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Opinion: Panic buyers have finally bled these Burnaby stores dry

I’ve been going to Costco for a long time. My ex-wife had a restaurant and used to buy a lot of stuff, and I’d tag along to do the heavy lifting. Costco is the place where everything is big and plentiful and occasionally outrageous.
costco burnaby
A sign posted at the Burnaby Costco on Brighton Avenue on Thursday. Chris Campbell photo

I’ve been going to Costco for a long time.

My ex-wife had a restaurant and used to buy a lot of stuff, and I’d tag along to do the heavy lifting. Costco is the place where everything is big and plentiful and occasionally outrageous.

Like, who needs 100 granola bars in a single box? Some people, apparently.

Not once in all of my years of shopping at Costco have I A) seen a lineup out the door and B) seen them be out of stock for something.

Well, that’s all changed now.

 

Panic buyers who are foolishly hoarding stuff have finally bled dry some of the items that Costco sells.

During the past few days, as the lineups have gotten longer outside, Costco in Burnaby has put up signs listing the items that they no longer have in stock.

It’s crazy. The store with the biggest stock is literally running out of items. See the tweet attached to this blog and the items include chicken. The sign above shows a bunch of other items not on stock.

It’s ridiculous because I went to four other stores just to check and these same items were all in stock.

burnaby costco hoarding covid-19 coronavirus
The Burnaby Costco on Brighton Avenue was lined up around the block on Tuesday. Lief Garrett photo

As the provincial government keeps reminding us, B.C.’s supply chains are in good shape. We aren’t in danger of running out of stuff – the only time shelves are empty are because people are buying too much.

Just get enough to last you two weeks and then go shopping again. You don’t need enough pasta to last you a year.

Get a grip, people.

Follow Chris Campbell on Twitter @shinebox44.