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'm generally not buying anything but have put through an order of summer shorts/pyjamas for my son. He's age 6 and I've pushed his age 2-3 age short size to the limit. He's been wetting himself constantly since being out of school, so I think my purchase is justify that I have plenty of clothes to change him into.

I was talking to a friend about this last night.
He thinks only food and medical supplies should be available to buy.
I think if they sell it you should be able to buy it.
I bought jigsaws, puzzle books and books/magazines as I think keeping your brain ticking is important.
He said it’s ridiculous and I’m wasting money and being outside too long.

I said he has a very dull life and he can’t borrow them when I’ve finished (because I’m petty)
I know people who are decorating because they now gave the time and I think its great!

We should make the best of a shit situation

*have not gave

So far in the last week. I’ve ordered

Wool for knitting
New chopping boards
Led lights for the garden
Hair dye
Xanthan gum
Vit C powder
A cook book to add to my collection
4 picture frames
4 posters
Kitchen scissors
iPhone car holder
HDMI cable
Root beer
Cuticle oil
Wellies
Gin (lots of)

I’m sure there’s more. Normal online shoppping for me.

All delivered contactless to the Amazon. Locker

Except for the gin - but that does come with alcohol hand sanitizer as a fee gift

So sue me for keeping the economy going

Unless you want the economy to totally collapse, keep spending money. It's the lesser of two evils.

Bad as Coronavirus is, the biggest risk to health on a global level is poverty, anything that keeps money in circulation and businesses open is welcome, provided companies do their very best to keep employees safe.

I think everyone needs to get through this the best they can. If places are allowed to trade and you need something, support them.

I’ve bought new kitchen knives, a new vacuum (shark), sun loungers and a large box of beers. None are essential (except maybe the beer!) but most are things I have wanted for ages but hadn’t ordered as I’m never home for delivery. I’ve mainly ordered from amazon but that’s only because they seem to be the only place that had what I wanted.

We are ordering a lot for delivery. Local restaurants are delivering meat, fruit and veg, garden centres plants, seedlings etc. These are local businesses trying to keep afloat and we have the finances to support them, so we will. We get takeaways from local outlets twice a week, more than previously for the same reason.

Around nine million people are expected to be furloughed, in the U.K. There isn’t going to be a bottomless pit if money, so the government still needs to revive money, via taxes. I don’t agree with people going into shops to buy none essentials, but can see the sense in buying online, though of course that means warehouse workers, etc still put themselves at risk. On the other hand, any of the companies that are staying afloat during this, could go under if people don’t continue to buy. The money being given to furloughed workers needs to be spent, in order to keep the economy afloat and taxes to keep being paid, so we have enough to support those on benefits and furloughed. It’s a circle.

Oh yes! We also had takeaway last night.

I've just done a fair few big orders for things we will need on the next couple of months. Lots of clothes and shoes for DC from H&M. My 6yo has grown out of almost everything. And my (almost) 5yo's birthday presents as I think it's important to keep as much normality in the DC's life as possible. She would be devastated if we didn't make a fuss on her birthday.

Ass PP have said, we need to keep the economy running and to avoid civil unrest (which is a terrifying prospect!)

I wouldn't order from companies that have been mistreating staff (as far as I am aware). I usually buy DC's shoes from Sports Direct but refused this time on principle.

I think you need to to an extent. I'm having milk delivered (non-essential really, I could get it with my normal shop) I've had coffee beans from a local roastery, a game for the garden, art materials delivered to my parents etc.

Trying to order from small local businesses where I can, especially those who have been hit hard by closures and lack of demand.

I had to order a new tv remote after it went missing and then we found it down the toilet . Terrible toddlers. Sick I can’t watch Netflix now .

I posed a similar question about this

Buying non-essential items for delivery http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/amiibeingunreasonable/3867320-buying-non-essential-items-for-delivery

The consensus seemed to be - keep ordering, but focus on local businesses where possible. And I'd add or at least places that that been clear about how they're protecting their staff while continuing business.

Don't forget most of these companies use yodel or hermes and they're all self employed drivers who would have zero money coming in if we didn't use them. My brother in law has just started doing amazon prime now and he said he gets a notification on his phone but he has to be so quick in seeing it as dozens are after the same jobs. He couldn't care less what they buy

I have been ordering all sorts, it’s helping the economy if nothing else!

I’ve wondered too. However, on the one hand we’re being told to socially isolate, get that. On the other hand, we’re being told that if people don’t spend money then the economy will get worse and worse and more businesses are at risk of failure plus people will lose their jobs. Tough call 🤔

I've just ordered a bunch of storage for DD's room from a smaller retailer online. I think they're struggling at the moment and have had a bunch of sales and special offers on to boost trade so I felt like it was a bit of a win-win as I got a good deal and hopefully helped out a small company during this time.

I also got some bits for the garden when lockdown began. And I've got some toys etc. for DD, plus a new laptop for work in the last few weeks too.

I'm trying to lump things together where possible (so where I would maybe buy three things separately over a week, I try to buy all at once to reduce the number of visits a delivery person might make), but I think we do need to keep spending money (those of us who can afford to) because the alternative is an even worse economic situation than the one already awaiting us post-Corona.

Yeah I agree with Livingoffcoffee. I live on a development estate and loads of people are selling stuff they make. I bought some plants from a a neighbour, and we all buy takeaways from the indie restaurants on-site. It stops their businesses going under, helps them keep financially solvent, and there isn’t a massive risk in walking a few hundred yards to deliver an item outside someone else’s building. At least minimal risk compared to a warehouse packer or delivery driver who has to go all over.

I personally wouldn’t shop with ASOS or a company known to treat workers poorly, but I don’t have a problem getting a takeaway from the independently owned place 2 mins walk from my door.

We've had all sorts delivered, chocolate in bulk, wool, books, video games, magazines, anything to make isolation more bearable.

All my kids birthdays have/will fall in the lockdown, should I just not buy them presents then? Shit enough having a birthday in lock down and then no presents either? Don’t think so. I will still be buying things for as long as I can

I think spending money is good, to keep the economy going.

As I always have, I will always choose to support independent/ethical/local businesses rather than the likes of amazon, if I possibly can.

That said I had to order a new food mixer from amazon this week as my 20-year-old mode broke & John Lewis was out of stock.

I have been ordering things but I have tried to order only from smaller online businesses that use Royal Mail. Most recently I ordered some sandals for my toddler because she only has wellies and winter boots, some clothes for her and some paint so we could do some crafting.

I've ordered quite a bit from Amazon, mostly books and puzzles for the kids. Sone things for the garden too.

I really want Frenchic paint for the kitchen but it seems a long wait just now so will hold off.

We are awaiting delivery of a playhouse for DD but it is weeks away as the couriers are all so busy.

I'm looking into shopping with local small businesses as much as possible going forward.

Keeping the economy going is very important right now.

I don't think you can expect people to stay at home and not give them some leeway to keep busy/make their houses comfy.

As an exemple, my brother recently moved in a house that needs a lot of fixing, in return for a cheaper rent. He's with his pregnant fiancée. They weren't able until now to do as much as they wanted because he worked long hours and she has hyperemesis. So if they can take advantage of the lockdown to fix up the house and prepare the nursery, it would be absurd not to.

They're also working in the garden to grow some food, which is very sensible in times like these. But it does mean having to buy seeds and gardenin equipment (they didn't have any as just moved in).

I ordered some toys for DS because he's not allowed out of the house at all (local law, not UK) and he needs to keep busy and active.

The bigger picture is simply that people are more likely to stay inside if they can actually do stuff/play games/feel good at home. And also that the economy needs whatever it can get. Obviously, all the workers involved should have whatever necessary protective gear and distancing measures though !