Community Chat

[tansy]

A tv segment I saw explained why we are experiencing such a severe shortage of tp.  

People are at home -- not at work or school.  So more residential tp is obviously needed.  Work places, schools, commercial outlets, etc., normally use a less 'cushy' type of tp.  

That tp is not being used in any quantity BUT the two types of tp are made in different factories and it's not easy to refigure the facilities that manufacture the huge rolls of commercial 1-ply tissue. 

What a frustrating mess.

[OKPrincess]

Yesterday Sam’s had a great supply of all paper products as well as disposable gloves. 

We have also found Reasor’s to be well stocked.

Maybe depends on the part of the country you live.

[tansy]

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@ValuSkr wrote:

I think it's a distribution system problem that will take some time to sort out.  With most people staying home, at-home use of paper towels, napkins, and TP has dramatically increased.  Meanwhile, institutional use of these products - at schools, offices, restaurants, etc. - has plummeted.  Manufacturers of institutional products are unable to pivot easily to home products for various reasons, such as product size (think of the huge roles of TP in public restrooms), pack size, quality (institutional quality is lower than home quality), and, not least, distribution system (retailers don't have relationships with institutional distributors).

It will get sorted out eventually, but the transition period may be difficult, especially if the free market is left alone to solve the problem. 

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You explained it better, @ValuSkr.  I think it was a segment on Sunday Morning.  

[homedecor1]

@qvcfreak 

Thank you for this I never think of Dollar General.  

At at some point I think these stores need to allow 2 when there is stock (of any paper products) if it's after senior hours or mid afternoon, or later in the day.  

Obviously, endless hours are spent "hunting" for the "prize"!

I don't know if I have the "endurance" to go everyday at the crack of dawn like many do!!!  

I'm dreading the day I need to start "hunting"!  Hopefully this paper hoarding will be over soon.

[butterfly123]

@OKPrincess 

Sorry everyone to go off topic. 

I have been racking my pea sized brain to search for your nic name. I have missed you and just wanted to let you know. Happy dance upon seeing your post. I hope you and DH are well.

Hugs of joy sweet friend, 

🦋

[Alison Wonderland]

They are still being produced. I know that HEB, the Texas grocery store chain, has even contacted the factories that make their store brand items and cut down on the configurations of paper goods so they could make more, faster. 

Have you tried using an app called Nextdoor? It connects neighbors based on address. A lot of neighborhoods are using it to post things they need and people are trading or offering to shop for vulnerable people and seniors. My sister was able to connect with neighbors one bought them some toilet paper.

Link: https://nextdoor.com/

[SunSprite]

@Reever  Alright, I'll bite because I am an always-curious-kind-of- person anyway. 

You just stated on the "grocery shopping is getting harder" thread that you spent $600 and purchased a month's worth of groceries. 

What is the time line/purchase amount that defines hoarding?  You are "shaking your head" at Americans hoarding......so help me understand please what that means. 

Perhaps that is the problem? We all have a different definition of hoarding versus stocking up?

[gizmogal]

@cozyseeker 

Aside from groceries, you can try hardware stores or places like Home Depot or Lowe's. They all carry paper towels and sometimes toilet paper and might be restocked by now. Also automotive supply places carry very durable paper towels. And have you tried dollar stores?  They are small and restock quickly because they don't always carry brand names. I'm sure there is TP in places you haven't tried. 

Also, ask your nearby neighbors if they can give you something you need and trade it for something you have or you can cook in exchange. 

As a last resort, if you stop at a firehouse or police station and explain your frustration and aggravation, they will probably understand hand over a roll of TP and/or paper towels to get you thru a day or so. 

Other people will always help even if a store can't be a supplier. Stay confident and don't get too worried about next month and onward; solve today's problems one day at a time. Part of resilience is resourcefulness.

You can get paper goods somehow. Distribution will improve. Bad times come to an end, too. 

[GCR18]

I think with more people at home, demand has increased.  Plus I think people that had trouble buying weeks ago are now stocking up.  It's a product everyone needs, one size fits all.

[qvcfreak]

@homedecor1 I was on my last package of 9 so I started looking and was going to different Walmart’s and HEB’s with no luck. On a whim I decided to stop and check and was so happy. Yay Dollar General