It's called a recyclable bag people!!!!!!!!!!

[Terra]

So I went grocery shopping yesterday and I took my "green bags" with me as always.

Well when the cashier picked them up off the belt she was looking all over for a price tag [and I have to admit I just stood there a second and chuckled to myself]. I told her they are for the groceries and they are already paid for. She was still confused and said you already bought them...and I said yes, I bought them at Publix. You just put the groceries in them...

Oh okay, no problem...so she starts ringing me up and I notice she is putting everything in plastic bags. So I say again...You can just put the groceries in the green bags...

Okay, she says!

And STILL proceeds to put the stuff in the plastic bags. I was too irritated to say anything else.
So I just put the plastic bags inside the canvas bags.

And get this...then she says....OH, you just put the plastic bags inside of the canvas bags huh? :spit: :banghead: :banghead:

What part of "You put the groceries in the canvas bags?" Is hard to understand...maybe I wasn't clear enough:headscratch:

Anyone else have some "not so smart" people look confused when you hand them your bags???

[EvansMomma]

:laugh:

Some people...

Yeah I had a similar experience at my lil hillbilly grocery store out here where I live...and that was where I'd BOUGHT the flippin green bags...HAHA

[ferrferr]

I had an older cashier not understand the chico bags either. She just sort of stood there and looked like a deer in headlights and then asked "What do you do with those?" .... uh.... Lady .... I just told you have I my own bags what part of that is hard to grasp? :doh:

[sarahsunshinerph]

NOPE! Even if they are surprised, they always tell me how nifty the bags are and how they should start using them too. (Maybe they know I'll talk to their manager and be all up in their face if they don't co-operate, LOL!! Ya think??? :lemmeathim: )

[AlexandZoesmom]

I've had the cashier pass them on to the bagger and the bagger pack them away in the plastic bags with the groceries :lostit: Some days, after hauling an infant through several stores, I just don't have the energy to fight it!

[Distinctive Decals]

I've had the cashier pass them on to the bagger and the bagger pack them away in the plastic bags with the groceries :lostit: Some days, after hauling an infant through several stores, I just don't have the energy to fight it!

Oh, that's too funny! It's surprising to me that people nowadays are still so uninformed about reusable!

[semicrunchy]

Isn't that crazy!? It isn't so bad where I shop/work. Most people at Whole Foods already have the reduce, reuse, recycle mentality, so I am used to people coming in with all sorts of bags. I have quite a variety myself.

[MatildasMum]

The cashiers act annoyed when I hand them my bags. Well - they are annoyed that customers are there but the addition of strange bags REALLY throws them.

[Terra]

I had an older cashier not understand the chico bags either. She just sort of stood there and looked like a deer in headlights and then asked "What do you do with those?" .... uh.... Lady .... I just told you have I my own bags what part of that is hard to grasp? :doh:

Exactly!!! I mean is it that hard of a concept??????
I honestly think that all grocery stores should do away with plastic and offer canvas bags...maybe so many free the first time and then you can buy more.
Shoot, my bags were only $1.50 each! Cheap and they are sturdy and strong and hold alot!! more than a plastic bag!!

The cashiers act annoyed when I hand them my bags. Well - they are annoyed that customers are there but the addition of strange bags REALLY throws them.

LOL...here too!!

[va703]

We bought the reusable bags at Wegmans, and the cashiers don't have a clue there, either. The display of bags is sitting RIGHT BEHIND THEM and they look at the bag like it's something very, very odd. 9 times out of 10 I go home with at least one plastic bag. Except for the time I got really annoyed and repacked all my groceries in the reusable bags and left the plastic ones behind. I was grumpy that day.

[Deanner03]

The nearest grocery store to us is in a small town called Huntingdon, QC...they just banned plastic bags as of jan. 1 (the first town in QC to do so...you should see people freak out!). I Just laugh....hehe...OMG ...what did people do BEFORE we had plastic bags?? They figured it out and used reusables and/or boxes or baskets of some sort.

Hopefully it'll catch on!

[jennyb]

when i use ours at our small locally owned grocery, everyone thinks they're great & no one has ever seemed confused about them.

however, one time when i was at kroger, the older bagging lady kept giving me disgusted looks & rolled here eyes a couple of times. funny thing was, that at the beginning of each checkout lane was a rack of canvas reusable bags with kroger's name stamped on them & a sign that read "do your part - buy reusable bags & bring them with you when you shop!"

[ceilismom]

I have gotten the same reactions, but I expect it. In six years of working in retail, I never once had a customer bring in a reusable bag for their purchases. It was extremely rare to even have them reuse the plastic ones.

[mariewes]

people HATE when I bring them- it's some huge annoyance to them- but oh well!

[naturalbirthmama]

I had the same experience at Walmart :olleyes2:Thankfully at Kroger they didn't look at me like I was an alien.

[MamaSpi]

I shop at Stop and Shop where they sell the bags all over the store for 99cents each. When I use them, they almost always look annoyed and I have no idea why. They are bigger and stronger than plastic. They are shaped better so that you can get two gallons of milk in them, cereal boxes fit perfectly. I just don't get what the issue is. I've been asked if I wanted the heavy things in plastic and I just say "the cloth bags are stronger, put it in them." I think that most change is met with resistance, at least at first.

[Kiddo353]

not to hyjack the thread but where can you get them for 99 cents??? I would LOVE to do this!

[House of Blue]

Haa! Too funny :laugh:

The grocery stores around here have their own reusable bags or bins for sale (and I LOVE them, really big and strong and line up REALLY well across the back of the van :mrgreen: ) and one store we like to go to sells their plastic bags for $0.05 each to encourage people to box their groceries or use reusable bags. The Wal Mart And Costoc here also sell their own brand of reusable shopping bags :thumbsup:

[House of Blue]

Ohh, and the shopping bags we got (at the Food basics here)... Were $0.99 each. I can't remember if they were on sale or if that's their usual price.

[AmyCivic80]

Hahaha, I can't believe people get so confused about the idea reusable grocery bags. I haven't had the same experiences because I either do the self-checkout at the grocery store or shop at stores that seem to be more open to cloth bags (Whole Foods, Trader Joes, etc).

[benjason]

Wow - that's very annoying! I've been very luck so far with my reusable bags. I mainly shop at a locally owned grocery chain and the cashiers LOVE my bags. I also shop at the local hfs and they are used to reusable bags. I haven't been brave enough to use them at Wal-mart but we hardly ever go there anyways.

[JackieLyn]

I'm glad i'm not the only one who gets the deer in the headlights look..."what are these for?" and they always pack them like a plastic bag, i try to emphasize you can fit more in these bags...

[tomatojane]

I always say that I have my own bags. Then I add, "No plastic bags, please." I think they get then! Most of the time, they figure it out.

[Terra]

not to hyjack the thread but where can you get them for 99 cents??? I would LOVE to do this!

The ones I get are $1.50
You can see them here at www.greenbag.info

If you want you can always PP me and I can get them and ship some too you if you want cheaper bags. I can ship via parcel post and it would only be a few bucks!

[sahminaz]

:laugh: I would of physically taken the bag from her and started to bag them myself. Sometimes the baggers need a quick run down in reusable bags. At my grocery store they already know i use my own bags and it is always my goal to not use any store bags. They always say..You made it. Once i forgot my bags and they gave me a hard time. Reusable bags are getting to be quite "trendy" so maybe soon it won't seem so odd for the baggers.

[mom2rays]

I've had many of these scenarios happen to me too. Sometimes when I'm in a hurry it's annoying. I find myself using self checkout so I don't have to explain anything. The area I live in, I don't see many other people doing this so it was neat to see so many of you who are like me. My mommy brings her own, but usually she will put the plastic bags inside :banghead:
I've been using cloth/reuseable bags since my college days so that makes 20+ years. You would think that people would not find it unusual, yet they do.
If someone won't bag into my bags I normally get the management involved and unless they explain some issue with their security needing to stop me due to not having one of their shopping bags I make it a point to educate them on how my way is actually better.

[MommytoJandS]

This happens to me at Super Target all the time. Never fails, EVERY time, they put the stuff in plastic sacks THEN put them in my bags. Ummmm :headscratch: After it happened on three different occasions I just stood there and took everything out of the plastic bags and put them in my bags and the lady just looked at me weird and said "OH! you don't want plastic bags at all!". DUH, lady.

[Terra]

This happens to me at Super Target all the time. Never fails, EVERY time, they put the stuff in plastic sacks THEN put them in my bags. Ummmm :headscratch: After it happened on three different occasions I just stood there and took everything out of the plastic bags and put them in my bags and the lady just looked at me weird and said "OH! you don't want plastic bags at all!". DUH, lady.


:banghead: :banghead:

You know maybe they really need to start teaching a required "Environmentally Awareness Class" in high school/college or something!!

[MamaToBe84]

i feel so guilty that i dont use reusable bags :blush:


does it help that i use the plastic bags for like everything though? kitty litter, garbage bags, etc. :blush: :blush:


good for all you mamas!

[Terra]

i feel so guilty that i dont use reusable bags :blush:


does it help that i use the plastic bags for like everything though? kitty litter, garbage bags, etc. :blush: :blush:


good for all you mamas!

I definently think it's good that you reuse those!!!
When I do get them I re use them for trash and such or i put them in my wetbag for "messy" CDs!!

[Fither]

our grocery store is pretty good with them, however, i've noticed that with some of the baggers, their "common sense" goes out the window with them. like one time, i came home, and there was bread on the bottom, then chicken breasts wrapped from the meat counter, then fresh fruit on top. :headscratch: who does that? i seriously think they were just confused by the bag, so they forgot all the rules, lol. but most of the time they don't say a word. our grocery store now sells the bags as well, so i hope they get really used to them!

[ferrferr]

Exactly!!! I mean is it that hard of a concept??????
I honestly think that all grocery stores should do away with plastic and offer canvas bags...maybe so many free the first time and then you can buy more.
Shoot, my bags were only $1.50 each! Cheap and they are sturdy and strong and hold alot!! more than a plastic bag!!


Kroger sells reusable bags now and gives bag credit too!! :D

I got 2 Whole Foods canvas bags for like $15 each before I got my Chico Bags, but they're pretty nice bags and hold a TON. I like not having to screw with plastic bags, unless I forget my bags or my 8 Chico Bags aren't enough. I've been keeping a few empties in the car for those quick trips to the store, which is when I forget them most. :p

[kaspears17]

This happens to me all the time, I just sit there and unload teh plastic bags and rebag them myself. Sure there may be more tactful ways to do it, but saying "hey idiot, I don't want the plastic bags" embarasses my husband. :laugh:

Cashiers often ask me "why do you use cloth bags?" Instead of getting into long discussion about the benefits, i just incredulously say "What? you don't????"

[cravnp99]

Most the time I shop at Aldi's where you bring your own and pack your own anyways.... (you have to pay for their plastic/paper bags.) But I guess I never even considered bringing my own bags to Wal-mart... I would probably get the same confused look.... I could see a cashier packing them away into a plastic bag... thinking it was part of the purchase... :giggle:

[cravnp99]

The ones I get are $1.50
You can see them here at www.greenbag.info

If you want you can always PP me and I can get them and ship some too you if you want cheaper bags. I can ship via parcel post and it would only be a few bucks!

I'm thinking.. great Christmas gift idea!!! I was thinking about making some, but I don't think I could buy the material for that cheap.... know anyplace online that sells them?:goodvibes:

[ailurus]

My favorite experience was when I had someone take the item out if the plastic bag, put it in the canvas bag and then THROW out the used plastic (used for three seconds!) AFTER I told her I had brought a canvas bag so that less plastic got thrown out!

Whew.....sorry about that run on sentence - my mom the English teacher would bean me if she saw that :blush:

[Terra]

Most the time I shop at Aldi's where you bring your own and pack your own anyways.... (you have to pay for their plastic/paper bags.) But I guess I never even considered bringing my own bags to Wal-mart... I would probably get the same confused look.... I could see a cashier packing them away into a plastic bag... thinking it was part of the purchase... :giggle:

Oh yeah...I got to Sav a Lot here...same thing...and I bring my own bags....so I save money too! Even there I get some strange looks...then again, I usually have DS on my back too...so they probably think "Oh there comes that hippie again":giggle: :giggle:

I'm thinking.. great Christmas gift idea!!! I was thinking about making some, but I don't think I could buy the material for that cheap.... know anyplace online that sells them?:goodvibes:

That's a great idea!!!!!!! You know you could actually get $1 fabric from the Walmart fabric section on there dollar table!
If you want the bags "lined" you could use the whole yard. Otherwise you could probably get two bags out of 1 yard possibly. Since the fabric is usually about 60" across...so you can cut it!
That would be inexpensive!!

My favorite experience was when I had someone take the item out if the plastic bag, put it in the canvas bag and then THROW out the used plastic (used for three seconds!) AFTER I told her I had brought a canvas bag so that less plastic got thrown out!

Whew.....sorry about that run on sentence - my mom the English teacher would bean me if she saw that :blush:

OMG!! I know!! That happened to me too!!!! :banghead:
I'll even take the paper bags over the plastic if there going to be thrown away!!

[Drearina]

Most of my shopping is done at Win-Co, a bag it yourself store. Fred Meyer has no problem with my reusable bags, neither does Yokes. Both of those places I don't have problems with the canned goods winding up on top of the bread.
Wal-mart..... I hate Wal-Mart so much.... I've given up on them being able to bag my groceries. I put them on the best properly and then go stand at the end and tell them to just pass the groceries down and I'll bag them myself. One gal said "Ya know we don't give you a bag discount so why bother doing it?" Um... b/c I don't want to be a horrible environmental criminal....

[fallome]

My favorite experience was when I had someone take the item out if the plastic bag, put it in the canvas bag and then THROW out the used plastic (used for three seconds!) AFTER I told her I had brought a canvas bag so that less plastic got thrown out!


I have had this happen too! It makes me crazy!

When I lived in So. Cal., I hardly got a second look for bringing in my own bags, but where we live now (suburb of Dallas), the only grocery stores within 15 miles are Wal-Mart and Target. They are not exactly enlightened at those stores! :laugh: In fact, at Wal-Mart I end up bagging my own groceries (after an inevitable fight with the checker to just set them aside for me) b/c they just can't handle not having their spinning rack of plastic bags to dip into!

[ivparker]

I love my chico bags because I just hang them on the spinning bag thing for the cashier so that its easy for them to just put the groceries in my reuseable bag. I figured they would be more willing to not complain if it was pretty easy for them. I usually have to tell them to fill the bags up, as they will hold a lot of weight, though. No problems so far.

[KaleidoscopeEyes]

I wouldn't have let it get that far, the second sshe put them in the plastic I would have told her not to.

WM has turned the scales back on their self checkouts so now I have to put my items directly onto the bagging area then after paying for it put in the chico bags. It's really annoying.

[Bug-a-boo's mom]

I always put my green (Publix too) bags on the items at the front of my groceries. I usually say they are already paid for. If it is Target or Walmart I will add that they are for the items. Last week at Target the cashier wasn't too happy about them. Usually they bag as they ring. She just set everything on the other side of the counter. I just went with it and assumed she was planning on me bagging the items. No problem, whatever. Nope she threw everything into the bags (mine). But she tried to get her managers attention. I knew she wasn't happy using them. But I don't care. I don't see the problem. They even have a little loop thing to attach to their bagging thing. Otherwise I have never had a problem. Even when using one in a store at the mall :giggle: .

:goodvibes:

[tinab]

My grocery store sells these, and my mom bought me the lined on for cold foods! It will be great for the times I walk the mile to the store with the kids, I can actually buy some cold stuff too! And, it says Giant Eagle on it, but it was only $1.99!
I really need to buy more of the canvas ones and a couple more of the lined ones. I want to get a lot less of the plastic ones (any I get goes to MIL for dog walking poo recovery).
Now I am getting excited for the next trip to the grocery so I can buy more... and explain to them (like the last time) that they don't need to put them in plastic!

[BooBooKisses Momma]

The cashiers act annoyed when I hand them my bags. Well - they are annoyed that customers are there but the addition of strange bags REALLY throws them.

Okay, when these folks can't count change back to you, or do basica math without a computer/cash register of COURSE different bags are something that could cause confusion. :headscratch:

[cesie]

Well, I only got halfway down reading before I just scrolled back up to reply.

I've got like 25 Chico's (cuz we buy a LOT of groceries!) and I just keep them all unrolled and stuffed into one bag. At the local grocery store where I shop 90% of the time, the cashier's FIGHT OVER who gets to bag my groceries!!! :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: I get comments ALL THE TIME about how they love my bags and wish more people used them. I usually get at least 2 or 3 people a week ask me about them and where they can find some.

Even where I don't usually shop regularly (Wal-Mart and Meijer) I've never had issues with baggers/cashiers having a hard time adjusting to me having my own bags. Plus, everywhere but Wal-Mart will give me anywhere fro 3 to 5 cents off my bill per bag I use... One day, they might pay for themselves!!!

I just bought 100 more in the DT co-op to give as Christmas gifts (my MIL REALLY wants some... :giggle: I'm gonna turn her into a granola-Grandma!! :laugh: )

[rverrone11]

We use cloth bags for everything, and use them everywhere. We also use cloth produce bags. The other day DH bought some apples at Walmart, and instead of weighing the bag with the apples, the lady took all of the apples out to weigh them. DH said "you could have just weighed them in the bag." She was like "oh, yeah." I think she was just thrown off by the cloth bags.

DH and I bag everything ourselves--I just tell the cashier we have our own bags and we'll bag everything ourselves. It works out much easier, and the cashiers are less confused.

[lilyfish]

:doh: Wow. I feel kind of bad for that woman. I'm sure she didn't mean to be so oblivious, but... wow! It's not that hard to figure out!

[Mom2MaggieSue]

I had a clerk put my bags inside plastic bags and then hand the whole thing to me. When I took the plastic bags off and handed them back to him he looked really confused! Who know.

[CarrieAnn0413]

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: I find this hilarious! I am about to wake up dd by laughing so hard. I have wanted to get some of the reuseable produce bags to start but I know at my grocery store any kind of reuseable bag is going to cause some major confusion. I would be shocked to see them start selling bags. Although I would LOVE it :goodvibes: I was completely floored at the fact that they put a "wet wipe" (like sposie baby wipes) station by the carts for you to wipe your cart or your hands or both. I want to get some bags to use just for the fun of seeing how people react. :laugh:

[heidisue]

That's hilarious!!

[Persikka]

We bought the reusable bags at Wegmans, and the cashiers don't have a clue there, either. The display of bags is sitting RIGHT BEHIND THEM and they look at the bag like it's something very, very odd. 9 times out of 10 I go home with at least one plastic bag. Except for the time I got really annoyed and repacked all my groceries in the reusable bags and left the plastic ones behind. I was grumpy that day.

i got all my bags from Wegmans, and never had a problem with the cashiers using them

of course when i tried using my wegmans bags at wal-mart - they didnt know what to do! my bags do fit nicely on their little twirly bag thingy

[5browns]

Thanks for the laughs!!!!!!

[kittykorat]

My favorite experience was when I had someone take the item out if the plastic bag, put it in the canvas bag and then THROW out the used plastic (used for three seconds!) AFTER I told her I had brought a canvas bag so that less plastic got thrown out!

Whew.....sorry about that run on sentence - my mom the English teacher would bean me if she saw that :blush:

Um, yeah.. I work at Walart, and see that all the time. If a bag falls on the floor the others will throw it away because it is no longer on the bag caddy and they have to hold it open:rolleyes:

We do have a local grocery store where they charge $.10 for their plastic bags and do not bag your stuff. I intend to make some cloth bags, but in the meantime I just re-use the plastic ones I have.

[momto3Es]

I seriously don't get what's so confusing about reusable bags. I've actually had a cashier at a store REFUSE to allow me to use my ChicoBags for my purchases. She told me she HAD to put them in a Kohl's bag. Um...nevermind. I'll carry my stuff with no bag. I emailed them & the manager emailed me back asking for her name & assuring me that it wasn't Kohl's policy. I told him that I wasn't going to give her name because I thought he should talk to ALL of the cashiers and not just one. We shop in a major city & surely I'm not the only one who has their own bags.

The cashiers at the little grocery store down the road love my bags, although the new chick asked lots of "why" questions last night.

At Target, we usually bag our own stuff. At WM, we use self check-out so I don't have to explain. Oh, and at WM Neighborhood Market (or whatever the grocery store is called), the lady stopped me wanting my receipt for my bags! Whole Foods & the little grocery store down the road are the easiest places to use them.

[negrapy]

And get this...then she says....OH, you just put the plastic bags inside of the canvas bags huh? :spit: :banghead: :banghead:



:rofl:

[JoeysMomma]

Was this at Publix?

I use mine there every time now. I looove them! And the little old man baggers we have are great at filling them up. :thumbsup:

[Sweet_Fantasy_Fox]

:lostit: wow, thats funny!!LOL

[mama2madj]

ugh!!

i dont have reusable bags, but i try to conserve the plastic (though i forget to bring them back to reuse :blush: ) it drives me nuts when i get a couple packs of snack crackers and they put those in and nothing else :banghead: another reason i love self-checkouts....i can stuff the bags comfortably, what would take 10 bags w/ a cashier bagging i can fit into 5-6....and i don't bag everything either, bread doesnt need a bag, it barely fits if you try! neither does anything w/a handle (milk, juice), so why but them in the bag???

[AlexandZoesmom]

Glad I'm not the only one fighting this battle:giggle:

I thought this was a cool pattern - haven't gotten around to trying it yet but I am planning to use some of my husband's heavyweight polo shirts

http://www.fashion-incubator.com/mt/archives/reusable_bag_contest_1.html

[LaQuetta]

maybe I'm weird but I get the plastic bags at the store and then reuse them as liners in my trash cans. I also carry a couple in my purse when AF is visiting to wrap my 'things' in if I have to change in public. I hope that counts a little for recycling.

[smom1976]

The ones I get are $1.50
You can see them here at www.greenbag.info

If you want you can always PP me and I can get them and ship some too you if you want cheaper bags. I can ship via parcel post and it would only be a few bucks!

which one do you use

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6K5DxbjQzS4

ha ha watch this ...

[ktarsha]

I seriously don't get what's so confusing about reusable bags. I've actually had a cashier at a store REFUSE to allow me to use my ChicoBags for my purchases. She told me she HAD to put them in a Kohl's bag.
Weird! I shopped at Kohl's not long ago, and told the cashier I didn't want a bag - it was just a couple of items, easily carried - but she insisted on bagging them: "In case you have any trouble on the way out." Huh. Wonder what she'd have done if I'd brought my own bags.

[Kdpie]

I am sure this was asked and I missed the reply but where can I get the chico bags or similar? Thanks!:goodvibes:

[momto3Es]

Weird! I shopped at Kohl's not long ago, and told the cashier I didn't want a bag - it was just a couple of items, easily carried - but she insisted on bagging them: "In case you have any trouble on the way out." Huh. Wonder what she'd have done if I'd brought my own bags.


A lot of people have said they had similar problems at Kohl's. I haven't been back since my email with the manager, but I need to go just to see!

[hackermd]

:laugh: THAT's pretty rich!

[lovinclothmama]

I was thinking about getting some green bags.... now I know what I have to look forward to!

[october05mom]

our local grocery store sells cloth bags now so i think i am going to get a couple. they also give you a $.05 credit for every paper bag you bring back to have them re-bag your next grocery trip. i never get plastic at the grocery store and we reuse or recycle our paper bags when we get too many. it's target where you get way too many plastic bags. we reuse them for a lot of things but after awhile you have too many. definitely a place i need to start taking cloth/canvas bags! does it take a few times to know how many you should bring to hold all of your groceries?

oh and where can you find chico bags? i need to check these out!

[ktarsha]

does it take a few times to know how many you should bring to hold all of your groceries?

oh and where can you find chico bags? i need to check these out!

Chico Bags retailer list here (http://www.chicobag.com/shopping.php). My personal favorite is Reusable Bags (http://www.reusablebags.com/).

It does (or did for me) take a little while to learn how many bags you'll need for your groceries, especially because some baggers seem to think that putting more than two or three items per bag is going to make them too heavy.:rolleyes:. If I'm not sure how much I'll be buying, I take all my bags in just to be sure.

[MamaSpi]

not to hyjack the thread but where can you get them for 99 cents??? I would LOVE to do this!

My Stop n Shop has them... 99 cents the the regular price. They are green with a huge logo. They got in some pink ones the week after I bought mine (for breast cancer) :cry:

-Jamie

[Terra]

Was this at Publix?

I use mine there every time now. I looove them! And the little old man baggers we have are great at filling them up. :thumbsup:

Nope...ashamed to admit it but Walmart....:cry: I rarely go there....yet another reason to stay away...
Publix is great, especially since that's where I bought that bags!!!!

which one do you use

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6K5DxbjQzS4

ha ha watch this ...

:spit: :spit: :giggle: :giggle:

OMG!!! That is hilarious!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Maybe I should do that to the clueless chasiers next time????:headscratch: :giggle:

[Brentscutie]

I'm glad i'm not the only one who gets the deer in the headlights look..."what are these for?" and they always pack them like a plastic bag, i try to emphasize you can fit more in these bags...

:spit:
This thread is great! I get this all the time!
You should see the looks I get when I forget my bags, still say "No bags", and carry out an armful of loose stuff!!:laugh: :laugh:
I only do this when I can carry it all at once ;)

[kezoo]

I've had the cashier pass them on to the bagger and the bagger pack them away in the plastic bags with the groceries :lostit: Some days, after hauling an infant through several stores, I just don't have the energy to fight it!

LOL, same here! Usually, they look for the price and/or ask me how much they are, but one time, after asking me that, and I responded "Oh they're mine, for the groceries", she turned and tossed them into a plastic bag! :giggle: I said "No, they are my reusable grocery bags to use in place of the plastic bags" and she looked confused and said oh, okay, used them for my groceries and then forgot to give me my bag credit! :banghead:

[MCR]

I have the 99cent bags from our local grocery store, they have the store logo on and I wonder how it would be to use them in another store, I've been to chicken so far, so just ordered myself 5 chico bags so I can use them when I bag my own in WinCo and Walmart. I don't seem to use more than 5 for groceries so hopefully it'll be enough.
I can't wait to find out what the checkers think of them.

[momma4of6]

thats funny...this post made me want to start...now I just need to buy some bags...I havent seen any at our walmart

[kissum]

:giggle: Too funny!

[*~Mindy~*]

whole foods closest to me has random pic (like we have honey and grapes) ones for 1.00 and then occasionally different cold ones (banana split) for 3.00


thats really funny, though!

[SandyG]

i get the same too . not at my commissary as they do sell canvas bags in there. but at walmart i just use the self chek out :D:D . but then i get peeped cuz i have to press the skip bagging thingy all the time. argh its kinda annoying but

[PeanutButter'sMommy]

I shop at Shaw's, where they sell reusable bags for $1 a piece. Then when you use them, you get $0.05 credit on your grocery order for each bag you reuse.

I am in love with these bags. I had always hated grocery shopping because it was impossible to get everything out of the car all at once in one load. Well now with the nice shoulder straps etc. it's a cinch. Ours even have the plastic flat bottom insert so you can stabilize the bags.

Yay Shaw's! This month they are selling a version that is pink that will benefit breast cancer research.......so I bought 10 more. LOL.

[LindusandGrace]

where i grocery shop they sell the reusable bags but then again you have to buy your plastic bags as well. 4cents a piece so most people use the reuable ones.

[odentonmom]

I have bought reusable bags at Giant, Bloom, Bottom Dollar Food and Toys 'R Us for $1 each. I try to use them every time no matter what the store, so I keep them in the back of my van. I have about 15-20. If I go to a cashier checkout at the grocery store, I jokingly say, "Here are my bags. Don't be shy you can really pack them full, they are sturdy and we're strong." It drives me crazy when the baggers only half fill them and then end up still giving me some plastic bags.

When I go to non-grocery stores like Target and Wal Mart, I say, "I hope you don't mind, I have my own bags." I figure since I have been nice, they would really have to be a jerk to make an issue of it. I have yet to have a problem, but I am mentally prepared to say something if I encounter resistance. I have actually had many cashiers make positive comments on what a good idea they are.

I cannot believe Target doesn't sell them yet. They are so trendy, it seems like going green is becoming more popular and this would be an easy thing to do.

[Lorie]

This happens to me all the time!!! DH makes fun of me too he calls me the crazy bag lady but I don't care! I tell him yup and I am saving the earth one plastic grocery bag at a time! I don't know why people are so slow about this. It isn't like my bags look new or anything they are old so I wouldn't mistake them for new and try to ring them up if I were them. So far I think I have scrounged up 7 bags and am on the hunt for more.:goodvibes:

[lauramaynot]

I have 2 of the costco ones and they are huge and sturdy...I can get them so full that I can't pick them up...of course I use them at costco. I still usually get bags at the grocery store because I use them to line my garbage cans and for yucky things I don't want in the regular garbage...I do think that walmart is one of the worst offenders though I usually will get a couple bags with only one item in it :banghead: I also think they use the bags as "proof" that you paid because the lady at the door only wants to see your reciept if you have things not bagged...

[abigail]

I guess I should be really glad I live in California. The checkers at my local Albertsons prefer I use the canvas bags b/c they hold more (they sell them there for 99 cents). At Trader Joe's they frown if you DIDN'T bring bags and they have to give you the recycled paper bags. At Target they never care if I say "no bags" although I keep forgeting to bring in my canvas bags. The only store NOT selling canvas bags locally is Target, but I haven't really checked, I wouldn't be surprised if they do have them

But seriously, these stories are making me :rofl:

[ms_hecubus]

Grocery stores have been selling bags and offering bag credits since the 80's so it's a little ridiculous that a cashier would be so confused by them. I guess it's not really something they focus on during training, eh? That's why I like to bag my own items (well, that and OCD) no matter if I'm using plastic (I have a couple of ways I like to reuse it at home), cloth or no bag.

[remrath]

Wow, kinda ashamed to say it's never occurred to me to take my own bags. I just gather my plastic ones and recycle. I'm all for stuff that saves me in the long run though so.,.. I'll have to get some. Hmmm, new thread coming to mind.

[Terra]

This happens to me all the time!!! DH makes fun of me too he calls me the crazy bag lady but I don't care! I tell him yup and I am saving the earth one plastic grocery bag at a time! I don't know why people are so slow about this. It isn't like my bags look new or anything they are old so I wouldn't mistake them for new and try to ring them up if I were them. So far I think I have scrounged up 7 bags and am on the hunt for more.:goodvibes:

Our DHs sound alike....He calls them my "save the world bags"....:laugh:
He won't carry them though...he says "guys don't do that"...eeshh....I try to tell him YES they do!

[Lorie]

Aren't men funny! I wish they could see the bigger picture sometimes.

[mom2rays]

Kohls isn't the only place that freaks out about using their bags. I can understand more in a setting like a mall where people could shoplift by not using the store bags and therefore it's their easy identifyer that items were paid for, but at stand alone stores it's just crazy to me that they would insist you take their bag if you don't want to.

[foxflame88]

ugh!!

i dont have reusable bags, but i try to conserve the plastic (though i forget to bring them back to reuse :blush: ) it drives me nuts when i get a couple packs of snack crackers and they put those in and nothing else :banghead: another reason i love self-checkouts....i can stuff the bags comfortably, what would take 10 bags w/ a cashier bagging i can fit into 5-6....and i don't bag everything either, bread doesnt need a bag, it barely fits if you try! neither does anything w/a handle (milk, juice), so why but them in the bag???

I could have written every word of that! I HATE wasted bags! :banghead: Not only are plastic bags bad for the environment, but the more bags a store uses, the higher prices go up, since they pay for the bags.

I have gone berserk on baggers/cashiers who throw away bags that I ask them to reuse, once I take my milk out.

[MJHARK]

This thread cracks me up...:spit:

[*~Mindy~*]

yeah i know this is old...but umm..when a bag has in big letters WHOLE FOODS on it, and you read it, and then try to find something to scan...doesnt that seem a bit umm..weird? :giggle:

[Hillbilly Bunny]

Some people have no clue about helping our planet! LOL

I actually went to the grocery store yesterday and went to check out. I was in complete shock to see a display of reusable bags beside the cash register in WALMART!!! I bought a few of them! Whooo hoo! I can't believe Walmart is going green!

[masonite]

:rofl:

Too funny!! I've dealt with a lot of the same responses, and actually changed which grocery store I regularly shop at, because they are more receptive to my bags!

The cute little old man baggers at my grocery store always love them. One man asked me where I got them. I think it boggled his mind when I said "the internet!"

I've totally converted my SIL, her mom, and a few other people to Chico bags. In fact, they ordered a TON through the chico co-op!! :thumbsup:

[tararaboomdeea]

We get some weird looks over our Chico bags, but I know people are just JEALOUS! :laugh:

We get a $.05 discount for each bag we use of our own, so we got that going for us. ;) My grocery store is reusable bag friendly! :thumbsup:

[slingmama4]

We use these and they are pretty cheap. 10 for about $12. http://earthwisebags.com/index.html , but I've saw one that I'd love to have that says in bright bold print ..."I'm NOT a plastic bag!" :wub: I love it! I'm thinking of trying to make my own with iron on transfer or paint.

[MCR]

Well I finally went grocery shopping and used all my bags.
Even the ones with other store logos on.
No problem, I got a rebate for using my own bags from WinCo, I didn't know they did that.
I also had to give the Chico bags info to other customers who loved those bags. :goodvibes:
And to make it feel even better, my trunk was only half full of bags where as usually it's over flowing with plastic.
I'm on a roll.

[masonite]

Well I finally went grocery shopping and used all my bags.
Even the ones with other store logos on.
No problem, I got a rebate for using my own bags from WinCo, I didn't know they did that.
I also had to give the Chico bags info to other customers who loved those bags. :goodvibes:
And to make it feel even better, my trunk was only half full of bags where as usually it's over flowing with plastic.
I'm on a roll.

I LOVE Chico bags---I find I use 1/2 as many bags too. They hold a lot more (not just weight, but also quantity) than plastic bags, IMO. Love, 'em!:wub:

[zukeypur]

I have to say that I have never used a reusable bag, never thought about it, and have never seen anyone use one. Where the heck have I been? I'm ordering some!

[elizablessed]

When I was younger, I was an over-packaging rebel in a big way. One time, I asked the produce manager to unwrap the grapes that were on a styrofoam tray so I could purchase them without the excess packaging. I asked him to reuse the tray too! He definitely thought I was nuts.

Now our local grocery store sells the re-useable bags, and I even bought theirs just to support their efforts and make it easier for the cashiers to understand even though I have had my own cloth bags for years. I use the self check to avoid the hassles and the explanations and even there I feel like I have to be quick or else they will try to come "help" bag.

The good news is that stores all over are offering reusable bags. I think things are finally going to change in this department.

And to prevent overpackaging, we just have to stop buying that stuff to make it change. :thumbsup:

[pixilated]

All the stores here have recyclable bags now too, I bought one the last time I made a quick trip into the grocery store, and I plan on buying more the next time I do major shopping.

It truly fits a bunch, more than plastic bags, and while I do use plastic bags for things around the house(litter box mostly) I've been overloaded with bags lately.

[velouria]

Crazy! Plastic bags are now unlawful (or will soon be unlawful, can't remember the exact date it went/goes into effect). Stores can't offer them.

Ditto styrofoam. I've noticed all the restaurants where we order take-out are now using cardboard boxes for the food instead of styrofoam so that one must have already gone into effect.

I'm so glad I live in a green city! *sigh* :lostit:

[FanciPantsBoutique]

my wal mart just started selling reusable canvas bags for 1.00 each...YAY!!! I was just about to make my own in some fun prints but I guess these will do....lol:lostit:

[tessa1002]

I definently think it's good that you reuse those!!!
When I do get them I re use them for trash and such or i put them in my wetbag for "messy" CDs!!

There are a lot of the plastic bags that are actually recyclable. (in my city anyways) So I will bag my recyclables in it, or if I have too many I will just throw them in there with the plastics!

[tessa1002]

Crazy! Plastic bags are now unlawful (or will soon be unlawful, can't remember the exact date it went/goes into effect). Stores can't offer them.

Ditto styrofoam. I've noticed all the restaurants where we order take-out are now using cardboard boxes for the food instead of styrofoam so that one must have already gone into effect.

I'm so glad I live in a green city! *sigh* :lostit:


Ahh! I wish I lived out there! San Francisco/Portland are like my two favorite cities ever. :mrgreen:

[afishwithabike]

I haven't had too many issues but that is because I go to the natural healthy foods stores around here.

I can't wait to re-use them at Meijer and see what happens.

[p1gg1e]

LMAO

I had my green bags "bagged" at K rogers last year...I laughed ,and made them take the stuff out of the bags and do it again...they then threw away the plastic ones they used :banghead: like they are damaged.... :headscratch:

[Grrchurch03]

not to hyjack the thread but where can you get them for 99 cents??? I would LOVE to do this!

We have a grocery store here, Bottom Dollar foods (basically Food Lion) (but they don't even offer plastic bags, you can buy the bags or you can use boxes), that sells them for 99cents each. I believe Kroger's sells them for the same price.

[kvalentine]

I had this exact experience! People can be so stupid. I get so irritated by the way people choose to bag my items....like putting my fruit under my cannned goods. So I get really anal about baging. I've only had one bagger that did a good job and I had to tip him since he was such an excellent bagger. :goodvibes:

[gfarley]

I usually pick out the older baggers because they seem more accepting. I assumed they remember when there weren't plastic bags. I bring my older dc (13yr & 10yr) who empty the groceries on the belt and I help bag. Helping bag really helps, I have three kind of bags Cooler ones for frozen and refrigerator, reusable round Trader Joe vinyl like bags for produce (they stand up on their own an d the round shape works for fruits and veggie) and ecobags for everything else. If I tell them frozen in these bags, fuits & veggies in these bag, etc. it seems to take the mystery out of it. I just can't get them to put the milk in the bag even though three of them fits in one bag.


Gwen

[weddell]

I've had the same experiences of everyone else. Whole Foods expects you to bring your own bag and gives a credit. Aldi makes you buy bags unless you bring your own. Walmart is clueless even though they sell cloth bags at the register.

I have found one extra benefit of using cloth bags though. DH doesn't know how often I go to the craft and thrift stores because there aren't tell-tale plastic bags left on the table. :blush: I think he would have a heart attack if he knew how much time dd spend at those stores!

[racheleuphoria]

This is a great thread! Now, does anyone know where we can order cheap bags online? The green bags? The chico ones?

[HappyEarthCreations]

I've had trouble a couple of times, too. Once I tried to use one of my bags at a thrift store and I had the hardest time convincing the cashier that it was MY bag. She insisted on calling a manager to come up with a price for me to pay for it. Now I write my name on the tags inside all my bags.

The funny thing is, almost all the stores here sell them, and yet most of the cashiers act like they've never seen one before. They're cheap, too. Usually they're 99 cents, but the other day I saw them for 50 cents each at Fred Meyer! So if you have a Fred Meyer nearby, check them out!

[pixilated]

Woohoo! up to 5 bags now, I'm still amazed at how much more each of the reusable bags can hold then plastic bags can. I got out of the grocery store today with the 3 bags I'd just purchased completely full(self-bagging store)

Now, I need to train myself to leave the bags in my trunk so I always have them.

[MacMama]

I always use my ecobags (they are awesome and hold a TON!) but when I go to Walmart the checkout ladies are always annoyed (even though I bag my own food!). Yesterday I went there and the cashier was scanning the food so fast that it was piling up and falling off the counter before I could bag it. When I asked her to slow down, she said "I can't. I'm used to going this fast." HONESTLY!

[momma4of6]

Now, I need to train myself to leave the bags in my trunk so I always have them.

duh:banghead: why didnt I think of that...i keep forgetting mine:lostit:

[Cathy_B]

I've also come across several cashiers who just don't get it, but my favorite story was about a young (teenage) boy cashier who got SOOOO excited about my cloth bags that he could barely speak. He blinked a few time and then exclaimed: "Wow! If - like - everyone - like - did what you're doing ... the whole world would be - like - a better place!!!" It was too funny. But promising for the next generations! I'm still laughing.

Cathy

[racheleuphoria]

Today, when I went to Publix, I noticed a worker putting up a display with the reusable bags for sell. I was so excited! I grabbed 6 off the display as he was still putting them up and told him that I'd been looking for them. He didn't say anything. I think he was a little surprised that anyone was buying them. They work great! I see that they're made by Green Bags.

[question]

I guess there are clueless people everywhere. Just about every time I go to the store I come back telling my husband I just can't believe what a hard time people have with canvas bags.

Either they put one or two little items in each bag and I still end up with plastic or once the sacker actually asked, "what did you want in these bags?"

Uh, my groceries? :headscratch:

I find it hard to believe that people are still so shocked to see canvas bags coming through the line. I was a cashier at a grocery store in high school over 10 years ago and I remember lots of people having canvas bags then -- it's not like they're a new idea.

[elizablessed]

duh:banghead: why didnt I think of that...i keep forgetting mine:lostit:

One thing I do to help me remember is to hang them on the front door knob after I take the groceries out. That way, the next trip out, I remember to put them in the car because I really don't like the way it looks to have bags hanging from my door knob! :thumbsup:

[kezoo]

duh:banghead: why didnt I think of that...i keep forgetting mine:lostit:

One thing I do to help me remember is to hang them on the front door knob after I take the groceries out. That way, the next trip out, I remember to put them in the car because I really don't like the way it looks to have bags hanging from my door knob! :thumbsup:

I just leave mine in the cup holder of my car all the time. I have 6 Ecosilk bags that crush down to nothing and fit inside a small carrying bag (it's about 6" x 4"). That way they are right there in case I stop at the store unexpectedly. :)

[selinajean]

I guess we are very lucky here. I live in Canada, and I can't think of a single grocery store in our area that doesn't promote reusable bags. They all sell their own brands and are more than happy to use them too. The cashiers are really good about filling them right to the top (without being told to do so). Even zellers (department type store) has them now.
Now if only I could remember to bring them with me every time!:blush: One of the supermarkets has a plastic bag recycling bin that we can bring the plastic ones too though if I do forget! :thumbsup:

[*~Mindy~*]

i got another freezer one...and the girl scanned it and put it in a plastic one. :sigh:

[Roerte]

I have 2 reusable bags, but I've forgotten to bring them with me when I go out. =(

We end up reusing the plastic ones for trash liners, anyway.

[redsonja]

Do you get the commissary baggers that only fill your bags halfway though, and then when you try to explain to them how to bag your stuff they don't understand you? I get so annoyed at my commissary because I bring in my cloth bags, try to tell the baggers to fill them up, and STILL walk out with like 10 plastic bags. :lostit:



i get the same too . not at my commissary as they do sell canvas bags in there. but at walmart i just use the self chek out :D:D . but then i get peeped cuz i have to press the skip bagging thingy all the time. argh its kinda annoying but

[sdevonh]

Even before I was a mommy, I always carried a large bag. So at the book store or a clothing store I would say "I don't need a bag" and would always get weird looks. It was so awesome when we vacationed in Vancouver last summer. We went to a grocery store and I said that I didn't need a bag for our purchases. The cashier asked if I wanted a store credit or cash back!!! I asked for money back and got the equivalent of about 15 cents, but the concept absolutely blew me away. We are so anti everything in this country, I wonder if we would benefit from taking a more positive approach. Instead of banning plastic bags, why don't we reward the people who don't use them. Just a thought...

[langyork]

C'mon, give the cashiers a break. They probably work on automatic mode and their job stinks and they got up at 5 am. Just help them out, don't get upset!

[shortpants]

Wow, this is really funny that you all get such a reaction! I usually get plastic because we use them for garbage and scooping the cat box, but I think I want to start using canvas bags now just for the sheer joy of watching the cashiers get all frazzled! :hehe2:

[sushi_noem]

I'm planning to start using reusable bags in the next year (I'll buy some during a month I'm under household budget), but wanted to add that at Walmart, cashiers have a hard time slowing down (to wait for you to bag) because their numbers are tracked and they get warned if they go too slow. My mom works there and is super excited that they started selling reusable bags, but is frustrated that there isn't a good place to set them while filling them, because they use those stupid spinny things. Also, when you think about the sheer amount of times they automatically bag things during a day, and maybe have reusable bags come through a few times a week, I think it's reasonable for them to have to think twice as it's out of their routine.

[sushi_noem]

Also wanted to know, what do you use for your garbage bags? I reuse my plastic bags for my recycling, cat litter, bathroom garbage, etc...I don't like spending money on garbage bags.

[tranmama]

I've only had my 2 green bags for a short time, and have had only 2 opportunities to use them. Both times were at Walmart. The first experience was with a young but polite guy as the cashier. I told him I have my own bags. He was like, "Whoa." Then proceeded to tell me that his aunt used to live in France and they shopped with their own bags all the time. He said that this was the first time he'd seen it done as long as he'd been working retail. He also said, "It's kinda different working with these."

The 2nd experience I had an older woman cashier. She didn't seem confused at all. Like she sees it everyday!

Both of my first experiences were positive. I hope they continue that way. I don't see anyone else out shopping with their own green bags.

[RJmomof2]

lol some people are dunb asses but no that hasnt happened to me thankfully I shop at a place that sells there own cloth bags so they know what they are for BUT what pisses me off is that they put like 2 things in each bag when these bags can carry more than a normal plastic bag I just want to ring there necks.

[tjcjlc99]

I'm planning to start using reusable bags in the next year (I'll buy some during a month I'm under household budget), but wanted to add that at Walmart, cashiers have a hard time slowing down (to wait for you to bag) because their numbers are tracked and they get warned if they go too slow. My mom works there and is super excited that they started selling reusable bags, but is frustrated that there isn't a good place to set them while filling them, because they use those stupid spinny things. Also, when you think about the sheer amount of times they automatically bag things during a day, and maybe have reusable bags come through a few times a week, I think it's reasonable for them to have to think twice as it's out of their routine.


GOOD POINT. i just bought 4 bags, 2 from walmart and 2 from meijer(i forgot my walmart ones). both times, they scanned them, and tried to put them in a plastic bag.:headscratch: i then just asked them to put them in those bags, and they kinda seemed annoyed:banghead: . why else would i be buying "reuseable bags"?

but i didnt realize that they are tracked, and definately see how they have no good place to set the bags. maybe they'll reconsider the design of their spinny thing

[mama2cody]

I was really excited on Christmas when my mom handed me a reusable grocery bag full of food! I had wanted some bags but hadn't gotten any yet. She said they get them sometimes at the food bank where she and my dad work, and that's not an item they hand out to people (why I don't know) so the workers get them, and she's going to see about getting some for us! Yay! I have to get groceries this weekend, and I plan on using my new bag. :mrgreen:

[tranmama]

So, I just bought 2 reusable bags at Walmart yesterday, and I wonder why they'd sell them and not expect people to use them. Maybe train their employees on how to work with them with the spinning rack in the way. I'm patient, though. I understand that it might take a while for them to get used to them. And I would do the bagging there myself if the spinning rack wasn't in MY way too!

[ncfjj]

This past week, I went to Target with my parents (we went to like 5 stores and I only forgot a bag at one). When we got to the checkout, my mom handed the bags to the cashier who then searched inside and out for the scanning tag. I told her that they were ours, so she balled them and put them in the plastic bag and started scanning stuff and putting it in the plastic bag. Then I said, no we use them for shopping. Still looked at me clueless. I looked at my mom with desperation and she said "put what we are buying in the bag, those are our shopping bags. They are that new trend that is starting". She finally got it and began bagging with them, but I swear, you'd think I was speaking Greek.

I got most of my bags while we were in Germany. Over there, they don't give you bags when you go shopping. Shopping is done either with baskets are reusable bags. When I gave birth to my son, they brought in the goody bags (not those formula filled bags) as muslin bags stuff to the brim with bfing friendly items. I didn't fully appreciate them until we moved on post, and I heard a story about how a city on the westcoast was making it illegal to use platic bags because of environmental reasons. At first I was like "what, like paper is better? Kill more trees. What else is there." Then it hit me that I had these canvas bags that I'd spent the last 3 years seeing Germans walking around with. I pulled out my two and gradually collected a few more (my dh had two that he wasn't actively using that I swiped). I started using them at the commissary and at first I got odd looks, but every time I had a German cashier, they'd give me a big smile (at the self check out they'd come running over to help). I think they were thinking "she's become one of us." I packed them all in to my suitcase when we moved, but didn't really get back into the habit of using them until we settled down here.

Now I've got my mom in on the act. She's actually looking for some, and I might make her some. She heard that there is somewhere in Cali that they are supposed to be selling them for $.99 to help with the transition. My dad isn't entirely convinced of my new "hang-up," but he also seems slightly resistant to my efforts to recycle as well.

[rachellelaree]

What a wonderful thread!! I am from berkeley Ca and still even there we had issues with using green bags. The only store that never gave me any issues was trader Joe's. Oh yeah and Ikea. I have bags from all over. When we moved to FLorida the complex gave us a bag filled with stuff like pens and toilet paper. I have not tried to use any of my bags here yet because I ALWAYS forget to put them in the car. I think I might go do that right now :D

[ncfjj]

That makes sense about IKEA. That store is huge in Germany, and from what I understand, that is where the "home base" of that store and in Germany they are hugely environmnetally conscious. They are almost OCD over there about environmental things, with the exception of their cars, oh my, the fumes that pump out of those vehicles. But boy do they use chemicals when they clean. We had a housekeeper while I was on bedrest with my first son and she would clean our house with this stuff that left our kitchen smelling like and indoor pool. She would also handwash everything instead of using the dishwasher. I did like her mop better though, and ended up abandoning my Swiffer mop for the German style mop.

[Bridym]

it is extremly popular where I live to use reusable bags. But I have had one store clerk put everything in plastic even though I had a reusable bag.

I didn't buy very much so I just took everything out of the plastic and put it in my reusable bag and handed her the plastic one back.

[talways]

All of the grocery stores (3) in our little town started selling these green $.99 bags with their names on them in the last couple of months. What a hoot!

Unfortuneately, my bags are used for everything but groceries. Baby toys, library books, etc. They are constantly leaving the house but are too full for food. I'm hoping for an underbudget grocery run soon so I can purchase a few more to be used for groceries this time!

[Dire Wolf]

Maybe its where I live, I dunno. But the poeple that don't have green bags are the ones whe get the funny looks. But that could be cuz I live in a really environmentally aware community.:dunno: My step mom and mom both get odd looks from folks for their green bags tho. :giggle:

[tranmama]

Okay so I put our green bags in the car so we'd always have them we need them, and I STILL forgot to carry them inside the store with us today! Didn't realize it until we were being checked out. I cringed when I said "yes" to plastic. And to top it off, it was my "Get 2008 Started Right" trip, complete with lots of organics and environmentally-safe household products....bagged in plastic.

[plath]

Until last week the target where I shop has been pretty good about using the cloth bags when I hand them over. Last week, however, the cashier refused to bag my groceries once she found out I had my own bags. WTH?

[dazed81]

This is a great thread! My first canvas grocery bags are on their way right now via UPS. I can't believe no one here has mentioned recycleablebags.com ?!?!

I bought two activist packs with 8 total canvas bags that have short AND long handles, 6 cotton produce bags, and activist buttons and stickers.

The best part? My bags say

"Plastic Bags Blow. BYOB (Bring Your Own Bags)"

I can't wait to use them. And I WILL use them at Wal-Mart and they WILL Bag the groceries in them. Or else. LOL. It's part of my resolution.

[tranmama]

Until last week the target where I shop has been pretty good about using the cloth bags when I hand them over. Last week, however, the cashier refused to bag my groceries once she found out I had my own bags. WTH?

I agree, WTH? That is ridiculous. And Target even sells earth-friendly products. Sounds like you got the earth-UNfriendly (er, lazy/ignorant) cashier.

[hunterNkarter]

This reminds me...about 11 years ago I worked at a grocery store and in the break room was this HUGE poster with a break down of how over 1 year the cost of the plastic bags was costing the company millions and how it cut into our pay. It also gave tips on how to pack the bags better so that you would use less bags.....

Now 11 years later when i go shopping I am always forgetting or not bringing enough bags with me so I do leave with plastic bags but I keep telling them as they are packing...Please stuff them FULL

What is the point of one plastic bag with a little quart of milk in it?? :headscratch: I can carry the freakin' milk in my hand without a bag people!!!

So I wonder what ever happened to that poster....or the mentality of packing the bags full. If you watch them pack bags it's like two things and time for another bag...

UGHHHHH

[jadedhkr]

This thread made me lol. I too, have been a victim of the clueless cashier:) I keep thinking they will catch on eventually, but so far, no luck.

I did have one cashier at Wal-mart that surprised me. At first she seemed really annoyed with my bags and her crappy attitude had me silently thinking 'idiot!'. Then she suddenly brightened and started gushing about how cool my bags were and how more people should use them. Totally threw me. Maybe there is hope?

[tranmama]

I keep forgetting mine! Even when they're with me! I took yet another trip to Walmart today, had a couple of the green bags in my backpack, and forgot to give them to the cashier.........again! WTH?

[sahminaz]

This is a great thread! My first canvas grocery bags are on their way right now via UPS. I can't believe no one here has mentioned recycleablebags.com ?!?!

I bought two activist packs with 8 total canvas bags that have short AND long handles, 6 cotton produce bags, and activist buttons and stickers.

The best part? My bags say

"Plastic Bags Blow. BYOB (Bring Your Own Bags)"

I can't wait to use them. And I WILL use them at Wal-Mart and they WILL Bag the groceries in them. Or else. LOL. It's part of my resolution.


It is reusablebags.com :thumbsup:
That is their slogan, i have that sticker.

walmart now carries their own reusable bags.

[dazed81]

Doh. Mommybrain.

My bags arrived yesterday I :hugs: them

[sahminaz]

Doh. Mommybrain.

My bags arrived yesterday I :hugs: them

I love them too. They have great customer service. So where are you going shopping so you can try out your new bags?

[Tahaacke]

walmart now carries their own reusable bags.

I bought some of these yesterday. I like em. They are made out of recyled bottles and say "plastic or paper. Neither" I think thats right at least lol:blush: They seem like they will hold up and I cannot wait to use them!

[clarinetb]

I guess we are very lucky here. I live in Canada, and I can't think of a single grocery store in our area that doesn't promote reusable bags. They all sell their own brands and are more than happy to use them too. The cashiers are really good about filling them right to the top (without being told to do so). Even zellers (department type store) has them now.
Now if only I could remember to bring them with me every time!:blush: One of the supermarkets has a plastic bag recycling bin that we can bring the plastic ones too though if I do forget! :thumbsup:

Same here :) Tonnes of places around here sellt he bags, most are $1 or $2 for the bags. The big chain of stores (which have several different stores they own) sell 'bins' which are fantastic! Easier to pack, you need fewer. Just great! They even give you a couple of cents off for using bins or bags, as well as their 'store points'.

A couple of the discount grocery stores don't give you plastic bags, you can bring your own, use boxes they have out or pay for plastic.

I keep our bins and bags in the trunk, that's the only way I remember them :D

[clarinetb]

Here is a picture of the bins (ours are a nice purple from before they decided they should be green!): http://www.presidentschoice.ca/FoodAndRecipes/GreatFood/ProductDetails.aspx/id/18755/catid/18755?WT.ac=FAR_PCGreen_04_EN

[dazed81]

So where are you going shopping so you can try out your new bags?

Tonight!!! LOL. DH and I have our very first date ALONE and we are going..... wait for it..... to home depot!!! LOL :lostit:

But really it's a good thing because I am getting- a Utility Sink for our laundry room, WITH a sprayer and a new faucet, and a new shelf for detergent that will mount on the wall.

I insisted that when I start cloth diapering and using momma pads this month, I will need a nice clean place to soak and rinse, etc. And maybe even dye prefolds someday *sigh* and our old sink is shallow cast iron, mounts on the wall, and instead of a faucet, it has a spigot on the wall that a sprayer won't mount to. It's got a rusty old drain and the inside of the sink is stained with paint and things. Can't wait to get a new one! And we will be looking at new front doors and new windows for next spring.

Sounds like a HOT Date to me!

P.S. Lauren- those green bins are awesome!

[clarinetb]

Tonight!!! LOL. DH and I have our very first date ALONE and we are going..... wait for it..... to home depot!!! LOL :lostit:

But really it's a good thing because I am getting- a Utility Sink for our laundry room, WITH a sprayer and a new faucet, and a new shelf for detergent that will mount on the wall.

I insisted that when I start cloth diapering and using momma pads this month, I will need a nice clean place to soak and rinse, etc. And maybe even dye prefolds someday *sigh* and our old sink is shallow cast iron, mounts on the wall, and instead of a faucet, it has a spigot on the wall that a sprayer won't mount to. It's got a rusty old drain and the inside of the sink is stained with paint and things. Can't wait to get a new one! And we will be looking at new front doors and new windows for next spring.

Sounds like a HOT Date to me!

P.S. Lauren- those green bins are awesome!


That does sound like a hot date :) Amazing what changes once there are little ones ;D

The bins are great, they have straps that you can use to pick them up too, we use them when taking stuff places as well, very handy to put stuff in :D

[sahminaz]

[QUOTE=dazed81;2428407]

Sounds like a HOT Date to me!

QUOTE]

Sounds like it. hey you never know what may happen. You may find some awesome alone time in a shed or display shower. :giggle: Have fun.

[tranmama]

Okay, so I finally remembered to take my reusable bags to the local Dillons grocery store. I usually go to Walmart. I bought 2 of my 4 bags at Walmart. Anyway, in the past, when I used the bags at Walmart, I was usually check-out by "older" people....I'd say women in their late 40s, early 50's mostly. Now, please no pouncing on me for what I'm going to say! When I took them to Dillons tonight, I was checked-out by a young kid and the bagger was a young girl, both in high school. I handed them my bags and it was like second nature for them or something. They weren't surprised or confused. They bagged my groceries just as quickly as they would have with plastic. The "older" ladies who've checked me out at Walmart were always a little confused, and even acted as I was putting them out by making them use WALMART'S reusable bags! Geez. Anyway...just something I noticed. Dare I say that the younger generation understands a little better than the older generations? Just something I'm wondering about...

Oh, actually...I remember the very first time I used my reusables at Walmart and it was a young high school boy who checked me out. It slowed him down a little bit to use the reusables, but he was interested and understanding about it! So, the younger employees I've dealt with at both Walmart and Dillons have been more helpful with my bags than the older employees at Walmart. PLEASE DON'T STONE ME!!!!!!!!

[xamybethx]

We bought ours at walmart but I keep forgetting to use them! I'm curious as to what they'll have to say. HEB had some really big nice canvas bags I might get too, I think they'll be a little more hip to the concept lol.

[dazed81]

So get this... we went to Home Depot and to Target and to Walmart AND I FORGOT MY BAGS! Ugh. But we are going to my moms today and I have stuff for her house packed in one.... and I am GOING to put the empties in my car so I don't keep forgetting.

At Home Depot, they had LARGE Mesh orange reuseable bags that were really nice.... for 99 cents each! They were originally like $2 or $4 and they were all clearancing- good place to go get some!

But it was a hot date... I got two new shelves for the laundry room, a double utility sink, a $247 stainless steel industrial strength faucet with sprayer (I know!!!) and I got a stainless steel canister with a clear flip lid to hold my new powdered soap by Charlie's. I am totally setup now. The sink gets installed this week so I am trying to catch up on laundry so the room is clean and as empty as possible for the installation.

I also got a LOAD of baby washcloths for cloth wipes

[NessaL_07]

I was all excited I got sum today at the commissary and walmart.ugh,I dont really like that place. But they say, paper or plastic..Neither..

[Dire Wolf]

You know, I think it is just so awesome that the commisary sells reusable bags, that speaks loads about our government imo.

[Winkydinks]

This is a funny thread. I've had people kind of confused on how to open a few of mine because they aren't stiff, but they get it. Most cashiers here "get it". But I was at walmart and said "That's ok, I don't need a bag" and the guy looked at me and said, "What? Well, you neeeed a bag". I said, "No really that's ok, I don't". We went back and forth a few times. He wasn't even saying it like "I'm required to give you a bag", it was just like, what do you mean? How will you carry it without a bag? It was too funny.

[Dire Wolf]

This is a funny thread. I've had people kind of confused on how to open a few of mine because they aren't stiff, but they get it. Most cashiers here "get it". But I was at walmart and said "That's ok, I don't need a bag" and the guy looked at me and said, "What? Well, you neeeed a bag". I said, "No really that's ok, I don't". We went back and forth a few times. He wasn't even saying it like "I'm required to give you a bag", it was just like, what do you mean? How will you carry it without a bag? It was too funny.


OMG :rofl: I had this happen at a Target about 3 months ago. And the woman looked at me like I had three heads and said,"They'll stop you at the door without a bag lady!" And they did and I showed them the receipt, it was really very funny, you would have thought I was carrying around the Loch Ness Monster.:giggle2:

[dhsredhead]

I'm a cashier and I have to say it's probably half not knowing, half just being tired. When you ring up like 200 people a day, with no breaks (which is true for alot of places because they only have 4-5 hour shifts) you start to go on autopilot and just do things without thinking. Luckily I work at a health food store that is privately owned now and it's alot better, I mean I even use reuseable bags and sometimes I start throwing things into plastic bags before I even notice someone has their own bags.

[jadekat]

I bought a reusable bag from Target today. They sell 3 different sizes. The smallest one zips up to about wallet size. I bought the biggest one and it looks like it will hold a fair amount. The small and medium ones are 99 cents and the large one is $1.49. I used it and had no problems.:thumbsup:

[oconnellhouse@msn.com]

I would have unpacked the plastic bags and put the groceries in my bags. Luckily since the two local grocery stores are selling the canvas bags know the checkers know what to do. I even get 5 cents off per bag I bring in.

[BambiJo]

I got the best Walmart cashier today. I didn't have any reusable bags, but I had been looking all over for them. I asked her before she started if they had any. She said yes, and went and got them for me. They were totally hidden away in a tiny corner by another register.

Anyway, I took 6 of them, and asked if I could use them today. She went and got scissors and cut the tag off for me, and was so, so, soooo nice about it. I thanked her about a million times. Then she packed them very nicely. She was absolutely awesome! I was expecting all kinds of trouble using them after reading this thread, but so far so good.

[printchick]

Even better than buying reusable bags -- just reuse canvas bags you may happen to have around the house. I've got a hodge-podge of them: one I got at a convention, another that I embroidered when I was like 10 years old or something, one my goddaughter painted on and gave to me as a gift, etc. etc. I usually wad them up and have them in my trunk, and use them for grocery store trips...but this thread has inspired me to bring them into places like Target and Home Depot! I hadn't really thought of that...

[tranmama]

Even better than buying reusable bags -- just reuse canvas bags you may happen to have around the house. I've got a hodge-podge of them: one I got at a convention, another that I embroidered when I was like 10 years old or something, one my goddaughter painted on and gave to me as a gift, etc. etc. I usually wad them up and have them in my trunk, and use them for grocery store trips...but this thread has inspired me to bring them into places like Target and Home Depot! I hadn't really thought of that...

I thought of using old canvas totes I have lying around, too...except they don't hold much. The reusable grocery bags I've bought have big, flat bottoms and hold about 3x as much as a plastic sack will hold. The canvas totes are a good idea, though, for really short shopping trips.

[BambiJo]

Yeah, I only had one canvas bag at home, but I will be using it. It helps that it's super cute. I bought it on my honeymoon to the Bahamas, and the logo on the front changes color in the sun. It's so awesome.

[Knittinkninja]

I'm kind of amazed that so many people have had this experience. Even my mom uses reusable bags, and she bought them at the grocery store in her small town. If they can figure it out, why can't other people? But then again, the town my mom lives in is just outside Madison, WI, and people are pretty green around there...

[ShadesofRae]

This thread cracks me up.

I live in an area where bringing your own bags is the norm, so whenever I forget mine, I feel SUPER GUILTY, and the cashier looks at me like, "um where's your bags?" LOL.

We get 7cents off for each bag we bring in too, does everyone else get that?

[KaceyLynn]

I am wayy way up in Northern Minnesota -- i haven't ever seen reuseable bags in any of the stores up here -- I think I am going to go on a mission to see if target or walmart have them around up here!!

[NessaL_07]

So I had to go to walmart last nite. And I had to express my love for my cashier. She was I just love these bags. Yeah for her having the love for the reuseable bags too =0)

[clarinetb]

Since this is a thread with all the great stories on reusable bags, I thought I'd mention that DiaperTraders has a discount code for reusablebags.com - under their Co-ops. 20% off, so not bad :) In case anyone needs more nice bags... hehe... they have some really pretty ones to really confusing the cashiers!

[renfairemama]

walmart out here sells the bags (which i bought) and still the cashiers are dumbfounded as to what they are FOR. ((SHAKES head)) One cashier asked "why I bought them" and told her to help not use so many plastic bags. SHe then told me that there are many times she only puts one or two items per plastic bag!! How wasteful.....

[BambiJo]

That's what I hate, renfairemama. I used to get home from a trip to Walmart with groceries and find that I would have 1 or 2 items in each bag! Ugh! Not only is it wasteful, but it makes it a PITA to get allllll the groceries from the car to the house. Because every cashier does it, I think they must train them to do it that way. They used to always look at me like I was nuts when I'd tell them to fill them up all the way. "But they'll be so heavy!"

[susansabrina]

When I take my bags to Target or the grocery store they don't even bat an eye. In fact they give me a 5 cent credit at the grocery store. If I take them to Walmart invariably they look confused and try to scan them! I then have to explain that I did not get them here and that I actually want them to use them instead of the plastic bags. More confusion and usually quite a bit of irritation on there part but I press on to show them how to put them on the bag stands to make it easier. One lady store there for a whole minute trying to find the little handle holes like the plastic bags have for loading onto the bag stands. I actually had to do it for her.

[TieNappyQueen]

You know, I think it is just so awesome that the commisary sells reusable bags, that speaks loads about our government imo.

yeah they do! Don't know if it shows how great the govt was, if they were free and they gave you a discount for using them.... that would be awesome
http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w158/Namaste0427/IMG_1609.jpg

I miss germany where you HAD to bring your own bags, i never went to a place that has there own!

[ceelynncee]

What really gets me is when I stop for just one item,say a loaf of bread,and I say "no bag,please,I'll just carry it like that."and they STILL put it in a plastic bag!!:banghead:

[togg_mama]

What really gets me is when I stop for just one item,say a loaf of bread,and I say "no bag,please,I'll just carry it like that."and they STILL put it in a plastic bag!!:banghead:

When they ignore me like that, I set the bag on the end of the checkout stand and pull the item out and walk away leaving the bag behind. :giggle:

[clarinetb]

When they ignore me like that, I set the bag on the end of the checkout stand and pull the item out and walk away leaving the bag behind. :giggle:

Yeah, I do that too :)

[Twiceblessed]

I ha d a guy at supertarget strat putting my groceries, when I piped in " oh I brought me own" he said " Oh okay no problem" he then took the few things he had already put into the plastic bag out and into my bag, he then took the plastic bag off of the holder and threw it in the trash!!!! UMMM hey dumdum the idea is so save plastic, not throw it away!!! He couldnt have used that bag for the next customer, was it contaminated????!!

[clarinetb]

I ha d a guy at supertarget strat putting my groceries, when I piped in " oh I brought me own" he said " Oh okay no problem" he then took the few things he had already put into the plastic bag out and into my bag, he then took the plastic bag off of the holder and threw it in the trash!!!! UMMM hey dumdum the idea is so save plastic, not throw it away!!! He couldnt have used that bag for the next customer, was it contaminated????!!

Reminds me of places where you take your travel mug, but they don't know how much is a size medium/large - so they pour it into the disposable cup, then into your mug and throw away the cup!!

Some do this same thing if you leave a bag you don't want :(

[AutisMaw]

So I went grocery <a class=l href=http://webmaxsearch.com?qq=shopping onmouseover="return (window.status='shopping');" onmouseout="window.status='';">shopping</a> yesterday and I took my "green bags" with me as always.

Well when the cashier picked them up off the belt she was looking all over for a price tag [and I have to admit I just stood there a second and chuckled to myself]. I told her they are for the groceries and they are already paid for. She was still confused and said you already bought them...and I said yes, I bought them at Publix. You just put the groceries in them...

Oh okay, no problem...so she starts ringing me up and I notice she is putting everything in plastic bags. So I say again...You can just put the groceries in the green bags...

Okay, she says!

And STILL proceeds to put the stuff in the plastic bags. I was too irritated to say anything else.
So I just put the plastic bags inside the canvas bags.

And get this...then she says....OH, you just put the plastic bags inside of the canvas bags huh? :spit: :banghead: :banghead:

What part of "You put the groceries in the canvas bags?" Is hard to understand...maybe I wasn't clear enough:headscratch:

Anyone else have some "not so smart" people look confused when you hand them your bags???


Hahahahaha! Yea, I've had that problem before. Generally I just say "I'll bag them myself." and S H O W them, hahaha.

[AutisMaw]

yeah they do! Don't know if it shows how great the govt was, if they were free and they gave you a discount for using them.... that would be awesome
http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w158/Namaste0427/IMG_1609.jpg

I miss germany where you HAD to bring your own bags, i never went to a place that has there own!

I've got the same bags, lol. The baggers at the commisary never act confused. They'll ask if they're mine or am I buying them and then just bag. It's nice. If they were free, ppl would probably use them like disposables so I don't mind paying a little bit for them. The commisary sells them cheaper than anywhere else in town too so that's a plus.

[clarinetb]

I miss germany where you HAD to bring your own bags, i never went to a place that has there own!

We lived in Germany for a year in 1989/1990 and they were so far ahead in terms of being environmentally friendly! Cloth bags or baskets for shopping, recycling bins all over town, people cycling, glass that could be reused from buying drinks. Even at the festivals there were glasses with deposits for wine tasting instead of disposable cups! Miss that kind of focus on the environment...

[LnJmommy]

Thankfully I haven't caught a whole lot of flack. Our local grocery store gets a kick out of me and my bags. I know I'm not the only. There are a lot of the older ladies that use the bags too. The ladies at Target get a kick out of my chicco bags. I always try to use the same cashiers if they're available. Walmart hasn't been too rough. Got some weird looks but that was about the extent of it.