MovieChat Forums > General Discussion > Eerie morning 🛒

Eerie morning 🛒

posted 4 years ago by GlenEllyn (21061)
11 replies | jump to latest

This morning I got up at 5 AM so I could hit the grocery store at opening during the VSH - vulnerable shoppers hour. It was an eerie drive because it was still dark, but also very foggy. I didn't see a single car along the way, but I'm not normally out at that time of the morning so maybe it's not unusual. Or was it the fog??

I wasn’t looking to stock up (i.e. hoard), just grab a few things I’d run out of. There weren’t as many shoppers as I expected, which was fine – you know, SD (social distancing) and all.

But there were lots of “outs.” I wasn’t surprised because there simply isn’t time to clean everything and restock, and I assume some deliveries just hadn’t happened yet. The water aisle was pretty bare, but still had a few options. Same with the pasta aisle, although the rice options were even more limited. Milk and eggs were running low, but what surprised me is there was no butter. I didn't know there was a run on butter. I’m not counting margarine as butter, by the way.

Dang, I forgot to check the paper aisle so I have no idea how TP was holding up. 🧻

[–] TexasJack (12515) 4 years ago

My Wal-Mart was very low on butter last week, but had plenty of eggs. Today, lots of butter and no eggs.

Thankfully, plenty of Coke and potato chips at all times. 👍

[–] GlenEllyn (21061) 4 years ago

I did walk down the chip aisle and thought it strange that the bottom two shelves were nearly empty. I'm going to chalk this up to the big brand vendors, that probably pay extra for eye-level space, having already been in to stock their shelves. My favorite variety was out, but I don't need any right now.

I noticed a number of "limit 2" signs on quite a few things. "Your friends and neighbors need some, too" was printed underneath.

[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

Glad you were able to get some time to get the essentials GE :)

We keep being told by the authorities that supply should start returning to normal soon but the shelves are still bare here. I don't think the authorities are factoring in the the stupidity and selfishness of panicked people.

I even had to have noodles with my stir fry the other night because all the rice has disappeared. Noodles! Can you imagine?

[–] GlenEllyn (21061) 4 years ago

I have to wonder if the continuing shortages are caused by whomever missed out on whatever last time. I'm getting a headache from shaking mine so much. Sheesh.

[–] Keelai (31772) 4 years ago

Normal shoppers are buying things they don't need presently because all the hoarding may make it impossible to find them in the future.

Also, it's just not hoarding. There are people selling products online to make a profit.

[–] 102000 (6126) 4 years ago

It's called Lo Mein with noodles - delsih.

[–] Mrmojo4700 (20403) 4 years ago

I’ve been trying to avoid any stores and only making online purchases. There is an outside fruit and vegetable market that isn’t too busy and is nice and breezy that I’m still going to for those items.

[–] GlenEllyn (21061) 4 years ago

Same here, which is why I decided to go first thing this morning. Age makes me part of the vulnerables.

[–] Mrmojo4700 (20403) 4 years ago

Good your able to go when you can avoid the crowds. 👍

[–] Wint3rFir3 (6911) 4 years ago

Did this very recently and had a similar experience. It's odd, what you find out of stock and still heavily in stock. For example, there was tonnes of milk and butter when I went, but no cheese. I literally only went because I had a craving for nachos and needed ingredients - but they were out of every single ingredient I required. There was TP, surprisingly.

[–] Catbookss (13664) 4 years ago

One nice thing about the majority of the panic buyers having by now bought enough to fill their homes is there aren't that many shoppers, no matter what time of day you go. Makes it easier to keep a decent distance when you're in line, too 👍

I went a couple of days ago, also just for a few things. Was thrilled to find a bottle of isopropyl alcohol, seeing as I still can't get ahold of a bottle of hand sanitiser. There were about 6 more bottles on the shelf. Beats none! Which is what there's been for at least 2 weeks now.

Still no pasta, beans, or rice. Not that I needed or wanting any, just checking status. Water aisle pretty bare, just a few bottles of various single serving size varieties.

Last week the yogurt section, which is fairly large, was wiped out. I didn't need any, but it was so noticeably bare. Didn't check the butter or eggs sections.

Two new changes: 1. Signs saying no returns (yay!), 2. Signs saying checkers can no longer bag your groceries if you're bringing in used reusable bags. I applaud both. Checkers' and baggers' health is on the line enough as it is. We can bag our own stuff until this is over to help out.