[NSW] Am I Allowed to Buy Something Essential from a Facebook Marketplace Seller?

Ok, so I found on FB someone selling some kid DVDs and cars. My kids need cars and DVD to remain entertained. I could buy from a shop with click and collect for 10x the price. Or from this person

I am not in a hotspot LGA.

This Facebook seller lives in my same LGA and less than 5km away. I can pay them with PayID prior to attending. They can leave the parcel in their driveway and I can pick it up contactless.

I am fully vaxed for COVID. Both doses.

In my mind, this is safer than click and collect anyway and it is something that I need for my children.

Thoughts?

Poll Options

  • 138
    I am fine
  • 407
    I could be fined
  • 21
    I should find the items in a shop, click and collect and pay 10x more

Comments

  • +240

    If you told me you need toy cars and DVDs I would give you the full $5000 fine.

    Come on man…..listen to yourself.

      • You have toys for them? Let 'em have endless imagination. That's what I did half my childhood.

        Could be easier too in theory, because they have each other to interact. Whereas I played by myself until my lil siblings came along many years later.

        • -3

          Yes they interact with each other. Including fighting :(

    • +30

      One of the DVDs is "The Muppet Show"

    • +17

      Scomo said it's fine and essential.

      • +11

        Lol negged for stating a fact šŸ˜‚

      • +2

        Yep. OP just needs to bear in mind for the lockdown to work, it has to work. S*untmo can't be any clearer than that

      • +5

        It's only essential if it's a jigsaw puzzle. This I know for certain.

        • His wife again…

    • +12

      I think contactless click and collect in this case is far less dangerous than going to Coles/Woolworths/Bunningsā€¦

      Just wipe down whatever you buy with antibacterial wipes to be safe.

      • /And quarantine the items from 14 days.

    • ok.. and stand at the supermarket exits and fine anyone who buys anything thats not water

      • +14

        Weeb
        Low IQ

        Name a more iconic duo

        So far your advice has been lie to police and just carry a mask incase you need it.

        • +3

          Weeb
          Low IQ

          Name a more iconic duo

          Add people who use Runescape profile pics as well.

          • +1

            @Blitzfx: Hey not all Runescape fans are like this!!

        • -2

          Oy vey don't notice anything goy!

      • +11

        You are possibly legally correct but I think this fails the pub test.

        • +1

          Luckily one of the values of our country is the importance of an equitable judicial process.

          • @Assburg: But if you fail this uphill battle, you get to pay extra

    • +9

      This is exactly why NSW is in the position it is in.

    • This has gone viral

    • -1

      Oy vey you must obey goy! Don't notice anything!

  • +21

    I am sure you have a smart TV. Netflix, Disney+?? They have free 30 day trial.

    Not essential!

    • +10

      Yes, petrol stations and supermarkets stock kids toys and DVDs. DVDs and toys can be delivered.

      I am in Melbourne under lockdown and I work from home. We get groceries delivered and we donā€™t leave the house until lockdown finishes. Iā€™m also in an LGA with no cases.

      Even if you are vaccinated you still can get and catch the virus and you will still spread it to others who may not vaccinated. Stay at home. Please try to think about the bigger picture.

      • -1

        What is an "LGA"?

        • Instantiated inside the fed.gov.au, is a state.gov.au and then a local.state.gov.au

          There are no FGAs and no SGAs. LGAs however, are super-important, as they correlate roughly to MVAs (Ministers' Voters' Areas).

          Essentially, it is the relationship LGAs have to MVAs that makes them count, especially whilst around room temperature*.

          NB. * This does not take into account the impact of federal, state, or local government-induced climate change, or the IQ of the essentially working, or the essential and non-essentially emplloyed others, in each MVA.

      • More importantly Delta affects children and no child is vaccinated. There is also 100% transfer within household based on QLDs outbreak so you don't want to bring this one home even if you are vaccinated so won't have a sever reaction.

    • +1

      Actually, Netflix and Disney+ no longer have a free trial.
      Stan has a free 30 day trial and Paramount Plus is 7 days.
      Prime Video is included with a Prime membership which has a free 30 day trial

    • +6

      There is also ABC iView 100% free (or at least paid with your tax dollars).

      Plenty of content on there and updated daily.

      • :o
        I did not know about iView. Not sure if my smart tv has it. Is it part of the weirdly implented needs-tv-reception-but-internet-to-watch features?

        • +3

          Most smart TVs allow the ABC iView app, or you can use ChromeCast and your phone.

          My Smart TV is nearly 8 years old (Samsung Series 5) and the app still works.

        • SBS has free content too IIRC!

          • @hullohullo: Yes. But in my mind sbs doesn't have child friendly shows. Maybe Southpark .. not.

        • Buy a Firestick for $59 and you won't need to use the shitty built in "smart" features.

          You can also download every catchup and streaming app. Even YouTube Kids (which I assume is good)

  • +15

    I suggest to contact your local police station whether this is allowed. I do the same previously when I asked if I can drive wife to mall and wait in the car park (allowed by the way).

    • +4

      Good idea. Very good idea. Will do thanks

      • +41

        Seriously why would you waste Police resources for something like that ?

        • +6

          because they are policing this. If they say you can't it saves you from being fined and means they get there job done of getting people to follow covid rules.

      • +3

        I see no reason for the negs, there'll be a contact page on their web site surely?

        One thing though…

        <Hawtrey font>Do get back to us, won't you!<Hawtrey font>

        It's how the place works.

        • +2

          I just rang the local police station. Theyre friendly. I once called them to report a car that was driving with a door that looked like it had been pried open. I asked to confirm whether the car was stolen or not, given the rego and car model. They checked and said no, so all was well that day.

      • -1

        Can you record the conversation and post it on here. Could use a good laugh today!

        • +1

          Cannot. Apparently i need permission from both people in a call to record. Plus it already happened.

    • -6

      Sorry but that wont work
      One policeman will say one thing then someone else something different

      DO NOT CONTACT OR INVOLVE THE POLICE!

  • +9

    Is that you ScoMo?

    • -7

      They're too young for puzzles. But its a similar scenario

      • +7

        Too young for puzzles but old enough for DVDs? Kids start with puzzles from around 12months.

        Anyhow, I agree itā€™s not completely absurd to get DVDs to entertain your kids, particularly if itā€™s contactless pick up.

        Thereā€™s also a fair bit you can stream for kids on iview if you donā€™t have any other streaming subscriptions.

        • -3

          Well when I think puzzles I thing those 1000 piece things. They already have a a few of the put things into a cut out puzzle

    • +4

      More like Pam

  • +11

    Now, I agree with others that buying DVDs right now is not essential, so on that note I would not waste my time with this kind of purchase.

    But given you can buy from JB, this is where it gets really stupid around rules v logic.

    Yes you possibly could be fined as itā€™s against the rules. To both buy these items from a private seller, and then collect them.

    But logically there is very minimal risk of covid spread in these settings. Less risk than perhaps going for a walk with this individual, which is allowed under the rules, and being handed the items in the process.

    You just need to decide if itā€™s worth the monetary risk.

      • +11

        Wow based on this response we are totally screwed!

        • +9

          Thatā€™s the worrying society trend, people actions and decisions being driven by rules/law (e.g. saying it is above board), without consideration of a ā€œmoral compassā€.

          • +2

            @SF3: It readily identifies LNP voters, gotta tell ya

          • +2

            @SF3: @Amayzingone and a lot of people in NSW need to consider the difference between the letter of the law and the spirit of the law.

            • -1

              @Chandler: No!
              You need to understand your RIGHTS and your RESTRICTIONS
              Spirit is NOT the law

              • @HeWhoKnows: And you need to understand your RESPONSIBILITIES!

                And not just the law - I actually read a comment on regards to COVID that put it quite well (in my opinion).

                Long story short - you have a responsibility to society. All you people clamoring about "MuH rIgHtS" are failing to meet those responsibilities.

                Do you really think that EVERYONE involved with EVERY level of government and EVERY level of healthcare, is involved in some conspiracy to strip you of some rights (rights that you don't actually have here in Australia) and give you your own personal radio transceiver?

                Stop encouraging people to break the law, stay the (profanity) home, and we all might get through this without losing too many people along the way.

  • +16

    Not essential.

    • gonna be 2 months without dvds

      • +2

        Should be on blu rays or streaming by now.

        • +1

          So it's essential if you're getting blu rays?

    • +3

      Neither is deliveroo, Ubereats etc, people coming to your house.

      • +1

        99% of deals on this site are for non-essential items that people will go and click and collect or get deliveredā€¦ is it really that much different?

    • +5

      Doesn't mention the bare super bare Spartan necessities.

      You're reaching.

  • +15

    My kids need cars and DVD to remain entertained.
    it is something that I need for my children.
    Thoughts?

    Woah, troll factor level = high.

    Buy online and get it delivered.

    Videos, YouTube is ā€œfreeā€.

    • And have courier who's been all around town touching every door knob drop it off.

      • Courier ain't touching my knob that's for sure

  • +7

    Essential DVDs and cars….

    it is something that I need for my children.

    Things you need for your children: food, medicine, and a healthy dose of reality not DVDs.

    • -6

      You also need a way to keep them entertained so that I can actually do some work and chores. I can't spend all day every day taking them for a walk around the block.

      • +3

        sounds like you need to find some alternate avenues to keep your kids entertained.

        The fact you think it's even remotely acceptable to leave your house and potentially spread this crap make you part of the problem.

        You can literally next business day order a bunch of shit from amazon for your kids to be entertained, you can download / stream shows for a negligible sum of money.

        If you really want the DVDs from this guy (who uses DVDs anymore?) have him send them via a contactless delivery service.

      • +4

        Get some DVDs on parenting!! That is essential and you need it!

    • -1

      Obviously coming from someone that doesn't have young kids driving you crazy at home.

      Anything for OP to keep their sanity and entertain the kids is more essential than " food, medicine, and a healthy dose of reality"

  • -4

    Thanks everyone for your opinions. It seems the majority of comments thinks what I am proposing to do is not essential yet the polls say I should be okay.

    Shrug.
    I will consider my options given your feedback thank you.

    • +3

      Looks like the people voting are a different group to the people commenting?

      • +1

        The silent majority?

        • +1

          Or trolling anonymously. Canā€™t even tell who voted, unlike deals. Users could vote one way and say something else.

          I am fine

          Could be taking the p1ss with the connotation on this one.

          PS. I didnā€™t vote.

    • +2

      That's great, when you get booked make sure you show the cop this Ozbargain poll and you will be fine.d

      • +1

        :)

    • +7

      I'd say the people upvoting you are parents, that are too busy to comment. And the people that are commenting in outrage have never had kids.

      You've clearly thought this out, it is obviously a safe and fine thing to do.
      You are definitely correct that this is essential. Not only are kids hard to entertain while in lockdown, they also need stimulation through play to learn and grow.
      Geez, scomo even got on the news and crapped on about how buying puzzles was considered essential.

      I'd make the transaction without a second thought, and any decent cop wouldn't fine you. If you are unlucky enough to be questioned, and fined, then you would no doubt win the contest.
      Common sense says this is fine. go for it.

      • +4

        wrong i'm a parent of 2 primary aged kids,

        scenario OP presented is OK… the problem most Oz bargainers have here is the Phrase,

        My kids need cars and DVD to remain entertained

        rather than i would like to get DVD's and cars to to entertain my kids.. the kids don't need cars and DVD's to be entertained

        • -2

          Sorry but with 100% agree with JakeyJooJoo though you both miss the crux of the situation

          People here should take the time read the law.instead of being self proclaimed legal experts (they would all fail dismally)

          The law makes no mention nor defines the word "essential"

          Hence OP is perfectly entitled to purchase the goods as long as he/she operates within the limits of the lawā€¦..

          QUOTE FROM NSW GOV COVID-19 WEB SITE:
          Reasonable excuse to leave home

          A reasonable excuse is if you need to
          obtain food or other goods and services

          within 10km of your home, or within your local government area or cross into another local government area if it is within 10km of your home (limited to 5km from Monday 16 August 2021) and it is not a local government area of concern (unless the food or goods or services or their equivalent are not reasonably available locally)

          for the personal needs of the household or for other household purposes (including pets)

          For more details see here (dont listen to the FAKE NEWS or "tainted" political speeches)
          https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/rules/greater-sydney#reasonaā€¦

    • +3

      You should add a poll option "not essential, stay home", you'll get heaps of votes

    • -3

      My comment is the most useful one.
      The rest are just "opinions" from "self proclaimed" legal professionals without any legal qualifications and which are best ignored

    • +3

      The polls definitely dont say you'll be ok

  • +6

    Though it is not essential if done properly can have less contact than going out for coffee. Tell them you are exercising and walking there has absolutely zero difference. So just exercise there if you want

  • +12

    I called the friendly police station. They said it's a Gray area and that they'd err on the side of caution so they advised me again it. So I won't.

    Meanwhile mowing the lawn in my recently purchased but unoccupied home in the same LGA is totally okay. So yay. I'll be doing that tomorrow.

    • +16

      Get the kids to cut the lawn and they won't need DVDs or cars

      • +12

        They're two years old. And there's two of them. And only one mower

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