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Original poster

Anyone else do this in small shops?

231 replies

stuck2023 · 09/12/2023 14:44

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 Blush 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?

OP posts:
ButterCupPie · 09/12/2023 15:08

gotomomo · 09/12/2023 14:45

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

Me too. I'd never do that, because to me, that's what shoplifters do. Our local corner shop has a notice asking people not to do it.

stayathomer · 09/12/2023 15:09

It’s a nightmare for shop assistants when people do this, we’re thinking’will they definitely take everything out at the end to be scanned?’ Hence I’d never do it and have told dh and kids to make sure they use a basket or carry!

autienotnaughty · 09/12/2023 15:09

Is this really a thing???

CrapGoat · 09/12/2023 15:12

I used to do this in Aldi/Lidl before they had baskets. Eventally they put signs up telling people not to do it. I think it may have been one of the reasons they started using baskets eventually though.

LyingLikeACheapCarpet · 09/12/2023 15:13

I do it as well, because the baskets are filthy.

I also don't understand why emptying a bag for life is any more difficult than emptying a basket.

Pp are correct, can't be approached until you leave the store, I am not stealing so don't worry. I do always get a receipt.

XiCi · 09/12/2023 15:16

I would assume you were blatantly shoplifting. Never seen anyone do this

AlisonDonut · 09/12/2023 15:17

Completely normal here in France. I do it all the time, everyone does.

IHeartBiscuits · 09/12/2023 15:18

It wouldn't occur to me to do this as surely that's what baskets are for.

Also, you'd have to get everything out of the bag to pay for it, then reload it again, so you aren't saving time. Why wouldn't you just use a basket?

WashItTomorrow · 09/12/2023 15:18

I wouldn’t do that, no.

HahaBooHiss · 09/12/2023 15:20

I do this if I have a scanner, but if I’m in a shop without a scanner I pop it in a basket 😊

BeadedBubbles · 09/12/2023 15:20

But surely when you're walking round with a store shopping basket staff can see that you have goods that are yet to be paid for. And you're unlikely to walk out of the door with a basket.

If you put stuff into your own bag it must be harder for staff to monitor - especially if lots of people are doing this. If you walk out of the door without going via the till it's harder for staff to see if you have anything you should have paid for. Or if you go to the till they can't see if you've 'inadvertently' left something in your bag they way they could with a basket.

MrsPoliportsGoose · 09/12/2023 15:21

I've been doing this for years, hate baskets they're always so dirty. I've never been questioned and I've seen many many many others do the same in both small local shops and big superstores.

CustardySergeant · 09/12/2023 15:21

Items go in my shopping bag after I've paid for them, not before.

fetchacloth · 09/12/2023 15:23

I wouldn't do that as people would think I'm intending to shoplift even though I'm not. Baskets are provided so I would use one.

Trez1510 · 09/12/2023 15:24

Used to do this in Lidl before they introduced baskets.

I now do the bundle-wobble as I can't bear to touch the filthy baskets.

I miss using my own bag because it meant I knew I could fit everything into it, whereas it's guesswork now until it's through the checkout.

Gfplux · 09/12/2023 15:29

Unless the shopping is going to be very heavy I use my bag for life in every shop.

Trinity65 · 09/12/2023 15:29

I done this once, at a B&M at Christmas

They had no trollies and no baskets left and I had a large bag luckily that day... a handbag. Put my things in, got to the till and emptied the bag and it was paid for, receipt received and back into the bag
I don't do this as a rule though, personally

NormaJoan · 09/12/2023 15:31

I do this if I have my trolley bag with me. I can’t negotiate that and an extra basket or trolley and look at my list and pick things off the shelf!

Perhapsanorhertimewouldbebetter · 09/12/2023 15:32

I see people do that too and always wonder if they're hoping to forget to pay for something.

TommyNever · 09/12/2023 15:32

I take a bag but put my shopping in one of the baskets provided. Then at the checkout I hand the worker my bag and unload the shopping from the basket. Worker scans goods and puts them in my bag.

And while they're doing that, I quickly take the basket back to the stack of baskets and deposit it there, 'cos I'm a good boy.

Alargeoneplease89 · 09/12/2023 15:33

Seems pointless as it means you can't pack it until its scanned and you get your bag back?

Obviously if it's self scan then it's fine.

Ykn · 09/12/2023 15:33

Not another plastic bag/shopping thread!

FofB · 09/12/2023 15:33

I do this. The baskets in my local supermarket are disgusting. As in, I can see the inside caked with dirt. And they never have enough. I asked the Manager if they ever cleaned them and he didn't really have an answer.

Ittastesvile · 09/12/2023 15:34

Yes, all the time.

Seainasive · 09/12/2023 15:37

I do it too. The baskets in my local LIDL are gross!