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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:
lockdownstress · 28/04/2020 08:08

I went to Sainsburys the other day for the express purpose of buying clothes. I'm a key worker, my only pair of work trousers had a big hole in a sensitive place and my jeans were falling apart. don't stress.

IceCreamAndCandyfloss · 28/04/2020 08:09

Fluffy, I don’t see how buying a toy is any different to buying wine etc. No one needs wine. I wonder why one non essential is different to another.

As long as people aren’t handling things and putting them back down rather than buying.

Clymene · 28/04/2020 08:10

@Fluffybutter - I think there are a lot of people who are mentally unwell posting on these threads.

ANoiseAnnoys · 28/04/2020 08:10

There is no such thing as “buy only essential items” - the government have made that clear. They need us to buy as much stuff as possible to keep the economy going.

It makes me mad that people even have to ask questions like this for worry of getting into trouble or having people look at them funny. A result of scaremongering in the press and on social media.

Of course you should buy the toys.

Bagelsandbrie · 28/04/2020 08:11

@MarthasGinYard I think you need to be a bit careful judging things like that. I have a son with autism and learning disabilities and I have to take him shopping with me as I have no one else to watch him. The only way I can get round the shop is to promise him that we will look at the toy section. And yes I do try to make sure he doesn’t pick up and touch every toy but sometimes it’s really hard, he will have a huge meltdown in the shop if I correct him too much and that means I can’t continue to get my shopping and will have to leave the store. I’m not saying that is what was happening here but it’s very easy to see a snapshot in a shop and make a judgement about someone’s parenting when you don’t actually know what’s going on.

SuitedandBooted · 28/04/2020 08:22

It's fine, just don't take too long if people are waiting outside, and don't touch and put back lots of things.

Going forward, ignore everything you see on Facebook and in the tabloids, and stick to www.gov.uk/coronavirus and the better quality press.

ThisGunsForHire · 28/04/2020 08:23

If you’re already in a shop, buy whatever you want.

BeyOnceBeyTwice · 28/04/2020 08:24

@LoudBatPerson 😂😂😂😂

Rainb0wDrops · 28/04/2020 08:25

Of course, you can buy anything available for sale. Going just for toys would be a bit questionable but as part of your normal shop it's absolutely fine.
Hope your ds has a great birthday.

Washyourhandsyoufilthyanimal · 28/04/2020 08:26

Why are there threads like this all the time? No one is scrutinising what you buy! If you are there buying essentials then why can’t you pick up a toy!? Im starting to think people are misunderstanding the rules on purpose now as we can’t keep going over this and over this and yet people still don’t get it!!

Fluffybutter · 28/04/2020 08:28

@Clymene Must be , they were savage !

DecadentDeity · 28/04/2020 08:29

@Fluffybutter I think there are lots of people with extreme levels of anxiety posting on these threads - it was particularly bad at the beginning of lockdown, wishing COVID on anyone should indicate to you how disordered their thinking is.

PickAChew · 28/04/2020 08:30

If they sell it, you can buy it.

RenegadeMrs · 28/04/2020 08:30

I picked up a PS4 from the argos in my local Sainsburys while doing a big shop the other week and no one batted an eyelid. Grin

People still have birthdays and kids still need entertaining even though we are in lockdown. Go for it.

Chloemol · 28/04/2020 08:30

It’s fine. The government made it clear that you can but whatever is in the shop if shopping for essential supplies at the same time

GroundHogDayGurl · 28/04/2020 08:30

I did. My DS is 1 tomorrow! I bought him gifts, balloons, banners etc. Also the entertainer is open online & Smyths is also open online

JoJothesquirrel · 28/04/2020 08:32

I bought presents for ds’s birthday in the supermarket. I felt the need to shout at the till woman (from a safe distance) that it was his birthday and everyone sent money rather than make a trip. She didn’t care, the rest of the queue didn’t care but it made me feel better.

Greenpop21 · 28/04/2020 08:33

It’s fine, so long as you’re there to get food and it’s not a special trip for toys.

PickAChew · 28/04/2020 08:36

And markses was quiet, yesterday, and actively encouraging people to browse their ground floor for a small selection of clothes, kids clothes, undies, kitchen stuff and toiletries which they could pay for in the food hall. I think they want to get stock shifted.

Chockablok · 28/04/2020 08:37

A result of scaremongering in the press and on social media.

And the permanently anxious / self-righteous crowd on MN arguing that milk is not an essential item and thus not allowed... Why can't you just drink your coffee black????

Peppafrig · 28/04/2020 08:41

@MarthasGinYard are single parents not allowed to shop now? Did I miss that memo?

okiedokieme · 28/04/2020 08:41

You can buy anything in the shops, also Argos has click and collect at many Sainsburys. Plenty of people browsing clothes last week

Blackbear19 · 28/04/2020 08:45

The government clearly wants money to be spent and not hoarded away. If they didn't want money to be spent furlough would be much less than 80%Wink

Toys can be bought online and from Argos in Sainsbury's. Toys are as essential as alcohol and fence paint Grin

Initially in lockdown I felt guilty at the thought of ordering non-essentials online but then realised that actually we need to keep spending, VAT helps fund the services we all need. The local guitar shop told me over the phone they were busier than ChristmasGrin.

saffy1234 · 28/04/2020 08:47

It's my daughters birthday today and I did it and online with Argos!
It is essential,it's her birthday!!!
As is clothes etc

Beautiful3 · 28/04/2020 08:50

Yes of course.