topic Re: Has your attitude about shopping changed since 2019? in Community Chat

Has your attitude about shopping changed since 2019?

Sooner — Tue, 02 Aug 2022 12:55:33 GMT

I used to wander around the grocery store looking for things. Now I have no plans to ever be in one again. I go online and find what I want and either I drive over and someone puts in in my car or stay home and it's on the porch! Amazing!

I am about how much stuff I bought I didn't need by browsing in stores. I have found there are more fun things to do!!! I hated trying on clothes and looking and looking for things I needed. Now it comes to me!

It is a surpise, but a good one. One thing I miss is browsing in the library. Our library is now geared more to social services and teaching and such than books.

Re: Has your attitude about shopping changed since 2019?

LindaSal — Tue, 02 Aug 2022 13:03:56 GMT

I don't think my attitude has changed. I always enjoyed grocery shopping. I'm one of those people who like to pick out my own stuff, you know see it and feel it. I don't like other people touching my food, though I know it has been handled by many already but why add to it? My grocery store that's local has a free self serve coffee bar, I find it relaxing to walk around with my coffee and take my time, it helps me not to forget anything. They didn't have it during Covid of course, I really missed it!

Clothing however is another story for me, it's all done online and has been for many years. I never really enjoyed the mall or B&M shopping.

Re: Has your attitude about shopping changed since 2019?

4kitties — Tue, 02 Aug 2022 13:06:18 GMT

Not at all.

I still love to browse through certain stores and I always like to pick my own groceries. Especially my produce and meats. I travel to my favorite organic farm in the summer when they have produce available. And to a meat specialty store too.

I like to see and touch and try on my clothing. Sizing is all over the place and I hate doing returns.

I have my favorite checkers at certain stores and I chat a bit with them. I just like to get out and about!

Re: Has your attitude about shopping changed since 2019?

Hmmmmm24 — Tue, 02 Aug 2022 13:06:54 GMT

The pandemic never changed me one bit. I do like to shop on Amazon for certain things, but not clothing or groceries. I never stopped going to the grocery store. I still worked full time and no one I worked with socially distanced. And I'm old, 69. I just retired a month ago and I'm bored stiff now. I may go back to work at my old job, even though I have to drive 80 miles round trip a day. I love grocery shopping, always did and I never stopped. I even forgot to wear my mask a few times when it was mandated. I was in close contact with co-workers who ended up with Covid. I never had it. I was only somewhat scared in the very beginning when no one knew much about it.

Re: Has your attitude about shopping changed since 2019?

JeanLouiseFinch — Tue, 02 Aug 2022 13:07:28 GMT

Nothing about our lifestyle's comings and goings has changed. We've never stopped going where we wanted, provided the place was open, continued dining out, stayed in a hotel, grocery shopping, etc. I've never once done Instacart, Door Dash, or grocery pickup. The one exception has been our local pizza place. They stayed open for business but for car delivery only for a period of time. All had been back to normal dine-in for quite awhile, but they still offer the car service for anyone who may still be apprehensive. I think a lot of places have.

Re: Has your attitude about shopping changed since 2019?

beckyb1012 — Tue, 02 Aug 2022 13:10:29 GMT

No, I just stopped by Brookshires on my way to the office to grab the Blue Bell on sale until midnight tonight. No other customers behind me yet so I stayed a few extra minutes catching up and visiting with my favorite checker and sack man. I still have never done delivery or curbside through any of this for any item or food.

Re: Has your attitude about shopping changed since 2019?

buyornot — Tue, 02 Aug 2022 13:19:39 GMT

@Sooner wrote:
I used to wander around the grocery store looking for things. Now I have no plans to ever be in one again. I go online and find what I want and either I drive over and someone puts in in my car or stay home and it's on the porch! Amazing!

I am about how much stuff I bought I didn't need by browsing in stores. I have found there are more fun things to do!!! I hated trying on clothes and looking and looking for things I needed. Now it comes to me!

It is a surpise, but a good one. One thing I miss is browsing in the library. Our library is now geared more to social services and teaching and such than books.

Wow-I totally echo this and even browse my beloved library on-line, place a hold and pick up curbside-I don't miss shopping in person at all!

Re: Has your attitude about shopping changed since 2019?

teganslaw — Tue, 02 Aug 2022 13:19:45 GMT

No. I did both online shopping and in store shopping for years. Never had groceries delivered, as the store was always open. My attitude has remained the same throughout the years.

Re: Has your attitude about shopping changed since 2019?

smoochy — Tue, 02 Aug 2022 13:20:18 GMT

Neither my attitude nor my shopping habits have changed. I can't imagine why they would.

Re: Has your attitude about shopping changed since 2019?

ALRATIBA — Tue, 02 Aug 2022 13:26:16 GMT

No - nothing changed.

Several times a week I'm shopping somewhere ... it's easy / convenient - all are in the neighborhood

Bagel deli (for bagels, obviously),
other Deli (love their cole slaw),
gourmet grocer (quick "lunch to go" and fab produce),
supermarket (for groceries),
Ace Hardware (always need something .... usually lightbulbs or Swifter fluid),
Walgreens (for all sorts of stuff).
Chipotle (love their burritos)

Re: Has your attitude about shopping changed since 2019?

millieshops — Tue, 02 Aug 2022 13:34:10 GMT

@Sooner I have made changes, too, but mine are different from yours. I still prefer to do my own shopping, but whether I am buying food or clothes, I now work from lists.

I tend to buy the same supermarket products repeatedly, so I organize to avoid browsing. Most of what I used to buy when I browsed more isn't healthy for the body I have today anyway.

As for clothes? The fewer I buy, the happier I am right now. Maybe ironic, but yesterday my mail included a Susan Graver top. It marks my first QVC clothing purchase of 2022; it could well also be my last clothing buy anywhere this year.

Re: Has your attitude about shopping changed since 2019?

Pecky — Tue, 02 Aug 2022 13:40:31 GMT

Nothing has changed for me. I never stopped going into stores. I like to pick out my own groceries. I don't like other people picking it out for me.

Re: Has your attitude about shopping changed since 2019?

gidgetgh — Tue, 02 Aug 2022 13:41:52 GMT

I have gone to the grocery store throughout the entire pandemic. I never stopped. I tried Instacart a few times-too expensive. And I am not interested in curbside pickup. I like to get out and do my own shopping. I plan to never stop unless I am physically unable to go.

I don't like to stay home all the time so I go out and run my errands. Do I online shop? Yep, I'm the queen of that. Do I walk through the malls like I used to? No, but I went to Dillards and Macys the other day. Pretty brief stops in each. I went for specific purposes, not just to browse.

I still go to Target, CVS, local gift shops, wherever I want to go. I am home an awful lot. I like to try to get out of here and see other people, even if they're strangers. And I go out to lunch quite a bit. Usually by myself, but there are 2 restaurants that I am comfortable with Covid wise and eating alone wise.

Re: Has your attitude about shopping changed since 2019?

deepwaterdotter — Tue, 02 Aug 2022 13:53:58 GMT

No changes here. I've never enjoyed shopping. I view grocery shopping as a necessary evil on the way to cooking, which I do enjoy. All other shopping is done on the internet and delivered to my home.

Re: Has your attitude about shopping changed since 2019?

stevieb — Tue, 02 Aug 2022 13:58:34 GMT

Yes, for me. I now have as many 'necessities' delivered as possible. I never liked grocery shopping anyway, though I do find I obtain overall better and fresher food products when I shop for them myself. As for recreational shopping, I used to enjoy it somewhat on a semi-regular basis. I shop in person for 'fun' only rarely now.

Re: Has your attitude about shopping changed since 2019?

Bri369 — Tue, 02 Aug 2022 13:58:55 GMT

I never stopped going to the grocery store or Target. I prefer to do my own shopping. There are things I decide to get based on availability or how they look.

I do quite a bit of online shopping. I prefer to shop in person, but the availability is somewhat limited.

Re: Has your attitude about shopping changed since 2019?

CANDLEQUEEN — Tue, 02 Aug 2022 14:07:43 GMT

I have never enjoyed Grocery Shopping, but my husband likes it and since he does the majority of the cooking he does most of the grocery shopping.''

I still enjoy shopping, but not as much as years ago, when every weekend was spent in some kind of mall, or store....I do a lot of shopping online for clothes. I still enjoy Ulta, Sephor, and Macys's and other stores though.....Some things to me are just better seen in person! I tend to stay away when stores are super crowded though, like at Christmas Time!!!

Re: Has your attitude about shopping changed since 2019?

Lucky Charm — Tue, 02 Aug 2022 14:10:05 GMT

Well my attitude hasn't changed although there are still some things that are hard to find I guess because of pandemic/supply issues.

Tried online and home delivery for about 2 weeks and was disappointed by the produce that was picked out for me, which is about 95% of my daily intake.

It was expensive and tiresome to have to deal with paying for organic and getting conventional and the hassles of getting it straightened out.

Plus, food was delivered several times to an address about 4 miles away no matter how many times we told our *shopper* to ignore GPS directions....we were minutes away from the grocery store.

And then feel obligated to tip on top of that? No thanks.

I mask up (---just started since the numbers are high again) and still wipe everything down before it gets put away.

I like to grocery shop, always have.

Re: Has your attitude about shopping changed since 2019?

Eileen in Virginia — Tue, 02 Aug 2022 14:19:40 GMT

Early in the pandemic, I took advantage of the Senior Hour at my local BJ's. In addition to limiting exposure, it gave me early access to merchandise that was in short supply. When DH and I had Covid, I used Instacart to shop and was pleasantly surprised at how well they did. I like to select my own food, especially meat and produce, and they did a great job. Now, I shop as usual, but I wipe down the shopping cart handle before I start shopping.

Regarding clothing, I went a little wild when Talbots ran flash sales in 2020 to move all the clothing sitting in their warehouse with no stores open to ship it to. I'm still pinching myself over some of the great bargains I got, especially when I see some of my purchases selling for $100 more than I paid. Now, I still shop in some brick & mortar shops, but do most of my shopping online. The selection is much better, plus I get free shipping and returns.

One big change that I made as a result of the pandemic was that I rediscovered a local, long-standing, family-run farm market a couple of towns over. Prior to the pandemic, I'd get fresh produce at one of several farmers markets that was open in the next town over on Sunday mornings. Again, I needed to check out the corn, tomatoes and peaches to make sure they were just right. Once the pandemic struck, that market had such a convoluted system that it defeated the purpose (at least for me). A friend recommended this family-run market and I've been going there ever since. They followed the Covid protocols in a sensible way. Best of all, they're open 7 days a week, so I have the option of buying less produce at a time because I can just go back later in the week if I need more. Win-win!

Re: Has your attitude about shopping changed since 2019?

Sooner — Tue, 02 Aug 2022 14:14:16 GMT

We have had surprising luck with produce in our 2 years of pickups and deliveries. A couple of people have told me that at those stores at least a lot of the produce is shopped from back and is actually fresher than what is out. Who knows!

We do buy meat from a butcher shop or pickup at Whole Foods, which is OKC has excellent meat products.