To get my shopping delivered when not vulnerable

[CBAtoWalk]

So I started using online shopping a few years ago. Me and DH don’t drive, and although there is a medium sized Tesco a few minutes walk away, I found I was spending too much going every few days, so started doing a big shop online every 10 days. Saved loads of money, started meal planning. Really happy with the service from Tesco.

When lockdown started back in March/April I stopped online shopping as slots were few and far between, and I also received an email saying to leave slots for elderly/vulnerable/shielding.

I was perfectly able to get to the shops. The queues were sometimes 40-50 minutes or more, but I was furloughed and no kids so had all the time in the world to wait.

After a few months my Tesco managed to massively increase slots available. I came off furlough and started using online again, and now can get a slot easily, even next day. unlike with Waitrose that have 1 click and collect every 3 months.

However, I’ve seen on several recent threads here that it’s wrong to book groceries deliveries if you can get to the shops yourself. Who is BU?

YABU you are healthy and mobile, get your lazy arse to the shops woman! Others need the slots.

YANBU there are plenty of slots in your area, why not use them for your own convenience.

adjusts hard hat

Well I'd better get a hard hat too as I get deliveries from Sainsburys. All these stores (except Waitrose it seems) have hugely increased their capacity in order to meet demand and there are always loads of slots available when I get online. We're told that those who are vulnerable are prioritised by the supermarkets so in theory you shouldn't be depriving anyone.

If there are slots available then feel free to make use of them.

YANBU. You’re just as entitled to a slot as anyone else.

I’ve online shopped for years. We tried to use our pass to get deliveries for elderly parents but supermarket wouldn’t let us have 2 deliveries a week to different places but couldn’t sign up elderly parents for a slot!

There are more slots available now so carry on. Better than being out catching the virus.

I went to supermarket once as couldn’t get a slot. That week I tested positive for Covid. Had zero symptoms so they way I look at it you are protecting people by staying in as the one time I went grocery shopping I was potentially spreading Covid

If you can get a slot then use a slot.

Staying home is recommended after all.

Come on, the most vulnerable are protected now (more or less)

It's absolutely fine

YANBU. I don't shop online myself but anyone is entitled to a slot IMO.

Damn it voted YABU by mistake!
If you can get a slot book it, it’s not like at the start of the pandemic when slots were scarce.

I do, I don’t feel bad but then I’ve always done my shopping online for YEARS why would I suddenly change that.

I've online shopped since around 2012. I've been fortunate enough to get slots all through. Now I have Ocado reserved back so get a guaranteed weekly slot anyway, but during the first lockdown I'd often get up in the early hours to secure a slot.

I detested supermarkets before Covid so would do anything to avoid.

Those of us considered CEV get priority slots which you can’t book unless you’re on “the list”. You aren’t taking a slot from anyone who is shielding. Surely the fewer people out in the shops the better? Can’t see an issue.

Where slots are available, use them. The more of us not going into shops, staying apart, the better.

Word to the wise OP, don’t make your life decisions based on the pontification of strangers on the internet.

It's fine now. It was different last year when people who really needed slots for the vulnerable couldn't get them, but I think far more slots are available now. And the most vulnerable should be vaccinated by now, too.

Absolutely don't think twice about it.

FYI, with Tesco, priority delivery slots come up as a separate choice for those who meet the criteria. You know when you select what type of slot you want ie a particular hour or a flexible one? People with priority have a priority option they can click on that screen. So you don't even have access to their slots, and you're not depriving anyone.

I get a Waitrose shop every fortnight and don't find it hard to get one. I do have to wait and check in quite a bit but I've had one for a while now.

YANBU as they aren't saying people need to stop. It also creates more jobs so I don't think it's a bad thing to use it.

You could do what we do if you feel bad, do a large fortnightly shop then top up once between from a local store (ours are village stores and basically empty most of the time).

The morality of taking up a slot was debateable in the initial stages of the first lockdown, when there was a real shortage and people were in genuine fear of not having food. That might still be the case in some areas with low coverage, but for most places there are enough slots for everybody who wants one.

@Randominternetbitch

Word to the wise OP, don’t make your life decisions based on the pontification of strangers on the internet.

TBH I’m more trying to gather your opinions as I want to know if I’m being judged by the lovely guys that deliver our shopping. I was chatting to him today about my new job, so he knows I’m not housebound for any reason.

I get a weekly shop delivered home on a Tuesday, and I do my mum's shopping in a supermarket on a Friday. Because I also look after my Dad who is CEV I don't want to spend ages doing ours in a supermarket as well.

I wouldn't feel guilty in your position.

My account is vulnerable as my fil can no longer drive and I use my own account to shop for him (he has no mobile/internet). I frequently struggle to get slots for him, even though at 80+ and being disabled, he is among society's most vulnerable. However, that is not due to people like you, because you are using ordinary slots, not vulnerable slots.

I've had slots for years including through this pandemic.If they're available I'm using them.

Slots have increased massively, the fewer people out and about the better, go for it.

I switched to click and collect during the first peak but been back on deliveries for months. I'm pregnant so not giving them up and adding to my own risk.

I’ve been continuing to get Ocado deliveries all the way through lockdown, I’ve been a customer with them for 6 years, why would I stop now?

If slots are available then use them.
I think the supermarkets have been employing more pickers to fulfill the massive increase in demand.

We do both. Big supermarket shop then i've been using Amazon fresh when needed. I know I can get shopping delivered 3-4 hours after placing an order.

Not unreasonable at all. If there's plenty of availability then you're not taking anything away from anyone else and you're reducing the number of people who you come into contact with (and who have to come into contact with you).