Coronavirus (COVID-19) Panic Buying?

[lovetravellingoz]

Indeed, I get the impression Aussies are too busy emptying supermarket shelves to go on holiday!
cheers skip

Not at the supermarkets I frequent. And at Costco, when don't shoppers here have full trollies?

I think it is more that hand sanitiser has a run on.

 

[blackcat20]

Went to Westfield yesterday and it was quieter than the previous Friday. Didn’t check out the supermarket but expecting to be disappointed when I shop tomorrow. Just when I needed flour too.

 

[tgh]

I have a pack of Chilean berries every few weeks ; I expect some pesticide residue but also expect equivalent to au hygiene.
When my dad retired he returned to his home in town and revitalised an old apricot orchard.
The fruit was magnificent but there was a strong chemical smell over every tree.
Asked about the dangers of too much spray , he scoffed that it was all quite harmless, grabbed an apricot and ate it as a demonstration.
He died in his 90's…..

 

[Lynda2475]

Last weekend whilst at Coles I commented to my Dad about how nice it was that stock levels were all back to nromal, and the effects of panic buying had subsided. Toilet paper (all brands) had been readily available for about 5 weeks. Fast forward to today, not a single roll of toilet paper in store - seems NSW has panicked off the back of the last panic buying in Vic.

I bought a 20 roll pack of Quilton on 2nd Jan (pre covid 19), I didnt panic buy any toilet paoer, but managed to get another 20 pack in mid April (when I was down to my last roll). Im now worried that when I need more paper at end of July it will be scarce again. With the crazy amounts some people purchased back in Jan and Feb do they really need to stock pile again???

In my local area (lots of oldies) people have been really good about social distancing in cafes, supermarket etc. But today I needed to got to Ikea (Rhodes), the people there seemed to lose all sense of distance once inside Ikea. I had to keep asking people to step back from me.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Quite fortuitously Mr FM bought a 36 pack of Quilton a week ago. He was shopping with Ms FM and they saw them - never seen one that big before, so they each bought one - I think we are right until next year, although hopefully the stupidity won’t get going again!

 

[blackcat20]

No sign of panic buying in my hotspot supermarket. Some different varieties of loo paper available but the aisle was full. The only things I couldn’t get were pork mince and wholemeal flour.

 

[JessicaTam]

Plenty of loo paper in my local Woolies, but the Coles' shelves were bare.

 

[Archphoto]

Our local Woolies had TP alright - all made in China . . .

 

[kyle]

Plenty of loo paper in my local Woolies, but the Coles' shelves were bare.

Same here. I say Coles will win this quarter's sales.

 

[OZDUCK]

At my local Shopping Centres in Perth both Woolies and Coles had about a 60% supply of TP. Coles had a enough of their 'own brand' to need to stack it on the floor.

 

[jakeseven7]

Our local Woolies had TP alright - all made in China . . .

Nice one Woolworths

 

[OZDUCK]

Nice one Woolworths

So are we not to purchase any goods from China? Should we also stop exporting Iron Ore and Coal to China? Are we happy to send the country into a complete depression not just a recession? The effects of the closure of state borders would just be a pinprick compared to the utter financial devastation such a move would cause.

Countries have always had to hold their nose when exporting to or importing from other countries. We exported plenty of products to the old "Communist Bloc" pre 1990. Yes we should be very careful about our dealings with China and other countries and should always be seeking new markets but we can't just say we will not buy from you but of course we still expect you to buy from us. Currently around 30% of Australia's exports by value go to China - shall we just cut 30% off our national income?

To quote the Australian Financial Review - "A record $10.6 billion monthly trade surplus in March suggests sales of iron ore, gold, coal and other exports to a reopening China could cushion the Australian economy's cliff-like fall due to the coronavirus." Trade surplus at record $10.6b thanks to iron ore, coal

 

[p--and--t]

So are we not to purchase any goods from China? Should we also stop exporting Iron Ore and Coal to China? Are we happy to send the country into a complete depression not just a recession? The effects of the closure of state borders would just be a pinprick compared to the utter financial devastation such a move would cause.

Countries have always had to hold their nose when exporting to or importing from other countries. We exported plenty of products to the old "Communist Bloc" pre 1990. Yes we should be very careful about our dealings with China and other countries and should always be seeking new markets but we can't just say we will not buy from you but of course we still expect you to buy from us. Currently around 30% of Australia's exports by value go to China - shall we just cut 30% off our national income?

To quote the Australian Financial Review - "A record $10.6 billion monthly trade surplus in March suggests sales of iron ore, gold, coal and other exports to a reopening China could cushion the Australian economy's cliff-like fall due to the coronavirus." Trade surplus at record $10.6b thanks to iron ore, coal

Can't argue with your sentiments, but perhaps first determine why the comment was made by the op.

Most people I know (including myself) are very particular with what they wipe their nether regions with and turn their nose up at many inferior brands (harshness, thinness, short rolls etc). There are only two brands I will buy.

In addition, while I don't think I've used the product referred to being sold by woollies, I was not overly impressed with the TP supplied at various premises during 3 previous visits to china. They may have improved quite a bit since my last visit (and some Aussie hotels could use better product too) so I can't compare comment or criticise.

Lastly, we do make exceedingly good TP product in AU and it supports local jobs in a time when our economy could do with some support.

 

[Pushka]

Our local Woolies had TP alright - all made in China . . .

That’s where the masks I bought a few weeks came from. But worse. WUHAN was on the label. Not noticed til I came home.

As far as buying goods from China. I do check labels these days and whether I buy or not depends on the particular product and whether there is an alternative. I declined to buy a jacket just now.

 

[OZDUCK]

Locally, very little T/Paper, zero soy milk and light on for several other staples


Can't argue with your sentiments, but perhaps first determine why the comment was made by the op.

Most people I know (including myself) are very particular with what they wipe their nether regions with and turn their nose up at many inferior brands. There are only two brands I will buy.

In addition, while I don't think I've used the product referred to being sold by woollies, I was not overly impressed with the TP supplied at various premises during 3 previous visits to china. They may have improved quite a bit since my last visit (and some Aussie hotel could use better product too) so I can't compare.

Fair enough, if the quality of the product is 2nd rate then you certainly should choose not to buy it. But I am concerned about the spread of isolationist feelings world wide. That pathway can lead to dangerous places.

 

[p--and--t]

But I am concerned about the spread of isolationist feelings world wide. That pathway can lead to dangerous places.

I'm standing beside you waving your flag on that subject

 

[Archphoto]

Nice one Woolworths

Up there with their paper bags . . . also made in China. Their excuse was pretty poor, seeing as they've been running their "trial" for a few months. If we can get ourselves up and running to make masks from zero, surely somone like Detmold (already do packaging!!) could start making paper bags.

As the song goes: "It's all about the money, money money . . . "

 

[Archphoto]

So are we not to purchase any goods from China? Should we also stop exporting Iron Ore and Coal to China? Are we happy to send the country into a complete depression not just a recession? The effects of the closure of state borders would just be a pinprick compared to the utter financial devastation such a move would cause.

Countries have always had to hold their nose when exporting to or importing from other countries. We exported plenty of products to the old "Communist Bloc" pre 1990. Yes we should be very careful about our dealings with China and other countries and should always be seeking new markets but we can't just say we will not buy from you but of course we still expect you to buy from us. Currently around 30% of Australia's exports by value go to China - shall we just cut 30% off our national income?

To quote the Australian Financial Review - "A record $10.6 billion monthly trade surplus in March suggests sales of iron ore, gold, coal and other exports to a reopening China could cushion the Australian economy's cliff-like fall due to the coronavirus." Trade surplus at record $10.6b thanks to iron ore, coal

My comment was based upon the continued assurances by our own manufacturers here in Australia, that we have ample in stock and won't run out - what really p****s me off though, is that we make the stuff here in SA, but it gets shipped to the eastern states before it gets supplied to us, and we are then offered stuff from China. (Have used Chinese TP in China and it's seriously cough - pun intended 100%! )

I don't have issues with stuff being made OS, but it's time these big companies started supporting struggling, Aussie businesses. While I applaud Twiggy for organising all those masks, I still have to ask why he didn't make moves to have them made here first and support Australian manufacturers? We got it off the ground darn quick and are continuing to produce them even now.

The entire planet is feeling the effects of this pandemic, but I feel China will recover an awful lot faster. Why? Because we buy so many products from them that could, in all honesty, be produced in our own backyards - while our economy struggles to recover, they'll be reaping the rewards. If nothing else, this pandemic has shown how badly we (and many other countries) have all their eggs in one basket - diversification would be prudent, "spread the wealth" so to speak. I'm not talking about taking an isolationist direction, as China certainly provides plenty of products that we couldn't produce, rather those that could be made here maybe should be. Right now, our economy could do with all the help it can get.

As always, YMMV

 

[drron]

If you think Woollies TP is carp you should try hospital brand stuff.

As for masks Med-con is the brand to buy even if they are made in Victoria.
Was good to see that is what was being used in Tassie the last few weeks.

 

[Pushka]

My comment was based upon the continued assurances by our own manufacturers here in Australia, that we have ample in stock and won't run out - what really p****s me off though, is that we make the stuff here in SA, but it gets shipped to the eastern states before it gets supplied to us, and we are then offered stuff from China. (Have used Chinese TP in China and it's seriously cough - pun intended 100%! )

I don't have issues with stuff being made OS, but it's time these big companies started supporting struggling, Aussie businesses. While I applaud Twiggy for organising all those masks, I still have to ask why he didn't make moves to have them made here first and support Australian manufacturers? We got it off the ground darn quick and are continuing to produce them even now.

The entire planet is feeling the effects of this pandemic, but I feel China will recover an awful lot faster. Why? Because we buy so many products from them that could, in all honesty, be produced in our own backyards - while our economy struggles to recover, they'll be reaping the rewards. If nothing else, this pandemic has shown how badly we (and many other countries) have all their eggs in one basket - diversification would be prudent, "spread the wealth" so to speak. I'm not talking about taking an isolationist direction, as China certainly provides plenty of products that we couldn't produce, rather those that could be made here maybe should be. Right now, our economy could do with all the help it can get.

As always, YMMV

But our own Governments are exceptionally bad at using at the first level, interstate providers, then second, overseas providers in preference to quality manufacturers/producers/advisers in SA

I tried Quilton during the pandemic as I'd never tried it before and it seems to be the brand most featured in the media. Didn't like it.

 

[Lynda2475]

I tried Quilton during the pandemic as I'd never tried it before and it seems to be the brand most featured in the media. Didn't like it.

I like Quilton, its 3 (or 4) ply, soft yet has integrity and is Aussie made. I cant stand that Kleenix stuff (USA style like Charmin) that disintergrates in your hand, the old formula 3 ply Kleenix was fine, but when they made it a replica of Charmin they lost me - that must have been well over 10 years ago now. Havent tried Sorbent in decades so dont know. Dad got me a 20 pack at his Coles this week, so I should be good til end of Nov now, buy which time I hope this nonsense has passed again.

I try to buy Australian wherever possible. With food in particular it is a safety matter (food handling standards, use of chemicals etc much stricter in Australia) and with toilet paper it is brand preference. Im less fussed on origin for things that dont get consumed or cleansers/moisturisers etc i.e. bin bags or a small appliance. For me Fruit, Veg, Seafood and meat have to be australian grown.

One of my most common gripes is Coles and Woollies constantly removing locally made brands and replacing with homebrand versions which almost always come from overseas. They seem to think we would rather save 5 cents than support local farmers. Aside from some frozen Veggies, all the coles brand frozen ready meals (espcially dumplings and seafood) and frozen fruit come from asian (mostly vietnam and China).