Tried going shopping

Automatic Washer - The world's coolest Washing Machines, Dryers and Dishwashers

Help Support :

vacerator

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 19, 2016
Messages
4,472
Location
Macomb, Michigan
for some Lysol cleaner, bleach, etc. The store shelves are gutted of all except Tide laundry detergent. How is everyone else fairing? These non perishable items are usually restocked overnight if stores recieve delivery trucks. Meat, seafood and deli depts. are closed. Plenty of milk, butter, cheeses looking a bit thin. Bread also light. Store was already busy at 7a.m. I imagine that some with cottages and second homes up north are prepping to "bug out". Whats the point if you don't have enough essentials.? Perhaps those living on farms who have cows, chickens, etc. will fair better, or am I overthinking this?
 
Pretty much the same here....

 

<span style="font-family: georgia, palatino;">I will say I went to the store as soon as it opened on Sunday morning and shelves were stocked better than the night before.  From what they say on the news the food is out there it's just a matter of the stores stocking shelves overnight.  I guess we'll see how it goes.</span>
 
It’s only because policies limiting quantities on these goods just wasn’t instituted or enforced right from the get...

A public that makes return visits and demonstrates such uncooperative behavior is also to blame, to which I cannot be a policeman...

Again, a little calming down is all that can be done to resume things being normal, though still largely unforeseen, so a pain and a pity what’s endlessly put up with by the shoppers buying the regular quantities...

— Dave
 
I just returned.....

.....from my local grocery store (Nob Hill) and found no bread and no pasta but other than that, I was able to pick up everything else I needed including milk, butter, frozen vegetables and fresh fruit. I went at 7:15 and it was pretty quiet but by the time I left at 7:45, lines were forming at the checkouts. Hopefully, what I picked up today will keep me in the house for the next 2+ weeks as my county has asked everyone to stay at home if at all possible for the next 2-3 weeks. I did buy some fresh-baked wheat French bread so at least I got SOME bread!
 
I'm in the same boat with Bill, but have a freezer full of stuff that I need to use up anyway.  As long as I can get milk and eggs, I should be OK for the next three weeks.

 

Locally, a family owned chain, Zanotto's, is opening early every day until further notice, and allowing only shoppers age 60 and over inside for that first hour.  Their prices are ridiculously inflated, but at least they're doing something.  The Smart & Final Express near me wasn't bad last Thursday, so I'll give them a try for the basics.

 

I see no point in going to Costco until the panic buying is over.  I think that the shelter-in-place order would preclude allowing crowds to storm Costco anyway, but until they get a system down, I'm staying away.
 
I avoided the grocery stores today but did stop in at the convenience store on the corner and they had loads of milk and quite a few cartons of eggs so I grabbed one of both. Where a problem may "crop up" excuse the pun,, as I saw on last nights news, is what is going to happen to farm laborers coming up from Mexico to pick crops.. Canadians won't do it anymore than Americans and we also rely on thousands of seasonal Mexican migrants to work in our fields as well. THey are not illegal farm workers, they are permitted seasonal workers. As of yesterday they are banned from entering the country.
 
I finally went to the grocery store in the city this afternoon. It was slim pickings. There was no flour, eggs, chicken, red meat, not much fruit or vegetables, no potatoes. There were a few loaves of bred. I managed to get flour and eggs from the small grocery store in the little town where I live. I went to Walmart and it was pretty much the same there - no meat or chicken.

Gary
 
Similar situation at the one grocery store here: No paper products, bleach, disinfecting wipes, diapers, ground beef, eggs, or pasta. Only a few bags of frozen vegetables, a few gallons of ice cream, a few loaves of bread.

They're finally initiating a "one item per family" limit on the basics--and one pound of ground beef--which should help restore some sanity. We were getting people from as far as Mankato, MN (about 70 miles away) looking for toilet paper, etc..

They've also reduced store hours from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm for purposes of disinfecting and restocking. They're expecting a truck in tonight, so will venture out tomorrow morning. Could use some ground beef and some fresh vegetables.

Restaurants, schools, churches and most other businesses are closed for 2 weeks. Confirmed cases of coronavirus now as close as 50 miles from here, so will be self-isolating very soon since I'm in the high risk group (chronic bronchitis, kidney function issues, 61 years of age).
 
I work at the state prison here in Arizona. They just announced today that all staff can order a case (96 rolls) of toilet paper, at their cost ($38.44). Each staff can order 1 case. They will order it tomorrow and will be here by Friday. It is only 1 ply toilet paper, but it is better than nothing. Not that I am running short, but I might grab a case to help out anyone else who might run out, due to the panic buying. 
 
I was almost out of TP the week before last when I went on my regular weekly shopping trip, so I bought a 24 roll pak of Target 1 ply, which we use all the time anyway, so we’re OK in that dept.

 

Coincidentally, had always insisted upon 2 ply TP too.  But when I had my last hip replacement in June 2016 I sent David to do the shopping for the first 2 weeks after surgery and he came home with Scott 1 ply.  I said, “Why’d ya buy THAT!”  He said he couldn’t remember what brand we usually used.  

 

Well, turns out it was a happy accident, and we have used either Scott or Target 1 ply since.  You just need to use a couple sheets more, but in the end its just as good as the 2 ply, you use less paper in total and the toilets flush better too.  I’d be very wary of using even small squares of paper towels for very long, in and emergency OK, but you could end up with a big fat mess in your sewer pipes.

 

Eddie
 
Interesting times.  My cousin who lives in Augusta went to Costco yesterday,  She said they had stanchions set up and made sure folks were at least 6' apart in line.  As the line progressed they wiped down each cart top to bottom before allowing a person in.  They waited until someone left before allowing another in.  She like veggies and picked up a couple of bags of bell peppers and avocados, at checkout they took one of each away, limit was one.

 

Another cousin  works at Herbrucks eggs in Grand Rapids - they supply eggs to much  of the mid west including McDonalds, and they are running short of eggs.  They are buying from other suppliers.

 

Onward is the only option.
 
I went into my local Walgreen's to pick up meds and they seemed to be better stocked than supermarket.
Tomorrow I pick up my car and will stop by Acme to see what they have. I've ordered some plain cotton cleaning cloths I can wash with bleach in lieu of being so dependent on paper towels.

Eventually the insane demands will trickle off when people feel secure. Then supply will start to catch up. I hope.
 
 
Still no paper products (unless perhaps there are some *early* in the day), although I still haven't hazarded the $-stores.  Eggs all gone @ WM 10:15p, although sufficient breads.  No milk except some organic and almond, etc. choices.  I noted a 1% organic variety had a 5/2/2020 expiration date so took one.  All meats sparse, and various other items.  I found what I was after, except for what I knew of which there was none that I didn't bother to czech.

Paper-towels-as-TP should *not* be flushed ... toss to the trash.
 
Curbside & Home delivery at HEB are scheduled out full to Friday the 27th as of yesterday evening.  I'm working from home as of yesterday.  
 
The stores in my area seem to calming down.  David bought some lettuce and bananas today on the way back from his walk.  I couldn’t go today because I injured my right calf yesterday while running to confront an interloper that was throwing a pickup truck load of garbage in our dumpster, that was just emptied on Monday.  

 

My leg hurt like hell right after I blew out my calf, but is much better today but still sore.  I’m taking it easy today and put some pain patches on it which help a lot. I think I injured the tendon, did this about 6 months ago and it took about 3 days to recover.  

 

Now all 20 units here at our HOA are going to be taxed for garbage space until the next pickup on Monday.   I truly despise the selfishness of people.  This jackass took off before I could get the plate number of the new U haul pickup he was driving, so my chase was all for naught.

 

I’m going to wait another few days before I venture out to a store.  We have plenty of what we need  to carry us thru another week easily.  Maybe by that time the frenzy will have subsided.

 

Just got thru making a Shepard’s Pie for the next couple of days dinners, and a Yellow sheet cake with Mocha Frosting that should last thru the weekend.  It helps to keep busy.

 

Eddie

[this post was last edited: 3/18/2020-18:48]
 
Toilet Tissue Conservation

I introduced psyllium husk into my daily routine several months ago and as a result, my use of toilet paper has been cut in half at the very least.  There are times when TP isn't even necessary, but I don't find out until after the fact.  Better safe than sorry.  As they say in the advertising world, "Cleanup's a breeze!"

 

I doubt there's a shortage of psyllium husk yet or if there will even be one (I get mine in bulk at Whole Foods -- the only place I've found it in bulk which, at $7.50/lb. is way cheaper than packaged versions found elsewhere -- including Amazon), so now would be a good time for anyone who is interested in economizing on TP use to give it a try.  

 

One well-rounded to heaping tablespoon mixed with about 8 oz. of water once per day, either one hour before or after eating.  I've mixed it with apple juice a few times, which makes it less boring to chug down, but have become used to mixing it with water.  Drink another 8 oz. of water afterward, or within about 20 minutes, and "enjoy the go" tomorrow.
 
I was not lucky.

At the peak of all this madness, the time has come to replenish supplies of cleaners, toilet paper, etc. Firstly, I didn’t want to look like those crazy people who're tearing everything down from the shelves, and secondly, I didn’t buy more than half of what I needed. I hope soon everything will be as usual.
 
re; fiber, stores;

Fiber is very important. I use mainly water soluable as a supliment, as I eat oatmeal, almonds, brasica genus produce, etc. as well. I go once per day usually, twice tops. I drink at least a gallon of water per day also, including with 6 tbsp. of fiber total.
Local produce wholesalers are selling for pennies on the dollar what restaurants don't need in parking lots of churches, local municipal farm mkts, etc. Check local town websites.
 
Yes, the local grocery chain here has all types of bread from the bakery in town that supplies most of the area restaurants and has no retail outlet of their own.  It's a better assortment than what they usually offer from their regular vendors. 
 
It's the same everywhere

No hand sanitizers, alcohol, wipes, Lysol, bleach. Frozen veggies were sparse. Absolutely no lunch meat. The deli was open.

The good thing for us is that we buy things at costco that won't go bad, like toilet paper, paper towels, bleach, detergent, etc. We have plenty of that.

There is NO rush hour! What would be slow-moving or bumper to bumper this time of day is like smooth flowing.

I'm sure no one is laughing at the preppers now. Twilight Zone!
 
Just returned!

A short time ago.

Went first to my favorite bakery, as it was "crazy Thursday". Unfortunately, they had sold out of the special, which was a loaf of bread, 4 cupcakes, and a coffee cake - all for $9.00. They still had bread and cupcakes, so got some of those, plus a pecan cinnamon elephant ear. Wanted cinnamon bread, but they were out - told me to call early to reserve some.

My next stop was Gordon Food Service, where I picked up the case of soup I ordered the week before last. Also got some plastic cups. The had some paper towels, but no toilet tissue. Plenty of dispenser towels and napkins, though.

Afterwards I stopped at McAlister's Deli for a sandwich and sweet tea. A few other customers were there, all waiting about 10 or more feet from each other. Got my order and ate it in my vehicle.

Next was Target, where I got a few things such as Allegra, and an Easter card for a friend. Avoided going down an aisle if someone else was in it. No PT, TP or bottled water.

My last stop was the gas station, and I filled my tank for $1.66/gal.

Traffic was actually heavier than I had expected.

I probably won't go out again for several days. Today we had heavy rain, but I hope the sun will come out soon. Everyone should feel better when they can be outside in warm sunshine.
 
I went to the Kosher Grocer this afternoon. Calm, full of stuff and nice people, both staff and customers. I got into a discussion with a lady while I was picking out macaroons. She loved them when younger, but does not like cocomut now. She shared my love for Peter Paul Mounds bars when we were both younger. It never occurred to me that we were maybe a little too close to each other while talking. Oh Well. It was a very pleasant experience. The only thing I did not find was sunflower seeds. They are not in good supply on Amazon, either and dealers who used to offer them on Prime with free shipping are not doing so now.
 
Was at Target today:

Most Items in stock except fresh meat, canned goods, dishwashing detergent(no problem as I just ordered a case of Cascade fryer boil out) and pasta. Guy stocking said they were restocking as trucks could get there. Did not look at the paper goods aisle as I do not need any. Bought Paper towels and toilet paper at Costco 3 weeks ago before the whole world went off the rails.
People WAKE THE F&CK UP Hoarding 6 years of food does not stop COVID-19 One month is the most you need! Quit F&cking it up for the rest of us.
WK78
 
$1.66/gallon for gas?  We're thrilled around these parts to find it below $3, which is becoming more and more commonplace even among the major brands.
 
Economic impact;

could be severe. Hope not. As for a Govt. rescue check, I doubt we'll get one, and if we do, won't cash it unless we absolutely need it, or our kids do. It won't be tax free, and nobody is buying my vote with their pied piper wartime savior, scare the flock rhetoric. At least now has no option but to try acting like a proper leader without deflection.
Either there can be bailouts again, or allow the economy to reset via deflation.
Ceo's and top executives should have to take compensation, and bonus concessions before workers. They should not be allowed to scoop up shares at devalued amounts wether in the corporate names, or personally either.
 
I went to a 7/11 today and found they had the usual amount of toilet paper and paper towels.

Re: #24 Kosher Grocer

I read an article on the NY Daily News website (routed there from New York 1) about how Asian grocers are better stocked than mainstream supermarkets. The link is below. I have an H Mart (Korean chain) nearby. I might check them out if I need anything. Also on the same website I saw a headline about how neighbourhood stores in the Bronx have full shelves while big box stores have empty ones. I looked for the article to post here but couldn't find it, sorry.

So maybe small neighborhood stores catering to a specific demographic group might provide a better shopping experience?

OTOH, it might not be a good idea to go to a grocer catering to your OWN ethnicity. I used to live near Brach's Glatt on Main Street in Kew Garden Hills and did a good bit of shopping there. If I ate now like I did back then I'd double my weight and have cholesterol through the roof! But, man.... they had the BEST! Chicken liver, rye bread that you could use for a door stop, leben ... and don't get me started on their baked goods!

https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-borough...-stores-not-short-on-supplies--just-customers
 
Back
Top