To still buy non-essentials online for home delivery?

[Bubbinsmakesthree]

I’m torn about whether buying online is a good thing to do as it keeps people in jobs and the economy going.

Or a bad thing as it’s forcing people to travel to work and work in less than ideal conditions that promotes the spread of the virus

I’d like to buy stuff like things for the garden and toys for the kids but we can live without them.

So:

YANBU = ok to buy things like this

YABU = better to avoid it

I am also conflicted, Am stopping buying non essentials now unless part of an essential shop

I think you decide either way and be right. However, I have come down on the side of using the fact that my job is relatively secure to support the economy. The shorter the economic disruption the better. If the Government decide we need to do total lockdown to reduce contact further, then I will stop non-essential purchasing at that point.

I doubt you will be able to much longer, Next have suspended all home deliveries and I think others will soon follow suit (except the large book related retailer who doesn't seem to give a shit)

I work in a warehouse and it really is a catch 22 situation.No matter how hard we tried we couldn't maintain the social distancing. I was also aware that children were not going to stop growing just because they were indoors but also when I was packing pencils I will admit I did roll my eyes.
If you can live without it don't order is all I would say.

I was conflicted but had a lovely email from an independent seller that I've just bought some plants off of and she was grateful for the order.

I understand from friends in Italy you can now only order essentials online there (not verified so maybe someone else has more information). I would do it while you still can as the option may not exist soon. Meanwhile you are helping keep people in jobs - especially if you’re buying from small businesses.

I have ordered some "non essential" items as I am now stuck in the house for months on end with a only child preschooler who misses the social interaction and constant play at nursery (he was full time).

I think maintaining my sanity counts as essential so i have ordered colouring books and more Duplo for him. If Amazon continues delivering, I may also be adding on paint and brushes when the ones I want are back in stock.

I'm still supporting small independent businesses, but not buying from large companies unless essential.

I am conflicted too. I need some shoes for my son, he does not fit his any longer 😬
He has been going barefoot in the garden and we are not going anywhere else but next week will be colder
He has his wellies though so perhaps I will wait

I'm totally mixed on this. The delivery companies were complaining they are swamped. So I'm thinking waiting a couple of weeks, let the mayhem die down a bit before I order unnecessary stuff.
I've got my eyes on an IKEA order and a lego one!

Yes if this goes on we’ll need summer clothes for the kids, new shoes etc.

As for pencils - well I suddenly need them (plus lots of paper!) now I am trying to keep up their school work from home.

There’s lots of things that aren’t entirely frivolous but we could cope without.

Trying to find small businesses is a good idea - will contact our independent garden centre and see if they can deliver what we‘d like for the garden.

I’m a bit conflicted on this too. As others have said, small retailers still need the business.

Also interestingly, Dunelm closed their online store but have now started to take orders on selected lines again. I thought if anything, things would shut down more.

while I do feel for businesses, I think that social distancing is more essential right now.

No-one should have to be working in a warehouse to pack non essentials for example, or have to drive house to house to deliver. They are not essential jobs.

But I do get it that some children's clothes are going to be needed at some point.

I suppose it depends. If it's a solo trader, with all the stock on them, they might be glad of the business. Although is it still putting delivery staff and postal service at unnecessary risk? I ordered a new grill shelf/drip pan for my oven as spending a lot of time cooking at home and deep cleaning things. My old one didn't even fit my oven and was so encrusted it was beyond saving. Plus a new milk pan because my other one broke and with everyone at home, can't get by as easily making do with other things. I suppose they're quite essential. Dcs don't need clothes atm. Well ds needed PE trainers, but they can wait. I haven't been ordering any clothes, shoes or make up as don't see the point as not going anywhere.

I’m just about to place an order for garden stuff, since children are stuck at home, garden stuff makes it a bit easier for them, more to occupy them. We’ve also ordered craft stuff and summer clothes(although the clothes were essential!). I don’t see the issue.

Yes, kids birthdays have all feel in the isolation (I have 3 born in March 😫) and one will be beginning of may. Am I just not meant to get them anything?!

Fell * not feel

No-one should have to be working in a warehouse to pack non essentials for example, or have to drive house to house to deliver. They are not essential jobs.

No, but those people very well may prefer to actually have a job than be laid off though.

My husband is still going to work and I know he absolutely would prefer to be doing that than the alternative of not paying our bills.

It's my DD's birthday on April 6th and I've just bought her a non-essential gift online.

I don’t see the issue.

well the issue is that your order means people have to leave their house, which is where the government would like us all to stay, travel to work, work, and then travel home. All of which they hav eto do maintaining 2 m distnace which is impossible.

Then postal /delivery workers have to sort your parcels, and then deliver to your house, so expose themselves to more people who might have the virus.

We really do need to think in a more war like mentality.
As far as possible, don't expect other people to work to keep my life going, as everyone at work is putting their own lives at risk.

So, wrt clothes, bare minimum. Be creative, cut off jeans instead of buying shorts etc. hand me downs via FB. etc etc.

No, but those people very well may prefer to actually have a job than be laid off though.

and I am sure that they would rather be alive than dead.

The Government are trying to balance the slowing of the virus with the destruction to the economy and taking into account people’s tolerance for lockdown at its various levels. There may be some people who can tolerate total lock down for months on end, but most of us cannot and the Government is taking this into account. Total lockdown is hard in a multitude of ways and the Government will want to do it for as short a time as possible. I think it is a little arrogant to go against what the experts are advising us to do (or to suggest that others should), because the negative fall out could be huge.

What counts as essential?

Just basic food and medicine when the cupboard is bare? I ordered some stuff yesterday that I'm going to use in educating my children. School is shut, I see that as essential.

I am also conflicted, in general I am asking myself "do I really need this?" before ordering, and also trying to use local companies e.g local feed store for dog food. Still using Amazon and ebay but much more sparingly. Local buying/selling/for free groups and charity shops have also shut down though which does make sense but would have been a good place for people to get hold of clothes etc for growing kids.

I think it is a little arrogant to go against what the experts are advising us to do (or to suggest that others should), because the negative fall out could be huge.

Yes me too and I'm absolutely horrified at the number of people on MN who think we should have the army keeping us in our homes.