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Is anyone else having issues getting grocery shopping?

21 replies

Frequency · 30/03/2020 18:45

I don't have a letter saying I am vulnerable. I don't drive. The local taxi firm has laid off over 50% of it's staff so you can't get a taxi unless you book it days in advance to take you to work as a key worker and none of the buses go near my house.

I'm having to go shopping every other day and because I still work I can't go early so by the time I get to the shop there is rarely any bread or eggs and never any pasta. The loo roll crisis seems to have died down at least.

I work as a carer so I'm unable to social distance and would prefer not to be out shopping three to four times a week in case I've caught it and infect someone but what else can I do?

Annoyingly the vast majority of our residents are ignoring the essential visitors only/social distancing/no gathering in groups advice so the chance of me catching it and inadvertently passing it to a fellow shopper is higher than for someone following the rules, though I take precautions (never shopping in my uniform even though it would be easier, always showering straight after work and carrying hand gel, washing my hands before going out and using contactless.

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DownWhichOfLate · 30/03/2020 19:05

Why do you need to shop so frequently? Is it because of lack of stock? In which case you need to be creative with what is in stock!

Frequency · 30/03/2020 19:12

Because I have a family to feed and can only carry so much at once?

If you have any idea how one person can carry home a week's worth of food, san pro, cleaning supplies etc for one adult, three teenagers and a dog I'm all ears. I live about 2 miles from the nearest supermarket on foot and am not on a bus route. The bus stop is closer to the supermarket than my house.

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LizzieMacQueen · 30/03/2020 19:16

It's hard. Have you looked at butchers, some here have started local delivery, old style, you have to phone them up. Same re greengrocers.

You could buy a shopping trolley, you get cool designs though I'd buy res tartan. Rucksack too.

LouisaJenny · 30/03/2020 19:19

Shopping trolly is your answer.

Haffiana · 30/03/2020 19:22

Can you not send a teenager to get the shopping?

DownWhichOfLate · 30/03/2020 19:23

Shopping trolley; huge rucksack; bicycle with panniers.

Frequency · 30/03/2020 19:23

A shopping trolley would be an idea. Does anyone know of anywhere delivering non essential items quickly? I ordered exercise books on Amazon Prime last Wednesday and they still haven't turned up.

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Mooserp · 30/03/2020 19:23

Could one of your children go when you are working?

sittingonacornflake · 30/03/2020 19:23

You might need to take a big suitcase with you to put all your shopping in. Plus a backpack. Might do you a bit longer. Otherwise have you got a FB group offering support around you? You are the kind of person my local group would pick up shopping for

Lumene · 30/03/2020 19:24

Yes shopping trolley or rucksack if you have one?

Cuddling57 · 30/03/2020 19:26

Are you on Facebook? Lots of local companies (greengrocers, butchers, old restaurant suppliers) have started free home deliveries. I've had a delivery today, it's great!

Freshairimportanttoo · 30/03/2020 19:26

Have you got some sort of wheeled suit case?

bellinisurge · 30/03/2020 19:26

Shopping trolley via Amazon Prime which you say you have. Have you tried Amazon Pantry?

Freshairimportanttoo · 30/03/2020 19:27

Are you on all your local media?
We've had some cafes offering to deliver as well as catering places

Frequency · 30/03/2020 19:28

One teenager has severe anxiety, one does not belong to me so I daren't risk the wrath of his parent, the other is only 13 and would undoubtedly lose my debit card or the list, plus she cannot carry as much as me so would need more frequent trips. The anxiety ridden one would go with the 13yo but surely that is no better than me going alone?

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maddy68 · 30/03/2020 19:30

My mum in her 80s, recovering from cancer can't get a home delivery slot. I'm worried sick. We don't live near it's a nightmare

emmathedilemma · 30/03/2020 19:32

How do you normally do your food shopping given that the location issues and not driving aren’t affected by coronavirus? Or would you get a taxi? Get your teenagers on the case of checking supermarket delivery slots daily and also social media for other places offering deliveries or people offering transport/ support.

alittlecloudfloatinginthesky · 30/03/2020 19:42

If you're looking for shopping trolleys it can be good to have a look on amazon to get an idea of which you might want, but then go onto the page that shows other sellers.
Often you can get the same thing for very little price difference, just by choosing a different seller... and the smaller companies are often getting orders out quicker!

Itsjustmee · 30/03/2020 19:42

Get on to Facebook
My local Facebook has groups in postcode areas and they are brilliant for helping people .
There are loads of local shops advertising deliveries as well and lots of people willing to do a shop for people who can’t
Today a man posted he couldn’t get out he is disabled and needed a full shop really low on everything .
I replied said to pm me what he wanted and I would get it for him .
I went to 2 shops and got him everything on his list cost £40 which I paid for it was quite specific list as well 😂
I screen shot the receipts to him so he knew the cost .
Went to his house and he left the money in an envelope and I left his stuff outside his door
All done by messenger
Previous day a lady posted her mum couldn’t go out due to recovering from an operation and needed a small shop

Within 90 mins I had got the lady all of her stuff and delivered to her door .
Lots of others are doing the same for people.
Im not just posting this to say how wonderful I am 😷 just to say that there are a lot of people willing to help if they can .
I’ve given both people I helped my mobile and told them if they need anything else to give me a shout I will admit though I have found 3 shops that are always fully stocked but because of where they are hardly anyone uses them and no queues

Frequency · 30/03/2020 19:50

How do you normally do your food shopping given that the location issues and not driving aren’t affected by coronavirus?

A mix of online deliveries, lifts from family who are all understandably isolating from me due my job and occasionally a midweek shop which is usually small enough to carry home with the assistance of one or two of the teens. Sometimes I get a taxi.

All local veg shops and butchers appear to be closed but I will try looking them up on FB.

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IsadoraQuagmire · 30/03/2020 20:04

Frequency I got a shopping trolley from Ebay last week, took about 4 days to arrive. Haven't tried it out yet because I haven't shopped since last Tuesday but planning to try it out tomorrow!
The one I got is by Sabichi (they sell the same one in Robert Dyas, slightly more expensive than on Ebay, you can get them delivered from there too)

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