For What it is Worth/Panic Buying on SXM?

I thought the panic was not going on here but it appears it is starting. I have heard mention of some empty shelves but have not seen it myself nor did I see it the other day at Prime. Some of this may just be regular shopping but it made the paper.

DAILY HERALD ARTICLE

We drove by Prime yesterday (Friday), and the parking lot was packed! We saw less action just before Gonzalo hit. Maybe it was the usual provisioning of boats, restaurants and smaller resorts but strange to see.

Today's print version of the Daily Herald has an article about panic buying and if it starts happening there could be rationing of some items. The article also indicates there are sufficient stocks of most items at this time.

Updated Article

One man’s panic is another mans preparation.

Yes, but overreaction is not good either.

A friend from FL just told me when the panic for hurricane related supplies start, many stores will not take back items if they are not used or needed. Supposedly it is indicated on the receipt.

A couple of days ago we went to the store and bought up a literal truckload of TP, soap, hand sanitizer, and other stuff so that we would be ahead of the hoarders.

Getting back to states earlier this week I was surprised by the panic buying going on here. Just shook my head as I walked past rows of empty bread aisles and empty shelves that used to contain toilet paper and various disinfectants. Preparedness and panic are two different things, but with the hysteria around this latest virus people react differently and don't always use their best judgement. With that said, the Market Garden Supermarket located in the heart of Simpson Bay had ample stock of everything. We purchased Clorox wipes there for the trip back home, and there were plenty of them available along with Lysol wipes. That was last Tuesday, so no telling what stock might look like today. What's interesting is that I don't recall this kind of panic during the Swine Flu outbreak of 2009 (which had a similar mortality rate of about 2.3%). I suppose what's going on today is the result of 'more connected' world with constant media coverage hitting us from all sides telling us how bad this is and how much worse this could get.

I routinely have several months supply of essentials at home so there is no need for panic buying in my case. When it is on sale, coupons or promotions are available, I buy it then. I guess some only buy toilet paper when they are on their last roll.

There was no panic buying at home prior to my coming down here on March 8, it is now out of control.

Was at the local Walmart last night. Passed the row where toilet parer was normally. Sign on the shelves said they were out of toilet paper BUT the shelves were stocked with beer.

Wendell

And that is part of the problem.

I saw a Facebook post from the salon that does my wife's nails. She is out out TP and is telling clients to bring it with them if they think they'll need it. New motto "have TP will travel".

Gotta say, I've been in Market Garden and Carrefour in recent days and shelves were stocked.

With all due respect, GOTOSUN, that is hoarding

I agree.

Mortality rate for this is still yet to be determined but in raw data from the WHO it currently stands at 3.8 %. This is misleading as the final data wont be in until this is over. I do give credence to the CDC spokesman who testified before Congress that this 10 times deadlier than the current flu strain. Too many people are taking this lightly and looking for reasons to avoid the unpleasant truth.

I can't believe you don't consider that hoarding!!!

There are people in Wuhan, China that have been holed up for 50 days thus far. Italy is a couple weeks into it. What we think may start as 2nweeks, will be 4 then 6....42 days easy.

Gove Cuomo of NY says it could be a 5-9 month event.

Hoarding beyond your needs is bad, question what will be your needs.

More importantly, can production be maintained and logistically delivered to stores and distribution centers?


Asked if people should be traveling, Trump recommended against it.

"If you don't have to travel I wouldn’t do it,'' he said. "We want this thing to end. We don't want a lot of people getting infected.''

Perhaps it was said tongue in cheek.

I also agree.

I soaked off my fake nails.... $40. Every two weeks( powder gel) is not a priority at the moment. We are in our bug out shelter. Good Luck to you all. 🐻🌲

What's soaking off your nails have to do with it and why addressed to me?

What has your wife's nail salon requesting customers to bring their own toilet paper have to do with SXM?

Touche!

Was an example of what happens with all the panic hording that is going on, like another poster just said he was doing, and the consequences it causes.

C.mon, Peeps. I know the Covid19 situation is getting to most of us, but let’s try to keep this a Friendly island forum. Would hate to have to shut it down.

Correct. Knock it off.

We just came by Carrefour and the area near Cost-U-Less. Parking lot was packed and a lot of traffic but all seemed to be orderly but we did not go into the stores. Town was dead and it was sad and it has rained relentlessly a lot of today.

I feel bad for the cruise passengers who are looking for lodging and probably flights out of here,.

No worries... I have been posting here since 2005 and have 6,595 posts. SXMscubaman has been posting since 2009 with 11,407 so he wins. Since all sports in The U.S.A are shut down due to Covid-19 this is just a social sport to keep us all preoccupied. Off topic but hopefully we will return to the OP topic which at the moment I don't know what is was. LOL

JD--normally what stores won't take back in Florida when there is panic buying, is stuff like plywood. We went to two stores today. One was out of TP, only noticed because we went down that aisle for something else. No hand sanitizer or wipes either place, not really surprised at that. Bread was in low supply at one store, plenty at the other. People here buy bottled water, which is stupid. It's not like the electric is going to go off, regardless! I bought some fruits and veggies, a standing beef rib roast which is going to be dinner tomorrow, and LOTS of wine!!

Recently had my financial adviser suggest that we have now had a recession caused by the banks, another by Wall Street and now the media.
They certainly have had a field day with this one.

Had to go shopping for some fresh produce and the gentleman in front of us at checkout was trying to buy 4 packs of TP with 2 rolls per pack. Check out would only allow 2 per person. He said his family was totally out and needed them. Check out checked with manager and manager said NO. Guy was almost in tears and I told check out to put other 2 on my tab and sent him home with all 4. This is a result of what mass hording and panic buying does. Causes families that really need it to possibly go without.

Nice move.

BINGO - After what the market did to my accounts this week, I couldn't afford a truck load of TP or anything else. Just hope I can get back to SXM again.

We went to the Cole Bay Carrefour yesterday morning. Yes, it was very busy. Appeared that (as at home) that's when the locals shop. No one appeared to be buying anything in out or the usual quantities. All the shelves for fully stocked, even the TP aisle.

We don't go anywhere near grocery stores on Saturday, for that very reason. Always crowded.

Silly me, I was thinking "Saturday is when lots of Timeshare owners depart so it''ll be quite" . Never thought about the locals. I never shop at home on Saturdays. Brain is on vacation mode I guess. LOL

Yeah, lots of folks think that way.

When I lived in the states grocery shopping was Friday night on way home from work.

I believe that MAKES you a hoarder

Yup....sounds like the perfect definition of a hoarder

Icote etal,,

Just my opinion but I took the comment to be an attempt at levity amid all the negativity this situation has created. Maybe I’ll-timed?

But we all need to lighten up a bit, particularly those who are NOT directly effected and are throwing fuel on the fire. Those who are there and trying to get home don’t need it and those whose trip plans have gone down the tubes don’t either.

Again, JMHO!

Yes Wendy, but if you say the sky is blue, he says it's green. Gets tiring

Again, come on people. I know that this is VERY upsetting to us all. Please just, if something upsets you, take a breath and step back a minute before you post.