New thoughts on Panic

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Hello all,

I just had some recent insight into public panic the other day. Some people asked me if I knew where they could purchase portable kerosene heaters. I asked why and they said that they could not find one in the 3 local stores they visited. They were anxious to get one! I went to one of the stores mentioned and looked at the place where the heaters had been. There were now charcoal grills there! Ready for that summer barbecue! The heaters were most likely not available because of the "seasonal rotation" (like seeing Christmas trees in the stores in October). With the growing awareness, now there may be a perception of shortages due to out of season rotation based on past buying habits!

Any thoughts?

Mike

-- Mike (justmike11@yahoo.com), February 18, 1999

Answers

I am real interested in seeing whether or not winter products are being sold in late spring on the store floors. Bet they are.

May GODS Will Be Done

Mike

-- flierdude (mkessler0101@sprynet.com), February 18, 1999.


I was in Hechingers (lumber, hardware.dept/store) yesterday; no gensets,but what got my attn. was the cut prices on the large elect power tools. They were at least 1/2 less than in the past.

-- KoFE (Thephoneis@ring.ing), February 18, 1999.

Even if there are no kerosene heaters availabe at this time (and it's still winter here in California), I bet they are sold out and none will be available until this fall......that is unless TSHTF. Anything you think you will need to meet next Fall/Winter demand you should already have it and the fuel stored for it. Many will be found wanting. And if you are lucky enough to have one, get your extra wicks NOW!

-- bardou (bardou@baloney.com), February 18, 1999.

KoFE: I was in a Hechingers on Sunday. No generators.

-- Mike Lang (webflier@erols.com), February 18, 1999.

Bardou has a good point about having necessary Winter goods now. I'm looking for Winter clearance items such as clothing and boots which are available locally. I have no confidence there will be a cheap, ample supply in Autumn 99 if TSHTF.

I don't have any credit cards, so I'm spending only as fast as my weekly paycheck allows. Every bit of overtime helps. I'll be extremely urinated off if the good Winter items are rewarehoused so that Spring merchandise can be sold.

-- dinosaur (dinosaur@williams-net.com), February 18, 1999.



Suggestion: If the item you want is not on the floor of your local Lowe's, ask for the store manager. Sometimes they are in the back awaiting shipment back to the warehouse. Occasionally, you can work a deal with the manager who will discount the merchandise so that the store is not charged (intercompany charge) for the shipping and warehousing. I did this last week and got a real good deal on two Kerosuns. About 20% less than the flyer sale price in January. Worst that happens is you're told no--and that doesn't hurt, just aggravates. Lobo

-- Lobo (hiding@woods.com), February 19, 1999.

Check some of the catalogs like Northern and Grainger...they always have the stuff in a warehouse somewhere. Just got a sale catalog from Northern today and they have some great deals on things we can use - mom

-- Mother Hen (gathering@herchicks.com), February 20, 1999.

If you come far enough north, or head for the mountains, heaters are available all year round in camping stores. Even in July, it doesn't often stay very warm at night in the mountains.

-- Tricia the Canuck (jayles@telusplanet.net), February 21, 1999.

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