Large Department Store Refuses to Give Free Bag

[Lucky Bones]

Maxwell Smart and Harry Hoo maybe?

I don't think I have (lately) walked into any shop without knowing how I would get my purchase home.

Amazing.

 

 

[Burma Bill]

50 minutes ago, aussiexpat said:

living 3 years in the past before policies limiting plastic bags became a thing around the world

With respect, not in my experience when regularly visiting Cambodia, Burma, Laos and Vietnam prior to Covid-19!!

[richard_smith237]

10 minutes ago, aussiexpat said:

16 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Or they can give you a non-plastic bag to carry your shopping in...  Problem solved !!!!! 

Or you could just pay the 4 baht for the sale of a plastic bag to safely carry your 9000 baht alcohol, problem solved

Which is exactly what I would have done....  

... it probably would have made me think W.TF for a movement.

 

 

But, because I can accept it, it does not mean I do not understand the Ops point. I don’t know why people are attacking the Op - I quite like the idea that he stood up to this issue.

 

It is cheeky of a store to ask for extra money just so someone can carry their shopping when they have spent a reasonable sum.

[Leaver]

4 minutes ago, aussiexpat said:

Or you could just pay the 4 baht for the sale of a plastic bag to safely carry your 9000 baht alcohol, problem solved

 

I have no problem in paying the 4 baht, but say I knew the bottles of alcohol I wanted came to exactly 9000 baht, and that's all the cash I took to the shop, for whatever reason.

 

When it came time to pay, if they stood their ground for the 4 baht, I wouldn't put one bottle back to have enough to buy the bag, I would walk out.

 

Not my fault, not their fault. The deal just didn't get done.  Sometimes negotiations break down, that's business.  However, the manager is exactly that, a manager, not an owner, and if I was his manager, or even a share holder, I would be putting my shoe up his a......... 

 

I have asked before, yet to get an answer from any member criticizing the OP, "Would you run your own business like that?" 

[richard_smith237]

2 minutes ago, Lucky Bones said:

Maxwell Smart and Harry Hoo maybe?

I don't think I have (lately) walked into any shop without knowing how I would get my purchase home.

Amazing.

Just like ordering food in a restaurant... We don’t have to wonder if we are going to be given a knife and fork to eat it with.... 

The same in a shop... do we now how to wonder how we will carry it home or have to pay a ‘surcharge’ for that privilege ?

[richard_smith237]

23 hours ago, Mac Mickmanus said:

Why do you think that bags should be free ?

You are purchasing an item from a supermarket/Shop , why shouldnt you have to pay for it ?

Maybe you should also pay a surcharge for using a shopping trolley... 

 

Want to use a basket... thats 20 baht...  Well, you should have brought your own basket if you don’t want to pay the basket surcharge !!!! 

 

Where do you draw the line on the ‘extras’....  

 

 

[richard_smith237]

10 hours ago, buddy2010 said:

A light backpack and all problems are solved!

So simple !

For whom that is also too heavy, should have his whiskey delivered ????

 

 

Meeting friends in the pub....  G’day cobba... how are things... all good here... 

hey... whats the small backpack for ???

Oh... just in case I pick something up on the way home... 

 

... What, you are carrying a bigger bag to carry a smaller packed bag which opens up into a bigger bag, for some shopping you may not get ???

 

Yup.. thats about right.... seemed the logical thing to do after reading that thread on aseannow about supermarkets charging for cloth bags !!! ????

 

[aussiexpat]

13 minutes ago, Leaver said:

 

I have no problem in paying the 4 baht, but say I knew the bottles of alcohol I wanted came to exactly 9000 baht, and that's all the cash I took to the shop, for whatever reason.

 

When it came time to pay, if they stood their ground for the 4 baht, I wouldn't put one bottle back to have enough to buy the bag, I would walk out.

This is getting ridiculous now, another made up scenario. So if you only had 8,999 baht you'd do the same thing for one baht, or probably expect the cashier to pay it for you

 

The purchase price is 9004 baht for alcohol and carry bag, if uou don't have 9004 baht with you, put something back like you would everywhere else in the world

 

Edited April 24, 2022 by aussiexpat

[Mac Mickmanus]

17 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

Maybe you should also pay a surcharge for using a shopping trolley... 

 

Want to use a basket... thats 20 baht...  Well, you should have brought your own basket if you don’t want to pay the basket surcharge !!!! 

 

Where do you draw the line on the ‘extras’....  

 

 

Completely different .

Yu take the bag home with you and its yours to keep . 

You buy a bag .

Baskets and trolleys are just borrowed and you don't take them home and keep them 

[Leaver]

2 minutes ago, aussiexpat said:

This is getting ridiculous now, another made up scenario. So if you only had 8,999 baht you'd do the same thing for one baht, or probably expect the cashier to pay it for you

 

 

It's not ridiculous, and could easily happen. 

 

Money Number One in Thailand.  They demand their 4 baht, and if I physically haven't got it in my pocket, they either concede, or lose a sale.  Whether that be for 1 bottle, or all three.  That's business.  Sometimes negotiations break down.   

 

Why is this scenario difficult for you to accept?

 

You keep focusing on the behavior of the OP, not a word said about the manager's business sense, and refuse to answer the question, "Would you run your own business like that?"

 

You are just trolling. 
 

   

[Leaver]

24 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

 

Meeting friends in the pub....  G’day cobba... how are things... all good here... 

hey... whats the small backpack for ???

Oh... just in case I pick something up on the way home... 

 

... What, you are carrying a bigger bag to carry a smaller packed bag which opens up into a bigger bag, for some shopping you may not get ???

 

Yup.. thats about right.... seemed the logical thing to do after reading that thread on aseannow about supermarkets charging for cloth bags !!! ????

 

 

To be honest, I wouldn't trust 9000 baht of alcohol in a plastic shopping bag.  I would take and use my own fabric bag, but the strength of the shopping bags is off topic.

[Jingthing]

27 minutes ago, Leaver said:

 

To be honest, I wouldn't trust 9000 baht of alcohol in a plastic shopping bag.  I would take and use my own fabric bag, but the strength of the shopping bags is off topic.

This reminds me of a traumatic youthful event.

The very first time I bought bottles of booze legally at 18 the paper bag slipped out of my hand on the way to the car, yes, breaking the bottles.

Not expensive booze but expensive for me at 18.

I guess I was overly excited.

 

 

[Meat Pie 47]

Where I live you can buy $5000 worth of liquor you won't get a free bag, bring your own bag or suffer !

 

[richard_smith237]

1 hour ago, treetops said:

Notwithstanding that, the OP didn't make a random, unplanned purchase, he went there specifically to buy 3 bottles of booze according to the OP, and should have planned accordingly.

That I agree with - IF planning going to the store, of course take your own bag.

 

But carrying around your own bag (when on foot).... no thanks. 

I carry a tiny card wallet and phone...  thats it.

 

I don’t see carrying my own bag as a solution, its an additional hinderance.

The store can easily swallow the cost and remain customer service orientated. 

 

 

 

 

 

[richard_smith237]

3 minutes ago, Meat Pie 47 said:

Where I live you can buy $5000 worth of liquor you won't get a free bag, bring your own bag or suffer !

 

That makes it more acceptable ??? 

 

Normalising something doesn’t make it acceptable - this ‘bag’ think has be pushed upon us under the guise of ‘environmental friendliness’... its not, just look at all the plastic packaging... the only one being inconvenienced is the consumer...  

[richard_smith237]

46 minutes ago, Leaver said:

To be honest, I wouldn't trust 9000 baht of alcohol in a plastic shopping bag.  I would take and use my own fabric bag, but the strength of the shopping bags is off topic.

Agreed.... never liked those thin crappy plastic bags...  I’d prefer the ‘free’ cloth bag, the same ones that Villamarket give out (I think its with a minimum spend)...   there simple solution which is actually better than the original thing. 

[treetops]

1 minute ago, richard_smith237 said:

But carrying around your own bag (when on foot).... no thanks. 

I carry a tiny card wallet and phone...  thats it.

A bit unusual I think - most people will have more - but that also means you have spare room in your pockets for the bag I pictured for off the cuff purchases.  You wouldn't even notice it was there more than likely.

[kinyara]

Imagine in this heat traipsing around to another supermarket for the sake of 4 baht, seems like a weekend click bait thread.

 

Last time I was in the UK you had to pay at all the major supermarkets for bags regardless of your spend, staff or management had no discretion. Not entirely sure why anyone would think major retailers in Thailand would act any differently.  

[Mac Mickmanus]

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

That makes it more acceptable ??? 

 

Normalising something doesn’t make it acceptable - this ‘bag’ think has be pushed upon us under the guise of ‘environmental friendliness’... its not, just look at all the plastic packaging... the only one being inconvenienced is the consumer...  

Why do you think that bags should be free ?

Should they also give you a free car so you can  take your goods home ?

[Lucky Bones]

10 minutes ago, Mac Mickmanus said:

Why do you think that bags should be free ?

Should they also give you a free car so you can  take your goods home ?

Free car? Sounds fair to me????????

[Mac Mickmanus]

8 minutes ago, Lucky Bones said:

Free car? Sounds fair to me????????

And a free house with a fridge to put your drinks in .

I seem to have turned into a Lefty 

[Lucky Bones]

16 minutes ago, Mac Mickmanus said:

And a free house with a fridge to put your drinks in .

I seem to have turned into a Lefty 

I still like the idea of a free car.

Fridge magnet optional????????

[redwood1]

On 4/22/2022 at 10:22 PM, Mac Mickmanus said:

We are supposed to be trying to cut down on waste and the use of plastic bags is bad for the environment , you really should not be using new free plastic bags from shops , you should be taking your own bags .

   Surprising that you made such a big fuss over a 4 baht bag , but in future you should take your own bags when going shopping 

I will say I create a hell of a fuss and make people uncomfortable in any shop that does not have bags......And no I will not be taking my own bag ever.. 

[jacko45k]

8 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

Yup.. thats about right.... seemed the logical thing to do after reading that thread on aseannow about supermarkets charging for cloth bags !!!

Yes, or as I did yesterday... after a bit of early morning shopping I put the bag in my car and went off to do other things, a coffee, a massage, something to eat, the bank. Later, back in the Mall, I decided to buy some beer now that it was operating hours.... rather than go to the truck and empty out the bag, I bought a new one! Oh the extravagance...19 baht. 

Edited April 25, 2022 by jacko45k

[Mac Mickmanus]

17 minutes ago, redwood1 said:

I will say I create a hell of a fuss and make people uncomfortable in any shop that does not have bags......And no I will not be taking my own bag ever.. 

What does that do for you ?

Does it make you feel important or give you sense of power over the shop assistants ?

Do you walk out the shop with a swagger , like a tough guy ?

Do you enjoy berating people and chastising them ?

Do you admire people when they get angry and have temper tantrums ?

[jacko45k]

26 minutes ago, redwood1 said:

I will say I create a hell of a fuss and make people uncomfortable in any shop that does not have bags......And no I will not be taking my own bag ever.. 

Don't you tire of making problems and looking for arguments? You really need to mature a good bit. 

[Ralf001]

5 hours ago, Mac Mickmanus said:

And a free house with a fridge to put your drinks in .

I seem to have turned into a Lefty 

Fridge had better come with a petite assistant wearing a french maid outfit to open and serve the beverages.

[1FinickyOne]

8 hours ago, Leaver said:

I have asked before, yet to get an answer from any member criticizing the OP, "Would you run your own business like that?" 

I was a business owner - w/multiple locations  - - you cannot make rules for each and every different customer... and it never would have occurred to me to make a rule that customers can get for free, merchandise that is being sold... there are literally 1000s of items for sale in a department store like that... what if the op wanted a free pack of gum? Or a tee shirt? 

 

How would you train your staff? I would doubt it is even a spoken rule that you do not give away merchandise that is for sale... The decision was made at the top not to have free bags. It is not the clerks call or the managers call... 

 

I cannot even imagine a situation where I would ask a clerk for a free anything at a department store... 

 

And for all of you who bemoan the loss of what is a very very tiny sale in the whole of things... as a business owner, we would always be glad when a customer like that would just leave. Are the customers waiting in line behind him thinking, if he gets something free, why don't I?

 

There are orchestrated sales, 2 for 1 etc... but it is up to the seller, not the purchaser... 

 

The other answer I might offer - the customer is obviously being 'cheeky' and kind of a jerk... if it were a small business and you were the owner, wouldn't you rather give the discount to a nice customer than an arrogant one? 

[LarrySR]

9 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

Just like ordering food in a restaurant... We don’t have to wonder if we are going to be given a knife and fork to eat it with.... 

The same in a shop... do we now how to wonder how we will carry it home or have to pay a ‘surcharge’ for that privilege ?

I haven't heard of the 'no knife & fork' rule. 

Stores in Thailand stopped handing out bags a loooong time ago. The policy is to bring your own bag or purchase one that they conveniently offer. 

Haven't you noticed?

[Mac Mickmanus]

9 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

Just like ordering food in a restaurant... We don’t have to wonder if we are going to be given a knife and fork to eat it with.... 

The same in a shop... do we now how to wonder how we will carry it home or have to pay a ‘surcharge’ for that privilege ?

You are not GIVEN knifes and forks in restaurants , you cannot take the knife and fork home .

Even supermarkets have no stopped giving knifes and forks away with take away food (although some do give if you ask )