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Original poster

To be fed up with hidden bags !

53 replies

Piamia7 · 11/07/2025 12:08

Trying to shop anywhere, for example, Tesco...

I'm in the trolley self check outs since there's only one main till open and have to bloody search everywhere for a bag!

I've been in Sainsbury's today at the self-checkout and the same thing. Can't ask someone for help as they're busy for ages.

Primark last week, the bags were hidden far away at the end of the self-checkouts. Why are shops doing this?

OP posts:
BlueyNeedsToFuckOff · 11/07/2025 16:42

nickelbabe · 11/07/2025 14:57

It's to make you take your own bags.
I'm gobsmacked how people still don't bring their own bags to the shops.

In my case they start off in my car / handbag. Then they get used and I forget to put them back in there, so then I don’t have bags when I go shopping and have to buy them.

I see it as an ADHD tax

ExpressCheckout · 11/07/2025 16:32

kittensinthekitchen · 11/07/2025 16:23

Yup, see also the self-checkout assistant is nowhere to be seen when you need assistance, but magically appears to swoop upon your basket the second you remove the final item to scan - then sneaks a peek into your bag while they're there.
Babes, the machine starts shouting at me if I even as much as BREATHE on the bag shelf, there's no way I've been able to smuggle in any extra shopping 🤦🏻‍♀️

And god forbid you want to buy cigarettes or a vape after teatime, when they've closed down the cigarette kiosk and don't want you to buy from the cigarette lock box they provide TO BUY CIGARETTES FROM!

Show quote history

^ This, and what @kittensinthekitchen said (good name btw)

I'm getting fed up of the supermarkets - ASDA and Morrisons in particular. If I'm at the self-checkout I'm hardly going to have nicked something then waited for them to approve my alcohol purchases.

Oh, yes, and it's the 'looking in my bag' bit as well ... next time I might put a dead cat in there or something (only joking btw).

I'm going to try some other supermarkets - Sainsbury's and Lidl, they are a bit further for me to travel, but if it means less of being treated like a criminal...

kittensinthekitchen · 11/07/2025 16:23

Brownbearwhitebear · 11/07/2025 15:10

I'm sick of being treated like a thief as well - a staff member came over to authorise my alcohol purchase the other day but still insisted on seeing my receipt before they would remove the plastic cage and security tag despite having just watched me pay. I realise it's not their fault but a) they could be a bit more apologetic to actual paying customers and b) if their security guards actually did something about shoplifters maybe the rest of us wouldnt be made to feel like one.

Show quote history

Yup, see also the self-checkout assistant is nowhere to be seen when you need assistance, but magically appears to swoop upon your basket the second you remove the final item to scan - then sneaks a peek into your bag while they're there.
Babes, the machine starts shouting at me if I even as much as BREATHE on the bag shelf, there's no way I've been able to smuggle in any extra shopping 🤦🏻‍♀️

And god forbid you want to buy cigarettes or a vape after teatime, when they've closed down the cigarette kiosk and don't want you to buy from the cigarette lock box they provide TO BUY CIGARETTES FROM!

RampantIvy · 11/07/2025 15:30

Fundayout2025 · 11/07/2025 14:55

And where are you meant to get them from if the shops hide them then?

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Buy them. Every decent sized supermarket has proper shopping bags for sale.

can't even take your own handbag into the fitting room!

What do they suggest you do with a handbag? I wouldn't want to leave mine with a random shop assistant.

Needmorelego · 11/07/2025 15:17

@Piamia7 I think you should go back to home deliveries.
I think it will make you so much more happier !

Brownbearwhitebear · 11/07/2025 15:10

kittensinthekitchen · 11/07/2025 12:50

YANBU

As a shopper, I often feel like an inconvenience to many shops/assistants these days.

I'm sick of being treated like a thief as well - a staff member came over to authorise my alcohol purchase the other day but still insisted on seeing my receipt before they would remove the plastic cage and security tag despite having just watched me pay. I realise it's not their fault but a) they could be a bit more apologetic to actual paying customers and b) if their security guards actually did something about shoplifters maybe the rest of us wouldnt be made to feel like one.

AngelicKaty · 11/07/2025 15:10

@Piamia7 "Why are shops doing this?" It's all part of "nudge" tactics to train us into doing the right thing - in this case, going to the shops with your own reusable bag(s) to reduce plastic waste. Seriously OP, where have you been? I also do most of my shopping online, but even I know to take bags with me if I go to a physical shop - this isn't "new" news.

Needmorelego · 11/07/2025 15:04

Piamia7 · 11/07/2025 14:48

Before I went shopping last week I didnt own any bags, I usually do online shopping which comes without them. How does one just magic up bags from home?

Show quote history

You haven't been in a shop for over ten years?
(bag tax introduced in 2015).
That's unusual to be honest unless you've been housebound.
By the way.....of course you can take your handbag into changing rooms.

Fundayout2025 · 11/07/2025 15:03

Icanbuymyselfflowers86 · 11/07/2025 15:02

gobsmacked really?

I mainly take my own bags but occasionally forget or go on an unplanned shopping trip, so I buy one, good to know my behaviour is so wild that it’s gobsmacking.

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Lol ignore the bag virtue signalling

Icanbuymyselfflowers86 · 11/07/2025 15:02

nickelbabe · 11/07/2025 14:57

It's to make you take your own bags.
I'm gobsmacked how people still don't bring their own bags to the shops.

gobsmacked really?

I mainly take my own bags but occasionally forget or go on an unplanned shopping trip, so I buy one, good to know my behaviour is so wild that it’s gobsmacking.

Fundayout2025 · 11/07/2025 15:01

nickelbabe · 11/07/2025 14:59

How??? I haven't bought a bag from the supermarket since before they were charged for, and I still manage to have thousands of bags at home. I save them from when people give me stuff in bags etc.

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Ah can I give my DD your address. She will soon clear your supply out for you. She's she reason I struggle to find a bag at home

Needmorelego · 11/07/2025 15:01

Fundayout2025 · 11/07/2025 14:55

And where are you meant to get them from if the shops hide them then?

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You just ask and they are happy to sell them to you (various different prices and styles).
Any shop that sell bags (like a department store) will always have a variety of sizes and designs of shopping bags to buy.

nickelbabe · 11/07/2025 14:59

Piamia7 · 11/07/2025 14:48

Before I went shopping last week I didnt own any bags, I usually do online shopping which comes without them. How does one just magic up bags from home?

Show quote history

How??? I haven't bought a bag from the supermarket since before they were charged for, and I still manage to have thousands of bags at home. I save them from when people give me stuff in bags etc.

nickelbabe · 11/07/2025 14:57

It's to make you take your own bags.
I'm gobsmacked how people still don't bring their own bags to the shops.

Fundayout2025 · 11/07/2025 14:55

Needmorelego · 11/07/2025 14:20

Because you are meant to bring your own.
🙄

And where are you meant to get them from if the shops hide them then?

spoonbillstretford · 11/07/2025 14:52

I agree. Sometimes I have impromptu trips and don't have a bag. Plus I reuse them for things at home and hardly have any these days, it's useful to have a few in stock.

Original poster
Piamia7 · 11/07/2025 14:50

RampantIvy · 11/07/2025 14:22

Why don't you take your own?
I keep a fold up bag in my handbag and spare bags in the car, and when I am doing a major shop I just take my normal shopping bags with me.

Also I hadn't been in Primark for a couple years so hadn't realised it was all self checkout. I went with the assumption they'd pack it into a paper bag at the till like they used to do, I've never seen anyone take their own bags into there. I'd probably get accused of trying to steal if I did that, can't even take your own handbag into the fitting room!

OP posts:
Original poster
Piamia7 · 11/07/2025 14:48

TheyFuckYouUpYourMamAndDad · 11/07/2025 12:48

I mean…there’s clearly a very simple solution to your problem OP 🤷‍♀️

Before I went shopping last week I didnt own any bags, I usually do online shopping which comes without them. How does one just magic up bags from home?

OP posts:
RampantIvy · 11/07/2025 14:22

Why don't you take your own?
I keep a fold up bag in my handbag and spare bags in the car, and when I am doing a major shop I just take my normal shopping bags with me.

Needmorelego · 11/07/2025 14:20

Because you are meant to bring your own.
🙄

xanthomelana · 11/07/2025 14:18

Because people steal them and the majority of people bring their own hence the name bag for life.

kittensinthekitchen · 11/07/2025 12:50

YANBU

As a shopper, I often feel like an inconvenience to many shops/assistants these days.

TheyFuckYouUpYourMamAndDad · 11/07/2025 12:48

I mean…there’s clearly a very simple solution to your problem OP 🤷‍♀️

Original poster
Piamia7 · 11/07/2025 12:35

The other day, after 15 minutes in self-checkout queue for ages I had to go searching for bags and because it took so long to find them (they were dumped under something) an elderly man had taken over my till so I had to wait again.

OP posts:
TwoToots · 11/07/2025 12:24

My my Morrisons, the staff hold them. Then they can’t help anyone because of all the bags.

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