Ethics of home delivery of non essentials.

[Snaleandthewhail]

Next isn’t delivering. Other major retailers have reduced their range and delayed their delivery times. But there’s a lot of stuff you can still order for home delivery.

If a company is trading and open and delivering, is it ethical to use its services to deliver non essential things which put more risk on to everyone involved in fulfilment and logistics?

I’m obviously not talking about food or medicines. Then there’s a whole range of consumables-but-not-essentials (paint and glue at the moment for my kids). But say - the new flat pack bed you’d been meaning to buy for your child growing out of their cot, or the set of saucepans you’d been saving up for. Stuff you would have bought, could still buy, but could wait six months...

I think buying from ASOS where it has been reported that staff are unable to social distance is questionable.

I don’t think a third person should get to decide what is or isn’t essential to someone else. For example you could ban takeaways entirely and it wouldn’t bother me but there are people (elderly, disabled, key workers etc) out there who would struggle to eat wholesome food without them. Then there’s the matter of baby / children’s toys - they are probably very essential right now not just for development but to take children’s mind off their anxieties. I quite like that Smyths and Amazon have recognised this and are still delivering.

I agree with Snog I wouldn't order from ASOS ever again having seen the way staff are being treated - bullied into working closely together.

It's hard to know what the right thing to do is. I have been ordering from local retailers who are trying to keep their businesses afloat.

The ethics of NEXT didn't last long. They are reopening next week.

It is really important to keep the economy going right now. It is more than ethical to keep buying if you can afford to, it is the right thing to do.

Obviously, like normal, order from ethical companies who treat their staff well.

All I want is a set of weights, can’t get them delivered from anywhere. I miss bodypump so much but I suppose we have to make the best of it. As long as people are able to work safely I don’t see the issue with anyone ordering something that will cheer them up - life is pretty depressing at the moment.

@GrumpyHoonMain I think that’s my point - there are obvious essentials, then a whole range of essentials-but-less-so, and then a tier of nice to haves. I could order my nice to haves (not the pans and the bed, those were just examples) but doing so makes peoples lives more difficult... but not doing so makes their jobs less certain.

I've been wondering this. Moved house at the beginning of February and have been dithering about ordering new bookcases from IKEA. I don't feel I can do it now, but I would really love to get the place sorted!

Because of the nicer weather DS needs summer bits because he only have 3 T-shirt's. Technically I could do a rotational wash but instead I've ordered some new ones along with a swimming costume for him (he is 9Mo) one persons essential is another's non essential

I’m still ordering things as normal, holding off on big purchases due to financial exposure and my new car didn’t arrive-no idea whether it was built before factory closed or not. But as I don’t need it yet it’s good to not have paid for it yet!!

But I have a growing baby who needs clothes and appropriate toys and I’ve needed something to do. Not buying things that are completely frivolous though. Eg I used Amazon for emergency baby suncream for the unexpected weather plus Sainsbury’s for summer clothes in the right size (I had summer clothes in 9-12 ready for June/July but she’s only just in 6-9 now as didn’t expect to need them in April).

Jobs and the economy matters, not as much as lives but no point us all surviving if we are going to be unemployed and penniless either.

We’ve not decorated nursery yet but going to make a start as something to do. So that could wait but is a practical thing.

@Hopefully you can get weights off Amazon.
Frankly I see ordering online a good way of keeping money flowing through the economy. Many small businesses use things like Amazon as a shop front or for fulfillment. And big businesses need to keep going too!

@pipandmum I’ve tried amazon, I’m only after a barbell set similar to what you’d use for bodypump but all currently unavailable. Thought of using kettlebells instead but they are all absolutely ridiculous prices, presumably to discourage purchases! It’s fair enough really, I’ll survive.

I had an auto-delivery of dolce gusto pods yesterday in clearly marked packaging. I was mortified and explained to the driver I had forgotten to cancel and apologised. She was laughing her head and said 'Ay love, I dont give a monkeys, at least you are in!" which made me feel better.
Its too hard to decide someone elses essentials, especially when you throw the word ethics in there. I think gardening supplies are essentials for various reasons, others wouldnt.

@hopefully on the Les Mills site there’s a new video urging people to try online Pump even if they don’t have weights or to use improvised weights. I don’t have a barbell and have been trying to do it with some old dumbbells, a kettle bell and other odds and sods.

We are having bedding plants delivered from a local garden centre that would not be making any money if it weren't for deliveries. That may be questionable but what about our tomato plants......
It is difficult but I would err on the side of it's keeping businesses going as long as they can be safe whilst working.

Just ordered some dog toys for his birthday. Keeping the economy going.

It is difficult. I felt bad for ordering new shoes but I have growing children...they are definitely an essential.

It is a difficult subject. Yes, we need to keep the economy going but all the people who work in those companies have to get to and from work and come into contact with lots of people. This leaves them open to contracting the virus.

I think that if it was determined that we shouldn't make non-essential on-line orders, then I would want a 3rd party to determine the rules to be followed by everyone with no exceptions.

I've just ordered a washing machine from John Lewis that is being delivered on Friday. I'm having a 'non-contact' delivery into my garage. Some people would consider this essential, others would consider I could hand wash or go to a launderette and try and keep to social distancing.

The delivery driver still has to get to and from work. I don't know if he takes that delivery vehicle home with him or if he has to use public transport to and from work. I do feel conflicted by it.

I'm treating this time as a gift to be honest. So yes, I have bought non-essentials to decorate my place and do DIY. It helps with my sanity during this difficult time and keeps some of my favourite businesses alive.

I spent quite a lot a bit on some non essentials with small companies that I know are feeling the pinch with lockdown. Their responses have all been positive and fast.

There is also the argument that online ordering is helping to keep some businesses afloat , though this may only apply to small companies.
I’m not really sure
I have been disinfecting my fruit this evening 😂👍🏼😂

I have ordered some stuff to get my home office up and running - a keyboard, notebooks, pens etc. I was on leave when the shutters came down so didn’t have essentials at home. Like a previous poster I have subscriptions for coffee (and cat food).

I have also ordered plants from my local garden centre. Not at all essential, but it keeps their business going - it’s family run and they post about how they are observing social distancing.

My Amazon orders - A' level text books, potato masher, paint brushes, heaps of chocolate and drinks from Amazon pantry, face masks, pull up adult nappies delivered to my dad in his care home, plus I added some of his favourite chocolates as a treat. I'm waiting for some plants to be delivered from a local nursery which they'll leave by the door and knock.