Anyone else do this in small shops?

[stuck2023]

Lighthearted and not very interesting but...

My mum is visiting, we popped to the local shop earlier and I took my Tesco bag for life, the big thick one not the carrier bag style.

Once in the shop I started putting my shopping in it, Dm was horrified. She went and got a basket and made me carry the empty bag until we had paid then fill the bag up. She thought I looked like the most ballsy shoplifter ever just walking around filling up my bag.

Honestly never thought this was strange had I put the bag in the basket I could still have put some things in to steal if I really wanted to. Plus the big bag takes up half the basket.

The shop is small with cameras and the staff know me it never occurred to me that it might be strange.

Does anyone else do it my way or have I been commuting some major corner shop faux pas?

I wouldn't because that's what baskets are for.

I do it all the time. I very rarely use baskets these days.

No I would definitely not do that. You would have to take everything out again when you go to pay.

I wouldn't do it. Use a basket or trolley then bag once paid for.

No, the only time I put my stuff straight in the bag is when I do that scan as you go shopping at Tesco's; in other shops I do as your mum.

I started doing this, and so so this, since I used a black plastic shopoing basket at Morrisons that had Human faeces in it 🤢

It makes much more sense, especially if you're using a hand scanner and even if not, why carry a bag and a basket when you only need a bag?

I find that it is seen as odd though and all shop staff scrutinise me much more and assume I'm shop lifting. I'm not, so I don't really care.

So you put your shopping in a bag, then get to the checkout and unload it all again? That does seem a bit weird. When I self scan I obviously pre load everything but that’s because I’ve already scanned it and don’t have to unpack again.

I do it more since having children, but more in a chain shop.

I actually normally put it in one bag and then unfold a second bag from the first one to transfer it to and then fold the first one into the second one if I'm not self scanning or don't have a trolley.

I generally have always avoided baskets though as they're uncomfortable, heavy and where I live usually dirty. At least with a trolley you can put your own bags in the trolley and fill them up, which seems to be perfectly acceptable. But doing it with a bag that isn't in a trolley isn't, which I find weird 🤣

I do it all the time, what's the problem?

I do this all the time. Quite often I pop into waitrose to get one thing, find myself with more things and put them in my bag so I can carry them. I always pay so what's the problem?

No - use basket or trolley then put in bags after paying with and without children - assume if I didn't would be strongly suspected of shop lifting.

If you were self scanning round a supermarket with hand scanner then yes I'd pack in a bag - as think that's a bit different.

I’m with you. I do this in my local shop for 2 reasons - firstly I’m always convinced I’m only in for 1 thing and secondly I became over anxious during the covid times. No one has ever stopped me or made me feel I was being unreasonable. Crack on!

Baskets are a nightmare if you have young children as they are right at their head level when you hold them, i was always banging them in the head with the basket!, I use a bag for this reason.

I used to work in a well known high street shop as a student.

Rules may have changed since those days but I remember security telling us that until someone has physically left the shop with an unpaid item then it's not shoplifting. So even if you saw someone putting something into their handbag/pocket they can't be stopped until they're the other side of the door.

I do use a bag for life (the big hessian sort which are more open than plastic bags) instead of basket on the rare occasions I don't grab a little trolley.

Generally I have a hand scanner so it's a non issue. But I hate basket handles and how square and annoying they are to carry.

I do this because often the baskets look filthy, especially the plastic ones. The plastic baskets in my local Lidl are black with grime.

Yep, I’m another one who does this too. Easier to carry than a basket. I don’t usually get any looks from people.

I only do it in Lidl because their baskets are so filthy.

It would never occur to me to do this.

No And I imagine the security would be approaching anyone doubt this

I'm with your mother. I would be horrified at your actions too.

I'm also the type of person who pays before eating or drinking in supermarkets. Wouldn't dream of putting an empty carton or half eaten packet of grapes on the conveyor belt.

I used to carry my bag and use a basket, I then kept dropping the bag so thought I may as well just use it. To me there is no difference between using a bag or basket, it still needs to be unloaded at checkout either way.

That being said I don't always do it, no idea why.

I agree with your Mum. It looks like you’re shop lifting. I would use my own bag after I had paid and not before.

Security can't, and don't, approach anyone actually in a shop and accuse them of shoplifting. They couldnt possibly do this as you haven't actually left the shop without paying for anything. As others have said, you can put things in your pockets if you want to, as long as you pay for them before leaving. They can, and do, give you side eye and possibly follow you around though.