Safe In-Store Shopping Tips During the COVID-19 Outbreak

Taking precautions during the coronavirus outbreak is one essential step we can all take to keeping ourselves and others healthy. The best precaution of all is staying at home, but you can't avoid getting groceries, cleaning products, medications and other essentials. When you have to go out, you want to know the best in-store shopping practices during the COVID-19 situation.

Here at ecoATM, we’ve reviewed and gathered advice from a number of sources on this topic, and we’re sharing that here with you. Consult these in-store shopping steps during the COVID-19 outbreak and remember to follow local and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines as the situation develops.

follow these steps to reduce how much
time you spend at the store:

Create a list
before you shop

Go once a week
or less

Use store's resources

Multitask

Check in with others

follow these steps to reduce how much time you spend at the store:

Create a list
before you shop

Go once a week
or less

Use store's resources

Multitask

Check in with others

follow these steps to reduce how much time you spend at the store:

Create a list
before you shop

Go once a week
or less

Use store's resources

Multitask

Check in with others

Minimize Your Time Outside

Because the best way to avoid getting sick is to avoid exposure to the virus, you need to reduce your time in public or crowded areas. While avoiding gatherings and nonessential shopping is one vital step to take, you still need groceries. In that case, follow these steps to reduce how much time you spend at the store:

Create a list before you shop: Under other conditions, you may have gone shopping with no particular list in mind, just grabbing a few items here and there. During the COVID-19 situation, it is best to be prepared. Create a list of items you're low on and use often. Shop for non-perishable goods and stock up, but don't buy more than you need.

Go once a week or less: If you're used to getting small orders and shopping multiple times a week, it's time to adjust your habits. With a running list throughout the week and ideas for the week ahead, you'll be able to go out less. Some stores may be out of stock of items you need, but try to avoid going out the next day or to multiple stores unless it's vital.
Use store's resources: Many stores offer curbside pickup or delivery of groceries, meaning you can limit your time outside or in proximity to others. You can also use stores' sites and apps to see if certain items you need are in stock before leaving your home.
Multitask: If you need to pick up prescriptions or other medications, pick up other supplies when you're out. Even if you only grab a few essentials, it'll make your trip worthwhile and cut down on time you'll spend out on your next trip.
Check in with others: See if your neighbors, family members, roommates or friends need anything that you could pick up for them. Helping others spreads positivity during this situation, and it can reduce how many people need to go out to shop. Be sure that you feel well before offering so you can help prevent the spread of any illness.

Remember to stay home if you or someone in your household feels sick, regardless of the symptoms. Ask a healthy friend or family member to do the shopping for you or explore community groups to see if volunteers are offering to help. You should also seek help from others if you're an older adult or have previous health conditions — such as lung or heart disease, diabetes, asthma or other concerns.

Whether you deliver supplies to someone else or have a volunteer bring you some, make sure you or the volunteer leave the groceries on a porch or step outside instead of coming inside. That'll reduce contact, which is especially useful if you or the person you deliver to is home sick or at risk.

Save Time In Store with Our App

We’re taking every precaution to minimize the time you spend away from home and provide a safe selling experience at our regularly cleaned kiosks. The ecoATM app provides an instant estimate for the device you’d like to sell and saves time spent at the kiosk. By downloading the app onto the device, it provides a quick test and asks the same question asked at the kiosk and provides a special code to skip the initial steps once you’re in store. Save time by pricing your device at home with the ecoATM app, available on both Apple Store and Google Play.

Multitask With a Visit to an ecoATM Kiosk

At ecoATM, we understand this is a stressful time for everyone. If you need a bit of extra money during these uncertain times, you can trade your used devices in for cash on-the-spot. With convenient locations at grocery stores you may already be visiting. These kiosks also involve non-human interaction, meaning you can sell you old device without human contact.

Find an ecoATM location near you, and stay safe when you do need to leave your home. To get rid of some old devices and get something extra to spend on groceries and necessities, use a convenient ecoATM kiosk near you.