He Has 17,700 Bottles of Hand Sanitizer and Nowhere to Sell Them

[laylalex 7,300]

Quote

Now, while millions of people across the country search in vain for hand sanitizer to protect themselves from the spread of the coronavirus, Mr. Colvin is sitting on 17,700 bottles of the stuff with little idea where to sell them.

 

“It’s been a huge amount of whiplash,” he said. “From being in a situation where what I’ve got coming and going could potentially put my family in a really good place financially to ‘What the heck am I going to do with all of this?’”

 

https://nyti.ms/2TYIhuI

 

This article has left me furious. I almost said unreasonably furious, but no, it's reasonable to be angry at people like this. This quote is absurd:

 

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“I honestly feel like it’s a public service,” he added. “I’m being paid for my public service.”

As a species, we suck. I am doing what I can to help, not buying any more loo roll because we have enough, ditto hand sanitizer, shopping judiciously and doing social distancing. I'm staying connected via phone and internet with everyone. Even though I had a mini-breakdown last night worrying, I realize panic isn't helping. Being mindful and present and of assistance to our loved ones and our communities does help though. We are all in this together. People like this are making things worse. 

 

edit: apologize for the weird variation in font sizes-- I'm posting on my phone.

Edited March 14, 2020 by laylalex

[Steeleballz 7,550]

 

    I bought a 60oz bottle of hand sanitizer last night, and my reaction after getting home was, WTH am I going to do with this humongous thing. It's too big to do anything with or leave anywhere, so it's currently under the bathroom sink, where it's likely to be forgotten. 

 

   We had some empty 3oz bottles for air travel and I am trying to remember where I put them. I don't want to go back to the store for something silly like that. I will fill those with sanitizer if I can find them.

 

   I heard a few people being told they could only purchase 2 bottles when I was checking out, so I am glad they are monitoring. Nobody needs more than a 60oz bottle for now anyway. They had signs all over the shelf. It's disappointing to see people even trying to do that given the situation.

Edited March 14, 2020 by Steeleballz

[laylalex 7,300]

I bought a gallon jug a few weeks ago which is... insane.  But I have been filling up little bottles and stuffing them in handbags, and I gave Al some to put in his jacket pocket and in his messenger bag. I was told off the other week for not having tampons in all my handbags on here but believe me, there is a bottle of hand sanitizer in every one now.

[Neonred 3,632]

I've got a couple of those half gallon jugs of sanitizer at the office and to be honest, we almost never use the stuff.  We wash our hands with soap and water.  Stuck one of those jugs out by the waiting area so our patients can use it before they are called back.

 

Waiting for the first person to try and take it out with them when they leave.

Edited March 14, 2020 by Neonred

[cyclone27 710]

1 gallon is sufficient for most families and hey if not consume it all least prepped for the next hysteria. 

[Steeleballz 7,550]

1 hour ago, cyclone27 said:

1 gallon is sufficient for most families and hey if not consume it all least prepped for the next hysteria. 

 

  I use the small bottles frequently and I've never finished one. I lose them or spill them before I ever run out. I just don't get people buying cases. People don't even know how to panic properly. If people are going to freak out, at least buy things they are going to use. 

[Steeleballz 7,550]

1 hour ago, Neonred said:

I've got a couple of those half gallon jugs of sanitizer at the office and to be honest, we almost never use the stuff.  We wash our hands with soap and water.  Stuck one of those jugs out by the waiting area so our patients can use it before they are called back.

 

Waiting for the first person to try and take it out with them when they leave.

 

  Sanitizer is great if you are stuck somewhere without soap and water. I would never use it if hand washing was an option. There are actually a lot of bacteria that are not killed by hand sanitizer. It's just better than not having anything.

[midwinterrose 277]

Doesn’t our “capitalist” society run on supply vs. demand?  Isn’t this a reflection of what investment bankers do daily with the stock market, except he’s doing it with physical products?

 

Not saying he’s right, but the U.S. has engaged in numerous wars to protect the capitalist ideology, isn’t it hypocritical to say he’s a jerk for employing it? The ‘fair market price’ for hand sanitizer has gone up due to increased demand and he and others are taking advantage.

 

 

[Steeleballz 7,550]

6 minutes ago, radharose said:

Doesn’t our “capitalist” society run on supply vs. demand?  Isn’t this a reflection of what investment bankers do daily with the stock market, except he’s doing it with physical products?

 

Not saying he’s right, but the U.S. has engaged in numerous wars to protect the capitalist ideology, isn’t it hypocritical to say he’s a jerk for employing it? The ‘fair market price’ for hand sanitizer has gone up due to increased demand and he and others are taking advantage.

 

 

 

  It is illegal to price gouge necessities in an emergency situation. The penalties for breaking these laws generally increase once a state of emergency is officially declared. It is not illegal for prices to increase due to demand. Companies will be paying overtime to keep up with demand, so I have no doubt we are going to see a temporary (hopefully) increase in prices in accordance with that demand. At the same time, price will likely drop down the road when shelves are overstocked with hand sanitizer and TP.

 

  Hopefully they prosecute the people who are price gouging to the fullest extent of the law though. They are only contributing to the problem.

 

  

[Steeleballz 7,550]

1 hour ago, radharose said:

Doesn’t our “capitalist” society run on supply vs. demand?  Isn’t this a reflection of what investment bankers do daily with the stock market, except he’s doing it with physical products?

 

Not saying he’s right, but the U.S. has engaged in numerous wars to protect the capitalist ideology, isn’t it hypocritical to say he’s a jerk for employing it? The ‘fair market price’ for hand sanitizer has gone up due to increased demand and he and others are taking advantage.

 

 

 

    I'm hearing a lot of stores are back in stock today with hand sanitizer and no price increases. The other side of free market economics is supply and there was never a real shortage of this stuff. The supply chain was always there.

 

   Anyway, kudos to this guy and his 17700 bottles of sanitizer. He is set with clean hands for life now, and an important, albeit expensive lesson to boot. 

[cyclone27 710]

[Steeleballz 7,550]

 

   I'm still wondering what's going on with masks. People bought them out everywhere, but I haven't seen anyone wearing one yet. What are people saving them for?

[yuna628 9,700]

17 minutes ago, Steeleballz said:

 

   I'm still wondering what's going on with masks. People bought them out everywhere, but I haven't seen anyone wearing one yet. What are people saving them for?

Saw several wearing them today as well as gloves... but the new thing seems to be those rubberized gardening gloves. O_o

[Steeleballz 7,550]

 

    Tennessee AG cracks down on men who hoarded thousands of sanitizer bottles amid shopper scare

 

 

[Dashinka 24,744]

46 minutes ago, Steeleballz said:

 

    Tennessee AG cracks down on men who hoarded thousands of sanitizer bottles amid shopper scare

 

 

Maybe he wanted to create an indoor slip ‘n slide.