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

tralla

Amazon and such companies are putting their employees at risk, the online trade has increased massively and they are working as if it was Christmas, with no social distancing or protective measures. Infections in depots have happened in Spain, Italy and the US, putting additional pressure on health systems that are already working well beyond capacity.
By all means order from family businesses that may be operating from home but avoid ordering non-essentials from big companies that are making staff go to work.

Millook

As a private online eBayer any online sales at this time are most gratefully received

[Deleted User]

I would but am probably wrong, if it’s a good deal and something you need then do it but if it’s an unnecessary frivolous purchase then probably not.

pennyforthem

I have had a similar dilemma of if it is OK to sell on Ebay or not. Some items would have to be picked up only and others would be posted, is it fair to add to the exposure of the postal service?

As for online shopping If we are all shut in for the six months that I have heard suggested I think it is probably too much to expect people to just entertain themselves through what they already have and the internet. I see the approach of taking the opportunity to learn new skills as very healthy and while no one wants to be stuck in doors if you can gain positive things from this time then it helps when you look back on the experience.

So I think it comes down to the same question as Martins mantra

Do you need it?

Can you afford it?

Will you use it?

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you"

Luke 6:31 and Matthew 7:12

olgadapolga

I've just closed my eBay business for the duration. I can't really afford to but I have an emergency fund to fall back on if necessary 

The reason I closed my business was because I read the recent reports about lorry drivers not being allowed to use motorway facilities or even distribution centre facilities when they arrive at their destinations. This, to me, is inhumane and I don't want to be part of that.

I won't be buying online either,  for the same reasons. I don't need anything urgently so it can all wait until the restrictions are lifted.

The issue of grocery shopping is another issue entirely. I have two vulnerable people in my house and cannot get a slot anywhere. So there is no choice other than to go to the shops. I hate doing it as I worry about what I'm taking back into the house along with the shopping.

BronteLad

There seems to be a stigma around the issue of shopping online at the moment. I personally shop for groceries in store as delivery slots are very limited and should probably be reserved for the vulnerable. However I have shopped for non grocery, non essential items via Amazon and other online retailers, and had them delivered. If we only buy essential items by either method the economy will suffer sooner and to a greater extent. 
I saw recently that horticulturalists are struggling to shift there plant stocks. With so many people at home, the coming weeks are an ideal time to do some gardening or like me just plant a few pots and tubs in the back yard. There are lots of gardening suppliers who will deliver locally and some who deliver nationally. Should I feel guilty because these items are non-essential? I really dont think so!

annieshb

jbeshir I have tried on numerous occasions for slots with Tesco and nothing even weeks ahead.
i had a recurring slot with Asda, as I have an annual pass,but doesn’t help as they aren’t honouring it. I am disabled and cannot go and shop in store so pretty much stuck.
i have a slot for next week then nothing. Now Asda adds a single day to slots rather than weeks so it’s almost impossible. I have tried various times day and night and today I was in a queue to get onto Asda site for 40 minutes then tried again in an hour and same thing.

I am angry that stores didn’t support their customers but allowed too many to sign up making it impossible to manage.

Bigthumpa

I too was worried about this, but I think the decision whether to stay open or not is down to the supplying businesses and the government rules that apply.  If a business is staying open do you think it's because they don't want you to order from them?  Seems unlikely!
I ordered some non-essential items yesterday from a business where their website has a banner:
"Open until we aren't, delivering until we can't"
Says it all really.

Pollycat

Bigthumpa said:

I too was worried about this, but I think the decision whether to stay open or not is down to the supplying businesses and the government rules that apply.  If a business is staying open do you think it's because they don't want you to order from them?  Seems unlikely!
I ordered some non-essential items yesterday from a business where their website has a banner:
"Open until we aren't, delivering until we can't"
Says it all really.

Exactly this.

Don't blame the end customer.

Blame the Government for not closing down all online suppliers.

Blame the online suppliers for continuing to supply orders.

And not just supply orders but actively seek business by advertising the fact that they are still open for business.

I posted this at 11:29am this morning:

I'm getting lots of emails from all sorts of companies - just today I've deleted emails from Debenhams, M&M Direct, Dunelm, Clarks shoes, 7 Day Shop and Sports Direct.

Since then, I've had yet another email from SportsDirect and one from a wild bird food supplier.

SportsDirect, M&M Direct and Debenhams seem to be sending emails daily.

Streatham22

 The question was not about grocery shopping but shopping online in general for non-essential items. My view is no, we shouldn't be doing so. I've also taken the items I had for sale on eBay down for now. The less people couriers, postmen and post office workers have to come into contact with the safer they are and the safer we all are. Th