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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To thinks wandering from one shop to another using your own shopping bag will be problematic.

109 replies

Sunnymeg · 04/06/2014 14:19

I was thinking about when the new carrier bag tax come in in England. We have so many shops who actively discourage you from taking bags with you as they are concerned about people slipping things into them.What are these shops going to do when people start using their own bags for shopping. No one worried about it back in the 1960's, but times have changed. I hope this doesn't mean shops are going to start checking people's bags as they leave the shop.

OP posts:
TheDoctorSandshoesAndGrandad · 04/06/2014 14:20

I do this now and never have a problem.

grocklebox · 04/06/2014 14:20

yabu. Its not a problem in the other countries that have already done it, some many years ago. Handing out free carrier bags is crazy.

SantanaLopez · 04/06/2014 14:21

I know what you mean, but people still have the opportunity to slip things into bags just now and we aren't searched constantly.

LadySybilVimes · 04/06/2014 14:21

YABU, I already do this and have never had an issue.

ChunkyPickle · 04/06/2014 14:21

Never been a problem for me... I'm pretty sure I've seen lockers at the front of stores somewhere, but I can't remember where (although that brings its own security concerns)

Personally I just hate having to carry the damn things around with me all the time just in case I nip into a shop.. oh, and that it now means I'll have to buy liners for the bathroom bin.

Naoko · 04/06/2014 14:23

I'm in Wales. We've had a charge on carrier bags for a few years now and this just isn't a problem.

LRDtheFeministDragon · 04/06/2014 14:23

Never had a problem.

In shops that don't like you carrying bags around, they'll probabl bring in more wire baskets. Lidl near me don't like you to go around filling up a jute bag, they'd rather you put it in a trolley and put it in the bag at the end. They've not provided free bags for donkey's years (ever?). It's not a problem.

magpiegin · 04/06/2014 14:24

I do this already as it's an arse having a load of carrier bags. Don't see it as being a problem.

softlysoftly · 04/06/2014 14:25

But people do that now Confused

If you buy something in one shop then go to the next shop that's exactly what happens unless you do a trip to your car between shops.

moot point really.

BeCool · 04/06/2014 14:25

Another one who already does this and has never had a problem
What about if you have been shopping already and have 5 bags with you?

It's a non-issue.

HesterShaw · 04/06/2014 14:26

Does it cause problems in other countries? Did it used to cause problems before shops started routinely doling out single use carrier bags? Do you throw away receipts as soon as you are given them?

I think there's your answer.

When I was in France ten years or so ago, I bought a nylon, very strong carrier bag for 10 cents which folds up very small into a small pouch and goes very easily into my handbag. I'm still using it, even for when I buy clothes.

ThaneOfScunthorpe · 04/06/2014 14:26

Where I live if you take a carrier bag into another shop you get a security tape put onto it to kind of 'seal' it. Other countries I've lived in have a system where you have to leave your bag in a locker, although actually I can't see that happening in the UK because of the bomb threat.

ouryve · 04/06/2014 14:27

I've never been turned away from a shop for already having a bag.

If they did, I would not be returning without a bag to spend my money there.

WisemansBridge · 04/06/2014 14:28

I'm in Wales too and as previous poster said, we've had it a few years now. Never been a problem for me.

wigglesrock · 04/06/2014 14:28

Hasn't caused that many problems with me anyone I know - am in NI & as far as I'm aware its been quite successful.

SisterMoonshine · 04/06/2014 14:28

I can see that it might be easier for shoplifters in clothes shops etc.

Clayhead · 04/06/2014 14:30

I always do this!

eurochick · 04/06/2014 14:32

I do this already.

I do recall that when I lived in France, many supermarkets had signs up about leaving large bags at the entrance. I always ignored them and it was never a problem.

TheReluctantCountess · 04/06/2014 14:32

Didn't supermarkets start charging a few years ago or did I imagine it?

CorusKate · 04/06/2014 14:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Rhine · 04/06/2014 14:35

I'm in Wales and no one has ever checked my bag when I've left a shop. We've had the charges for a few years and there have been no problems that I know of. I doubt they'd have brought it in a England if it hadn't been successful in other parts of the UK.

PolterGoose · 04/06/2014 14:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TheIronGnome · 04/06/2014 14:40

I don't think this has ever been a problem... My dm always takes a big shopping bag when she's shopping. I don't bother taking bags for small things when they offer and they don't mind when you refuse a bag- it's part of the reason they usually offer!

HesterShaw · 04/06/2014 14:41

CorusKate that sounds like a particularly irritating example of French bureaucracy!

PatriciaHolm · 04/06/2014 14:43

which shops don't like you to carry bags? I'm struggling to think of any!