Want to irritate your local Walmart’s cashiers? Save the planet!
I don’t like Walmart. I don’t know very many people who do but there aren’t many other options in our town and their prices really are the best… I also find myself in a catch-22 while wanting to cut back on drive time and fuel they are the best option for one-stop-shopping… (I know– they have too many imports so I’m actually contributing to the Chinese economy…)
The last two times I’ve been to “Wally World” the cashiers have been down-right rude about my canvas bags. The first time I said “I’m sorry that my efforts to save the planet inconvenience you but, when it takes 1/2 gallon of oil to make one of your bags and there are 14 million of them going into landfills every year, I am going to use canvas.” The second time the lady told me outright that she hates the canvas bags because they back things up– “besides” she says, “a couple of bags aren’t going to make any difference” OMG!! I started to go on about how her grandchildren could blame her for not doing anything to save the planet but mine aren’t going to be able to do it but stopped myself and just told her that if only 25% of American households bypassed 10 bags a year it would make a huge difference.
Thing is that people like that– who don’t do anything and have the gall to criticize those of us who at least make an effort– are the problem. I’m not optimistic enough to think that everybody will change out their light-bulbs and use canvas instead of plastic but it’s really not hard to do… You can get nice sized canvas bags at any craft store for just a few dollars each… I keep a few in the car and a few by the back door so that I always have something to use.
If you want to irritate Walmart cashiers: Take Canvas Bags!
Me too! I bought two big bags at IKEA. They hold a whole lot of groceries! No more plastic!
Way to go!! You are a “Sister”!
Oiy, that frustrates me – the attitude of the cashier. In my opinion, that signifies everything that is wrong with Walmart. That being said, I’ve lived in a town where it’s all we had as well, and sometimes you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do. But keep taking those bags – you go, girl!
Thanks, Darcy! Walmart is wicked on so many levels… If I did more cooking from scratch I could do my shopping at the Amish bulk food stores that are fairly close… I’ll get there by summer.
You have the right to do what you feel is best. It’s part of being an American. The next time they diss your canvas bags…ask to speak to the manager. They have no right to judge you. They are getting paid whether you use plastic or canvas.
Yeah! My sentiments exactly! Whatever happened to the customer always being right?
The cashiers at the walmarts here in Charleston are slow as molassas anyway…when I bag my own groceries in my own canvas bags, I am ten times faster than they are. I got the ‘LOOK’ this weekend when I told the cashier that I would bag my own in my bags after standing in her line behind 3 people for 35!!! minutes. She actually said “are you sure?” TWICE to me. And then, she refused to put my items on the flat top of the spinning bag rack and insisted on handing me each item as she scanned them. Lucky for me, she was a slowpoke…heh heheh!
Holy Cow! My Walmart isn’t that slow– they’re just rude about it! You go, Girl! Keep up the planet saving– one bag at a time!
I’m a cashier at walmart and a college student. I too use the canvas bags which they are putting a loop on so we can use them on the current system. At first it took some getting used to, now they are easy. The trick is to put something like a box of cereal in first to help it stand up than its a breeze from there. I’m not rude about it but I see their reaction when they tell me they have bags. Than I see the relief that I’m not mad at them and actually encourage the bags. From my experience they hold about 3 bags and are easy to carry, don’t tear, and best of all save some plastic. Besides they should encourage the bags because each bag costs walmart and most of all the environment. Yeah it save 3-5 bags per trip or more but if we all did this it would be huge. But of course we all want to complain about high gas prices but don’t want to conserve or alter our behavior. Personally I apologize for them treating you this way.
Im a cashier at Wal-Mart, and a student in college. I personally like the bags. Im actually writing an essay for my english class about how customers should use these eco-friendly bags to help our enviroment. Very sorry about the rude cashiers. But theyre everywhere..
I’m a cashier at walmart as well, and they aren’t so bad. I support them, if everyone else who shopped took the time to be understanding about the situation then it would help. I think some of the cashiers probably become rude about it because usually anything that holds the line up will get the next people to be rude to the cashiers even if it wasn’t their fault. While that’s no excuse to take it out on you when you’re doing a good thing, that is the reason I believe they do it. I don’t really mind those getting angry though, people can get mad about it but atleast I know its a poor reason to be angry and they’re the ones who are applying extra stress on themselves getting mad over it.
I find it fairly offensive how wal*mart cashiers are grouped together and concidered horrible people.
I am a wal*mart cashier, and, bringing reusable bags is not something that makes us angry. It’s just great that you want to do something to bother someone else, but, this is obviously not the right way to get your petty revenge on the people waiting on you.
Wal*mart is ‘green’, meaning we are supposed to ask if customers want a reusable bag, all associates have their own ways of helping the environment in some way or another. I do not know of one person I work with who doesn’t do their part.
Our bags are set up so that reusable bags are the most efficient and comfortable way to bag items. We want these types of bags to make our work flow easier.
Nice try, maybe do some research first.
Wal*mart employees are people just like everyone else.
Well maybe better than those who seem to just be after us.
Thanks though. Awesome effort.
I am a cashier at Walmart and I think it is great when people use the bags. I use the canvas bags myself when I shop. Customers should however, if they can, help by putting bags into their carts after they are filled or help fill some of the bags themselves, if they don’t mind. The bags do reduce the cashier speed time. Cashiers are evaluated based on how fast they get customers in and out. The register records the average items bagged within a time period, so the clock is ticking. The cashiers should not be lazy and work, but it would be proper etiquette for the customer to help a bit to not drag down the cashier’s handling time.
Oh and checks take forever and are electronically converted anyway, so we prefer debit cards or credit cards to get people through the line quicker. If you have to use a check, we will fill it out for you and save you the 15 minutes. Also, please don’t try to bring 300 items into a 20 items or less lane…its just plain rude. Hope I’ve made ya laugh.