Mixing Essental vs. Non-Essential Shopping

[Panina]

I didn't think that 100% of what they make is just from tips? I thought they also got paid based on number of items in a batch and also the number of batches (orders) they fulfill and miles driven. So they aren't relaying 100% on tips. That would mean they are getting at least some slice from the the markup and delivery fee, no?

No not just tips. Considering they pay for all their car expenses and now taking the risk of doing our shopping overall the pay is not that great.

Terrible tippers are making underpaid delivery jobs even worse

Grocery delivery gig workers on Instacart are complaining of more jobs with low tips, zero tips, or disappearing tips.

www.fastcompany.com

 

[Brett]

It seems like many Tuggers are either retired or upper middle class and able to work from home.

yes, that category seems to fit the demographics in the TUG lounge

 

[DaveNV]

TravelTime: "It seems like many Tuggers are either retired or upper middle class and able to work from home."

yes, that category seems to fit the demographics in the TUG lounge

Retired now, yes. Although, when some of us started with Tug, we were in the middle of our working careers. I know I've been hanging around here for more than fifteen years, so my life has changed considerably over the years. And I still feel like a newbie sometimes, compared to some Tuggers.

I don't think those three details automatically go together. I wonder if Tug has ever done a demographic study to see exactly what comprises the membership?

Dave

 

[CalGalTraveler]

Working from home.

Our local nursery is offering curbside pickup.

 

[Tia]

If you see the delivery person you could always ask, then you'll know. My thought was they get paid an hourly wage + tip if there is one. I've heard grocery workers where I'm at are getting paid $2/hr more then their normal due to the hazard, that is something but not much.

Last week I was in the grocery store, someone was coughing. I looked around and finally saw a lady at the deli counter with a mask on who was having a coughing jag. She lifted her mask and took a drink from a bottle then replaced her mask. .

I didn't think that 100% of what they make is just from tips? I thought they also got paid based on number of items in a batch and also the number of batches (orders) they fulfill and miles driven. So they aren't relaying 100% on tips. That would mean they are getting at least some slice from the the markup and delivery fee, no?

 

[caribbeanqueen]

Just retired but only due to the fact I have to travel frequently to Florida to check on my elderly parents.
My husband owns two businesses both which are closed and we are very concerned about what the future holds. He has been going in and deep cleaning the entire kitchen, pulling all huge appliances apart and painting walk ins. He does not like sitting. I have been volunteering with the VFW (I do not belong, anyone can volunteer) at our local market to shop for seniors as the market itself has so many orders they are backed up for weeks. It gives me something worthwhile to do and I actually enjoy it. As for shopping for non essentials, I think if you can do so safely go for it. You are keeping businesses IN business. Believe me they greatly appreciate it!

 

[TravelTime]

I fully understand and appreciate your position. You are one of the business owners who are being directly affected in a negative way. I am very sorry you are being put into that position by the government.

But the question remains, if I am at a store that is selling "essential" goods for a legitimately essential reason, and the store is completely open for business throughout the storefront without restriction, their staff (even if it's fewer people) is already on the clock, and they are standing around waiting for my business, is it wrong for me to spend a few extra minutes selecting a few nonessential items so I can spend more money in that store? It doesn't have to be gardening plants. It could just as easily be a gallon of paint, or a box of floor tile. Does that really matter?

I started this thread to ask that basic question: Is it wrong to buy something that might be considered non-essential if I am at a store to get something essential? And the implied second question is: If the answer is Yes, then WHY is it wrong? If the guy standing in the paint department at Home Depot isn't selling enough paint, they're going to cut his hours. So he will also be forced out of work. Where do you draw the line? If I spend fifteen minutes in the store or twenty, does it really make a difference?

Not trying to be argumentative here. I'm trying to legitimately understand how or why it would make a difference, in the case of stores like Home Depot. It's not like I'm sitting at home thinking "Where can I go today?" It's not like that. I have been sitting at home for over three weeks, and i've left home four times, (I think?) And the only places I've gone is Costco, Safeway, Home Depot, and my sister's Pharmacy today. it's not like I'm prowling the streets looking for something to do.

Dave

Hi Dave,

My initial response was if you are in the store already, and can pick up a non-essential item without shopping or looking around or clogging up the store, then I think it is okay. However, the other side of my brain says If we are being asked to stay home to flatten the curve, then everyone should do what the health experts are asking us to do. If we are all in this together, then people should be all in, even if you think a little extra shopping or an extra trip won‘t hurt anyone. The health experts are telling us to only shop for food, prescriptions and other items related to physical health and safety. I agree that the shut downs are making people unemployed and by not shopping for paint and gardening, there is a risk that the employee could be laid off. Our the government has chosen to save lives over jobs and has put a huge relief plan into place to help people who get laid off. I am just saying why should we prioritize the paint guy's job over someone else's job that was eliminated. The goal right now is not to save jobs, it is to save lives. I am not saying I agree with this. I am just saying that is what we have been asked to do. I guess my question would be why is it okay to shut down some stores over other stores? Why is it okay for open stores to sell non-essentials while others stores with the same items have been closed down? Why not close the non-essential departments like has been done in Vermont and like Petsmart did with the grooming department? I know the answer to these questions but I am just pointing out the inconsistencies.

 

[DaveNV]

Hi Dave,

My initial response was if you are in the store already, and can pick up a non-essential item without shopping or looking around or clogging up the store, then I think it is okay. However, the other side of my brain says If we are being asked to stay home to flatten the curve, then everyone should do what the health experts are asking us to do. If we are all in this together, then people should be all in, even if you think a little extra shopping or an extra trip won‘t hurt anyone. The health experts are telling us to only shop for food, prescriptions and other items related to physical health and safety. I agree that the shut downs are making people unemployed and by not shopping for paint and gardening, there is a risk that the employee could be laid off. Our the government has chosen to save lives over jobs and has put a huge relief plan into place to help people who get laid off. I am just saying why should we prioritize the paint guy's job over someone else's job that was eliminated. The goal right now is not to save jobs, it is to save lives. I am not saying I agree with this. I am just saying that is what we have been asked to do. I guess my question would be why is it okay to shut down some stores over other stores? Why is it okay for open stores to sell non-essentials while others stores with the same items have been closed down? Why not close the non-essential departments like has been done in Vermont and like Petsmart did with the grooming department? I know the answer to these questions but I am just pointing out the inconsistencies.

Thanks. I see what you mean, and I agree. I don't understand why some businesses are considered essential, and others aren't. Why are some restaurants open, and others aren't? I know Costco has closed the departments in the warehouse that bring the member into close contact with the Costco person, (Optical, and Hearing Aids, for example.) I haven't ventured into other combination stores that sell groceries and other stuff, (e.g. Target, or "Fred Meyer," our local Kroger store), to see whether they have sectioned off those other departments. But your point is well taken - who decides? For each argument for a certain business, there is easily another one against it. It's almost like nobody was thinking things through.

Dave

 

[geoand]

I can't disagree. But it's a heck of way to start my retirement. Yesterday marked three weeks since I officially retired. I keep making the joke that my whole life I couldn't wait to be retired so I could do anything I wanted to, and now that it's here, I can't!

Dave

Have been retired since 1999. Never did I think it would be like this

 

[clifffaith]

Armstong Gardens sent out an email "tell us what you need, we'll call you to talk, and we'll get it ready for delivery or pickup". They didn't have what Cliff wanted, and of course around here they've long since planted their bare root roses in containers and almost doubled the price. So I went to Jackson & Perkins online, found a bare root white rose and an orange, then discovered they had some specific roses with free shipping (instead of the original $17 quoted) so found the colors on that list instead. I've bought a jacket out of a catalog, and found it on sale and with free shipping when I looked it up online. I've bought books on both Amazon and eBay in the last ten days, and I have my own eBay crap set at fifteen day handling and tell buyers I will still mail items every week to ten days. We are headed to Ace hardware for a can of white spray paint, then across the street to Smart & Final. Then we'll be inside for another week.

I've created a monster! After ordering $50 in roses for him the other day, Cliff poked around on two different websites ("Cliff, did you Google for coupons first?" -- of course not!) and has lilies and alstromeria on the way. This after discussing going two doors down and checking on Mrs Bogdonavich and asking if we could take a cutting from her garden. SIGH!

 

[b2bailey]

Yep. SIP only for my husband and I. My point is that we realize that we don't need to eat out which we used to everyday and we don't need to go to brick and mortar stores because online stores can take care of our needs. We are also eating better than ever because we have more time at home and I am trying out lots of new recipes. We do have an outlet currently, which is golf. It gets us out and we remain healthy with moderate physical activity. If they close the golf course our tune may be very different.

Here in Rancho Mirage, CA, golfers (even on private courses) have not been as fortunate. It is almost comical to read the debates on that topic.
Edited to add: Saw your post about statewide closures. (I'll say it seems a shame to me, and hope that comment won't rub somebody the wrong way.)

 

[Brett]

Here in Rancho Mirage, CA, golfers (even on private courses) have not been as fortunate. It is almost comical to read the debates on that topic.
Edited to add: Saw your post about statewide closures. (I'll say it seems a shame to me, and hope that comment won't rub somebody the wrong way.)

In coastal Virginia the golf courses are open but the beaches are closed

 

[pedro47]

I'm hitting the links Monday's morning. LOL