As I just posted over on IC, I went shopping over the lunch hour and hit Wal-Mart/Meijer/Target/Krogers. There were many empty spots on the shelves in the stores, all different departments. There was so much missing that I can't say, "Oh, all the foreign inports are gone."

Things that stood out to me:

Canned goods (Veggies!)

Propane, Butane canisters/Camping stoves

Stationary/Office -- notebooks, disks, computer supplies, calculators

Small appliances (toasters, coffee makers)

Pharmancy stuff -- Asprin products, hair dye, liquid soaps, tp.

I didn't see people filling carts and carts with survival stuff when I was there. Seems like most shoppers only had one or two items, or a basket of stuff for several days at Krogers. All the stores that stocked bottled water seemed to have plenty of that.

-- Anonymous, September 25, 2001

Answers

I'm sure there's no need for great concern, but as I wrote to Beckie on another thread, it's probably a good idea to stock up on anything you use on a regular basis that isn't grown or manufactured locally.

-- Anonymous, September 25, 2001

Interesting. I wonder if it's anything to do with transportation? I can't see anyone stashing small appliances, for instance. I do know Wal-Mart works on a very tight JIT system and so I'm also wondering if the demand for these items has dropped off, the computers have recognized it, but those who rearrange shelves haven;'t caught up yet.

-- Anonymous, September 25, 2001

OG, if it have only been one place, I wouldn't have noticed, but this was four fairly large stores! I've never seen gaps to this extent in Columbus in the middle of a weekday, even just after Y2K when there were some spot shortages of camping gear and propane.

-- Anonymous, September 25, 2001

One other thought: computers at Best Buy have the virus. I wonder if the virus is wide-spread and cutting into the JIT inventory, as you've suggested. I don't think it's a problem with the trucks: they're rolling, at least I saw a dozen or so trucks on my drive into work this morning. That's about right for that time of day.

-- Anonymous, September 25, 2001

Hmm, certainly bears keeping an eye on, that's for sure. And, as always, "It's better to have and not need than the other way 'round." I'm stashing TP again. . .

-- Anonymous, September 25, 2001

Inventory control problems sound more likely (like the Nimda virus), and some supply routes may have been shut down on and just after 9/11.

It would be such a leap forward (IMO) if we were to pull away from our just-in-time lifestyle.

-- Anonymous, September 25, 2001

OG said: " I can't see anyone stashing small appliances, for instance."

hehehe :^) When I went out in the garage to check to see if I had a syphon for the water barrels, I checked some other things as well. I have an extra Mr.Coffee coffee maker, 2 irons and toaster. I bought the coffee maker and one of the irons used and had bought a new iron and toaster, so I just put the used stuff on a shelf...just in case. I was going to suggest others buy some backups, in case things are hard to replace later on. There are still garage sales going on or thrift shops for used appliances, for that matter...you can buy new for a few bucks at Walmart. And yes I am a pack rat.

-- Anonymous, September 25, 2001

Oh sure, I've done that too, Mags! I have three coffee makers and three grinders, lol! (And I'm looking for a back-up bread machine, hehe.) But, like you, I bought them at yard sales. I just didn't think people would go ahead and buy brand new small appliances.

-- Anonymous, September 25, 2001

Old Git, probably the shortages are from delayed delivery. I like the feeling of having a backup, especially with the extra coffee pot.

-- Anonymous, September 25, 2001

And the extra coffee! I ate a can of chunky minestrone soup for lunch today, purchased 7/98. It didn't taste any different; in fact, it was quite good.

-- Anonymous, September 25, 2001

Good morning OG, I just read your last post again. I just got off the phone with a friend who has an accent and such a wonderful way of talking, so this time...I was reading your post the way she talks, it just hit me the difference it made, as anything would that I read would have. Something like this...and the COFFEE.... CAN I relate to THAT! I thought you would get a kick out of that. It's like day and night, after getting a good nights sleep...how I feel this morning.

Someone had said on another board about (PP) he thought maybe Y2K was forerunner for us, in preps for what is happening now. That is exactley what I thought also. We are up and running, so to speak...only to add to our stuff, not starting from scatch.

-- Anonymous, September 26, 2001

It also taught us what NOT to stash. I had stashed far too much soup, for instance, and donated a good bit of it. The small cans of shrimp I had were a great buy--get more! They can go in salad and in a sauce with noodles. Same with those canned oysters, regular or smoked. Bought too many green beans--found out Sweetie really doesn't like them :) Ditto for those tiny ears of corn and beets. I mean, he doesn't mind them now and then but would prefer other stuff. He does like canned asparagus. Yeah, I know, expensive stuff but no point in stashing only the inexpensive stuff if you're not going to eat or--or not eat enough of it to keep you going. Must also buy more multivites, ran those down too. And laundry detergent. Have one more giant jUg--haven't bought it for over two yEars!

-- Anonymous, September 26, 2001

I was shocked, yes shocked, when I found 3 cases of veggies I had put away in the bottom of the pantry. I'm glad they were peas and french cut green beans. I just bought more tuna, love tuna for sandwhiches and to mix with noodles. I like quaker oats too but, not the amount I have. I will be eating it for years! I also bought more vinegar because of all the uses that it has.

-- Anonymous, September 26, 2001

When I went to the store today (mind you, I live out in the boonies), they have cases upon cases of bottled water near their front entrance. Never saw that there before. The only thing I saw them low on was tuna. I bought the last they had of the tuna in water, 39 cents a can was a good price.

-- Anonymous, September 26, 2001