Ordering non essentials online?

[CaramelEmporium]

We are staying in (other than necessary food shopping) and thinking about how to get thro the next few months. Family of 3 with a DD6.
We were talking about getting stuff like art and craft and toys stuff, things for the garden, a new tablet etc. So all non essentials but will make the next few months more tolerable hopefully. These shops are all open but it feels wrong to go shop to shop spreading any germs I might so thinking about ordering online. Aibu to do so? They aren’t essential purchases and so it feels wrong somehow. Am I overthinking this?

Not unreasonable at all, but if you can direct the business anywhere other than Amazon, that would be preferable.

@Fatted DD's birthday is end of April & ive got all her presents on order already just in case Hermes/Royal Mail stop delivering.

I ordered loads of toiletries last night - shampoo, conditioner, shower gel etc.

I might order some new pjs and slippers later.

YABU if all you do is order from Amazon but there are many small businesses out there who you can order from online.

A bit off thread, but I do think that people that do not have to self isolate and no particular risk factors should leave supermarket delivery slots for those that are genuinely not able to get out.
I went out this morning, avoided supermarkets with long queues, but once inside a supermarket, no particular close contact.
People being selfish about this are making things unnecessarily hard for anyone that HAS to self isolate.
Only conversation/closish contact in the supermarket was asking the dopey cow who felt the need to pick up and inspect every single courgette whether or not she'd heard about the virus, and which courgettes had she managed not to put her mitts on and breathe over.
All unwrapped fruit and veg will be thoroughly washed and/or peeled.

Hermes just delivered, he stood well back & I took the box with a disposable glove on & it's in quarantine in the garage for a few days so there's minimal risk of passing anything on.

I worry about the people working to fulfil orders etc but I know someone who works for Footlocker, they're using 5 stores around the country to fulfil online orders & he's working in one. If he wasn't he wouldn't be getting paid he's low risk so he's going to work

Do it. One of my silver linings is that I'll be home for every single online delivery for the next 12 weeks

I am deliberately going to spend all my money on ordering things online and takeaways

We MUST spend our money, I would say it's just as essential as following the guidelines

I suppose it just feels frivolous to be thinking about ordering bbq brickets and the like when I’ve friends in the NHS and police doing important stuff.

I'm an NHS worker and would rather people do everything they can to social distance.

So if you want to order stuff in to make that more bearable (and therefore you'll be less tempted to go out) then I would enthusiastically support this.

to reply to Fr0gs point I wouldn’t use a supermarket slot, we are not self isolating due to any symptoms and others have a greater need. But we will minimise how often we go. Any ordering would be local toy store, Homebase/John Lewis sort of places.
Anyway thankyou all, it has cleared up my thoughts on things.

I've been thinking the same thing. But we do need to keep the economy going. It does seem selfish to ask the warehouse workers / delivery to be contacting other people when the rest of us are trying to reduce social contact.

My husband has been trying by some basic gym equipment/weights and can't get any anywhere!

We must keep the economy going so shop online but think twice about using those businesses who are widely reported as paying very little tax despite having massive turnovers.

Yes I will be ordering a new slow cooker from Amazon .(old one had it)! and some summer tops as well (M and S ).Also need a kettle .One thing I was wondering ,do you think its safe to order on E bay ? Germs from someones hands (home enviroment) Sounds a bit silly really but not sure !

Can I ask why this would be an issue? I genuinely don't understand.

I can fully understand why the OP asked the question. The blame culture. The tipping point for me was the Daily Fail labelling EVERYONE supermarket shopping today as greedy selfish stockpilers. No I haven't been out today, but the fact that I feel I have to say that says it all. OP if the shops are willing to sell the goods, then feel free to buy. If there comes an issue, then it is for others to do something about it eg Amazon changes to what they will stock, or the Govt imposing restrictions.

I've ordered paint and wallpaper so I can get some decorating done during social isolation. When the weather's a bit warmer, I might order some plants for the garden.

I've ordered paint and wallpaper so I can get some decorating done during social isolation. When the weather's a bit warmer, I might order some plants for the garden.

Oh, fun! I've been wallpapering like mad, I wish I'd deferred it to our Period fo Confinement. It's very satisfying.

For some people, Amazon are offering £5 off £25 spend.

Products need to be sold and fulfilled by Amazon (unfortunately nothing I want!)

The code is MYDISCOUNT5.

Info and relevant/excluded categories etc: www.moneysavingexpert.com/deals/amazon/

I feel the same with online delivery as aren't we causing non key workers to have to work, to fulfil the order. Therefore putting them at risk.
I totally get it keeps the economy / businesses safe but large warehouses are still a gathering.
Hopefully the large amazon warehouses and the rest are observing best practices to keep their warehouse staff safe.

Although I am sure they could pay staff to stay at home.

People are still going to need things other than food over the coming weeks. Imagine being in isolation and your TV/washing machine/other piece of equipment breaks down. It is going to need replacing. People will need to order books/craft material/anything else to keep them occupied. It's going to be a long few months as it is.

If these items will make your family happy and stop them going mad with boredom, then they are essentials in my opinion. It will also help keep the economy going so get ordering OP

It sounds like a good plan. The non essentials won't be exorbitantly priced too, you might even get a bargain or two. Go for it, it's what the internet is for.

I've had the same dilemma. For those who don't see the problem...

You place an order online. Someone probably has to be in an office, working with other people, travelling to work somehow, buying fuel/transport from someone, to process the payment. Other people then have to go to work to pick and ship the orders. Others then have to deliver it. Prior to this, someone has to manufacture and ship and transport the product. Any of these people could be contagious and infect colleagues, service station employees and users, customers etc. They may have to arrange childcare for while they work and that also has risks (Grandparents/ schools/neighbours) etc.

The virus can live on surfaces for a few days so it's not just person to person comtact.

I'm keeping shopping to essentials for the moment anyhow.

Couriers are all doing contactless delivery now, they leave it in a safe place. Same with take away deliveries.