plums - when are they ripe?

[Dozeynoo]

We have recently joined a veg-box scheme which is making me realise how little I know about fruit and veg!
I have some plums which we delivered well over a week and they have been out in the fruit basket since they arrived but still feel quite hard. Do they go soft when ripe? or does soft mean they are too ripe?

It's very hard to find plums that will go ripe in this country I'm afraid! If they're still hard after a week then they'll stay like that, and remain absolutely tasteless.

Message withdrawn

No way are these local if you are in UK. That is why they are not ripe - probably shipped from overseas. Plums are ready to pick at the end of summer. Delicious straight off the tree.
This time of year you have to eat rhubarb.

oh yes, plums are out of season anyway.

In Italy they are usually ripe end of july, it depends on the variety