Most days I pop in a local small supermarket to buy a few items such as milk/ bread/ fruit (big family!). I normally have a buggy with me, either single and holding a toddler's hand or a double buggy. With a few items I often pop them on the hood before paying, with a larger amount I tend to hook a bag for life with a handle over each buggy handle so it's open and pop stuff in there. You could see in it easily. At the till I take the bag off and empty it on the conveyor then refill it after, leaving the bag on the belt. The buggy otherwise is very clear of stuff, no footmuffs, extra bags etc. They have wire baskets and even on a lighter shop with the single I can't control the buggy in the aisles whilst holding one in my hand. The trollies don't have seats either.
Today a member of staff loudly confronted me in front of other shoppers saying 'you can't do that' and 'they'll be watching you on the videos'. I was confused at first and queried doing what, until he pointed at the bag. I'd nearly finished the shop and didn't have hands for the apples/ courgettes/ milk/ bread/ pasta I'd got nor if I got a basket did I have hands free to transport it to the till so I ended up emptying the bag there and then as I couldn't see another way to stop him repeating I couldn't use a bag. I normally do it at least 3 times a week.
I went to the Tesco Metro 4 doors up and asked the guard if it was allowed in there, I got a shrug and a 'whatcha on about' look.
Obviously the solution is to shop elsewhere, but do others do this? WIBU to do so? If so how do those with buggies manage? I used to balance a basket on the hood until it bent.
Also if it is wrong, wouldn't you just bring the customer a basket with a smile and ask them to use it rather than confront? I doubt I fitted any shoplifting profile. The bag was open and visible and I wasn't acting shifty or handling things of value.....