Money Moral Dilemma: Should I be shopping online during the coronavirus lockdown?

MSE_Kelvin

This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks...

Since the government told people to stay at home, I've been shopping online — admittedly at times for non-essential items — which obviously helps the economy and keeps retailers in business. But would it be more helpful not to shop online, to reduce the risk of exposing stores' warehouse workers, delivery drivers etc to coronavirus?

Unfortunately the MSE team can't always answer money moral dilemma questions as contributions are often emailed in or suggested in person. They are intended to be a point of debate and discussed at face value.

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Afourteen

Can't at present - somebody cloned my credit card, it's been stopped and I'm waiting on the replacement.

Jeremy535897

I would suggest that the real issue is whether, by shopping online, you are stopping someone more vulnerable from getting a slot. 

Octonaut

If you are at all able to, then shop in store! 
I am in the group classified by the government at ‘vulnerable’, due to underlying health conditions, and so have been advised to stay at home, and therefore not go to the shops. Anyone over 70 is also in this category. The sad truth is that I cannot get an online shopping slot for love nor money (despite logging on several times per day to all the various supermarkets). I usually shop with Tesco, but my final shop from them will be delivered tomorrow, and due to the high demand, there doesn’t seem to be any prospect of getting another slot for the foreseeable future. Only those in the ‘extremely vulnerable’ category can get help from the government can get help with food deliveries (and I’m not in that category).
Please, please, please don’t shop online unless you need to, as there must be tens of thousands of people in my position who will be going without essentials, or putting themselves at risk in the shops. 

phoebe1989seb

I assumed the question referred to non-grocery/food/household items....but I could be wrong 

We get all those items in person from the supermarket - haven't done an online grocery shop for years - but we do buy quite a few items online (mostly eBay) and this has increased since the government ordered certain types of shop to temporarily close.

For example - books, dvds, gardening related items. I'm also in the process of ordering some plants from our local nursery as collecting in person would be considered non-essential. Imho, this is all good for the economy/keeping smaller businesses afloat. I know that when we ran an online business - for over ten years - we'd have been glad of the business.

KateB66

Dear Octonaut,
Visit www.sainsburys.com for their latest info on prioritising older and vulnerable customers.
"If you are over 70 years of age, or you are extremely vulnerable and live in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can get access to priority home delivery slots by calling us at 0800 953 4988."
I don't qualify, but I'm bearing it in mind for my 84-year-old dad.
Best wishes,
Kate

Samphirem

I'm on two immune suppressants but not classed as 'vulnerable.' Terrified of the virus because immune suppressants are stopped if infected. Thousands more like me, more frightened about stopping our treatment and living with the consequences of that, than of getting the virus. I can't even book click and collect, let alone delivery, so yes, if you're healthy enough someone else needs your slot. Yesterday, almost stopped from shopping in the vulnerable hour by a tin hat mini Hitler on door guard duty.  Backed off when medical alert card whisked out. There again, just you stopping likely makes no difference because even if the whole, reasonably healthy, country stopped, doubt there would be enough slots. Add to our numbers, those in quarantine, and the whole thing is an utter mess. Kind of you to consider others though. I try to remember to thank supermarket staff for going to work when I shop. Think all those forced to work as essential workers with scant protection from the public deserve bonuses since so many others are now at home on government hand outs to keep them going. One week's 80% bonus for part time supermarket workers each month wouldn't amount to much in comparison with the up to £2,500 awarded to the more highly salaried workers. 

Octonaut

Thanks KateB66. Unfortunately I’m neither over 70, or one of the people in the ‘extremely vulnerable’ category, and so don’t qualify for a priority slot with Sainsbury’s. ☹️

SunShiney

Octonaut said:

Thanks KateB66. Unfortunately I’m neither over 70, or one of the people in the ‘extremely vulnerable’ category, and so don’t qualify for a priority slot with Sainsbury’s. ☹️

Have you been in touch with your local council? Most have charities in place to assist? I know Southwark does. 

gloriouslyhappy

I'm in the extremely vulnerable category, as is the 95 year old neighbour I also shop for and we're both registered with the .gov vulnerable list, but still get a 'sorry, you're not eligible' message on Sainsburys website. Dont bother trying to phone their number quoted, you're on for ages punching in your nectar number and NHS number as requested only to get finally 'sorry, no one available now please try later'.

purplepen

I'm 62, my husband is over 70, in reasonable health, we have been self isolating for 11 days as are the 2 other couples - elderly, vulnerable neighbours in their mid 80s and late 70s that I am looking out for. None of them shop on line and the best I have managed to get is a Tesco 'click & collect', booked 2 weeks ago for collection on the 10th April. As the quantity of many products is restricted I am extremely worried that I won't be able to order enough for 6 people, especially basics like milk. I don't qualify for the over 70s/vulnerable shopping hours, and by all accounts they are very busy anyway, but quite honestly I don't really want to shop in store and risk bringing the virus back to the others. Would I like to be able to book a delivery - yes please!

I've also spent much of my time ringing or emailing dairy, vegetable and meat delivery companies mostly to be told, 'sorry, no new customers.'

So in answer to the original dilemma, I don't begrudge anyone from booking deliveries, it's the safest way to shop. But perhaps if we were all restricted to one grocery delivery per fortnight there would be more slots to go around. As for Amazon, ebay etc. I do feel a bit guilty about non-essential journeys but I'm about to order a new sewing machine as my 40 year old one is struggling so when I stop chasing food deliveries I'll have something fun to do!