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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Buying toys from supermarket.

74 replies

CD41 · 28/04/2020 07:24

Going for essentials anyway.

How frowned upon is it to have a browse down the toy aisle?

DS’s birthday this week and I’m worried I haven’t bought enough!

OP posts:
daisypond · 28/04/2020 07:27

It’s fine. You are at the supermarket. You can buy what they have.

MinorArcana · 28/04/2020 07:27

I bought some toys at the supermarket last week.

No one said anything about it or gave me any funny looks.

Probably the fact that I had a trolley full of food too proved that going for essentials was the main purpose of my trip Wink

TorysSuckRevokeArticle50 · 28/04/2020 07:27

It's fine. You're already there, as long as you don't spend ages faffing around delaying the queue outside you can look and buy anything they're selling.

justtakeatowel · 28/04/2020 07:28

Don't overthink! Of course it's ok

Original poster
CD41 · 28/04/2020 07:29

I’m hoping to go this evening (can’t go today as home alone with the kids whilst oh works) so hopefully there will be no queue!

OP posts:
midnightstar66 · 28/04/2020 07:31

Of course it's ok. If your weren't allowed to buy it they wouldn't be offering it for sale. I definitely find later in the evening a better/quieter time to go.

DecadentDeity · 28/04/2020 07:33

Just buy the toys - they are for sale and you can buy them - the people who think we should all be living on gruel have lost the plot!

Phifedean123 · 28/04/2020 07:39

I've been buying crafts and toys for my toddler to try keep him appeasedentertained it's fine. Your going for essentials anyway not like your going to just look at toys

Bagelsandbrie · 28/04/2020 07:40

The government has been really clear that if a shop is open and selling something you can buy it- whatever it is! Smile

Cremebrule · 28/04/2020 07:41

Why would you be worried? Just buy what you want. I doubt everyone filling up on booze is having angst about holding up the queues.

WhyCantIThinkOfAGoodOne · 28/04/2020 07:42

If the toys are being sold and you're there anyway I can't see the problem. I guess I wouldn't handle loads of them and put them back again but picking up the one you want and buying it with the rest of your shopping? Sure!

pretzele · 28/04/2020 07:44

I would say it's fine but you might not be able to buy everything you want. I tried to buy a toy for my dc a few weeks back but because it didn't scan they refused to sell it to me. Even though there was a price edge ticket clearly stating the cost.

Grobagsforever · 28/04/2020 07:45

Why would you put 'being frowned upon' as more of a worry than getting your son a gift?

SegregateMumBev · 28/04/2020 07:46

Depends on the "browsing". Picking up and then replacing lots of items isn't great - try to just look, and only lift the things you are going to buy.

BeyOnceBeyTwice · 28/04/2020 07:49

Yesterday there was a guy with 10 boxes of Frosties and 22 bottles of champagne in front of me in the queue. That's all he had 😂

IceCreamAndCandyfloss · 28/04/2020 07:52

Frosties and champagne makes for a strange party lol.

You can buy whatever online and in store as long as the shop is selling it. The economy has to have shoppers.

LoudBatPerson · 28/04/2020 07:53

Yesterday there was a guy with 10 boxes of Frosties and 22 bottles of champagne in front of me in the queue. That's all he had

^1:05 Minutes into this:

He obviously goes for the fancier version.

fedupwiththisshitnow · 28/04/2020 07:58

You can buy anything they're selling.

MarthasGinYard · 28/04/2020 07:59

I think it's fine as long as you are shopping on your own.

Unlike the idiot who had her dc hanging off the trolley saying 'pick which Lego you want, whilst he was dropping crisps all over the floor....he proceeded to pick up and browse every pack'

Funny she was then later in the Freezer aisle opening every fridge whilst he was choosing and putting back his ice lollies.

londonrach · 28/04/2020 08:02

Just buy the toys. Dd was with me shopping this week as no childcare. Shes three so read her riot act. She kept next to me, touched nothing etc. As a result after we got the food in the trolly we popped into the toy area to get her a small toy. No one said anything.

WhatWouldYouDoWhatWouldJesusDo · 28/04/2020 08:02

Tbh I think I'd frown at anyone who suggested a child should miss out on having a birthday because of the shit that's going on.

It's absolutely fine. As is ordering on Amazon and picking up some party games and a cake whilst you're there.

BarbaraofSeville · 28/04/2020 08:05

DS’s birthday this week and I’m worried I haven’t bought enough

Well that depends. He's 1 YO and you've already spent £300 on several items, that's more than enough already.

But if he's 8 and all you've got him so far is a pack of cards and a satsuma, then maybe something else would be nice for him.

But seriously, if the shop is open, you are allowed to buy whatever is on sale, following social distancing and not touching every item on the shelves.

Fluffybutter · 28/04/2020 08:05

Yes you can but be careful as in here I was ripped to absolute fucking shreds for having the audacity to say I was going to buy my dd birthday presents at the supermarket .
I was a selfish cunt apparently and had Coronavirus wished upon my family .
Dd had a lovely birthday though , hope your lo does too

c75kp0r · 28/04/2020 08:05

Play is essential for their development, so unless you are willing to have your kid play with pots and pans, toys are essential

Also essential for all of your sanity when they get bored with banging pots and pans and making houses of cereal packets

Willitneverend · 28/04/2020 08:07

I've been buying my DS a little Lego toy every week while I do the shopping. It cheers him up. He's getting a big Lego set for his birthday.

Just waiting for the ♟to show up and say I should be fashioning his birthday present from yoghurt pots and twine, but only if I already have them in the house.