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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want checkout 'assistants' in supermarkets to bag shopping.

56 replies

ButtoNosedSausage · 31/03/2010 11:56

Since the bring or buy a bag policy, I've noticed that in my local supermarket, checkout assistants don't bag shopping.

This annoys me as I usually have a young child strapped to my chest and besides having to fiddle around with my handbag for a purse and shopping bag, I have to bag my own shopping on top.

Though I understand that it is important for people to have jobs (be it scanning shopping) Should I write to them to complain and suggest they get in the self service checkouts. Whatever has happened to customer service?

OP posts:
truthisinthewine · 31/03/2010 12:09

Do you ask them if they will pack for you?

Many people like to do it themselves and would be annoyed if the checkout person started packing for them (it takes much longer to scan and pack)

If you have asked and they have refused then go ahead and complain. If you are expecting checkout staff to be mind-readers, then you sound a bit barmy if you then want to complain.

I work in a supermarket and occasionaly on the checkouts. I ask everyone if they want any help, 95% of people would rather do it themselves, so although I think you should have been asked if you want help, it doesn't seem complain worthy that they assumed you didn't if you didn't ask for it.

GetOrfMoiLand · 31/03/2010 12:11

ooh I like you mumblechum, you sound disciplined

Remember when people used to pay for their shopping with cheques? I used to want to brain them.

LauraIngallsWilder · 31/03/2010 12:11

Getof - I have been told that in tescos as well

I said I didnt care. My shopping, my money, my resusable bags

The System is the only way to go

FaintlyMacabre · 31/03/2010 12:16

Where do you all live? USA/Canada?
Nobody has ever packed my shopping for me in the UK (though I am often asked if I need help) and I am quite happy with this- like some of the above posters I have a System and would rather do it myself.

With a baby in a sling I found the best way was to get one of the shallow trolleys so you don't have to bend over to empty it- that was the part I would have appreciated help with. Or depending on the age of the baby you could put them on your back.

ronshar · 31/03/2010 12:22

Or you could use a trolley with the baby seats in. Much easier.
Why do they have the car seat trolleys designed so you cant see where you are going when the car seat is in the rack??
I have mown down so many oldies while in my local Sains!

Original poster
ButtoNosedSausage · 31/03/2010 12:22

There is nothing wrong with working as a checkout assistant patsy. It's only this particular supermarket which bugs me, the others are fine.

I don't actually mind scanning and packing at self service, if I don't have any alcohol (then it's a pain!) At least there is an area for self packing, as opposed to a high checkout area with a vacant assistant.

OP posts:
pippop1 · 31/03/2010 12:24

I rarely spend less that £100 when I shop for food.

I think that they should put your shopping in bags (mine or supermarket ones) without you asking for it as you are paying a lot of money for the goods. Of course if you request them not to do it, that would be fine.

If you bought a dress for £100 would you expect to have it folded and put in a bag or would you like them to chuck an unopened bag at you and get you to do it yourself? It's called service.

(I don't buy £100 dresses by the way!).

ronshar · 31/03/2010 12:27

Perhaps if you dont want to pack your own bags in the shop, then internet shopping is the way to go.
Delivered to your house in boxes. All you need to do is put it all away.
Job done.

mumblechum · 31/03/2010 12:31

But PipPop, it'd take about 15 seconds to fold a dress and put it in a bag, it would take at least 5 to 10 minutes extra to pack someone's shopping. YOu just need to chuck it in the bags as it comes down the belt.

Original poster
ButtoNosedSausage · 31/03/2010 12:31

Exactly pippop!

As I don't own a car and I live by the local shopping area, I will shop little but often. There's only myself and the ds ( 4 mths)

OP posts:
PatsyStone · 31/03/2010 12:33

Ok, I must have read the last bit of your post wrong, sorry. I would recommend internet shopping too, although I have no idea if Budgens delivers.

ZZZenAgain · 31/03/2010 12:34

I can pack my own bags at the speed of lightening. Thanks to Germany.

No one in Germany packs your supermarket bags for you. Ha ha ha, just trying to imagine it. They are so bad tempered in those places, I hated supermarket shopping, bane of my life. Anyhow what they do is send your stuff down for you to pack and if you are not fast enough to biff it all in, they will just start sending down the next person's shopping on top of yours. They will not wait till you have packed it away.

You must also pay the exact money otherwise they try and punish you (if you are paying cash, as in 37 euro and 38 cents otherwise they sigh and moan and slam the change down on the counter for you to gather up as punishment, preferably in smallest possible denomination, whilst they are blithely tossing the next person's shopping down on top of your hand and letting the bottles crash over your bananas etc.

I miss all that not one bit I can tell you. ompared with that UK supermarkets are a doddle. Seriously

Jamieandhismagictorch · 31/03/2010 12:35

Butt to nose. I take my hat off to you - I did not enter a supermarket for several years when my DSs were little. Internet shopping is the way to go, IMO

Original poster
ButtoNosedSausage · 31/03/2010 12:37

The supermarkets in this area are small. We mostly use the fast track checkouts as I don't use trolleys and the belt checkouts are usually for ppl with more shopping.

OP posts:
DuelingFanjo · 31/03/2010 12:38

YABU, you shouldn't expect it. They should ask though.
I can't stand it. It's almost as bad as when you get a load of tweenies at the end shoving things in bags to try and get money for their cheerleading team. Yuk.
I place my items on the belt in the order I pack them which saves loads of time. I always pack my own bags.

Earlybird · 31/03/2010 12:39

I do a big M&S shop once a week, and have them deliver it. That means they pack it too, as bags that require it are put in cold store. They always pack well, and I have no complaints.

Part of the reason I began having them deliver was the packing part of things - i found it tricky to manage when dd was tiny. it is a nice service, and I suppose it is part of why M&S can by pricey.

Fwiw, most all supermarkets in America have baggers on staff to pack - probably because it speeds up the checkout process.

Jamieandhismagictorch · 31/03/2010 12:40

Dueling very sad at your attitude. My DSs did packing with their cubs/beavers last Christmas and were largely ignored gratefully received.

pippop1 · 31/03/2010 12:41

I do use internet shopping sometimes and it's great. I spend less too!

To be honest, I sometimes have a bad back or sore arms but of course that doesn't show and I really don't feel like explaining it to the checkout person. I always choose the high-level trolley cos I can't reach the bottom of the deep ones (I'm slightly under 5ft high). I am also rubbish at opening the plastic carrier bags in a hurry.

I just find the whole thing embarassing and wish it was standard that they did it for you.

It's such a lot of money that I feel I deserve a little service.

I guess I should stick to internet shopping, but I've had some strange products turn up which have been mistakes or I've ordered something special for a particular recipie and it hasn't come (they've not had it in stock) and I've had to go out and get it.

Just having a good moan!

Original poster
ButtoNosedSausage · 31/03/2010 12:41

Shall just stay at home and shop on the internet.
Shouldn't go out in public!

OP posts:
LadyBiscuit · 31/03/2010 12:42

I think the clue is in the title 'Fast Track Checkout'. If you want your bags packed, go to the conveyor belts.

I am another one who hates having bags packed for me - they do it all wrong.

Jamieandhismagictorch · 31/03/2010 12:44

pippop1 this rarely happens with Ocado. The stuff's fresher too, as it comes from a central warehouse not from a store.

Original poster
ButtoNosedSausage · 31/03/2010 12:49

Err- generally they don't help pack in the belted checkouts. Unless it's a big supermarket.

OP posts:
2shoeskickedtheeasterbunny · 31/03/2010 12:51

asda always offer(I decline) and sainsburys do I think

LadyBiscuit · 31/03/2010 12:52

They always offer where I shop but I haven't been in a Budgens in about 10 years

Marjoriew · 31/03/2010 12:56

We have a huge new Iceland just opened a couple of weeks ago and the check-out staff always pack the shopping for you.
And they do it with a smile.