As the virus began to take hold around the world in March, we all recall the mass stampedes of shoppers grabbing up as much toilet paper, paper towels, hand sanitizer and hand soap as they could muster.
Here in the states, one man had acquired over 17,000 bottles of hand sanitizer, which he was forced to donate.
For one Australian man who sought to profit off his hoarding, karma came back to bite him hard in a different way.
The Aussie in question tried to take advantage of the impending crisis and purchased 150 units of 32-pack toilet paper, and 150 units of hand sanitizer from Drakes Supermarket. He planned to sell them online at a mark up to make a profit on the $10,000 AUS ($6300 USD) he spent acquiring the product.
However, online marketplaces like eBay and Amazon have cracked down on price gougers trying to sell these necessities during the pandemic, and his plan fell apart. When eBay shut down his account, he called it quits.
When our Australian hoarder reportedly tried to return the toilet paper and sanitizer back to the Drakes Supermarket he bought it from they refused. Normal refund procedures during this time have been suspended for fear that the items could have been contaminated.
Many online felt this was the right thing.
There was not much sympathy to be had.
But people are loving the boss of Drakes Supermarket who had the perfect reaction to our hoarder friend.
John-Paul Drake took the call and told the man exactly what he thought of his request for a refund.
"He said he wanted to get a refund yesterday on 150 packets of 32-pack toilet paper, and 150 units of one-liter sanitizer."
As he told the local news:
"I told him that"
And then he stuck his middle finger up at the camera.
Drake is not particularly happy with hoarders as they cause the mass toilet paper shortage.
"If everyone had just bought the things that they had needed for their immediate short-term, we would be fine."
Instead, he claims they've sold eight months of toilet paper in about four weeks, while many struggle to get their own necessities.
So a refund? I think not.
In this time of uncertainty, when we're all trying to get through and survive the pandemic without getting infected, or infecting others, one of the most important things you can practice is compassion.
How much toilet paper do you really need? If you have all the soap, how are other people going to wash their hands to keep you from getting infected? How would you feel if you couldn't get your basic necessities?
A little compassion goes a long way.
@thejenniwren.teamlh.social/Bluesky
@NancyMace/X