Hoarding - An Alternative View

[sp1814]

There are some people who are looking to make a profit stickling, like this loser:

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/14/technology/coronavirus-purell-wipes-amazon-sellers.html

But isn't there an argument to support those who have gone out to buy extra food (to load into their freezers) for the next few weeks?

Supermarkets and food retailers generally operate on the 'just in time' stocking principle. Even if the major chains have warehouses of non-perishables, the supply chain is going to be screwed up - farms, factories, distribution centres and drivers are all going to affected by Covid-19, so doesn't stocking up (not hoarding) make sense?

[ProfessorMaisie]

Sensible people do not burden the supply/demand chain unnecessarily, and it is unnecessary to do so at this point in time.
The current spate of hoarding is going to waste so much material in the short term that it's a crime.

[sp1814]

TTT

Under normal circumstances, what you say makes perfect sense, but the problem is, many people HAVE to buy extra, because they're at home.

Their kids are at home.

And many people who work in the supply chain, from farms to distribution centres, to delivery drivers - many (not all) of them will not be working. Once the supply chain contracts, wouldn't there be less food, even without the rise in demand?

I don't see how it would work, where you have a constricted supply chain.

[pixie374]

I haven't either, sp, but when I did my normal online shop, the major was "unavailable" so I will now need to go shopping more. I think of everyone had continued as normal, it would have made more sense. The online deliveries could be made as usual to those self-isolating.
Now we have a problem where everyone will need to try different shops, either for themselves or someone else.

[sp1814]

ProfessorMaisie

Out of interest - if you have a family of four, with two working adults, and two kids in school, who are now all at home - how would they avoid buying more groceries?

[ToraToraTora]

professormasie, 16:15, bang on BA right there.

[Mamyalynne]

I am doing the same Sp, if it be tinned fruit and carnation milk for tea in a week or two then so be it.

[sp1814]

pixie374

I think a big problem is how things are portrayed in the media. Obviously, video and pictures of empty shop shelves is dramatic, and this is what is show in papers, online and on television - and when people see these images, they're thinking, "I'd better stock up".

To be honest - we've been lucky (so far). The shops have been as busy as they are two weeks before Christmas, but not mad. Not like in the papers.

[pixie374]

We wouldn't buy more, sp, whether there were 7 or 3 of us. We don't eat more being at home... unless you are suggesting most people use canteens? I found no difference in the summer holidays.

[sp1814]

Mamyalynne

Carnation?

You deserve a MBE for that.

[pixie374]

Yes, totally. Once some start, others follow, because everyone hears about it.

[ToraToraTora]

sp: "Under normal circumstances, what you say makes perfect sense, but the problem is, many people HAVE to buy extra, because they're at home. " - Extra? maybe, not hoover the shelves like a plague of locusts.

[ProfessorMaisie]

Goalposts again, sp1814 - never mind the semantics.

[sp1814]

TTT

I think there's a difference between hoarders (my link) and people buying extra because they're worried about running out.

[allenlondon]

Prof Maisie.

Talking sense has never been a route to popularity round here.

With views such as we’reseeing here, it is even more imperative that the government step in and force all the fools to behave.

[sp1814]

ProfessorMaisie

I’m sure that many would agree with you. I suppose it’s just one of those things where different people interpret the same story different ways.

I think we can agree to disagree on this.

[sp1814]

allenlondon

I think it would've been a sensible idea for supermarkets to have rationed items that have spiked in popularity. It would've been no worse than the petrol rationing a few year back.

[ToraToraTora]

"I don't see how it would work, where you have a constricted supply chain. " - there has been no evidence of that. In fact some bloke from the supermarkets' assoc type org said a couple of weeks ago there is plenty of everything in warehouses etc, just shop as normal and the shelves will stay full. ALL the supply problems have been caused by the morons. The system was already in place if people merely bought a bit extra, but no, the selfish streak rushes to the surface. I won't starve I'll just go to the spoons for food and a tish and feel good because I have not changed my shopping pattern at all.

[ToraToraTora]

sp: "Out of interest - if you have a family of four, with two working adults, and two kids in school, who are now all at home - how would they avoid buying more groceries?" - stop it! "more" is not the problem it's buying the kin lot that's doing this. Now give masie the BA!

[sp1814]

Okay TTT - some valid points.

[Cloverjo]

The trouble is the government has been saying some people might have to be isolated for 3 months. It looks like lots of people are buying 3 months’ worth of food.