Bagging your own groceries rant

[allison443]

At one supermarket I shop at, the cashier scans the items, they go past the cashier on a conveyor belt, and the items accumulate at the end of the counter. (Not bagging as you go along) I always start bagging the items and when the cashier finishes scanning, he/she joins in. They usually say, thanks for bagging. Why wouldn't people bag if it gets you out of there faster and you can sort the items as you want? I have seen many people pay their total, then just stand there next to the bags and the items and watch the cashier bag everything without helping. That's something I don't get.

 

[OceanAnnie]

Why wouldn't people bag if it gets you out of there faster and you can sort the items as you want?

For me, I'm busy watching the scanner/prices! Too many times I've been overcharged. I'd rather catch it when it happens than have to go to customer service later. It's a hassle and takes time! I also have children that come along with me. They need my attention. On the rare occasion they aren't with me, I'm (usually) ready for a break!

I have helped bag sometimes, always after the transaction is complete. I've helped when I'm without kids and if it's super busy in the grocery store. Once, I was going to help one cashier because she had a carpal tunnel type device on her hand. She told me she'd rather me not help, because she had gotten hurt by customers bagging with her and would rather do it herself. They inadvertently banged her hands with cans and heavy items. She went on to tell me about the hazards of her job.

Anyway, I'm really glad that bagging groceries is not expected in my area. I like having it done for me. I also like someone walking me to my vehicle and loading the groceries for me. It's good for safety reasons. There isn't much of a price differential between stores that do this and those that don't. They all have the "loss leaders" and the difference between the grocery stores every day items is negligible.

 

[bdg100]

Okay, I know at places like ALDI you are supposed to bag your own groceries. I had an experience tonight that I thought I would ask what you all think.

I bought about $130 worth of food (a cart full) from Cub Foods tonight. I was one of the only people in the store. After the cashier ran up my items he asked do you want me to help you bag them? I said yes, if you aren't busy (which he obviously wasn't). He filled a couple of bags and another lady came up so he checked her out. Then he just stood there and watched us bag our own stuff. I took me about five more minutes to finish bagging my stuff and he just watched me.

Am I just spoiled to think that a person getting paid by a store should bag my items rather than standing around? Also, I watched the cashier in the other open lane and she was bagging people's groceries in her lane. Should I make a complaint to the manager or am I overreacting? I did take note of the guy's name before I left.

Yes, you are overreacting. There may be a very good reason the cashiers don't bag your groceries. One of them might be that their employer doesn't want them to. Cashiers are one of the professions at risk for developing carpal tunnel syndrome. It could be that the store has adopted a "no frills" approach to keep your costs down in a number of ways, like not having to hire so many and reducing it's workers' compensation claims. Besides, the way you make this store sound it is a "bag your own" store. In my opinion, if you want full service go to a full service store. Just like when I go to the gas station, I don't expect the cashier to pump my gas from a "self service" pump just because she is sitting at the register reading a magazine.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Is this a northern thing--grocery stores don't do this in Florida (that I am aware of). They bag your groceries and have carry out service.

I do recall many years ago shopping at Shoppers Food Warehouse with my step-mother in Maryland. We had to bag our own groceries and I was shocked. We didn't have this in South Carolina either.








And carpal tunnel syndrome as a risk of employment???? That's an excuse to not have them bag groceries---seems to not be a problem around here as we don't have epidemic CTS incidents and the cashiers will help bag.

I think it is just a thing to have self-bagging for whatever reason----and the lane can get processed faster and they don't have to hire bag boys or girls--but reduction of medical claims??? I don't think so.

I'm glad we live where this is not an issue.

And since OP mentioned they have consistently bagged her groceries on previous occasions--some of us need to tone down the attitude in responding to her.

I never knew self-bagging was a thing either and probably would have stood there in line wondering why noone was coming to bag. It is not a flaw and no it doesn't mean we expect the staff to tie the kid's shoe as well.

BTW worked at a crappy grocery store for 4 years--and even in its crappiest state--bagging groceries was part of the customer service.

 

[mlwear]

I hate bagging my own groceries. That's why I drive out of my way to do my grocery shopping at a store where they not only bag it for you, they also still take it out and load it in the car for you!

Me too. We have a chain that started locally and is rapidly expanding. Their prices are higher than Wal-Mart, but fairly close to Kroger-not outrageous. Their draw is EXCELLENT customer service. They bag your groceries (I'm sure you could ask to help, if you want) but they do a great job. They always double bag, never put chemicals near food, never smash your bread, etc. Then, they take it to your car without exception (one exception: express lane with only one or two bags, but even then they offer). They carefully put the bags in the car. I have never had one problem. They aren't allowed to accept tips. They just have it down to a science.
(They also have 1 hour day care for kids under 7 years old ) Plus, all the new grocery store stuff: dry cleaner, bank, florist, etc.

They do a great business. They treat their customers with the greatest respect and always thank you for shopping there.

In addition, they aren't open on Sundays so all their employess have the day for their families. I have read that it is one of the best companies to work for. Perhaps, the owners treat the employess respectfully, the employees treat the customers respectfully and the customers are respectful in the store.

A rapidly growing chain and I can see why.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

what chain is that?

 

[mlwear]

what chain is that?

Ukrops. It is very regional now. It started in Richmond, VA and has spread throughout Cental Virginia they are opening stores in Northern Virginia (I guess making their way to the DC area) and I recently heard a news report that they opened some stores in NC.
I hope some day to see them go national. Then, everyone will be able to choose to have their groceries bagged!

BTW, they do TONS for the community, too. I think they donate 10% of their GROSS profit.
I think the owners must have strong religious beliefts: closed on Sunday, they don't sell an alcoholic beverages, and donate 10%. Perhaps that has something to do with their success. But, that is just my personal opinion.

 

[mamacatnv]

Is this a northern thing--grocery stores don't do this in Florida (that I am aware of). They bag your groceries and have carry out service.

And carpal tunnel syndrome as a risk of employment???? That's an excuse to not have them bag groceries---seems to not be a problem around here as we don't have epidemic CTS incidents and the cashiers will help bag.

I think it is just a thing to have self-bagging for whatever reason----and the lane can get processed faster and they don't have to hire bag boys or girls--but reduction of medical claims??? I don't think so.

CTS is a huge issue for the Checker industry, however most stores that offer bagging service have clerks whose job is to handle the bagging.

Maybe Florida has so many full service type businesses due to the high retirement population that it serves and whom expect and are willing to pay for these services.

Here where I live, we have all options. It is up to me to decided what type of service I want and that dictates where I shop. I only go to the self bag type place about once a month. It is a pain, but I can't beat the savings on all the kid foods, things that come in a bag, box or can and frozen. All other trips are made to my local Raleys where service is their motto. They unload the cart, bag it and take it to my car, however I pay a premium for this service.

MamaCatNV

 

[bdg100]

CTS is a huge issue for the Checker industry, however most stores that offer bagging service have clerks whose job is to handle the bagging. /QUOTE]

See, hate to say I told you so, but....

 

[disneymom3]

And I disagree with the Minnesota guy who posted above. There are other places just as cheap as Cub foods who will bag your groceries. I'm just saying I would rather go to a place that will. You don't necessarily have to sacrifice service for price.

As a MN girl, I found myself in complete agreement with what Dud's said. So, I find myself wondering where these places are that are as cheap as Cub? In my town we have SuperWalmart, close by a SuperTarget,(Both more expensive than Cub) Rainbow(where you bag it yourself) and Aldi--which I love but you bag yourself--and a local chain that is mucho expensive. I would love to save as much money and have them bag it so tell me where and I will be there!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

CTS is a huge issue for the Checker industry, however most stores that offer bagging service have clerks whose job is to handle the bagging.


MamaCatNV

I didn't say that it wasn't an issue. I said that not having them bag groceries--especially if this has been done for YEARS--would make that not a factor in the decision to not offer the service.


while we do have a high retirement population--it was the same in a college town...it was the same for us in South Carolina.

I don't doubt the need to reduce the costs and pass onto customers...I think it is rediculous that medical claims are the reason why.

See, hate to say I told you so, but....

No need to say I told you so or anything--no need for anyone to be snarky.


If you can prove a link to prove that CTS is why they do not bag groceries--then you would have a valid point. Until then, I'm not buying that it had anything to do with it other than simple cost reduction. (and an example would be that the rates of CTS are higher in the south where cashiers help bag more often--that would certainly prove the theory).



I'm still curious as to why this is done more in the North though---can anyone offer up why that is?

 

[Karenj2]

I live in the Philly area, and I would say that bagging is sporatic around here. Where I go (Acme) if the store is not busy, people will bag, but if it's crowded, you're on your own. It used to be commonplace for them to bag things (and do it well), but now, I'd rather bag it myself.

Actually, I LOVE the self-checkout line. It's always open, and I can scan just as easily as the cashier. Also, that way I can put stuff in bags in the manner *I* want (frozen foods together, smooshables away from the cans, etc.) The only thing I don't like is that they usually have a smaller stack of paper bags (which I prefer), so I end up using plastic.

I've only had a few problems with scanning items in, but its usually easily resolved.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

When I lived in Ohio they had a "you bag" store (Bigg's) where the cashier rings up your groceries and you bag them. And at Kroger they had "self checkout" lanes where you scan and bag them. I never minded the self checkout because I usually only had one or two items and if I had a cart full of stuff I went over to the other checkout lanes where the cashier scanned and bagged. At Bigg's (even when I had two carts full of stuff) when the cashier didn't help (and I don't think they are obligated to do so, I knew that it was a "you bag" store before I went there) I just took my time. I don't let them rush me and when they check out the next person and put their stuff on the other conveyor belt and that person bags and leaves the cashier can put the next person's stuff on that side. If I have that many groceries, I've already been in the store for awhile so what's another 10-15 minutes? IMHO Just because they're standing there doesn't mean they have to help you when it's the stores policy that you bag.


I feel like I may get CTS from working 5 days a week in front of a computer. You think my boss will let me get a "you type" person so that my risk of getting CTS is reduced?

 

[ginna74]

As I said before the chain here (northern minnesota) you bag it yourself (Super one). I forgot to say there are a couple of places that bag but YOU pay for it too. If I want cheaper food I have to bag. I do it, but I take my time and am in no hurry to get done before other pass by.

 

[KandiB47]

And since OP mentioned they have consistently bagged her groceries on previous occasions--some of us need to tone down the attitude in responding to her.

I never knew self-bagging was a thing either and probably would have stood there in line wondering why noone was coming to bag. It is not a flaw and no it doesn't mean we expect the staff to tie the kid's shoe as well.

Thank you!

 

[24601]

We shop at a "you bag it yourself and pay for the bags" place too. It's far cheaper than the more full-service alternatives and a choice we made. Of course, our choice may not be as appealing to others as it is to us! Sure, it's nicer to shop in a more eye-pleasing store, but it's not worth the extra scratch to us.

 

[bdg100]

I didn't say that it wasn't an issue. I said that not having them bag groceries--especially if this has been done for YEARS--would make that not a factor in the decision to not offer the service.


while we do have a high retirement population--it was the same in a college town...it was the same for us in South Carolina.

I don't doubt the need to reduce the costs and pass onto customers...I think it is rediculous that medical claims are the reason why.



No need to say I told you so or anything--no need for anyone to be snarky.


If you can prove a link to prove that CTS is why they do not bag groceries--then you would have a valid point. Until then, I'm not buying that it had anything to do with it other than simple cost reduction. (and an example would be that the rates of CTS are higher in the south where cashiers help bag more often--that would certainly prove the theory).



I'm still curious as to why this is done more in the North though---can anyone offer up why that is?

Snarky, had to look that one up. I may be short tempered and irritable, just ask my wife but, at least I don't resort to ad hominum arguments. I also don't pretend to know things that I know nothing about. The fact of the matter is that any job requiring hand repetative motion, such as a checker, can be a contributing factor of carpal tunnel syndrome. Whether it is the actual cause or not is irrelevant to a prospective claimant and his/her attorney in a workers' compensation claim. The legal definition of causation can be different than the actual definition. It would not surprise me in the least, though I have no actual knowledge of this particular store's motives, if the store considered the possibility of lowering it's workers' compensation claims when it made it's decision to have it's customers bag their own groceries.

 

[crisi]

I'm still curious as to why this is done more in the North though---can anyone offer up why that is?

The Twin Cities is a strange grocery market. SuperValue (which owns Cub) is the markets major grocery distributor. Cub is (around here) a bag your own grocery store, its one of the ways they keep costs down. Rainbow is owned by Roundy's, who bought them about two/three years ago when the previous owners when bankrupt - but they are trying to get out of the market - Rainbow is for sale again. The other grocers in town are either specialty co-ops (independant like Mississippi Market or national like Whole Foods) or high end (Byerlys/Lunds - owned by the same company - or my favorite Kowalski's - my Kowalski's grocery store has a spa in it - not kidding). We also have SimonDelivers - an internet grocer. Margins are cutthroat, I was talking to my local Rainbow manager and he said the store has been losing money for six months. No one double coupons.

I'd guess Cub is bag your own because they can - the place is usually packed - and it helps keep the costs down and the volume high. Seniors usually don't shop Cub - they can usually be found at Byerly's/Lunds.

 

[stemikger]

Where I shop they don't help the other customer until they finish baggin yours. If you help them they always say thanks for helping. I think you have a right to rant.

 

[rflorek]

I personally HATE when the cashiers help me bag my groceries. Things get mixed (liked detergents and fresh vegetables), things get crushed/broken....I know how I want to package my groceries, and I ALWAYS do it myslef (which is why I avoid my local Pathmark - they won't let you bag your own stuff).