To think we shouldn’t be buying clothes etc just now unless absolutely necessary

[Dylaninthemovies1]

One of my favourite shops has a sale. Quite a lot off. I’ve recieved a couple of texts from friends and my husband told me about the sale.

Much as I love a bargain, I feel that if I buy something I’m contributing to putting someone’s life at risk (those working in the warehouse, delivery driver etc). DH thinks I would be helping folk keep a job.

YABU - you should still buy clothes etc and contribute to the economy

YANBU - clothes are not a necessity and these places should be encouraged to close at this time

I had a big list of stuff that I wanted to order.
Dish washing block
Shampoo & conditioner bars
Epsom salts
Lavender oil
etc
But I'm not having anything unnecessary coming in to this house at the moment, you don't know what it's carrying or where it's been - so we are only getting what we NEED from the supermarket and wiping with Dettol wipes/Milton - as well as I don't want people out putting themselves at risk for crap I WANT. I know they need jobs but so does everyone else 🤷

Plus having people out delivering stuff to people with the luxury to be at home seems a bit off. Only essentials should be delivered atm imo.

I work for a small company, we sell moderately essential items ie not as essential as, say, bread or loo rolls but items that will be needed at some point in the next weeks or months to the people that order. Like hearing aid batteries would be. Plus a range of other stuff to compliment.

We have kept open so it is keeping jobs & providing a service. However we now open very early (5.30-6am) and work late in 2 shifts, slightly shorter, so the 4 people despatching only working 2 at a time so can distance in the packing area and among the shelving. We have cheap and nasty plastic gloves for them (old supply, all we could get, but they do the job). Phones are disinfected after shift(as they may ring out on them a couple of times). Parcels and Royal Mail are left outside for collection, and incoming boxes are stacked in the bike area under cover by the delivery drivers and sprayed over with disinfectant spray before coming in the building. Everyone else is now WFH most days, incoming phones on divert and so-on,video conference calls and whatsApps all day amongst us all. Seems to be working well, sales are up for essentials but down for ancillary items, but we expected that. The good news is we all so far are OK, and we are providing a necessary service and keeping jobs so far, however this company would fold if, say our main items became unavailable for months on end.

I needed new underwear and my daughter is about to grow out of her particular clothing size so I ordered a couple of bits for her in the sale so think that was okay, because we did really need those things.

Yep completely on the fence about this but I think I am going to hold of actually buying anything. I have lots of items in a basket so when all this is over massive shopping spread. I’m hopeful that will help the shopping industry.

If you want to support the economy you can buy gift vouchers.
There will be no shortage of demand for deliveries for essentials, Hermes and DPD drivers aren't going to go under.

YANBU.

www.theguardian.com/business/2020/mar/25/uk-postal-workers-plea-for-limit-to-non-essential-deliveries-royal-mail-coronavirus

I have had the same quandry. There are some things I would have bought online but have not because I don’t want to put anyone at risk.

However I also worry about those struggling to make a living atm. I believe for example Hermes drivers get paid per parcel they deliver. My local Hermes chap is fantastic and I would like to support his earnings. But then you are back to increasing risk, and so it goes in circles.

It's a tough one.

If no-one buys then those companies won't be there when this is over.

Maybe some of these companies could do more to reassure us about how they are keeping their employees safe like the PP.

I would buy what I needed just to keep money flowing in the economy. Nothing frivolous.

I was surprised to see that they were still running. Items from clothing and beauty shops would not be emergency items. Things from Amazon may or may not be. I ordered some clothes in the sale about 8 to 10 days ago. When boris gave his announcement Monday night I'd presumed my things wouldn't be delivered until after... but i got an email today to say my package is on its way. Why hasn't the delivery of things like this been stopped?

I agree with others we need to balance flattening the curve with keeping the economy going, most companies don't have massive cash reserves they rely on money coming in from our purchases to pay their staff.

there are few other pleasures left for us

Oh please!

I'm trying not to buy anything online although ask me again in 2 weeks .
I don't want to spend anything unless I have to as on 80% wage and 2 feel bad for those working it's not essential to buy clothes at the moment.
I've just sorted my spring/summer clothes and put my winter stuff away . I'm just living in my comfy clothes at the minute anyway .

I see it the same as ordering takeaway. It requires minimal contact between people, and it's going to keep those businesses going... no reason not to.

Also, it's getting warm here in Germany and my kids have outgrown everything from last year so it's either that or kit them out from the curtains like the von Trapps...

it's either that or kit them out from the curtains like the von Trapps...

Oh please do this and show us? Please?

Another reason to order online is that it stops people going out to the bigger supermarkets to trawl the clothing isles (if still open, sorry not been to a big supermarket that does clothes for 3 or 4 weeks or more).

Well, for me new clothes would be nice, but I can’t say necessary as I’m not going anywhere except a dog walk each day ! I feel guilty that I’m getting to stay safe at home while others are at risk outside

@Palavah we can't go on holiday, see friends, see family, visit places in the UK, go to the gym, swim, go for lunch/dinner, meet friends for drinks, even small things like working from cafes has gone, I'm pregnant so can't even drink. I enjoy buying a few nice items of clothing online so yes, I do consider it one of life's remaining little pleasures and no different from ordering takeaway.

I often look at clothes online but atm no kind of sale will tempt me, I don't need anything and will just use what I have. Always vying for tops with eye hooks but not something that is trending at the moment, much to my dismay.

Need to buy new shoes for dc very soon, she has awkward feet so ordered foot measures to come in the post before ordering shoes.

If you want a piece of clothing to cheer you up in some way then go for it.

Im not. In fact I returned some new things I’d bought last week.

Firstly I don’t need anymore clothes as I’m not going anywhere and secondly whilst my job is ok now, I don’t know what it will be like in 3 months time.

I placed a couple of orders a few days ago before the restrictions were as severe. I now feel guilty about the delivery driver having to bring my packages along with so many other peoples. I don't think I'll order again unless it's something really important like first aid items or pet food

I've decided to use this time as a silver lining, in that as I'm not physically at work I won't need any new clothes for a while, and am trying to lose weight while wfh.

Then once we are allowed out a bit more, I can maybe get new. smaller clothes at that time.

Surely just put a note to leave the deliveries outside if you’re worrying about infecting the driver? No one will thank you for putting them out of a job. Why deepen the economic crisis that is already lined up for so many British firms?

Are you in the UK? Aren't clothing shops supposed to be closed down now under the latest Government directive or are you talking about on-line shopping?

I've got way too many clothes and intend to get rid of loads. I'm going to have much fewer better quality clothes going forward. Why do we have do much stuff? Recent events have shown us all what is important .....and it isn't material possessions.

Also clearly the reason we are all getting bombarded with these sale sale sale emails is that these companies are desperate for cash. Presumably because rent is due at the end of March (end of month and end of quarter). There are currently no restrictions on creditors making statutory demands/presenting winding up petitions/admin applications, so I imagine the problems for many companies are quite pressing.

Also I would not be buying gift vouchers at a time like this. If the company goes bust (and many will) you will not get that money back.