People still buying bags when shopping

well I dont have a car and cant carry a bag, so for me it is have a carrier bag stuffed in my pocket all day, getting in the way and falling out, or buy another bag on the way home when I pass the shop.

I did a big shop the other week and kicked myself that I'd forgotten to put the bloody bags in the car. Lo and behold when I got back to my car, I spotted someone else's bag of bags left in a trolley. It felt a bit grubby, like trying on someone else's undies, but I tried to take it that lady luck was smiling down on me. It was kind of interesting to pull out bag after bag and see where the former owner liked to do their shopping. Mainly Body Care and Next.

The ones who annoy me are the people who steal the bags for life.

How pathetic do you have to be if you can afford the 30p and yet steal the bag.

I buy bags occasionally. Usually it's one of the following reasons.

A) I've forgotten bags, happens rarely as I usually meal plan before going shopping but has happened a few times. Especially if I'm shopping after the school run and I've rushed to get out the house and forgotten them.

B) unplanned shopping stop off. Usually with DD in tow. I wasn't planning on shopping but DD (age 3) needed a wee/ more trousers than i packed and we have a wander round the shop whilst we are there.

C) I could do with some bags (that are more disposable to me than my large heavy duty Aldi/ Lidl bags). For example I've just sorted out all DDs old clothes and pants to donate to nursery as spares and I know I won't get the bags back. I'm decluttering and need bags to take to the charity shop/ give to people who are buying on FB marketplace.

When I need a bag, I buy one.
Full stop.

Those of you who don't, you should be ashamed of yourselves.

Hangs head in shame

On the off chance that I pop into a shop when I wasn't planning to? Yeah - not going to happen!

The planet is fucked anyway. Enjoy your bags while you can.

I dunno op I guess some of just have a life x

I end up buying a bag if I pop into the shops on the way home. I ultimately end up using old shopping bags to take soft plastic recycling to the recycling point at my local Tesco.

I don't know why you are so het up about how other people are spending their money and what they are using their bags for. You must have very little worries in your life at the moment.

I nearly always have bags on me, especially for larger shops, but occasionally I've been caught out and had to buy one or two. Not a biggie really.

Also, when buying new clothes, I've purchased a bag to keep the new clothing clean, rather than using a bag that may have been previously used for food items etc. These bags are always recycled afterwards though.

If people want to buy bags, it's up to them. I really couldn't care less. I'm sure we're using a lot less on average and with all the recycling we do in this country I don't think a few persistent offenders will make that much difference.

Sometimes I will nip into the supermarket while out doing other things or for one specific item but end up buying extra things.....then I need to buy a bag. You can guarantee my fold up shopping bag is always in another handbag as well!

Why were you buying a new coat from a retailer OP? I'm fairly certain the charity shops have coats that you could have bought without contributing to the environmental issues caused by the clothing trade. Also, given the cost of living it would have been so much cheaper for you. (Obviously if you were actually buying a coat from a charity shop, I'm ok with that.)

I get the bulk of my shopping delivered so no worry about bags. But if I nip in after work 9 times out of 10 I either forget the bags or leave them in the car so will end up buying a new bag if I have too much to carry.

@Just4thisthreadtoday

I usually buy one when I go into Sainsbury's as I buy some basic clothes (leggings/dicks etc)

I mean, I think I’d put my dicks in a bag?

I never take a handbag if I am driving places. I often go to the shop on my way back from the gym and sometimes I only have my phone with me. I also started leaving my bag at home when going into town (on a bus) wearing my winter coat - it has huge pockets and seems easier to just take a phone, keys and a card and not bother with the bag.

I just see it as a tax on thick people.

“Pack at the car”

What if I walk to the shop, does that out weigh my bag purchase?

@Needmorelego

they all do it, don't they!! M&S have lovely fresh veg on theirs & brilliant 'double handles/straps' one for holding by hand & one for slinging over your shoulder. Love them.

I usually buy one when I go into Sainsbury's as I buy some basic clothes (leggings/dicks etc) in there & like a clean bag.

I get Tesco shopping delivered (no bags) and get bits for a friend & bits from other places when I'm there and give them to him in a bag for life, in turn he uses it & then passes things onto his Dad who uses the bag then gives it to one of his grandchildren who then take bits to school in them
& then they get reused at school etc etc or I fill them and give them to the local charity & they reuse them

nags are used many times, by many people & so I'm happy to have the joy of buying them & starting the chain off.

I agree OP. Usually it’s young men at the till who can’t be bothered to bring a bag and so keep buying ‘bags for life’. No cost of living crisis for some!

@Simonjt I often end up paying for a few extra bags when on holiday because I realise I will need to put soggy swimming clothes/muddy shoes/dirty clothes back in the suitcase to travel home.
I could take some with me of course.....but I'm not that organised 🙂

Well I took a bag with me and obviously managed to drop it somewhere today. Shock, horror, I bought a bag!

That’s single use bags though which shops very rarely sell now. Where’s the figures for bags for life?

@Aussieland

the reduction in the use of 'single use' plastic bags has been impressive. Ok so not 100% but very good.

but that is not what this thread is about, it's simply the OP preaching about saving money.

sticking her beak into other people's business.

it has understandably got people's backs up, & they're responding by saying they'll do as they please.