Buying non-essential items for delivery

[Livingoffcoffee]

Really curious to know views on this...ideally from anyone who works as a delivery person / in fulfilment centres / etc.

Is it unreasonable to be ordering "non essential" items for delivery right now? Is it putting more people unnecessarily at risk?

Or are fulfilment companies, etc managing to incorporate social distancing and by ordering items it's helping to keep their jobs going and the economy ticking over? Especially if you're ordering from small businesses?

I could argue the case either way, so would love to hear from people it actually impacts.

[Troels]

But you don't know and neither do the delivery company. What is essential?
I just ordered two pairs of shoes. Seems non essential my feet haven't grown.
One pair is for work, I'm still working, shoes on their last legs. Second pair so I get free shipping as they were both on sale. I didn't think I'd get work shoes till summer and was going to just carry on, but for half price I can afford them now, and have some nice ones for the better weather.

[Moreisnnogedag]

I’m not sure how the delivery guys feel about it but certainly all the small yarn / haberdashery / nurseries are keen for people to keep ordering. I think it’s probably because they can go to the shop and parcel up on their own rather than a fulfilment centre (I didn’t know that’s what they were called!).

[TimeAintNothing]

It depends on what you class as essential and whether it's a purchase that can wait or not. I've just bought a mobile phone for one of my DC to be delivered later this week so that they can keep in touch with their friends during the school closure, seems utterly frivolous but the lack of social contact is really doing a number of their emotional wellbeing so I consider it essential to remedy that.

[Isitbedtimesoon]

I'd love to know too. It would be great to order little bits for the house and treats for the kids, but don't want to do the wrong thing

[SlipSlidin]

We’re all going to be stuck in for months so you could argue that board games or anything that provides home entertainment is essential in order to stop millions of families being bored out their biscuit and possibly murdering each other.

The delivery drivers are deemed essential, does it really matter what they’re delivering?

[JustFrustrated]

This was covered the other day.

I believe consesus was that it's fine.

Keeps the economy ticking over, most delivery people aren't covered by the furlough scheme etc.

I'm ordering on line a plenty, and im pretty sure you could argue that eyebrow tint isn't an essentail.

[WotnoPasta]

We ordered some art materials and fish food today. Me and DD are doing a lot of art and the fish will all die without...

[P1nkHeartLovesCake]

Well the government haven’t banned us from it....yet

The courier I knows, who is self employed but works from whatever courier company said she’s never had such earning power

I will continue to order from companies selling, until the government tells me not too

[BelfryBat]

I ordered a luxury item from a small company and got an email thanking me for helping to keep them in business.

[demelzaaa]

Another thread on this. Goody.

[Tonz]

I've just ordered a lot of garden stuff for my kids trampoline swingset sandpit pool and seesaw. A whole summer at home is a long time for children and we are extremely fortunate to have a big garden they can play in. I feel that these things are important to protect the health and well being of my children. Sister doesn't have a garden so has ordered her children games and art stuff and laptops. If companies are willing to deliver then why not use them

[Bessica1970]

Demelzaa - you could just ignore if you’re not interested. No need to be so waspish!

[SlipSlidin]

I’ve just ordered a race night with quiz and bingo! We were going to go to the casino for dd’s birthday so I’ve had to improvise 😂

[britnay]

Surely its better than going to shops to buy them?

[RC1511]

I’ve just ordered a load of toys. Seems non essential but it’s both my children’s birthdays soon. They will be heartbroken if they wake up to no presents.

I’ve also been ordering some things to keep them
Occupied during this time and outdoor toys.

I’ve also ordered Dd some shoes. She has outgrown hers. We are playing in the garden a lot and going for walks so can’t be without them. My two seem to now grow sizes in a year or 2 then go up two sizes in one go! Mad!

Everyone will have different opinions on this but many delivery drivers are self employed I think therefore are probably earning more than usual! Just hope they are able to keep themselves safe!

[littlecontis]

I am actually considering ordering wine from small independent shops...keep the wineries and shops in businessordered some watercolour to start painting again this weekend.

[Livingoffcoffee]

Not trying to question what's essential, as understand that will be different for different people.

Really would like to know from those working to fulfil orders (from Amazon, etc) and deliver them if they are safe in the current working conditions. Or if ordering random/frivolous items is putting them in harms way

[SlipSlidin]

In what way would the nature of the item put the courier or warehouse worker in any more danger than another, you’re not making any sense.

[paddingtonbearsmarmalade]

I’m trying not to order many things but since I’m working from home indefinitely, I’ve needed a wireless mouse & laptop stand so I’m not hunched over the desk. Today I ordered my next three months’ worth of contact lenses so I can, you know, see & ordered some nice hand soap as a treat, and because the cheaper stuff is impossible to come by in my area.

If I’ve wanted other, less essential things, I’ve ordered them once I’ve needed essentials to limit packing and delivery needs and am waiting till lockdown is over to order some less essential but useful stuff for social distancing/working from home like comfy leggings & new jeans, plants for the study, etc.

What I do wish would happen is that companies would come out and say that all non-essential orders will be deprioritised and orders will be delivered slower than usual (eg no next day delivery even if you pay for a premier service) to ensure that staff in warehouses can adhere to social distancing and be kept safe.

Basically I’m trying to be sensible about what I order but also recognising that if these measures are long term, we are going to be relying on deliveries for lots of things! If I can order from or support small businesses I will be.

[aibutohavethisusername]

I work in a Supermarket. I ordered some new shoes because I’ve been walking miles and miles each day.

[Holothane]

Well sorry but dads birthday tokens are being ordered and bird coconuts for our bird table hubby loves watching the birds. Also two dehumidifiers for our home, little ones on the window. Which you fill with refills,.

[Redcherries]

I have an elderly great aunt in Canada with no family but me. She's dying from heart failure and 2 cancers, in lock down in a care home. I spoke to her today and she said she's completed the large print cross words books I left with her when I managed to see her earlier this year, she's too scared to watch the television as she's scared for me (shielded high risk) and has nothing else to do.

Delivery via Amazon Canada prime for cross word books is April 30th. I know its not essential but I'm heart broken I can't do that one little thing for a dying 97 year old lady in isolation. Crosswords are occupying her so she doesn't dwell too much and are a small act to allow me to express my love beyond a phone call.

[Redcherries]

But on the other hand, I don't want people at risk either. Warehouse, delivery etc.

Horrible bloody situation for everyone.

[BrigidSt]

Send the crossword books.

[BrigidSt]

I work in a small warehouse, we're down to two staff. Mail orders are the only thing feeding my family.