Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3 4

Original poster

To not want kids to pack my shopping

80 replies

Banana99 · 20/08/2016 11:47

Just did a flying visit to the supermarket with a very grumpy child and a broken shopping bag.
I didn't want anymore bags for life as I have a few 1.2 million

Kids ask if they can pack my bag, I say no, I have one bag and I want to get everything in - THE FACES! And then their coach or whoever comes over is also giving me looks!

I have a £20 note in my purse, nothing else, just used all my change to pay for tea whilst child was at lesson

It's the pulling of faces! Isn't it a choice. I have used them in the past, used a billion plastic bags.....

OP posts:

MrsMook · 20/08/2016 13:43

We do it with our Brownie pack and it's our most successful way of involving the girls with their fundraising. Part of the brownie promise and programme is about serving the community, and again, this gets them particpating- there's not many opportunities for that for 7-10 year olds. For several years, girl guiding insurance wouldn't cover car washing anyway.

We talk the girls through heavy things at the bottom, fragile things on top. Cold things together.

There's plenty of people out there who do appreciate it.

2kids2dogsnosense · 20/08/2016 13:45

Like others, I prefer to do my own packing, but I generally stick 50p or a quid in the bucket.

Socksey · 20/08/2016 13:45

My DS does this for his club. I get him to ask if help is needed and if not to stand back and not watch the person...... as this drives me nuts when they stand and watch.... they shouldn't be putting pressure on anyone but sometimes the kids are bored etc and it can feel like they are.... I'll admit that I gate it but it's a good way for them to raise funds and learn about customer services etc.... being cheerful and helpful even when they don't want to....

Rolypoly · 20/08/2016 13:47

I have supervised bag packs with my school to raise money for Duke of Edinburgh expeditions. Many of the girls couldn't afford to take part otherwise - there is no money in the school budget to subsidise them.
I don't like having my bags packed either as I have my own system so I'm always careful to explain to the girls that people may not want them to pack, want to use their own bags etc. and to be polite when this happens. We have had many lovely comments from the public about how pleasant the girls have been, usually the ones who give you the most grief in school get the most praise!

Whenwillthisend2016 · 20/08/2016 13:47

I decline also, once I let them and ended up with awful organisation of my bags and had to stand there like a spare part whilst they did it.

FeralBeryl · 20/08/2016 13:50

I just ask them just to put all the tins in a bag for me and do the rest myself. I usually spot them as I'm in the queue and spread the tins out a bit to keep them busy stop them crushing the fucking bread works for me.
Or I just say no thanks but I will give you a donation.

Eustaciavile · 20/08/2016 13:50

Oh my goodness, only on Mumset, some of you are hilarious in your control freakishness!

Personally I think it's a great way to fundraise. The kids I've encountered have always been polite and I've never had any rubbish packing because they've clearly been shown how to do it...if anything much more carefully than me!!
Some of you seriously need to unclench

specialsubject · 20/08/2016 13:52

Useless fund raiser. Go pick litter, do weeding, remove graffiti. Not so easy, eh?

Bearfrills · 20/08/2016 13:55

I'm taking DS to a bag pack tomorrow along with a a dozen or so other autistic children to raise funds for the autism charity that provides them with clubs and other support.

Reading some of the comments is putting me right off.

Sooverthis · 20/08/2016 14:01

Bear please don't be put off the Times I've experienced it have been great.

lalalalyra · 20/08/2016 14:11

Bearfrills Don't let it put you off. I don't mind it at all. I like seeing kids out doing things to raise money for their event or club.

The Brownies that DD2 used to go too raised £600 doing bag packing. They were hoping to raise £200 for something and ended up going on an extra camp.

IggyPopsicle · 20/08/2016 14:12

A poster upthread mentioned asking them to unload the trolley instead - I think that's a great idea!

Sooverthis · 20/08/2016 14:26

Do be put off the Times tho it's pretty shit newspaper nowadays

Boffered1 · 20/08/2016 14:29

DD has done this and raised a fair amount of funds for her club. A lot of people say no but then donate anyway. DD just stood back or wandered away a little bit when told "no thanks". It hadn't crossed my mind that people would not like it but then I am queen of the randomly packed bag !

zingally · 20/08/2016 14:32

Nope, I can't stand it either! However, in my case, it's usually that I've either got no change, or actually, I honestly don't give a fig about your cubs/brownies/whatever group. I've already got my own charities I support, and yours ain't one.

Fortunately, ever since my local supermarket introduced those handheld self-scanners maybe 4 years ago, I've not had to face this problem for a while.

meck · 20/08/2016 14:33

Do not be put off bear. It's an admirable thing, the parents and coaches and children giving up their free time to raise funds.

trowelmonkey1 · 20/08/2016 14:35

YANBU. I used to work on the checkouts at a busy M&S Food shop in the posh end of town. We would have a different youth group in each week packing the bags. One time we had kids in from the local private school. They were there for six hours and collected over £1000. They weren't even raising money for charity - it was to subsidise a geography field trip jolly to South Africa!

meck · 20/08/2016 14:38

I usually ask them what they're raising money for, which they're always keen to talk about. I've had, over the years, lots of Scouts raising money for various ventures, but also Irish dancers going to the world dance championships, not sure what it's called I know it as the 'Worlds'

I honestly don't give a fig about your cubs/brownies/whatever group. I've already got my own charities I support, and yours ain't one.

Well that's a bit miserable!

londonrach · 20/08/2016 14:39

Another one who says no to this bag packing.

WrinklyBathToes · 20/08/2016 14:39

I get mine delivered and only ever pop in for a couple of bits through self scan so I avoid this little joy now. Our Morrisons was/is just an endless stream of this and it used to drive me nuts. They'd latch onto me as with 2 under 3 in the trolley (invariably warfare by that stage of shopping) I clearly needed everyone else's kids buzzing round me 'helping' to squash my shopping too. You can tell supermarkets bring out the best in me!

JemimaMuddledUp · 20/08/2016 14:44

We do this with PTA. It raises quite a lot, we always try to get a slot just before Christmas and take the school choir down to sing carols in the foyer too.

We teach the kids the basics of packing, and supervise them (a pair of children on each till, one adult supervising two tills). We also make sure they step back and don't give customers evil glances if they decline.

stayathomegardener · 20/08/2016 14:46

I always decline the packing but ask if they would like the pound coin from the trolley if they return it for me after I've unloaded. One of the parents usually accompanies them.
I think they like to break the monotony of being indoors too.

Sussex1983 · 20/08/2016 15:00

I hate this ( hate feeling obliged when it doesn't actually suit me).
Think it's fine to say no thanks, and donate something if you choose to.
Agree that some kids have perfected the look of disgust when you choose not to have them shove wine bottles on top of your loaf right enough

DameXanaduBramble · 20/08/2016 15:03

Useless fund raiser. Go pick litter, do weeding, remove graffiti. Not so easy, eh?

Not so practical for 'on the spot' fundraising.

meck · 20/08/2016 15:13

Who's going to pay them to pick litter and weed and remove graffiti? The Local authority? Plus, I think the process of removing graffiti is not suitable for the children participating, for obvious reasons.

Flip

1 2 3 4