San

New pet peeve

Saturday, July 24, 2010 1:17:27 AM

Stores that charge me for a plastic bag after I spend a whopping amount of money in their establishment. I told the clerk that I knew it wasn't her fault but that I didn't agree with the "NEW" policy. She said, (because she's trained to say this) "It encourages people to be more aware of the environment." I replied, "I think its hypocritical because, look at all the overly packaged stuff you are selling in this store. If your company was concerned with the environment they would eliminate excessive packaging in the products they sell." Touchee!

Besides, I usually bring my own bag, but you know, sometimes you forget , or sometimes you are taking a leisurely walk without your bag and decide, "Oh I should buy some icecream and cereal." So what do they expect me to do? Walk 5 kilometres home to get my reusable bag and then drive back in my car wasting fossil fuels so I have the privilege of shopping in their store? Time to write a letter.

ArggghLions and tigers and...

Comments

Salspooksister # Saturday, July 24, 2010 3:08:10 AM

I totally agree with you. There is one big box store in my community that not only charges you for bags, it won't put the groceries in the bags for you. The clerks say that they are monitored on how fast they process a customer and by bagging the groceries, it slows them down. So, I make a point of being extra slow to place my items in a bag.

I also try not to shop there as customer service is important to me so I usually go to a store that rewards me for bringing my own bags but doesn't charge me for their bags and they put the groceries in the bag

Stardancer # Saturday, July 24, 2010 3:13:02 AM

People are using the environment--a legitimate concern--for extortion purposes.

Ain't right.

Sansanshan # Saturday, July 24, 2010 3:57:36 AM

I'm thinking that next time I'm going to get a huge amount of stuff and put it on the counter, and when she asks me if I'd like to buy a bag I'll say, "NO! Would you like me to spend money in this store so you have a job?" And then I'll walk away! Brilliant!

Darkogdare # Saturday, July 24, 2010 4:47:37 AM

In our stores, plastic bags are for free except when you want to have stronger, more durable bag. Then you have to pay for it. What annoyes me is when sellers are not polite or lazy to do their job. Or when they are very impolite. Then I never go to that shop again

Sansanshan # Saturday, July 24, 2010 4:51:08 AM

Most stores have free bags. Usually I bring my own though, or use my backpack.

Darkogdare # Saturday, July 24, 2010 4:53:24 AM

I like backpacks

Adele BrandSittingFox # Saturday, July 24, 2010 8:54:38 AM

This is what happens when stores want to look like they're doing something, as opposed to really doing something.

galadriel # Saturday, July 24, 2010 10:30:57 AM

Plastic bags were finally 'banned' from supermarkets here last year. Now you can get durable plastic bags for 50 cents or so. I always have a backpack or bag with me. No way am I spending 50 cents on a durable PLASTIC bag or 10 cents on a normal one.

I think it's stupid how there are still plastic bags in the fruit and veg section of the supermarket. And yes, that with the packaging is a worry too.

Mad Scientist (عادل)qlue # Saturday, July 24, 2010 4:44:16 PM

It's against the law for a shop to give bags for free here in South Africa.

.
That's bureaucracy for you.

galadriel # Saturday, July 24, 2010 10:17:58 PM

It's against the law here to take a bath in a fountain! WHA?

Uncle MickMickeyjoe-Irl # Sunday, July 25, 2010 8:07:21 PM

Ireland has a plastic bag levy and I have to say it's a good thing. There used to be a huge problem with plastic bag litter that has almost entirely disappeared.

Edward Piercyedwardpiercy # Sunday, July 25, 2010 8:25:53 PM

At our store we get free plastic or paper bags. If we bring our own cloth bag we get a nickle off each bag.

I think that's very fair.

Sansanshan # Sunday, July 25, 2010 8:57:21 PM

I think there should be a discount too. Some stores here offer that.

galadriel # Sunday, July 25, 2010 9:01:59 PM

That's a good idea.
Australian supermarkets also need bottle recycling machines installed. Instead, we have to collect bottles and DRIVE to some weirdo place, where the bottle recycyling office is located. Doesn't make much sense. I'm sure the pollution the car caused is more than the 'goodness' received from recycling the bottles

Louisvolkuro # Sunday, July 25, 2010 9:41:41 PM

Here almost every store charge for bags. I'm not against it if it prevents pollution in a way.

But what really annoys me, is that hardware store where I often go for work where they charge for the bags but don't offer me to buy some before I pay for the merchandise. So when I ask for a bag to put my stuff in after, they answer me that I should have told it before because they aren't free.

Can't you see that I won't leave with all this merchandise loose in my hands!!! Charge me the damn 5 cents at the beginning and give me a bag to bring my stuff!

Sansanshan # Sunday, July 25, 2010 9:56:06 PM

What about all the plastic bags in the produce section?

Louisvolkuro # Sunday, July 25, 2010 10:05:49 PM

I dunno. I guess because they are thinner, they consider them less damageable.