I know that many stores, like 7-11, in order to keep track of sales and prevent "shrinkage" count the number of items like Sleerpee or soda cups at their fountain dispersers at the beginning and end of a shift. They are also always taking inventory counts of the merchandise. However, today, when I purchased a couple thousand baht in DVDs at Mangpong, before she scanned the DVDs into the register, the clerk first typed-in the serial number of the BAG itself that is found adjacent to the barcode on the underside of the bag. What was this for...I have never seen this done before at any type of retail establishment?

Granted it it was a very nice paper carry bag on very heavy stock with a black colour and white airplane pattern on it. These bags must cost a pretty penny. Like most packaging in Asia, it is very nicely presented. Do they keep track of the number of bags used by entering the serial numbers of them to prevent staff from stealing/selling these bags on the side?

Is this another instance of TIT?

Well it certainly sounds like they do, never noticed it myself but will be alert next time I

shop at one of the hi-so establishments.

Naka.

I know a guy that runs a handful of couple of coffee shops around Thailand, he has his staff make a daily record of the water and electricity usage and uses this to detect 'iregularities' against till takings.

Its not precise, but it does provide and indication of 'errors' which he then investigates furhter.

Long time ago when I was first in Thailand I bought a pile of snacks and drinks from 7/11. On my way to the counter I grabbed one of those paper cups to mix my drinks in but the check-out girl wouldn’t let me have the cup without paying for whatever was supposed to be in it – Geeze! It was only a paper cup.

Now I know why, guess if you live long enough the answers will find you.

Hey, you might want to check--maybe they charged you for the bag!

Hey, you might want to check--maybe they charged you for the bag!

I didn't think of that...gotta dig up that receipt and check. Maybe "premium" bags cost extra

About a thousand years ago, when I was in school, I used to work at the University food services. We served meals for very large banquets. How they determined the cost was by counting the plates at the end of the banquet. Oh, and yes, we had to report any plates that got broken, and they were deducted from our pay!