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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think this is rude and annoying

44 replies

LovelyBath77 · 14/07/2018 12:05

In Waterstones, buying a couple of books as a present and a book token. Paid and not offered a bag, when I asked for one "Well I will have to charge you, you should know that by now"- scrape about for a 5p in my purse, can't find any change so tell her I'll put them in my supermarket shopping bag "It will probably get lost in there" she told me about the book token.

Not exactly helpful, and I think quite rude! Why not ask if someone wants a bag before charging them? Argh.

OP posts:
Lazypuppy · 14/07/2018 12:07

Why didn't you ask for one? You know you have to pay 5p now.

They should have offered but you should have asked before paying

Pengggwn · 14/07/2018 12:08

They should be asking whether you would like a bag. Basic courtesy.

Original poster
LovelyBath77 · 14/07/2018 12:15

Because I was in a rush and just paid - surely they should have the courtesy to ask if you want a bag.

OP posts:
TheGreatCornholio · 14/07/2018 12:18

Why wait till after you paid before asking?

tenredthings · 14/07/2018 12:19

Is this really worth it ?

Flatpackjackie · 14/07/2018 12:21

You shouldn't be wanting plastic bags in this day and age, OP!

Birdshitbridgegotme · 14/07/2018 12:23

Yes it's rude, they should have asked

totorosfluffytummy · 14/07/2018 12:26

I disagree that she should have offered a bag. It's not just about the 5p. You shouldn't be using plastic bags.

ThisIsntMeHonestGuv · 14/07/2018 12:27

Is becoming more common for people not to ask, because most people take bags with them.

I don't think the onus should be on the shop staff to make sure you are buying everything you need. I think the onus should be on the customer.

TheOxymoron · 14/07/2018 12:30

Well I hope all the anti bag brigade are all so perfect that they remember their own coffee cups in Costa and don’t use straws. Hmm
I re use bags but I’m guilty of forgetting on occasions.

Pengggwn · 14/07/2018 12:32

I don't think the onus should be on the shop staff to make sure you are buying everything you need. I think the onus should be on the customer.

Even if that is the case - and I still think it's rude for shops to take this attitude - that doesn't excuse 'you should know this by now' - she's not the OP's boss.

Whatstobedone · 14/07/2018 12:34

I expect they're sick of offering bags and being told rudely not when your charging 5p like it's the assistants fault!

Glumglowworm · 14/07/2018 12:34

You should have asked for a bag if you wanted one, and you surely know by now that you have to pay so scrabbling about for change like it was a surprise was ridiculous (are you also one of those people who appear to be surprised when they’re asked to pay in shops as well and have to spend ages rooting around for their purse?)

Sounds like her attitude was a bit rude, but really not something to get worked up about. She’d probably just had her fill of disorganised people that day.

I think it’s good that bags aren’t offered as default! Same as plastic straws shouldn’t be. Absolutely have them for people who want them but having to ask for a bag or straw or whatever makes people think twice rather than just mindlessly saying yes

PeppyPiggy · 14/07/2018 12:35

not a big deal really

WaxOnFeckOff · 14/07/2018 12:35

15 cents for a bag in Spain. I think the price should increase here too, and yes I sometimes forget. Shop should have asked OP but equally you could have said before they rang up. A bit of 6 and 2 3s for me but it's you that's left frustrated. I like the smaller shops approach where they have a charity box on the counter and you put your 5p (or more) straight into the box if you need a bag.

RestingBitchFaced · 14/07/2018 12:37

Of course it's up to you to ask for a bag! I work in retail, and only ask if they want one if they have a lot of items that can't be carried by hand very easily. And you obviously had another bag it could have gone in too Confused

SoEverybodyDance · 14/07/2018 12:41

Because you should get your own bag and stop polluting the planet and killing see creatures with plastic.

RunMummyRun68 · 14/07/2018 12:47

Jesus!! Take responsibility for yourself and think ahead for yourself

Don't expect someone else to do it for you!! Bags are being discouraged.... so no, shops don't really need to ask if you want one

Katedotness1963 · 14/07/2018 12:51

I haven't bought a book token in years but couldn't it have gone inside a book to keep it safe and stop it getting crumpled?

duckfuckduck · 14/07/2018 12:53

You must’ve had a bag with you so why didn’t you put the book token inside a book and then put the book in your bag? If you already had a bag they wouldn’t necessarily think to ask you if you wanted another.

InsomniacAnonymous · 14/07/2018 12:55

Yes, why not put the book token inside a book or in your purse?

ApolloandDaphne · 14/07/2018 12:57

What a kerfuffle about nothing!

StaplesCorner · 14/07/2018 12:57

I think your first mistake was going into a shop and expecting someone employed therein to provide any sort of service. As you can see from MN comments above, you were lucky she didn't give you a public flogging for enquiring about a bag. You cow.

IWannaSeeHowItEnds · 14/07/2018 12:59

It doesn't matter whether OP should have remembered or asked. What matters is the shitty way the sales assistant responded.
Shops (esp bookshops) need to not piss customers off unnecessarily or they will just order from Amazon, which is often cheaper and easier!

YearOfYouRemember · 14/07/2018 12:59

Put your token in your purse but he's, they were rude.