Ask HN: What obscure items have you noticed shortages caused by this pandemic?

[sigmaprimus]

We all know about the TP and N95 mask shortages, but I have started to notice things like hair dye and dog trimming kits being sold out.

Probably the strangest one I found was "National Geographic Rock Tumbling Kits" which I guess got bought up for home schooling projects?

Anyways just curious what other unexpected items have become diffict to buy?

[uptown]

Dog trimming kits makes sense. People are using them on both their pets and themselves. Standalone freezers went almost immediately when this began. This also makes sense as people decided to buy freezable foods in bulk and needed increased storage capacity.

Yeast has been almost impossible to find. Lots more people are making their own bread.

[ksaj → uptown]

We bought a deep freezer for ourselves at Christmas. We never had one in our past 20+ years, so for us it feels like quite a prescient purchase. We definitely are not having buyer's remorse.

[kediz → uptown]

Human trimming kit is sold out too

[op03]

Lot of car batteries are going to be dead.

[devchix]

Free weights and kettle bells. Not even on the used market.

Twill tape and elastic. This is a herringbone weave strip of fabric, you use it to tie pajama pants, cloth bags, things like that. People are using it for ties for homemade face covering.

[kediz]

Nitendo Switch is sold out across the world partially thanks to animal crossing.