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Original poster

Are you a delivery person or do you work in a retail warehouse? Can you tell me...

43 replies

Dennisreynoldsduster · 26/03/2020 09:26

... if ordering non essential items at the moment is a really dickish thing to do?
I’ve had a lot of parcels from my work so I can set up my home office and work remotely for the foreseeable. I’ve been a bit embarrassed as it’s the same delivery people each time - who are lovely I hasten to add and perfectly cheery.

However DH mentioned ordering some bits for the garden so we can work on it at the weekends while stuck at home and getting a jumperoo for DS so he can bounce/ be entertained.

Initially I thought it helps the economy to keep shopping (and a few posters mentioned this in another thread) but now I’m thinking is this just moronic behaviour in a time of national crisis? Is it making the warehouse workers HAVE to be at work?
We don’t need these items they would be very nice to have in lockdown but now I’m not sure what to do. DH thinks I’m massively overthinking it and that the economy needs all the help it can get. Plus so many things are out of stock he thinks everyone has been doing the same. Not that it makes it right of course.

What would you say?

OP posts:
POP7777777 · 26/03/2020 09:28

Watching with interest as I'm wondering the same thing?

purpleboy · 26/03/2020 09:32

I think these people have to be at work until their employers tell them otherwise don't they? So at least if they have orders they are likely to keep their job?
Also if it's things to keep you busy during this shitty time and jobs that otherwise won't get down then surely that is a good thing?

Deelish75 · 26/03/2020 09:34

I had DS’s birthday present delivered the other day. Delivery driver put parcel on door step, knocked on door waited by my garden gate. I didn’t sign anything. As a customer I’m happy with that as driver did seem to be doing everything to keep himself safe whilst out delivering but I don’t know what conditions are like in sorting/warehouse, they are my concerns now.

Falangalangadingdang · 26/03/2020 09:35

Aren't a lot of delivery drivers self-employed? If so then they need to deliver parcels to keep an income coming in. It's not quite as clear cut I believe with government assistance with SE persons.

Rosegoldglass · 26/03/2020 09:35

I’m putting off buying things online, I just feel that for me it feels entitled. I want stuff therefore someone must put themselves and family in danger so that I can have my stuff.
I also hear the stuff about the economy but I just can’t order things knowing that my items would be non essential.

Original poster
Dennisreynoldsduster · 26/03/2020 09:49

@rosegoldglass that was my worry really
I feel like a bit of a spoiled brat

OP posts:
Cornettoninja · 26/03/2020 10:03

I’ve been thinking about this too.

On one hand I fully expect any non-urgent orders to be take longer/be delayed to prioritise essential ones or accommodate staff sickness. Also a lot of people are still expected to work and it keeps the economy moving and hopefully means that their jobs will be safe. It also minimises people’s chances of going out to find stuff themselves.

On the other it’s expecting people who’ve probably only got the choice of work or financial ruin to increase their risk.

On balance I think it’s the lesser of two evils - particularly as it encourages more people to stay at home. I have so much respect for anyone in this sector (and I include retail staff) because they’re providing such a valuable service and hopefully making it easier to get people to comply with distancing. It’s a huge contribution to this emergency.

Original poster
Dennisreynoldsduster · 26/03/2020 10:19

Yes. Totally agree
I hope when (if!) we all come through this all of these key invaluable workers are truly given the recognition and wages they deserve

OP posts:
TheReelSlimShady · 26/03/2020 10:32

I'm conflicted as well. I have ordered a few things that are probably non-essential. Even through Amazon, a lot of items are sold by third party smaller stores and use the Amazon logistics part to deliver those.

It's also the time when a lot of people are home and could be doing DIY / sorting out the gardens, but obviously need supplies to do those.

I think the problem is it's that unknown. If it's just 3 weeks, I think people could hold off more easily than if it's going to be 3 months.

mummyof2ds · 26/03/2020 10:41

All amazon driver are self employed as my dp works for them so if nobody orders there's no work for them and they won't get paid

Original poster
Dennisreynoldsduster · 26/03/2020 13:04

That’s good to know mummy

OP posts:
Wingedharpy · 26/03/2020 13:47

Well, it WILL be 3 months for some of us shielders @TheReelSlimShady....at least.

Original poster
Dennisreynoldsduster · 27/03/2020 08:19

I’ve just read an article online about the horrible conditions amazon warehouse workers are dealing with and now I feel terrible.
I bit the bullet and ordered the next size up grobag, some bottle teats, some weaning spoons and a few other bits we needed for the little one, and then read that and felt a bit sick that I’m
Contributing to it.
My feeling was that I was helping to keep self employed delivery drivers in work after a previous poster pointed this out but now I’m back to feeling guilty again

DS is growing out of his sleepsuits as well and I was going to order more of those - then I thought I’d wait but now next has closed down online as well I’m thinking I probably should as we just don’t know when things will close/open etc

Basically I think I’m going to feel bad whatever I do!

OP posts:
hoorayforharoldlloyd · 27/03/2020 08:24

With sleepsuits, could you cut off the feet? That's what I'm going to try with ours to eke them out further. Plus if your baby is in a grobag they will be fine in a long sleeve top instead.

Been thinking the same things about essential /non essential.

Original poster
Dennisreynoldsduster · 27/03/2020 16:27

GREAT IDEA. I’m going to do that I don’t know why I didn’t think of that, he always grows out of them lengthways first
I don’t have many socks and he always gets cold feet but I can make do with what I’ve got

I already get so much delivered due to my job so I’m really conscious of getting more.

Plus let’s face it, it’s another contamination route as well!

OP posts:
Daisiest · 27/03/2020 16:35

BIL is a delivery driver and said he doesn't mind risking his health to deliver essentials, but when it's Sheila from number 24 getting more shit from next directory it makes his blood boil.

FatKate · 27/03/2020 16:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Dennisreynoldsduster · 27/03/2020 17:14

I fear I am usually Sheila @Daisiest but I’ve been conscious of this since the outbreak. Most of the stuff we have had through has been essential for working from home. It’s why I’ve been deliberating about other things.
Very grateful for people like your BIL who are still delivering

OP posts:
nowwaitaminute · 27/03/2020 17:17

To everyone in the uk, Ireland is two weeks ahead of you, we have seen an increase in online ordering too! It is just the new normal, they knock, they drop and the wait at the Bangor you to open the door. No signing necessary. Our postal service has brought in staggered times and enlisted the help of local van companies for delivering, they don't seem to be miffed. I think they know that it is necessary at the moment that ppl need to order items online.

ilovecakeandwine · 27/03/2020 17:20

I feel a bit uneasy at the moment, I mean I don't need anything really.
Books & dvds can be downloaded same with magazines .
I wanted to order a new shed or storage for my lawn mower, my current shed has had it but I can't go to the tip yet to clear out and it's not essential so I'll wait until lockdown lifted .
This time next week I may have changed my mind but I'm trying not to order anything yet .

Original poster
Dennisreynoldsduster · 27/03/2020 17:40

I guess it’s just weighing up whether you deem the items essential even if they aren’t essentials IYSWIM
As in if something is going to make a huge difference to your mental health then it might be an essential in that way? Gardening stuff for example?

OP posts:
Original poster
Dennisreynoldsduster · 27/03/2020 17:41

We ordered a gas bbq recently and I felt really embarrassed when it arrived because it seems like such a frivolous purchase now

OP posts:
concernedforthefuture · 27/03/2020 17:41

It depends on the retailer. Big company like Amazon = it's fair to say that their busy warehouses are probably putting their workers at risk for the sake of non essential goods.
For a small online business, probably a one or two man band, your orders are keeping them in business at the moment. They probably pack your orders in isolation (some work from home even) and have minimal contact with couriers (doorstep deliveries / collections).

jjejj · 27/03/2020 17:49

A couple of retailers like next and river island have closed their warehouses and are no longer delivering so I guess it might be taken out of our hands soon. After seeing photographs of matalan warehouses and staff gathered around waiting to clock on I definitely won't be ordering from then now or in the future.