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Original poster

Do you let the person at the supermarket checkout pack your bags for you? (bit of of a rant)

77 replies

emkana · 23/11/2004 20:28

I prefer packing them myself and always say "no" if asked if I want any help. It's just so much quicker that way. Only time I appreciated help was when dd2 was tiny and screaming and I had to rock her while they packed my bags for me.
Today at Asda the woman at the checkout just started packing for me without asking, and then I'm too shy to say "I'll do it myself, thanks." So I let her do it, but it was soooooo slow. When she started to get one of those small plastic bags to wrap the already wrapped cheese and the I can't believe it's not butter before putting them into a bigger bag I had to stop her. They always seem to put so little items per bag, and do extra wrapping with little plastic bags, I mean what is the point? Madness, if you ask me.
Just had to get that off my chest.

OP posts:
Original poster
emkana · 23/11/2004 20:29

I think I mean so few items

OP posts:
redshoes · 23/11/2004 20:34

I never let them do it

Aimsmum · 23/11/2004 20:36

Message withdrawn

Pagan · 23/11/2004 20:38

Depends on supermarket - I don't mind them starting it off for me without asking if I'm still unloading the trolley at the other end. It keeps the whole checkout process moving. Once I'm finished unloading I usually take over.

Recently in Sainsbury's they had employed a lot of disadvantaged folk to help pack bags so felt obliged to let them even if I could have packed them myself but I always have DD (14 months) with me and am largely pregnant so all help appreciated.

lavender2 · 23/11/2004 20:38

I always say if there's someone about but if not don't worry...(worked on checkouts at Tesco's for 2 years and am sympathetic as they are only trying to do there job) and when have ds and dd who just squabble and eat sweets definetely say yes please[grin...

misdee · 23/11/2004 20:39

when being taught how to pack (yes one of my jobs in a supermarket) we were told to pack chilled toether (cooked meats cheeses etc) and then raw meat seperatly, and maybe wrap the raw meat in small meat bags in case they leak. we never wrapped all chilled items. as long as they went into one bag together then it was fine.

i always refuse help as well anyway.

NomDePlume · 23/11/2004 20:40

I always do it myself.

whizzz · 23/11/2004 20:41

No prefer to do it myself as you end up with three times as many carrier bags & everything scattered amongst them. It is nice though to have the assistance when you need it.
A thing I hate is when they practically throw items down the belt at you & you end up with a bag of bruised apples, squashed cakes etc (thats my rant)

JoolsToo · 23/11/2004 20:42

Always say no - they put about 4 items in one bag and you end up with a trillion plastic shopping bags you don't need. Also I'm a bit of an anorak when packing shopping - 'helpers' put tins on top of grapes and things like that - it drives me barmy! - I know what to pack with what

(gawd I'm a sad git!)

nailpolish · 23/11/2004 20:43

i like getting lots of bags cos i use them as binliners

JanH · 23/11/2004 20:45

supermarket bags make crap binliners though because they have holes near the bottom. (Or do you have very dry rubbish, nailpolish?)

Locally, Tesco ask if you want help packing - Sainsburys just start willy-nilly - pees me off but that seems so ungracious!

Poo2 · 23/11/2004 20:46

Last time I went to Tesco with ds one lovely lady offered to bounce him for me while I packed! Said yespleasethankyouverymuch before she changed her mind! Would love to be check-out baby bouncer for a job!

CrazyLady · 23/11/2004 20:46

I like to race the cashier as she scans it I grab it and pack it. Its nice if you are still unloading the trolley, and they start, but I then always say, oh thanks I'm ok with it now.

At my Sainsburys my friend the scout (Beaver) leader, takes the kids to there and they do the packing, this I hate as kids are not careful and dont pack quite correctly I simply give them some money and say I'm ok with the packing thanks.

I do hate the help, but appreciate if they ask and you can say no, I've been into 3 shops over the last couple of days and not once did anyone offer to help me pack and I am 36+ weeks, I have written to Tesco's about one woman, as all the other cashiers were asking their customer and putting the bags ready etc, mine just sat there rushing the food through the scanner. She never said hello which most at least do, and never said thank you for my cards or with my receipt I was gobsmacked, politeness dont kill.

nailpolish · 23/11/2004 20:47

i double them up actually! thats why i like to have loads. i actually use tesco.com and they are the same - 1 or 2 items in each bag.

CrazyLady · 23/11/2004 20:49

Joolstoo - you aint alone, I put mine inthe trolley ina certain way, and on the belt in a certain way so I can pack in a certain way, heavy at the bottom, and lighter, squashier stuff at the top, DH annoys me, he puts washing powder next to crips or bread, so we get yak tasting bread, I have to stop him, and tell him to pack at the other end, so I know they are put ont he belt properly.

Sorry very anal aint I

Angeliz · 23/11/2004 20:49

No i don't and i deliberately look for one that i'll have time to unpack my trolley at as it really is a pet hate of mine!!!

I'm always polite but i let them know i actually prefer to pack myself!

lydialemon · 23/11/2004 20:50

Not to scan and pack a minimum of three items at5 Sainsburys is a disciplinary offence......I never minded doing it for people who were still unpacking their trolleys, or had kids, bellies, crutches etc or who even asked......but I loathed doing it for lazy people, or people who couldn't be arsed to put their damn phones down, so I would do it very carefully, hoping they'd get the hint and start doing it themselves. Before anyone asks no, I don't work there anymore - it was the greatest relief of my life when I walked out those doors for the last time.

Oh, and the few items per bag.... if we overpacked the bags and squashed your goods who would you be complaining about then???

Angeliz · 23/11/2004 20:50

I'm like that too, raw meat all in one bag, cleaning products in another seperate, bread and soft stuff on top!

Angeliz · 23/11/2004 20:50

I'm like that too, raw meat all in one bag, cleaning products in another seperate, bread and soft stuff on top!

JanH · 23/11/2004 20:53

lydialemon, me too, me too....the customers who would wander off with piles of stuff on the belt and the other end full of bags...where did they think we were going to put them?

aaaaaaargh!

JoolsToo · 23/11/2004 20:56

crazylady! we were separated at birth - ditto for me - it drives dh daft - he shifts things on the belt just to annoy me and shift them back - keeps the checkout girl amused anyway

munnzieb · 23/11/2004 20:58

only if i have a full shop and am on my own, then whilst i'm putting things on the counter the girl on the till does a few bit so i'm not inundated the other end. but once its all on I take over and pack it all.

CrazyLady · 23/11/2004 20:59

I dont have a problem with the few items per bag, like the others I use them as bin liners.

But I do sympathise, - there are those who put on the belt, and look at the cashier as if to say, so aint you gonna pack them for me

CrazyLady · 23/11/2004 21:01

Joolstoo - DH wont come shopping with me, but if I make him, he takes DS off to the loo, or to move the car so (we) dont have far to walk (waddle)with the trolley

hoxtonchick · 23/11/2004 21:03

oh, i quite like it when they offer to pack for me (must have looked very weak the other day, i was by myself & they still offered!), though i do organise stuff on the belt so it comes in the right order....