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It’s called InStok. The website and accompanying app were recently developed by two University of Texas students who saw their parents struggle to find hand sanitizer and other popular items in March.
InStok tracks the availability of in-demand items at Target, Walmart, Sam’s Club, eBay, CVS, and Walgreens. The results are local and include price estimates.
The app is available at a time when people are starting to "panic shop," a term used to describe the hoarding behavior shoppers display ahead of a disaster such as a tornado or third-wave of a pandemic.
RESULTS
A search for toilet paper in the Worcester area on Friday around 11: 30 a.m., provided some interesting results. At the time …
- The super-soft is the first to go: Target was all out of the extra cushy kind of paper, but likely had a more rough variety available, InStok said. Walgreens was running low but still had some for sale.
- Scott and Charmin are popular brands: If a store was out of one particular kind of TP, it was usually Scott or Charmin.
- Price-gouging: The TP listed on eBay seemed to be priced in-line with the market rate. Independent sellers may dramatically overinflate the value of hard-to-find items - it happened last winter with items such as hand sanitizer and paper products.
In addition to InStok, private, regional Facebook groups have popped up dedicated to sharing information about where to find sparsely stocked items.
Some of the items expected to be in high demand this season, according to USAToday are: hand sanitizer, toilet paper, disinfecting wipes and sprays, dumbbells, puzzles, face masks, patio heaters, Nintendo Switches, yeast, and thermometers.
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