Just got back from WalMart in beautiful Anaheim, California, home of every road construction crew in the Universe.

All is calm and quiet. I was actually surprised that for a Saturday at 1pm the store was not crowded...no lines at the registers. Lots of lamp oil...lots of TP, cat food, coffee at a good price...(priorities are important, ya know.)

How's WalMart in your neck of the woods?

-- Donna Barthuley (moment@pacbell.net), February 20, 1999

Answers

From Kentucky. Lots of oil lamps and oil. Have noticed they have started stocking larger portions of beans, flour and rice. This is new.

-- Linda A. (adahi@muhlon.com), February 20, 1999.

As discussed on other threads, WalMart had one of the best sales-analysis-marketing systems around. It sould be interest to watch how they change their stock and offerings. This is one of my litmus test for escallation of Panic.

As to the WalMart in the nearest town here in Texas to the Bear Den, it's doing fine although some notice has been had to whole products being bought out (what product seems to be random). Notice occasionaly that ALL the lamps and wicks will disappear (and be restocked next week).

-- Greybear, whos nearest town must remain a question due to generalized paranoia outbreaks

- Got Salt?

-- Greybear (greybear@home.com), February 20, 1999.

Hello, I just got back from Wal-mart myself. Not alot going on here in Cleburne, Texas. I went with my mom, who is a DGI and who thinks I have totally flipped out for believing. Well, let's see there was a sale on bleach and most of the store brand was gone. Also a sale on rice, tuna, chile, and a few other things. I am pretty sleepy right now 'cause I stayed up too late listening to Gary North on Art Bell last night. I am glad to see this BB is going so well right now although some of the people now are kinda scary. I had started reading this BB about a month or two ago when my computer crashed and was really messed up. I ended up having to get windows totally redone 'cause the whole thing was corrupted and I lost everything. Sorry to raddle (SP?) on so much. Does anyone know where to find wicks for oil lamps?

-- shellie (shellie01@hotmail.com), February 20, 1999.

What kind of wicks Shellie? My WalMart had a ton of wick replacement packages. I have several kinds of lamps...three. One uses fiberglass round, one is small cotton for small receptacle type lamps, and one uses standard replacement wicks. At my WalMart the wicks are in the same place as the lamp oil, which is 2.97 a gallon in clear, purple and blue.

If you check the internet, do a search on oil lamps you can find most anything. I found a great site that sells wick/stopper ceramic units that work with any bottle. The amount of light these generate is small but they are good in a bunch of wine bottles. I use other lamps or candles for reading by.

Wanchese Pottery in N. Carolina has these great ceramic units with everlasting fiberglass wicks for bottles...do a search on Wanchese Pottery. Got 3 for 10 bucks. Gave them with decorator bottles for Christmas.

-- Donna Barthuley (moment@pacbell.net), February 20, 1999.

Donna, Our WalMart shows no signs of Y2K hoarding. However, when I bought my Mossberg 12 ga. I asked the clerk if he was selling many of these guns, and he said that they were his best selling firearm. Went there again last night and all of the Mossbergs were gone along with another brand of short-barreled 12 ga. It seems that preparations are being made quietly and calmly.

-- No No (nono@nogo.com), February 20, 1999.

"Just got back from WalMart in beautiful Anaheim, California, home of every road construction crew in the Universe."

ROTFL, Donna! I've been to your Wal-Mart. Not too far from Disneyland. When I was there in May, there was a lot of construction going on, too. BTW, yours is the only Wal-Mart I have ever been to that wouldn't take an out of town check. I'm trying to visit them all. :-) Even the ones in Anchorage, Alaska, and Honolulu, Hawaii, will accept out of town checks.

My Wal-Mart is fine, except for bottled water. They can't keep it in stock. I've talked to every manager in the store about it. If any of them know about Y2K, they didn't let on.

-- Gayla Dunbar (privacy@please.com), February 20, 1999.

Dang, Gayla, I wish I had known you were in town...I'd have invited you for a visit to my little hovel!

-- Donna Barthuley (moment@pacbell.net), February 20, 1999.

My Walmart has just begin to stock their shelves with Prozac and Valium for all the crazy Y2K cultists who think the end of the world is coming. I asked a manager when they started to do this and he said last week and they have been moving it by the truckload ever since. Especially to housewives and people who don't have a job to go to every day but instead sit around in their house and keep track of some internet Q & A board.

-- (TinkyWinky@Falwell.Com), February 20, 1999.

I haven't noticed any shortages at either WalMart or Sam's, except as No No mentioned, the Mossbergs. A friend went to get one, but the 2 WalMarts he went to didn't have one in stock, although they did say they would be getting more soon. Sports Authority had them, but were priced $30 higher then Wally World.

-- Online2Much (shopping@WalMart._), February 20, 1999.

Wal*Mart report from northwestern Ohio:

Sale on 36 roll package of TP. I needed two shopping carts to haul away my supply. The young female clerk didn't ask any questions. She seems to be resigned that I'm just some madhappy spender. In fact, none of the clerks has asked any questions except for one grandmother cashier, who remarked, "You must like beef stew".

No Diamond book matches since Sunday. I've checked in other stores and will probably purchase some other brands there. Pennywise, book matches seem to be the best value over Ohio Blue Tip matches and butane lighters. Book matches are very compact, transportable and pack the most lights for your money.

There have been shortages of oil lamps, wicks and lamp oil, but these have been restocked. Because of my weekly purchases of Dinty Moore Beef Stew, the manager has decided to carry a larger than normal allotment. When the mass panic starts, I'll let others buy out their stock. Do you realize that our purchases help local Wal*Marts modify their stock? This has been observed in a previous post above.

I read where the lowly needle is one product which is so specialized that we cannot make it ourselves, so I bought dozens of them in all sizes. I don't know about some of you Y2K preppers, but I intend to SHARE what I have to those who need it. Who needs desperate enemies?

During all of the times I've been in Wal*Mart since last year, I've NEVER seen anyone else purchasing large amounts of merchandise. Sometimes I wonder if I'm one of the very few in my small city who is preparing for the next Depression. I admit it's not a happy topic to discuss, but if you don't warn people about the inevitable economic collapse which shall hit America, then they won't think about it and prepare. When they DO understand, so will millions of others, and then it will be mass panic. It will make world headlines for WEEKS.

I am not some nutcase troll. I have examined the evidence and my conscience and am taking necessary measures to help others who are still maddenly asleep and in denial. For those Christians reading this post, please pray to God that He will awaken America.

-- dinosaur (dinosaur@williams-net.com), February 20, 1999.

My local WalMarts had two "interesting" things occur recently. First, one developed a shortage of kerosene lamps and wicks when a family went down the aisle and loaded up every last one. Second, the next day the second area WalMart had one couple purchase one third of the Diamond matches on display, causing instant fears of a local shortage. Wonder who those shoppers were?

Other than that, there hasn't been much visible sign of anyone doing any Y2K purchasing. And this is a fairly high-tech area where people would supposedly be Y2K aware through exposure to the issue from the workplace.

Personally, I encountered a WalMart computer problem when purchasing another Ruger 10/22 rifle. Of course the state delayed the Brady check, so the store arranged to call once approval came through. Later the same day I was called and told I was "clean" and I could come and pick up my rifle. After driving thirty miles to the store, I was told the computers would not allow any weapons sales. It took another two days before I could get the gun.

Of course, two days later is when I first noticed the shelves were stacked with matches... ;)

WW

-- Wildweasel (vtmldm@epix.net), February 20, 1999.

Donna, The wicks I am looking for are the small cotton ones and the flat cotton ones. I have been looking for 2 months now and this Wal-mart must have them hidden somewhere. I did catch the lamp oil for 2.97 a bottle and thought that was a real good deal, as I expect the price will probaly go up when more people become aware. I didn't realize that oil lamps were so cheap. Just wonder how safe they are with small children in the house. Keep the light on.

-- shellie (shellie01@hotmail.com), February 20, 1999.

Shellie, no oil lamp or other burning appliance is truly safe around wee ones. When lit, keep the lamps on a stable piece of furniture well above the child's reach, and allow no horseplay in the room when burning a lamp... and never leave the room with a lamp lit, unless you take it with you. It's also a good idea to buy a fire extinguisher for every room you'll be using a lamp in.

-- Why2K? (who@knows.com), February 20, 1999.

Almost forgot: check your local hardware stores for wicks, most carry them.

-- Why2K? (who@knows.com), February 20, 1999.

My local WalMart in Phoenix is out of wicks for oil lamps, sterno stoves, emergency dental kits, all 12 ga shotgun shells and solar shower bags. Lots of y2k stuff at swaps at good prices. Got a good big tin funnel for $4. that looks like an antique.

-- ron (phxbanks@webtv.net), February 20, 1999.

My Wal-Mart seems to be fine but does experience some of the shortages that have been mentioned. Hubby went to a Target the other day where there were NO camp stoves or camp fuel (including propane). The stock clerk told him they can't keep them on the shelves. He bought their very last 2 quart stainless steel Thermos ($34). (To cook rice in. See archived post on Putting Rice to Bed if confused.)

I bought one of my local Sam's last two cases of Safe Heat on the shelves that day (week? I don't know how often they re-stock that stuff.)

Can't wait to get my replacement Aladdin parts from Lehman's this week! Ha! NOT! Maybe in April!

Shopping Fiend

-- Shopping Fiend (shopping@quietly.com), February 20, 1999.

WhyY2K, Hardware stores huh, ya know I never even thought to go there. See how new I am to all of this. I think I'll stop by there Monday and see what kind of goodies I can stock up on. I have been so worried about water and food I guess I haven't given alot of thought to other major items that surely will become a rare find in the months ahead.Thanks

-- shellie (shellie01@hotmail.com), February 20, 1999.

No Walmart problems here in central PA. Just the normal seasonal shift going on. Does this mean that Walmart passed it's fiscal year turnover? Even if they have some internal problems, if they can keep their shelves reasonably stocked, they passed as far as I'm concerned. Gayla is rather scary with that Walmart thing. She knew where I live because I'm within a half a mile of a Walmart (which makes me toast in the Milne book). Most people use a map and compass. Gayla uses Walmart :-)))

-- David (David@BankPacman.com), February 21, 1999.

Well, I don't go to Wal-Mart much, they don't care for us folk in the big city. Always have to locate in some back woods comunity where I have to drive for an hour and a half to get the same stuff I could drive for five minutes to get at Fred Meyer.

Fred Meyer is doing good. They've got some good sales on certain items. I dig the sale they got on Chef-Boy-Ar-Dee Tortellini. I stock up on that, because it is easy to make when I get up and get on the 'puter early in the morning.

FM had a really pretty cashier, but it looks like she cut her hair real short, so she's not so pretty right now.

FM has got lots of lamps and camping supplies for sale, and seem to be stocked up on everything.

Yep, I don't think I'm missing much by not going to Wal-Mart

-- Patrick Gulli (PG@Andovexity.edu), February 21, 1999.

Where I'm located there is a K-Mart directly across the main highway from the Wal*Mart. This makes searching for the lower prices convenient. My local Wal*Mart doesn't carry any of the big bags of food, nor does the K-Mart, although the latter stocks at least three times more food, but it's almost always higher priced. Still, K-Mart stocks Brunswick Herring Fish Steaks for $.69 per can. Yum, yum! :)

-- dinosaur (dinosaur@williams-net.com), February 21, 1999.

Wal*Mart update:

This evening I looked for Diamond book matches. None. I looked for large packages of Ivory soap. None.

There were no Diamond matches or large packages of Ivory because their warehouse supplier is temporarily out of stock. When the majority of Americans awaken and start stocking up, there will be aisles and aisles of empty shelves due to this Just In Time inventory system of distribution.

Thanks, Sam Walton. Too bad you're gonna miss the Y2K fireworks!

-- dinosaur (dinosaur@williams-net.com), February 21, 1999.

Hi All,

Our local Wal-Mart isn't experiencing any shortages that I know of. However, they really don't carry very much either. No bulk food items at all. The next closest Wal-mart is 42 miles away, but they carry alot more items. Something I have noticed is our local thrifty nickel (sale paper). Several adds looking for camping equipment, cots, milk cows, cheesemaking supplies, MRE's. I know there are people in the area that GI but it isn't widespread. Keeping my eyes open.

The 11:00 and all's well in West Central Texas. The sheeple are sleeping.

-- Sharon in Texas (Sking@drought-ridden.com), February 22, 1999.

A certain Wal-Mart in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley has just increased stock on the following items:

1lb propane cylinders - usually less than a dozen, now more than 1000! Yes, one thousand!

camp stoves (various styles) - usually less than a dozen, now upwards of 75-100!

Coleman lanterns (various styles) - usually less than a dozen, now upwards of 75-100!

They are now stocking fire-proof safes (80 lbs.) with the "camping equipment"!

Yowza!

-- Bingo1 (howe9@pop.shentel.net), February 23, 1999.

Update from the beautiful Shenandoah Valley:

1lb propane cylinders - now more than 2100!

camp stoves (various styles) - now 256!

Coleman lanterns (various styles) - now 1054!

They are also stocking fire-proof safes (up to 80 lbs.) with the "camping equipment"!

-- Bingo1 (howe9@pop.shentel.net), February 25, 1999.