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?

[TheDevil]

Of course it does, and if you haven't you'll be crying about it and appealing people to stop.

[ummmm]

Yes.

I'm a food hoarder.

[Deskdiary]

No, it doesn't make sense.

If everybody shopped as they usually shop, logic dictates there would be no shortages.

[allenlondon]

How about issuing Key Workers with a Pass, allowing them free and SOLE access to supermarkets on specific days?

Simple? Too bloody simple, of course, but if this is a war - and it is - such drastic action is necessary.

(I tried to start a thread with the above, but failed..)

[TheDevil]

"If everybody shopped as they usually shop, logic dictates there would be no shortages."

If everyone shopped as they usually shopped and then contracted COVID-19 then they would be trapped without enough food to self isolate.

If everyone shopped and acted as they normally would then COVID-19 would spread like fire.

[Spicerack]

Make your mind up, TD, fgs.

[TheDevil]

The idea of having enough food equates to the idea of not needing to be going out of the house on a daily basis.

[Cloverjo]

If people are told by the government that they might have to be isolated for 3 months they’re going to stockpile.
And marketeers will take advantage by buying up all the stuff those people will need.
Tell the government to shut up, or only give us useful advice.

[Spicerack]

//If people are told by the government that they might have to be isolated for 3 months they’re going to stockpile.//

If being the operative word. They haven't told anyone they might have to be isolated for 3 months.

[jno]

agree with Cloverjo. If you're told you're going to be in isolation for three months (I've no idea if this is still on the cards) then buying as much as you can as soon as you can is pure common sense.

The just-in-time strategy is always going to be open to disruption by surges in demand, but the surges are in most cases have been a logical response to changing circumstances. Shoppers have adapted, shops haven't always.

"If everybody shopped as they usually shop" ... but they can't if they're told to stay indoors. So they change their shopping patterns.

[jno]

Spicerack, Hancock did say that would soon be brought in. And you can't wait until after it's brought in to do anything about it. So you have to do it before.

[sp1814]

jno

Good point, and even if the government haven't said we need to self-isolate 'for three months', I think most people are aware that they're going to need more groceries at home, because they're going to [i]be[/i] at home more, so will their kids.

[Deskdiary]

It's safe to assume who on this thread has have lost their minds and are clearing shelves with nary a thought for anybody else.

[TheDevil]

well when it comes to peoples lives you need to look after number one before you can look after number two. It is a shame people are struggling but they've not made the suitable efforts like everyone else has.

You can't blame people for preparing for what they've been told to prepare for by their government.

[TheDevil]

Don't worry.. there will always be plenty of perishables, because they're stocked daily. Just shop early, or visit shops other people wouldn't like a farm foods or stoke.

Any of the major 4 chains are futile.

[Spicerack]

Nail-head, DD.

[Maydup]

It does make sense to stock up and for many reasons.
1. You might get ill and not be able to go out
2. One of your family might get ill which means you cant go out
3. The less often you shop the less likley you are to mix with others and contract the virus
4. The less often you go to work, school or social lunches the more food you need at home.

For that reason we have full cupboards but we always do because we live in the countryside and reason 5 for us is that the local shop is 5 miles away and the local supermarket is 18 miles away.

I'm a bit tired of people who stock up being called panic buyers or worse. Lets just wait for the shelves to fill up and all will be well. In the meantime there is no point in allocating times for key workers to shop unless the products are in supply for them. An alternative supply of essentials needs to be allocated to those key workers who havent been able to stock up.

[ProfessorMaisie]

It's nice to be able to put a 'face' to the hoarders at last - and they're just the ABers I'd have expected to be guilty of hoarding in a crisis (the ones that try so hard to give the impression of being deeply caring and compassionate in every other debate they're ever involved in).
You have no sense of social responsibility whatsover!

[sp1814]

TheDevil

Ah - but the problem with perishables is that once supermarkets run low on stock, they might have issues restocking.

The supply chain may be broken because of workers who have to self-isolate, or workers who have to take time off to look after children who can no longer go to school.

I'm not advocating hoarding or bulk-buying, but you can understand where people are coming from (not those buying thirty packs of Andrex!)

[jno]

ProfessorMaisie, you have no idea who is hoarding and who isn't.