supermarket blackmail: how to say no?

donfers

Every time I go to tescos or dunnes there seems to be one charity or another standing at the end of the tills waiting to help me with my bags. Even if I've only bought a few items there is some do-gooder there happy to pack them away for me. It's bad enough that I have to pay for plastic bags, but now on top of that I have to pay for the pleasure of having the plastic bags packed for some animal home or school sports facility or african donkey or whatever the latest charity need is. I am sick of it but it's hard to just walk away from a doe-eyed little girl or kind-hearted granny type who has packed your bag without throwing a few euros in their bucket. It's got to the stage where I dread getting to the till as I know the do-gooders will be there waiting to yet again emotionally blackmail me into adding a few euros to the shopping cost.

has anyone ever let them pack your stuff and then said thanks, gave them nothing and walked away. I'd love to have the backbone and integrity to do that or how about just refusing their help in the first place and saying you're perfectly capable of putting your four items in the bag yourself. But no we can't do that, can we. The do-gooders know we are meek self-conscious cretins who'll always fund their birdhouse or tree-planting endeavours because we are just that weak.

How do we say no to these vultures?

starbelgrade

What's a euron?

Rabies

self check out

Gang of Gin

donfers wrote: »

Every time I go to tescos or dunnes there seems to be one charity or another standing at the end of the tills waiting to help me with my bags. Even if I've only bought a few items there is some do-gooder there happy to pack them away for me. It's bad enough that I have to pay for plastic bags, but now on top of that I have to pay for the pleasure of having the plastic bags packed for some animal home or school sports facility or african donkey or whatever the latest charity need is. I am sick of it but it's hard to just walk away from a doe-eyed little girl or kind-hearted granny type who has packed your bag without throwing a few euros in their bucket. It's got to the stage where I dread getting to the till as I know the do-gooders will be there waiting to yet again emotionally blackmail me into adding a few euros to the shopping cost.

has anyone ever let them pack your stuff and then said thanks, gave them nothing and walked away. I'd love to have the backbone and integrity to do that or how about just refusing their help in the first place and saying you're perfectly capable of putting your four items in the bag yourself. But no we can't do that, can we. The do-gooders know we are meek self-conscious cretins who'll always fund their birdhouse or tree-planting endeavours because we are just that weak.

How do we say no to these vultures?

You don't have to put a 'few euro' in. 50 cent or so will suffice I'm sure. I usually have my own bag these days so I'll do it myself. Sometimes I may walk off, other times I throw a few cent in - I'd rather pack the bag myself though.

starbelgrade

Just say "No"

Wazdakka

If you pay with Laser or Ccard it's a lot easier to just ignore them.

davyjose

Option A - Say No

Option B - Say yes, hate yourself, leave store in a ball of rage, complain on the internet.


How do you not say no, tbh. I give when/because I want to. Simple really.

Wazdakka

starbelgrade wrote: »

Just say "No"

NO..

Gang of Gin

starbelgrade wrote: »

What's a euron?

The European Robotics Research Network of course.

thetonynator

I've done bag packing for charity. Its no big deal if you want to pack your own bags. Just say it. Some people will let you pack 5 or 6 full bags and sometimes carry your shopping and then they put 20c in the bucket or sometimes nothing at all. That's seriously annoying. But if you don't want them packed, just say it.

thetonynator

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vW1hv37imjw

had to be done

Gang of Gin

donfers wrote: »

Every time I go to tescos or dunnes there seems to be one charity or another standing at the end of the tills waiting to help me with my bags. Even if I've only bought a few items there is some do-gooder there happy to pack them away for me. It's bad enough that I have to pay for plastic bags, but now on top of that I have to pay for the pleasure of having the plastic bags packed for some animal home or school sports facility or african donkey or whatever the latest charity need is. I am sick of it but it's hard to just walk away from a doe-eyed little girl or kind-hearted granny type who has packed your bag without throwing a few euros in their bucket. It's got to the stage where I dread getting to the till as I know the do-gooders will be there waiting to yet again emotionally blackmail me into adding a few euros to the shopping cost.

has anyone ever let them pack your stuff and then said thanks, gave them nothing and walked away. I'd love to have the backbone and integrity to do that or how about just refusing their help in the first place and saying you're perfectly capable of putting your four items in the bag yourself. But no we can't do that, can we. The do-gooders know we are meek self-conscious cretins who'll always fund their birdhouse or tree-planting endeavours because we are just that weak.

How do we say no to these vultures?

African donkey charity?!

donfers

thetonynator wrote: »

I've done bag packing for charity. Its no big deal if you want to pack your own bags. Just say it. Some people will let you pack 5 or 6 full bags and sometimes carry your shopping and then they put 20c in the bucket or sometimes nothing at all. That's seriously annoying. But if you don't want them packed, just say it.

but then I will be exposed in the supermarket as both uncaring and tight, two things I am but two things I don't want to be exposed in a supermarket as being

Lu Tze

donfers wrote: »

saying you're perfectly capable of putting your four items in the bag yourself.

You must have the smallest hands in the world if you need a bag fo four items

landsleaving

I only give them money if it's a legitimate cause. If it's the scouts/school/etc. looking for cash to go on holidays they can f right off. I just pack the bags myself to avoid giving them anything.

Blackrock college kids were looking for money in my local supermarket recently ffs, that's just taking the piss. I don't think giving them money to build a few huts in Africa/go on holidays is the right way to give to charity. Let them pack your bags and say you'll give the euro or two to goal or trocaire. They won't have much to say to that.

My mother is nuts about them, won't give any of them money, and generally hassles them about what the collection is for, then moans that they're just going on holidays. It's quite a specatcle to behold. She also gives out to them for not packing the bags right.

donfers

Gang of Gin wrote: »

African donkey charity?!

yes, one of the few causes I genuinely wanted to donate to

Ickle Magoo

Just say, no thanks, I'll pack my own....they are offering a service for a few coins, it's hardly emotional blackmail just because you can't say no to a doe-eyed child or a granny!

Sometimes I've had no change, paid by card and told them and they still help pack, they are not some monsters out to rob you of €50, they are collecting change generally for a really good cause.

Is a few miserly cent for helping to pack your bags really worth spending so much effort trying to avoid?

Abrasax

donfers wrote: »

but then I will be exposed in the supermarket as both uncaring and tight, two things I am but two things I don't want to be exposed in a supermarket as being

When they ask you for money, just flash your crazy squirrel in their face and run off.

Gang of Gin

thetonynator wrote: »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vW1hv37imjw

had to be done

Ugh, Snow Patrol.

sam34

these people are a plague!

i just say "no thanks" when they ask if i want help
theyre not going to wrestle the bags from your hand

and they rarely pack teh bags properly, youngsters are likely to put the cleaning chemicals in with the fresh fruit, or else you get young lads sniggering at you buying tampons


or the other option to avoid them is not to do your shopping on thursdays, fridays or saturdays

they're never there mon to wed

thetonynator

donfers wrote: »

but then I will be exposed in the supermarket as both uncaring and tight, two things I am but two things I don't want to be exposed in a supermarket as being

Not really, a lot of people do it. You aren't judged for it!!!!:pac:

starbelgrade

landsleaving wrote: »

I only give them money if it's a legitimate cause. If it's the scouts/school/etc. looking for cash to go on holidays they can f right off. I just pack the bags myself to avoid giving them anything.

Blackrock college kids were looking for money in my local supermarket recently ffs, that's just taking the piss. I don't think giving them money to build a few huts in Africa/go on holidays is the right way to give to charity. Let them pack your bags and say you'll give the euro or two to goal or trocaire. They won't have much to say to that.

My mother is nuts about them, won't give any of them money, and generally hassles them about what the collection is for, then moans that they're just going on holidays. It's quite a specatcle to behold. She also gives out to them for not packing the bags right.

And when you didn't give them money, did they say, "Is it coz I is Black-rock?"

Hells Belle

Here's a crazy idea, bring a bag with you and donate the 22c to the packer. Save the environment and feel good that you donated. Simples really.
Oh this is AH....tell them to fook off.

thetonynator

sam34 wrote: »

these people are a plague!

i just say "no thanks" when they ask if i want help
theyre not going to wrestle the bags from your hand

and they rarely pack teh bags properly, youngsters are likely to put the cleaning chemicals in with the fresh fruit, or else you get young lads sniggering at you buying tampons


or the other option to avoid them is not to do your shopping on thursdays, fridays or saturdays

they're never there mon to wed

They only snigger when a man buys tampons.


:pac:

Gang of Gin

sam34 wrote: »

they're never there mon to wed

How have you noticed this? How do you know?:pac:

sam34

Gang of Gin wrote: »

How have you noticed this? How do you know?:pac:

cause i go shopping different days most weeks depending on my schedule :pac:

sam34

thetonynator wrote: »

They only snigger when a man buys tampons.


:pac:

i aint a man :pac:

Gang of Gin

Hells Belle wrote: »

Here's a crazy idea, bring a bag with you and donate the 22c to the packer. Save the environment and feel good that you donated. Simples really.
Oh this is AH....tell them to fook off.

I like your thinking.

Ruu_Old

Running clothesline.

Lux23

I hate packing bags so it doesn't bother me. I normally only give them a quid but most of the time my shop is so small that I go to the self service check outs.

NothingMan

My sister has gone to Africa for the last 3 years. She does as much fund raising as possible and a large chunk of that is from bag packing. She went originally for 3 months but since has gone back for 3 weeks each year. Each time, every single bit of money raised has gone towards projects in the town she visits. All flights, accomodation and whatever recreation they decide to do while out there is always paid for out of her own money. Obviously she's gone all the way to Africa, it would be silly not to enjoy the sights and culture it has to offer, but she, and I hope others would never spend money given in good faith for her own enjoyment.

As for myself, if I was getting a few bits I would use a self checkout, but if that wasn't an option I would happily just take my things and walk by, same as I do for the chuggers on grafton st or any "homeless" beggar.

thetonynator

sam34 wrote: »

i aint a man :pac:

Dont know why they sniggered then . . .

cowhands

Being honest I would in the past avoid the check out with the bag packer at the end but recently I was in Tesco with my 15 month old daughter and managed to pick up more things than I orginally had intended to buy (that always seems to happen :rolleyes: )

Anyway all check outs were manned by bag packers, I had no choice.As my shopping was scanned threw my daughter decided to kick off in full force. After my bags were packed by some young chap (may 12 or 13 years old) and shopping paid for I then realised I had more bags than expected, a screaming child, mobile phone, car keys in one hand and trying to push a baby stroller with a wonker wheel...mission impossible how I was going to get to the car...then the young fella offers to carry my bags out the car, I gladly accepted. I offered him €5 after he lifted all the shopping into the car and he refused saying that I already gave to the bucket and he wasnt going to keep it for himself.

I was really glad they were there that day, other wise I think I would have had to leave something (someone :rolleyes:) behind at the checkouts lol

donfers

NothingMan wrote: »

My sister has gone to Africa for the last 3 years. She does as much fund raising as possible and a large chunk of that is from bag packing. She went originally for 3 months but since has gone back for 3 weeks each year. Each time, every single bit of money raised has gone towards projects in the town she visits. All flights, accomodation and whatever recreation they decide to do while out there is always paid for out of her own money. Obviously she's gone all the way to Africa, it would be silly not to enjoy the sights and culture it has to offer, but she, and I hope others would never spend money given in good faith for her own enjoyment.

As for myself, if I was getting a few bits I would use a self checkout, but if that wasn't an option I would happily just take my things and walk by, same as I do for the chuggers on grafton st or any "homeless" beggar.

yes but doesn't she realise that the African donkeys are already happy over there...I know they look sad but that's because they're donkeys...going over there teaching them how to go fishing and to learn sign language is a pointless and futile exercise in my opinion and could be construed by some as a kind of smokescreen for the "charity" volunteers to have a knees-up in good weather at cheap prices where nobody is likely to witness their disgusting scam

thetonynator

Normally they don't stand at express checkouts so if you only have a few things it shouldn't be a problem . . .

sam34

thetonynator wrote: »

Dont know why they sniggered then . . .

just cause they're young lads

harmless enough but i sure aint gonna give them money after they do it!

Jay D

I've gotten to the stage where I will acknowledge them but just keep to myself and not say anything. Charities ****ing everywhere who the **** do they think we are to be handing out like that all the time so they can get this new whatever?

I'm saving for my future now go away

thetonynator

sam34 wrote: »

just cause they're young lads

harmless enough but i sure aint gonna give them money after they do it!

Imagine what they'd be like if someone was buying condoms . . .:rolleyes:

sam34

thetonynator wrote: »

Imagine what they'd be like if someone was buying condoms . . .:rolleyes:

or lube

thetonynator

sam34 wrote: »

or lube

Or if you went to the counter with cling film, elastic bands and vaseline and nothing else . . . .:rolleyes:

donfers

thetonynator wrote: »

Normally they don't stand at express checkouts so if you only have a few things it shouldn't be a problem . . .

They're starting to do that now too....they're almost blockading the supermarkets

next thing i expect is them to appear at atms offering to put your card back in your wallet or dispose of your advice slip...and the thing is you'll only be able to give them notes in this scenario, a minimum of 10 yoyo's...I am dreading it to be honest, it is inevitable and it is doubly inevitable that I'll pay it *sigh

NothingMan

thetonynator wrote: »

Imagine what they'd be like if someone was buying condoms . . .:rolleyes:

sam34 wrote: »

or lube

Or both of these, a large cucumber and a copy of Mens Health!

Gang of Gin

thetonynator wrote: »

Or if you went to the counter with cling film, elastic bands and vaseline and nothing else . . . .:rolleyes:

And your nob hanging out.

thetonynator

donfers wrote: »

They're starting to do that now too....they're almost blockading the supermarkets

next thing i expect is them to appear at atms offering to put your card back in your wallet or dispose of your advice slip...and the thing is you'll only be able to give them notes in this scenario, a minimum of 10 yoyo's...I am dreading it to be honest, it is inevitable and it is doubly inevitable that I'll pay it *sigh

Don't exagerate anyway . . .they won't stand at atms. Plus, it will become less common in the future at supermarkets as people often don't carry cash anymore, just cards.

donfers

thetonynator wrote: »

Don't exagerate anyway . . .they won't stand at atms. Plus, it will become less common in the future at supermarkets as people often don't carry cash anymore, just cards.

they will...it's a matter of time, when it does happen I shall consider emigrating

flower tattoo

i have no problem with the bags being packed and i'm extremely easy going about what bags things go into - don't care how its mixed - but it drives me mad to get back to the car and find items not even packed, just put in loose in the trolley - or worse again, all the bottles in one bag so its too heavy to lift.
:mad:

stovelid

I'm an tight-fisted cunt and despite the blatant emotional blackmail of your wonderful scout troupe or cancer charity, I think I can pack my own bags, thank you very much always works for me.