Asda - carrier bags

beth464

54druids wrote: »

I am sick and tired of being made to feel so awkward when forgetting my bags at ASDA. I am all for recycling and already recycle my bags for picking up dog poop but in my mind it should be all or nothing. I have a dreadful memory but know that if i am out shopping I have the backup of bags at the counter (despite being made to feel like a second class citizen - but only at ASDA) Take them away completely and I will have to remember but don't make me feel really bad for asking for a bag. The staff look at you as if you have committed a crime and then ask if you want to buy a bag for 5p - how is this saving the planet? It just makes an extra 5p for the supermarket. All or nothing does anyone agree?

The point is that the supermarkets have to have some way of putting people off taking bags. Having worked as a cashier before I've seen the amount of people who suddenly "remember" the bag they've got in their handbag when you mention the 5p charge.
It's not about the money, it's about putting people off!

DrScotsman

beth464 wrote: »

It's not about the money

Martin wrote:

A company's job is to make money

Always applies. Unless it's a policy set by the individual store (i.e. by someone with less knowledge than the top marketing department) then there's an underlying reason for money.

beth464

DrScotsman wrote: »

Always applies. Unless it's a policy set by the individual store (i.e. by someone with less knowledge than the top marketing department) then there's an underlying reason for money.

M&S has raised £500000 for charity and seen an 80% cut in the amount of bags used since introducing the 5p charge. I think that's a worthwhile scheme, and clearly shows that the charge does put people off.

Freddie_Snowbits

Once when the current Freda was shopping with mes at Chrimbo, some tealeaf nicked our Bag of Sainsbury's BFLs.

It must have been embarrasing for them going through all the trouble for bits of plastic and nought else.

DrScotsman

beth464 wrote: »

M&S has raised £500000 for charity

Attracts customers. Or at least that's what they think will attract them customers.

and seen an 80% cut in the amount of bags used since introducing the 5p charge. I think that's a worthwhile scheme, and clearly shows that the charge does put people off.

So originally:

M&S gave out free carrier bags

Now:

M&S don't give away free carrier bags, money saved
M&S get a profit on the 5p carrier bags (I assume 5p is for the normal carrier bags and not stronger ones, in which case I'm sure they still break even)
M&S get more customers who'd rather shop at somewhere "green"

I think it's clear what's gone on here.

beth464

DrScotsman wrote: »

Attracts customers. Or at least that's what they think will attract them customers.



So originally:

M&S gave out free carrier bags

Now:

M&S don't give away free carrier bags, money saved
M&S get a profit on the 5p carrier bags (I assume 5p is for the normal carrier bags and not stronger ones, in which case I'm sure they still break even)
M&S get more customers who'd rather shop at somewhere "green"

I think it's clear what's gone on here.

No, the profit they make goes to the Groundwork charity. Yes, it may be good publicity, but they've raised money for charity and cut down on bags. I don't see why that's such a bad thing. You could go on and on claiming they only do it to make money or attract "green" customers, but at the end of the day the facts are: charge 5p for a bag, put customers off using one unnecessarily, give the profit from the bag to charity.

The most you could argue is that they now cover the cost value of the bags as they are only giving PROFIT to charity. But still...

DrScotsman

beth464 wrote: »

I don't see why that's such a bad thing.

Never said it was.

You could go on and on claiming they only do it to make money or attract "green" customers

And I will because it's true. Sorry that I didn't get my facts straight about the profit, but my point remains. They're not making a loss on free bags, they're getting publicity through donating to charity and they're getting more green customers.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying their actions are wrong in anyway. It's great that they're donating to charity and it's great that they're persuading people to reuse bags. If you care about the result and not the reason, then by all means shop at M&S for being green, I'm not saying you shouldn't and I agree with that logic. However their motive is definitely money and market share, whether in the short or long run. Their marketing department decided that to maximise those two things they should charge for bags and give the profit to charity. No one held a meeting and decided "Let's donate to charity because it's just plain nice" and "Let's charge for bags to persuade people to reuse them - for the planet", no large companies operate on morals anymore.

DCodd

beth464 wrote: »

No, the profit they make goes to the Groundwork charity. Yes, it may be good publicity, but they've raised money for charity and cut down on bags. I don't see why that's such a bad thing. You could go on and on claiming they only do it to make money or attract "green" customers, but at the end of the day the facts are: charge 5p for a bag, put customers off using one unnecessarily, give the profit from the bag to charity.

The most you could argue is that they now cover the cost value of the bags as they are only giving PROFIT to charity. But still...

I think the problem that most people have with paying for the bags is that it is claimed to reduce plastic being dumped when in fact this policy has had absolutely no enironmental impact. More plastic is being produced to make the stronger bags and to make the bags that most people have to buy to do the job that the carrier bags did i.e. bin liners, to pick up dog mess, to put your sandwiches in etc etc.

Why is it that these green bandwagon policies always cost us and someone always get richer? Green policies?? the only colourfull thing about them is the rose tinted glasses people view them through! If the powers that be really wanted to save the planet then they would stop taxing the less poluting petrol and diesel fuels as much as the more pollutng ones, making them the cheaper option!!!

Millions of tonnes of "recycled" waste just sitting in warehouses rotting and will probably all end up in landfill!!!!

Jaffa.

Tigsteroonie wrote: »

Safeway used to have a scan-as-you-go system, where you could scan barcodes as you shopped and pack the items into (purchased) plastic boxes, which you then just lifted from the trolley straight into the boot of the car.

Has anyone used them self-service things in Asda? Seriously every single item needed assistance! I later found out that it was because I had my own bags and they added extra weight to the bagging area.

Didn't think that one through, did they

*MF*

My apologies - I haven't read all the posts - but am just interested in whether anyone else uses this technique for having a carrier bag (or two or more) handy.

Ever since I saw it done - (ok, it takes a few seconds to do), but it has worked for me.

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1568252/how_to_fold_a_plastic_bag/