To be annoyed at greedy people

[Pickledonion24]

Work in a shop we have tissue for wrapping delicate items and paper for any pictures. We also provide nice paper bags for free. These cost a bit being a small shop and having small Order quantities and no where to store a bigger order. I always wrap things well but I’m getting fed up of people asking for the price to be taken off each item then wrapped in tissue and separate bags as there gifts. If someone buys a big expensive item it’s never an issue they usally just ask for a bag I normally insist on wrapping it if I have time. But with the cheaper plastic gifts wooden ones tea towels anything under a fiver really. people then start demanding it to be wrapped well and individually bagged. Last week someone wrapped it themselves taking sheets and sheets of the paper while I was using the till to give her some change she didn’t ask either or give me time to do it myself. They normally say can you wrap it well it’s a gift or it’s traveling a long way home after my holiday. Isn’t that what wrapping paper is for and if traveling back to Scotland or Australia you would of thought of a way to provide its protection we are very generous with our packing using a good few sheets bubble wrap and paper but people always expect more. I will continue to grumble about it but will never stop them having extra bags and wrap due as I believe in good customer services. On a dead day if someone comes in for a last minute present and dosnt ask I will often wrap it really neatly take the price of and put it in a nice brown bag. As soon as I say the bags here are free they suddenly go from using there one in the bag or carrying it to wanting a million bags

I used to always buy presents for kids’ parties at the nice independent toy shop that wrapped things in coloured tissue paper and did the curly ribbon thing 😊 I accepted that I paid a premium for the toy, presumably the shop owner had decided that wrapping things nicely brought more customers in. If you are losing money as everyone else has said just put a little on the prices.

Bless you, but you have little to be worrying about.

Surely the cost of the tissue, bubble wrap and bags is factored in to your pricing? If it isn't, it should be. Then, what's the issue?

How many times do we see that a service is offered for free? It isn't free at all - the cost of providing it is factored into the pricing. Or, if the business owner is clueless, it comes off their profit.

I would put out gift bags to be bought and sell them at a nominal price. 50p is a lot. I’d sell them more or less at cost plus perhaps 5p for tissue paper. People, who don’t want to pay for the bags get bulk standard bags and tissue paper free and the cost is offset both in the price of the goods and the bag sales.

How much does a basic gift bag cost? Small and large?

Definetly start charging for the service. I know you mentioned you were worried that it wouldn't be of a high enough standard but to be honest for 50p they shouldn't be expecting much!!

I do think that if you are selling fragile items that are unboxed, then you need to use whatever packaging is required to get it to its destination safely, whether that be a street away, or Australia. I travel a lot and no one has ever given me side eye when I've asked for something to be well wrapped because it has to go in my suitcase for travel overseas.

Do you own the shop OP?