green beans stay wiped out. I understand tp not being overly backstocked because of size but canned green beans. My dogs need the healthy snack as rewards.
CFrance
04-13-2020, 04:13 PM
I'm still trying to figure out how the canned green beans stay wiped out. I understand tp not being overly backstocked because of size but canned green beans. My dogs need the healthy snack as rewards.
You and me both. I bought frozen in Walmart Neighborhood, put some of them in an empty jar and put them in the fridge. Doggo would not accept them frozen.
NavyVet
04-13-2020, 04:56 PM
I absolutely believe stores should be limiting quantities so one person can't fill up an entire grocery cart of one item. I have no tolerance for people who try to resell items or return them to the store. Good for the stores who aren't allowing returns!
That said, true hoarding IS a mental illness. Along with OCD, it falls into the anxiety disorder spectrum. I should know; I have a relative who is a hoarder and has OCD traits. That type of hoarding goes beyond stocking up on goods for a month at a time.
I think of people who (myself included) keep a stock of non-perishables at all times as "Preppers" - prepared for any disaster. I have lived in both blizzard country AND South Florida. We inventory what we call our 'hurricane pantry' every year to replace what has been used. At Sam's Club, everything is sold by the case. Makes it easier to shop once a month or so. And yes I have an anxiety disorder as well, so worrying about running out of things makes me nervous. And I don't wait til the last minute to shop, like right before a storm warning or whatever, or wait until I'm out of something to run to the store for just a few things. I always follow a complete list. Finding perishables has been difficult at best, as we're trying to avoid going out often. I have health issues and am scared of getting this virus. I hate shopping. I haven't found Lysol spray, Clorox wipes or hand sanitizer since this whole mess started and I am running low on gloves. Every order I place at Amazon gets cancelled. A lot of people are panicked, so a little more understanding and a little LESS judgment would be freakin' appreciated. Don't lump us in with the jerks who buy out the stores to try and make a profit at others' expense. There is a difference Thank you very much.
CoachKandSportsguy
04-13-2020, 05:20 PM
Are folks actually using more TP now than before? Not really possible. So to me it makes no sense.
For the working class who are now not working at a location with bathroom facilities, or are working at home, who used to work in a office, they are using toilet paper at a rate at home higher than when they worked at an office or not in the home.
The problem has been discussed on other posts, that the toilet paper manufacturers were optimized for the pre crises split of toilet paper type between commercial TP, which I hate, and home TP which I like. The two don't cross over, and are completely different manufacturing processes. Are there some irrational humans? of course, and a 100 year event tends to scare the crap out them and cause them to act out. Luckily, most stores will not take returns, so when life returns to normal, and it will, then there will be home fire sales of TP. :1rotfl:
So outside the bubble, the world is optimized for different markets, between commercial products and retail products. Other examples include egg cartons, where commercial and retail are different, now that commercial is shut down/greatly reduced, retail is picking up and there is a shortage of retail egg cartons, resulting in shortages of retail eggs. Vegetables which went to restaurants, aren't getting to retail fast enough because retail isn't buying them as fast as restaurants, etc. so vegetables are going to waste.
The economic dislocation from optimized delivery and production schedules can't be dismissed, like when a storm shuts down an airport for two days, and all the flights are full after the airport reopens, you just lost your vacation rental because you can't get rebooked on a flight in time (happened to my wife once) Or to your game, or your cruise, etc.
So maybe the world isn't completely crazy, but its very expensive to companies to prepare and keep inventory and unused capacity for a 100 year event.
sportsguy
JoMar
04-13-2020, 05:26 PM
Some folks stock up on TP because they know that the gov may not allow folks to leave their homes. Or, maybe they are afraid to go out if it gets any worse. My wife has medical problems, making her susceptible to this illness and making it lethal to her. TP is a commodity that EVERYONE needs and being home, will use it much faster than normal. I had to shop for half a day to get a few gallons of Distilled water for her CPAP machine, which requires ONLY distilled water. Others had the same idea and stocked up. This is NOT a mental illness. This is folks attempting to be prepared and do NOT wish to be around other folks any more than necessary, for fear of catching a DEADLY virus. The less folks are out and about, the faster this thing will go away. Yes, it is a bummer that the stores cannot get shipments of TP in fast enough. They should know by now that they have a special situation and should be adjusting to the demand. How many of you wish to stand in line for hours, just to get inside a grocery store? That is what is happening at several stores in the area.
Instead of sympathizing/empathizing with scared folks, some on here find the need to criticize and complain about anyone that does not see things like they do. Some of the same ones that complain, will be the same ones that insist that everyone GIVE their stimulus money away to others, instead of using it for what it's purpose is....to stimulate the economy so that we don't drop into a depression. Suit yourself, but complaining without a solution is non-productive and a waste of time.
Thanks for making the point, those that really need it because of the points you made can't because those that don't have the need continue to buy.
As far as manufacturers of TP, here is a news story on one in Sanford.
Sanford Toilet Paper Factory Needs Workers (https://www.mynews13.com/fl/orlando/news/2020/04/11/sanford-toilet-paper-factory-needs-workers-amid-high-production)
charmed59
04-13-2020, 06:00 PM
I found now Publix seems to be keeping up on eggs, milk and bread. I can usually find all my food products now. Last Friday I went before 10am and even found a small package of TP (limited to one) and I thought I won the lottery. We had bought TP before the hoarding started in Feb and were hoping we could wait it out until the supply came back.
Today we stopped by Target on our way home for the Post Office after noon and they had the large packages of TP and Paper Towels and evening had disinfectant wipes. (Limit one per customer) Now we don’t have to shop for paper products until May. Score!
ladybugsmom
04-13-2020, 06:34 PM
Really did laugh out loud on you post and the quote in your closing! Thanks for the smile!
Northwoods
04-13-2020, 08:07 PM
And then there’s my neighbors. Their lanai is crammed with stuff — toilet paper, paper towels, bottled water, canned goods, etc. They had a heck of a fight when they found out they wouldn’t be able to return any of it. Hate to admit it, but I had a good laugh about their little problem. Think it’ll take them about two years to use everything that doesn’t go bad.
I really really hope stores do not allow returns of items that are so scarce right now (TP, hand sanitizer, paper towels, etc). If they do, they just reward bad behavior.
I would guess that there are many items that the grocery store can't resell. So the store is penalized... they are out that money.
I have a friend who works at Publix. After one of the hurricanes, a person tried to return ICE. So you know people will be returning eggs, dairy, deli meat, etc.
SHAME on the people who buy more than they need AND then try to return to the store when the scare is over.
Parker
04-14-2020, 06:20 AM
I have currently, 4 large packs of paper towels and 5 packs of toilet paper. I have done this not as a result of hoarding mentality, but because I have to make sure my 96yo father and my shut-in sister also have enough. I don't shop just for my own needs. So OCD diagnosis isn't always applicable. Not sorry.
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