Shopping List for COVID-19 Panic Buying

LAsashoryu on 27/02/2020 - 12:06

Apparently some people in Australia have started stockpiling for the end times that's somehow to be brought about by the low case fatality rate infection Covid-19.

So in the interests of maximising the survival rate of the Ozbargain community (think of a world repopulated exclusively by Ozbargainers), perhaps we should begin compiling a shopping list for the cost-conscious panic buyer.

What products should we be stockpiling?

I note toilet paper appears to be a valuable commodity in areas affected by the virus.

General Discussion COVID-19

Comments

  • srhardy on 05/03/2020 - 13:07
    +6

    Contradictions, they say one thing and then do another themselves (government)

    Masks are no good for you BUT we need them for US (doctors, nurses, police, social workers, ie - everyone but you)
    Nothing to see here, its just a NOVEL form of the old FLU! bit its not, NOVEL means it was cooked up in a lab with SARS+HIV+EBOLA but you will just get the flu, dont panic… ;-)
    It only kills the old, the immune depressed… your chances are low…. Well in Iran, its infected 1/10 pollys and its got a 50/50 chance irrspective of age, death rate but nothing for you to worry about!
    Its just the flu, but since when do they close citys for the flu or in china's case get in huge industrial incinerator trucks, but nothing for you to worry about. Interest rates, bailouts and your polly in a bunker somewhere, well ok but NOTHING FOR YOU TO WORRY ABOUT

    Dont go to bitchute and watch them shooting the infected dead now or rolling the sick off the oxygen while still alive into body bags for the incinerators ~ its all in your imagination!

    Its just the flu, go to a chinese restraunt, hug a chinaman or women today and get it over with, nothing wrong with your Irainian gold coast hairdresser who was sick and now your got 14 days 'rest at home'; also it has an incubation point of almost a month!

    Dont panic, let me get that last bog role at wollys and you go to work in a job that wont be paying you in a month because thier is ABSOLUTLY NOTHING AT ALL FOR YOU TO SEE HERE and you trust the government and media to tell you the truth! LOL

    • Mechz on 06/03/2020 - 00:41

      You sound a lot like roflcopter who likes to share vids on the high seas.

  • seraphim2017 on 05/03/2020 - 13:11
    +2

    Common sense, stock up now, it's in very short supply!

    • Turd on 05/03/2020 - 13:37
      +1

      Too late… stocks are low or none already.

  • Cave Fire on 05/03/2020 - 17:53

    Just read something now, and the supermarkets only carry 48hrs of toilet roll stock on hand. This is because it is a bulky item. So it is then easy to clear out, causing an empty shelf. It only takes a story on social media showing the empty shelf to get the trend going. Would be interesting to see where the trend started…

    • ozbs25 on 05/03/2020 - 22:00

      It's starting to happen worldwide. Hong Kong was maybe the first, but they had slightly more legitimate concerns as I think a lot of their toilet paper comes from China. If the borders were to close then maybe they would have a hard time getting enough for everyone. People are just really scared right now and are not acting rationally.

    • imcold on 05/03/2020 - 23:03

      Probably oz-bargain, we can also crash servers, cause out of stock of various items within 1 hour. I still like others here wonder an non-edible item need be panic buyed.

      This is what I'm seeing in my local woolworths

      https://i.ibb.co/4KvMC3Q/Empty-20200305-185455.jpg

      Not even a single sheet of toilet paper left.

      Plus some kids was playing "Ring Around the Rosie" near the shopping center entrance. Only thing I could do was chuckle, whether or not you believe in the songs origin story.

  • Pauline Hanson on 05/03/2020 - 20:28
    -4

    Hot tip - NSW Gov to announce rationing and purchase restrictions on essential products tomorrow, it was just leaked on Twitter!

    https://mobile.twitter.com/UWS_SWA/status/123547055797982822…

    • ozhunter on 05/03/2020 - 20:36
      +3

      Looks fake.

    • imcold on 05/03/2020 - 23:32
      +3

      The notification contains very poor grammar skills, the kind you would expect from a teen. The second sentence should be in future tense, not present tense.

      And when do you buy medical supplies from participating supermarkets.

  • Debuting on 06/03/2020 - 20:38
    +1

    Someone tried to steal my trolley full of groceries today.

    It was just the basic chinese veg, noodles and a 5kg bag of rice. WTF guys! I was trying to buy more fruit and had left it to the side. I had to run down the street to find the catch the fella.

    • 1bug on 07/03/2020 - 13:44
      +3

      Did he make any excuses (like: "sorry, I thought it was MY trolley), or did he just run?

      • Debuting on 09/03/2020 - 16:42
        +3

        It's my custom trolley. It's DIY, the wheels are different colours too. I made it from broken parts from other trolleys people dumped in the street.

        They basically just ran after I shouted at them.

    • ihbh on 09/03/2020 - 11:22

      Had you already paid?

      • Debuting on 09/03/2020 - 16:43

        Yep. I got the rice from an Asian store. Fruit store was a larger fruit shop owned by a Lebanese guy. Good bargains.

        • bargainparker on 12/03/2020 - 20:35

          Well, at least I know where to go when I'm out of food 😉

  • cdaddy on 07/03/2020 - 10:44
    +2

    Every single bottle of Pepsi Max and the varieties along with Coke zero and varieties gone from my local Woolworths. Its not all on sale either and it is never empty.

  • Macaron Mama on 08/03/2020 - 12:44

    I just got some from a corner shop tucked away in a quiet suburban street; support a small family business as well.

    There r other places besides Coles and Woolies!! Coles imposed a 1 pack limit today and fair enough. Also saw a pic of people lining up infront of Coles from 5am to nab toilet rolls of all things.

    Fingers crossed the madness dies down in the coming week

  • imcold on 09/03/2020 - 20:36
    +1

    I will like to remind everyone you can do rain-checks on items that are on sale but out of stock due to panic buying. Never forget your oz-bargain roots no matter the circumstance. It wont guarantee you any stock but if you get a chance to buy some you get them at a discount.

    • c64 on 12/03/2020 - 11:30
      +3

      not any more at woolworths

      • frugalftw on 18/03/2020 - 17:14
        +1

        Coles took it down too.

  • Ulya on 13/03/2020 - 18:16
    +1

    I bought a small 50ml hand sanitizer in Priceline today. They sell them over the counter, only one at a time. Australian made, $5.99 per item.
    For those who are looking for sanitizers.

  • Half Price Hunter on 13/03/2020 - 23:34
    +1

    Plenty of stock at Woolworths this morning, but I had to stifle my sudden sneeze after seeing an elderly woman literally flinch and give the horrified stink-eye when a toddler in a trolley sneezed near her. The fear is real…I think I nearly blew up my brain trying to hold that sneeze in!

  • outlander on 16/03/2020 - 14:34
    Merged from Corona Virus Panic Buying - How Is It Affecting You?

    I thought it might be good to have a thread to keep track of what's happening across Australia right now.
    If you listen to the news, its an emergency everywhere, but I think the truth is more area specific.

    For instance, in my area (Melb SE), the local Coles is being hit hard. Entire shelves have been wiped bare, and if you visit you can feel the sense of panic as everyone is filling up their trolleys to the max. But if you walk over to Aldi, and while they missing a lot of the same things, they are fully stocked on Sugar. Then you walk over to $2 store, and their shelves still have napkins, which the other stores ran out of a week ago. So it's very inconsistent. I've managed to get most of the things I wanted, but it's required some walking around and minor compromises.

    What are the shops like in your area?

    Are you worried? Have you bought things you otherwise wouldn't, because you couldn't get the items you normally would?

    • GG57 on 16/03/2020 - 14:39

      Same as your experience.

    • EightImmortals on 16/03/2020 - 14:40

      Snagged a pack of TP yesterday morning, there's gold in then there hills!

  • Donaldhump on 16/03/2020 - 14:46
    +1

    all you have to do is walk down an aisle and cough like mad, and every one will clear out

    on a serious note, whats the madness with toilet paper, if worst comes to worst have a shower.

    • Oofy Doofy on 16/03/2020 - 14:48

      Free weekly newspaper cut into sheets…pretty easy. Agreed.

      • EightImmortals on 16/03/2020 - 17:28
        +1

        Not much use, it's already full of crap. :P

    • Laziofogna on 17/03/2020 - 17:13

      This morning 9 at Woolys also no flour, no handwash and meat display empty

      • Donaldhump on 18/03/2020 - 17:00

        at my shops all the crap meat gone, all the good steaks left.
        i don't get why all the tuna and chicken cans still left behind, easiest thing to keep for unlimited time.

        my neighbour knocked on my door, he was 30 mins from soiling himself and needed some dunny rolls.

  • Oofy Doofy on 16/03/2020 - 14:57
    +1

    What is the TPMI at the moment?

    Toilet paper misery index 1-10

    1 = plenty available, no shortages

    5 = somewhat available, maybe the cheap stuff is gone, more expensive middle and luxury brands still available, though moving off the shelves.

    10 = bare shelves/nothing and only one package per transaction if you can find anything.

    • Andard on 17/03/2020 - 14:31
      +1

      11.

      Seriously someone should make an app like "gasbuddy" where it will ping you if someone spots toilet paper or other essentials in a store near you.

    • arkie0 on 19/03/2020 - 22:36

      1 - go find a warehouse distributor

  • Archi on 16/03/2020 - 15:12
    +2

    Lucky we always have rice at home and my neighbour came over saying his wife couldn't buy rice anywhere. spotted him a bag and that should last him for a few months.

    • Donaldhump on 16/03/2020 - 15:21
      +1

      a bag of rice for 15 minutes with your wife…

      indecent proposal part 2

      • Archi on 16/03/2020 - 15:22

        what are you insinuating ?

        I dare say his wife does remind me of Julia Roberts. if he offers I wont turn him down

        I was talking about a game of tennis that is

  • Oofy Doofy on 16/03/2020 - 19:09
    +1

    How people can help the fight against Coronavirus with their computers…

    https://foldingathome.org/2020/03/15/coronavirus-what-were-d…

  • Archi on 17/03/2020 - 14:06

    with all this panic buying of food, people aren't going to get Covid-19 they are going to get Fat

    • Laziofogna on 17/03/2020 - 17:12
      +2

      Fat-ter you mean

      • Archi on 17/03/2020 - 17:13

        fat-ish

        • Laziofogna on 17/03/2020 - 17:16

          I already have many of those

  • HighAndDry on 17/03/2020 - 14:23
    +3

    Woolies had the (seemingly) great idea of having an hour in the beginning of the day reserved for older and vulnerable shoppers. Except of course, this happens:

    https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/retail/coronavirus-…

    Lots of older, vulnerable people, crowded together, in the cold, in public, with strangers.

    • Yummy on 17/03/2020 - 16:21
      +2

      Covid's favorite spot.

      Th..thanks Woolies.

  • godofpizza on 18/03/2020 - 13:30

    this is crazy, i was at coles and the panic buying fresh milk too.

    • brendanm on 20/03/2020 - 12:16

      They only seem to buy the Coles/woolies milk, I got Norco no worries. Not sure what they plan to do with 100 litres of fresh milk.

  • arkie0 on 19/03/2020 - 22:29
    -6
    Merged from How Much Have You Stocked up in Case of Lock down

    So there's heaps of threads on how scarce everything is and how unprepared some people are in case of long lock down periods but if everything been sold out then there must be some people in the community who will ride this out easily, how many people here are fully stocked and further preparing themselves in case of permanent lock down?

    As for myself
    +6m worth of toilet paper/tissues - bought direct from warehouse distributor.
    Around 2-3 months for food - 2 freezers packed plus heaps of long life goods.
    Meds +6 months, +6months soaps/handwash, bought masks before the covid came to AU.

    • 0FoxGiven on 19/03/2020 - 22:37
      +4

      Seems like you wanted to boast about you "foresight". But hoarding was not required. I blame people like you for the unnecessary shortages people are facing now.

      • arkie0 on 19/03/2020 - 22:43
        -1

        “An ignorant person is inclined to blame others for his own misfortune. To blame oneself is proof of progress. But the wise man never has to blame another or himself.” Epictetus.

        • 0FoxGiven on 19/03/2020 - 22:55
          +5

          Ooooh.

          "An obnoxious person pulls out a quote off google to act like he is wise. As for me, I have not hoarded and I am getting by just fine" -0FoxGiven

    • TheBilly on 19/03/2020 - 23:07
      +1

      I just stockpile weaponry, because when there is a real life threatening breakdown of society I'll just get what I need from others like you.

      • arkie0 on 19/03/2020 - 23:16

        Common man, if I'm stocked for 6+months already what makes you think I haven't thought of that

    • ozhunter on 19/03/2020 - 23:22

      I haven't stocked anything lol.

      Went to Coles 8am this morning, about 100 before me, all went in a line, single file. No one was running or panicking about anything, but there was a bit of hustle.

      I wonder what people think happens during a lockdown. Every supermarket and chemist would just be closed until it's over?

      There's tonnes of food in the shops, but it is annoying when you can't find specific foods/varieties you want to eat.

      • arkie0 on 19/03/2020 - 23:32

        It's more the risk of getting infected and dying by venturing out when you don't need to, most people don't understand %, 1 to 4 in 100 infections will die, that is a very high %.

        • ego22 on 20/03/2020 - 11:55

          agreed. i actually stocked up everything in early January when just the wuhan numbers were rising.
          all i had to know was.

          5million people left wuhan before the lock down

          the virus could incubate for 14+ day and spread while in incubation.

          and it was alot more contagious than the flu.

          then i was down to coles!
          the point is when it gets bad u dont leave your house even if u are allowed to cos u WILL get the virus. u dont need to wait for total shut down. the people how say just do a weekly shop as normal are totally f+#$ed.

          • arkie0 on 20/03/2020 - 12:01

            @ego22: Yeah doctors from EU are urging people not to go out, yet in AU we're to keep going like normal.

            can't gather 100 people but you can put a couple of hundred in a supermarket, no problems.

        • brendanm on 20/03/2020 - 12:15
          +1

          You are being alarmist. 7 people have died in Australia, all over 80 from memory. 600 odd cases in the entire country.

          Should we be hygienic? Of course? Should we panic and be alarmist? No.

          • arkie0 on 20/03/2020 - 12:25

            @brendanm: Come revisit this post in a month, and we'll talk then. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

            If there are mass infections and deaths in a month, I will be correct I would have been prepared.
            If all is good in a month, I will wrong and yes alarmist.

            • 0FoxGiven on 20/04/2020 - 22:24

              @arkie0: Sooo… I went to do my weekly grocery shopping and Coles today and took a moment to check out the fully stocked shelves. Then I was reminded about one boastful OzBargainer who was so good in understanding percentages and dared people to say he was wrong/an alarmist in a month.
              .
              .
              .

              You were wrong. You are a hoarding alarmist.

              • arkie0 on 20/04/2020 - 23:12
                +1

                @0FoxGiven: All good, happy to be wrong this time.

                • 0FoxGiven on 21/04/2020 - 00:54

                  @arkie0: You took that well. And just like that, my initial distaste for your post has vanished.
                  Be well and stay safe.

                  respect

        • shadowangel on 23/03/2020 - 22:16

          much higher if your older too

  • CheeryCheapskate on 20/03/2020 - 09:08

    I just ordered hair clippers/shavers for hair cuts along with a gown. Might be something to consider in terms of future hair cuts because… well you know why.

  • imcold on 23/03/2020 - 21:31

    Next thing people are panic buying is gym equipment; With gyms now shutdown, These are definitely not made in Australia so supplies make take a long time to restock. Not like you can send a 10kg dumbbell by airmail.

    • Oofy Doofy on 24/03/2020 - 13:50

      More reps with lighter weight (bodyweight even) doing 80% of max output = basically the same, splitting hairs unless someone is an elite sportsperson, and even then there are negatives to heavier weights.

  • surpriseW on 28/04/2020 - 10:49
    Merged from Survive The Lockdown with These Items!

    Appliances

    MY-SS5051P Midea Pressure Cooker ($219)

    Reason to buy:
    I’ve been dying to eat some bread lately and because it isn’t safe to go outside, I planned to get a bread maker. My order didn’t get through so instead I found a pressure cooker to help me make bread and other meals.

    Do I recommend it?
    Though it wasn’t what I was looking for in the first place, and even if I have to mix the dough, I got more than what I bargained for! Not only could I make bread and pastries, I could also cook beef stew, frittata, soup, pasta sauces, and more.

    Mini Dishwasher ($399)

    Reason to buy:
    My dishwasher broke down. I live alone and I’m not comfortable with someone to come over and fix it so I bought a mini dishwasher as a temporary solution.

    Do I recommend it?
    This purchase is absolutely lovely! The size doesn’t take too much space in the kitchen and I can use it daily. For a mini-sized appliance, it performs and washes dishes well. It’s easy to use and portable so I could bring this one during camping next summer.

    BES870BSS Breville coffee machine ($615 + $28 shipping cost)
    Reason to buy:
    My partner has a coffee addiction. I’m getting one for his birthday so he can make his coffee easily at home.

    Do I recommend it?
    If you can’t survive a day without coffee, get this! My partner loves it. It might not be worth it for someone like me who is able to survive with some capsule coffee. Costco got member’s deal – BES875BSS at $549.99.

    KPC10 Popcorn Maker ($27)
    Reason to buy:
    I bought this together with the coffee machine and thought it would be fun to use.

    Do I recommend it?
    Kids love it! It’s not much money anyway and makes movie nights more enjoyable with the family. This is sure to bring more fun during lockdown.

    Home & Garden:

    Uniqlo Pajama
    Reason to buy:
    Price was very attractive. There’s also a promotion plus shopback!

    Do I recommend it?
    The product is honestly not bad. There are no discounts at the moment so I don’t think it’s worth 50 bucks. I’ll probably go to Kmart or Target instead to get a pajama.

    Wax & wicks From Gumtree
    Reason to buy:
    I am obsessed with scented candles and wanted to try making scented candles for our home. That's why I bought one.

    Do I recommend it?
    I can’t believe how much money I saved by making them at home instead of buying them from stores. It’s also great for a family activity as I can teach my kids how to make ones, too! Who knows? Maybe I can sell it online, too.

    Home Office:

    Acer 27” SA270YB Screen ($299)

    Reason to buy:
    For someone who started to work from home, I bought one out of convenience. I needed a good quality screen so I could work more efficiently.

    Do I recommend it?
    I have no complaints and problems encountered so far. Product works exactly as described.

    Ikea Height Adjustable Desk ($199) - From Ikea

    Reason to buy:
    I bought one early this year. It was on clearance sale and got the height adjustable desk at $199 only.

    Do I recommend it?
    I’m so glad that I bought it. This purchase is a life-saver. I now have less back pains when working longer hours because I can opt to sit or stand.

    Feel free to let us know if you got more things to share, you got better deals. Be nice here please.

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