General Chat

General question. I Live in Wales and the new legislation has not come into force here as yet. Cigs and other related products are still available for sale from visable displays and gantrees here, in all outlets.. Has anyone experienced abuse from any customers because these products are no longer on visable sale?

The reason I ask is because when it became law for these products to be only for sale to people age 18 or over I suffered abuse from 16 and 17 year old people who were no longer eligible to purchase these products. Somewhat justified for a while unti they became of age.

In October 2011 it became law here in Wales to charge a minimum of 5p for all bags, plastic or paper, with a few exceptions.Companies are encouraged to donate the money to charity, they can deduct their costs of their bag purchase plus vat. Most companies, as far as I am aware donate the full charge to a charity of their choice.

I now work in retail, fashion to ladies of 55 and over in a North Wales holiday town and the abuse I get for chargeing 5p for a carrier bag is awful. Anything form "you have to be *****ng joking " to throwing the clothes across the counter.

I have been behind the counter for both changes in Wales and can honestly say that the youngsters were far more polite!!.

So sick of having a smile/grimace on my face, feel like I am getting married again

:-S

Hi Libby - as you may know I'm in Australia. At the moment it's up to the store whether they charge for their bags but the large stores let us know in advance that they would be doing that and had hessian and fabric bags on sale for awhile beforehand.

It's a shame that people feel the need to abuse staff for a policy that they didn't have any say in.

Hiyas,
In Canberra (ACT) Australia the lightweight plastic shopping bags were banned.
You either take your own bags or have to purchase the reusable heavy plastic bags or fabric bags to put your shopping in.
Various other shops in the areas in NSW on the borders of ACT have joined in also...

Kellie

Are these holidaying people from England?

No excuse for abuse though, but we have been unaware of the Welsh 5p charge for bags, I only found out when I went to visit a friend in January.

In England we are only 'encouraged' to reuse bags :((

Kim x

Hi Libby,
It's a shame people refuse to acknowledge that (usually low paid) front line staff aren't responsible for the actions of the (usually overpaid) stiore hierarchy/government.
I'd feel inclined to put on a fixed sile and suggest they take it up with those responsible - facing abuse is surely not in your contract, and is way beyond your payscale!!!

Hi all#

Payscale is 2p above minimim wage, only that because it is easier to work out 1/2 hour extra :-\

To be honest, I am for the "charge". Far less litter. I have used hession bags for ages, plus telescopic bags in my handbag. I still have plastic bags down the side of ,my washing machine, used for yukky cat litter even after all this time.

Ireland has had a charge for bags since 2002, although it is a tax and I understand that the Scottish government is considering a charge, similar to Wales. At least our Government is not getting their mitts on it appart fro vat :-P

The older I get, I feel like I am becoming my Mum. She always carried a shopping bag. :-D

How rude to take it out on you. Staff don't make store policy.

I have lots of shopping bags, some in the car, some in the garage... but you can be sure that I often end up in the supermarket without them (I keep a well-used folded bag in my handbag, but the carton of milk I went in for .......... you know how it is).

I lived in Europe for a while, supermarket bags had to be paid for, department store bags did not. The supermarket was next door, so I would bring the shopping home in the cart, unload, then return the cart :-D Steering a loaded shopping cart on ice was great fun lol... but easier than slipping and sliding while carrying heavy bags! :-D

A certain well known food and clothes store charge 5p for plastic bags in their food department in England
They always ask you if you want a bag then put the charge on the bill.
I find that more and more shops are asking you if you want a bag but I always carry one.
Having said that I don't like putting new clothes into my shopping bag without some protection in case I have to return them or they get wet.
Will have to carry a spare plastic bag as well as my other one.

So sorry to hear you are subjected to abuse Libby. That is not acceptable.
Take care
Von

There is no excuse for rudeness. We always use our own bags for our grocery shopping and are appalled at the number of plastic bags some people take from the supermarkets. M&S charge for bags in their food department. I'd find it a bit more difficult in the clothes department as you do want to keep new clothes clean and you don't always know you are going to buy clothes. Smiths also charge for bags.

I have always been aware that there is a charge for bags in Wales since the law came in as it was in the papers and on the news.

Incidentally here where we are on holiday in Tenerife some of the supermarkets charge for bags.

I'm in Australia also and work in a retail manchester store.You would be surprised how many Scrooges are around-they request a bag,and when told it will cost them 5 cents, quickly change their mind and say that they don't want one after all.Or they fish around in their handbag and find one,rather than pay the 5 cents.I have only had one person get really nasty and abuse me over it-most people are quite happy to pay the 5 cents. :-) :-)

Margot.

I am surprised that a clothing shop charges for plastic/paper bags. Surely it is in the interest of the retail outlet to ensure that the clothes arrive home in a clean state. What happens if they are returned ? I am not arguing the case for or against. Why can't the cost be incorporated in the price of the garment. I must admit I wouldn't be pleased having to pay for a bag to cover a bought garment ,whilst I don't moan about bringing my own bags to the supermarket. It might be that I am one of those over 55's and whilst not condoning verbal abuse, do agree that there shouldn't be a charge-jl

I try to take bags when I go shopping, but sometimes I buy more than fits into the bags I have at the time (we've all done that!).

But the bags I bring home are used again. Sturdy bags are kept for other uses - wrapping winter clothes in (our cooler weather is about 6-8 weeks), or for carrying things around. The flimsy supermarket bags are double-bagged and used in the kitchen bin (single bags are no use, they always break or leak), and the smaller bags you put your fruit & veg in are the ideal size for my bathroom tidy. Our local newspaper is delivered in a bag (it has to be, because it rains here so much) and that is clothes-pegged outside for things like bottle tops & ciggie butts (NO smoking in the house!).

If they stop supermarket bags I'll have to buy rubbish bags! :-D

forgot to say..........

I bought a handbag a few weeks ago.

The saleswoman/owner was determined I should have a bag to carry it home. I told her my car was outside (we could see the car!) and I didn't need one. She insisted, said it was good publicity. So I took her bag, walked about six steps to the car, went home & stuck her bag with the rest of them. This one isn't plastic, it's good quality paper, must have cost her more than 5 cents. I think I'll use it to store the plastic bags in lol :-D