Having to shop when at risk

[YoursTunbridgeWells]

I'm in an at risk group.

I have used online shopping with ocado since the early 2000s.

They have now shut their website. I do have orders placed for a couple of weeks but no idea if they will honor them or will start with a fresh slate. I also need to book my next slot - you have always been able to book 3 weeks ahead and I have reserved slot but that mechanism has been overriden and not worked for the last month.

I can't get slots anywhere else - all gone for as long as you can book them for. Not a single slot to be had.

This means I will have to go out shopping for all of at some point. The way the shops are, I will be trawling round packed shops scrabbling for food, in crowded places potentially full of other people carrying the virus.

We live rurally and there are no support groups and nobody to help. A large family with 3 teens requires a lot of food. They all eat for 2 adults per day so even if there was support getting anyone to buy for a family of 6 isn' goign to work with restrictions.

We aren't the only people in this position. And I don't see any of the online retailers being able to support vulnerable people or those in isolation unless they are over 70. The date of birth is a simple test espcially when customers are registered.

Anyone could claim to be at risk or self isolating to get a priority slot. How on earth would a retailer like Tesco police this?

This means that may of us at risk will risk our health possibly daily just to get a little to eat.

[sleepyhead]

I'm shopping for a neighbour who is self-isolating due to her risk factors.

Could you pay a local teen or someone who's maybe out of work at the moment to shop for you?

[Kerning]

Ocado is saying they will release new slots soon and be in touch with existing customers.

[YoursTunbridgeWells]

I n theory yes I would but we're not even in a village. We're 10 miles from a shop and with the amount of food we get through, we'd need help every other day. I'm not sure anyone would want to help even if we paid them £10 -15 an hour because shopping is so unpleasant now.

I will likely be very ill if I get this virus but I can't see a way round the shopping issue.

[sleepyhead]

Well I would ask around because if I'd just lost my job and was getting £0 then I wouldn't turn my nose up at £10-15 to face the shops.

If they got 2 or 3 clients and cut a deal with the supermarket to let them bypass the limits on items on receipt of proof that they were shopping for multiple households then that could keep someone afloat for a bit.

[Kerning]

So you have orders placed for next two weeks? But concerned what happens after that? Ocado is prioritising existing customers over new customers, and say they will be in touch with existing customers soon to tell them how to access their website. I think perhaps you will not be able to book as far in advance as you have up to now - will that be a problem assuming you are able to get a slot?

I understand your concerns though, it's a very worrying time.

[Ginfordinner]

Are you on Facebook? Our local community Facebook pages are full of people offering to help out people with your circumstances. I live in a rural community, and our nearest supermarket is only 5 miles away, but if I lived near you I would help you out.

There is also another online community group called Nextdoor, that I belong to, and again, there are loads of neighbourly people offering to help.

I think now is the time to join as many social media groups as you can because there is a lot of help out there.

Another option is to drive your teenagers to the supermarket and stay in the car while they shop for you. Or, if you have a partner, ask him/her to shop. Or maybe pay a local student newly returned from university to go for you?

I feel for you. This is a horrible situation.

[ElizabethMainwaring]

If you have already booked the slot, it will be kept for you. I am in the same situation. Only customers who have deliveries due in the next couple of days can access the website.
Ocado will contact you to tell you when you can log in and make any amendments to your order.

[YoursTunbridgeWells]

Thank you all for your support. Lots of lovely hand holds/ support and ideas. I just loathe the uncertainity.I'm a planner and a prepper if you like and I struggle with the complete lack of certainty overplans.

Will keep people updated.