As we're all struggling with the worldwide pandemic going on right now, it is important to stay calm and follow all proper protocols to control this situation. Everyone should do their part, whether it’s staying at home, washing your hands for 20 seconds, or taking excessive precautionary methods like disinfecting your homes and offices. Just like this, it is also important to take a few precautions when you’re ordering products during this pandemic.
Ordering products is one of the best methods right now since almost every shop is closed with lockdown across the country. You must be extra careful during this crucial time with ordering products. Mentioned below are a few practices that you should follow when ordering products during a global pandemic.
1. Check with your Online Providers
Before you start to add things in your cart, you should check with the online shopping source if they are delivering at this time. It is because there are a lot of changes that have come up due to certain travel restrictions and curfews imposed in different parts of the world. Hygiene is one of the most important factors right now, as all of us are prone to catching the coronavirus. You must check with your providers as to how they are dealing with the hygiene situation. Make sure that they are taking necessary precautions, especially when it comes to packaging and handling the desired product you want to order.
2. Check the Delivery Person
As soon as your order arrives, you should first check if the delivery guy has gloves on; in this way, he/she is not making direct contact with your package. This may seem a bit extreme, but during this challenging and scary time, it is very important to be extra cautious. Overall, these sanitary practices will protect you and your family at the end of the day.
3. Disinfect Your Package
As soon as you take your parcel, make sure to fully disinfect it with an antimicrobial solution. Clean the product thoroughly and only then use it. You should also make sure to put on gloves while you’re receiving and cleaning the product. You have to take such precautions as you cannot be 100 percent sure if your parcel has come through a clean and hygienic process. This may sound like you have to put in a lot of effort, but it's always better to be safe than sorry.
4. Beware of Scams
Many people start panic buying during a pandemic; this leads to many product shortages, and it also paves the way for scammers. You’re probably wondering how this links to scammers? As with the current situation, there has been a high demand for sanitizers. It has led to a shortage in the supply of hand sanitizers. Many shops have been selling fake sanitizers as a tactic to make more money, mixing it up with different chemicals, taking advantage of the high demand. If you’re ordering a medical oriented product or something that is perishable, you should definitely stay alert. Review and research about the place you’re buying from in order to avoid getting a fake product.
5. Don’t Order Unnecessarily
If you feel like you’re running short of something important or if you think it will help you get through a pandemic, only then order something. You should avoid ordering unnecessary things just because you're bored because as much as this pandemic may affect you, it is also affecting those people who deliver the products to you. So in order to make things better and get back to a normal lifestyle, avoid ordering unnecessarily. It is important to make these small sacrifices during a global pandemic.
6. Avoid Compulsive Buying
During a pandemic, it is most likely that certain products start going into a shortage, and this is mainly due to hoarding and compulsive buying. It is normal for people to start panicking and stocking up on different items, but this just makes the situation worse. Other people have to suffer just because one person decides to order tissues that will last them for a year. If you’re ordering something important, order an amount that will last for at least a few weeks. So instead of hoarding, keep a realistic approach.
7. Buy from Online Platforms that are helping to fight the Pandemic
While ordering products in the time of this pandemic, you should order from a place that it is working towards fighting this global crisis. Some online shopping platforms are working with non-profit organizations in this challenging time, and they are helping those people who are currently suffering from the pandemic financially. Half of the amount you pay goes directly into donations or that money is also used for providing people with food and basic groceries. Amazon and many other online shopping platforms have taken part in fighting the COVID19 by providing donations. It is important to work together in fighting this pandemic. You can simply play your part by ordering from such platforms for a good cause.
An Overview of the Best Practices
● Get in touch with the online shopping source, and check with them if they are taking proper measures.
● Observe how the postal carrier handles your product and if he is well protected.
● Disinfect your package as soon as it arrives, and discard the packaging at once.
● Avoid buying products from online shopping scams
● Only order if you urgently need something to avoid any inconvenience that the carrier may face, especially during this pandemic. Remember, their lives matter as much as yours.
● Go for online shopping platforms that are helping to fight the pandemic by providing donations.
Final Thoughts
None of us have experienced such times before, and it is mentally, socially, and economically challenging to fight this global pandemic. However, we can only get through this time by helping each other. When you are ordering products during a global pandemic, it is crucial to adhere to such practices mentioned above. Do your part by following these practices, and hope to bring an end to
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