Should grocery stores start charging for shopping bags?
85902
They are charging for the bags.  It is part of the overhead tacked onto the price of the items.  This is America.  Most people do not care about the plastic waste.  Some communities do collect used bags for recycle (in fact our local Kroger has bins for bags as you enter the store).  I am told by some of the store managers that there can be problems with people bringing in bags and attempting to shoplift.\nWe would save more oil (used to make plastic and fuel) if people would just stop shopping more than once a week or so).  A single small item n a bag is a real waste.
10483
A shopping spree or gift card
485975
That's so true.  \n\nAlso, when you go to grocery stores, don't you notice estrange produce and you wonder how do you eat it?\n\nIt is all about the money.......and to get us thinking in something else instead of other problems as the gas prices...
427791
or; about a dollar depending on where you shop. ;)\nyou can purchase a gallon of store brand water for about .99 cents.
485863
Costco doesn't seem to have that much in the way of huge bargains unless you need 200 vol-au-vents cases in one big bag. For non food items you can shop around and get as good a deal elsewhere.\n\nOtherwise those big shopping clubs never really took off here because the benefits didn't attract enough of the people they wanted as members (for some reason, teachers and banking employees).
140707
Yes there are, one example are WeeMees, but you have to pay for those I think (at least I did!), and they have a much, much smaller catalogue of clothing / items.
1167811
I really like the $10 off my purchase.  My husband on the other hand has only ever filled one credit app out.  That was for a bag of "Snickers Bites".
189663
I'd expect them to go grocery shopping, drop off and pick up drycleaning, run to the post office,and some other odds and ends.  The price I'd be willing to pay them would depend on how much they were doing for me and the driving they'd be doing.  You'd want to make sure to compensate them for their gas.
808462
I think Walmart will lose business.  This is how my mother always purchased gifts and school clothes.  Their idea is that most people have credit cards but I don't think they are a good idea.\n\nWalmart does a lot of things I don't agree with but I still shop there.\n\nI would love to boycot the place but I can't afford to.
1047068
How about bagging groceries at a grocery store or mowing laws. With the lawn mowing you have no taxes and mow when you want. A grocery store is Cooler work but it is a lot of in and out but there are some good looking women that shop in shorts and if your a girl I guess dudes too.
720999
Personally, I don't think there should be any legislation against price gouging.\n\nIn most situations, people have alternatives and if enough indiviuals excersize those alternatives, the price gouger will have to come back in line quickly or go out of business.  If he doesn't, the exhorbitant prices should bring in more supply from indivuals wanting to get in on the the quick profits, thus satisfying demand and lowering prices as too many sellers get stuck with too much product (Econ 101, as I recall).\n\nNow some people will always patronize the price gouger.  Why?  In some cases stupidity.  In some cases, force of habit (I always get my gas at XYZ station).  In some cases convenience.  If I go to the price gouger, I shouldn't have to sit in line waiting to gas up.  If I'm in a hurry, it might be worth the extra cost to me.  In the example you gave, it's probably part conveninence (I get all my medicines and other stuff at the drug store chain and just pick up the toothpaste while I'm there).  Or, if it's like certain people I know, the just don't patronize the $1.00 stores (I guess they feel it's beneath them).\n\nOf course, there's always exceptions.  The rural gas station that's the only gas station within a reasonble driving distance enjoys a captive market (they have a virtual monopoly).  In such situations, monopolistic pricing may have to be controlled in some fashion, assuming the product is an essential product.
1042012
you should inquire as to  what the charge is first for services like that
184624
Retail stores face the problem of high rent and pleasing the people who choose to visit their store.  The people who are buying from these stores choose the items you describe, for the same reason they buy SUVs and drive them on paved roads.\n\nAs a hiker and backpacker, I am finding it increasingly more productive to order gear online.  Link below is to a story that may help you solve your gear purchase challenge.\n\nThese days I purchase dried food and dehydrated food items in bulk at my local health food store and I buy LARABARs by the case from Whole Foods.\n\nNot only am I getting more bang for my buck - but that's one less vehicle on the roads.\n\nHappy Trails.
1120457
Yes, if it is over a few pounds then you will have to pay VAT on the goods
1119677
best thing of eliminating large business would be the freedom of commerce again. it's sad to see local stores/mom&pop stores die down because of the large corps. there would be more fierce competition between the smaller companies but it would be more stimulating for the economy. like in the old days where you go to the local store and see something for $10, go to another store for $12 and tell them the other store was cheaper, they'd give you the discount and make you feel appreciated. nowadays, they'll ask for proof of the pricing, bring in their flyer and show us the price and then, maybe, we'll match the price. larger corp have excellent pricing but do treat employees like crap and provide horrible service. if small businesses could provide the pricing of larger corps, then big buisness wouldn't exist. even if there were no large corp and just small local companies, it would eventually come back to large corp since the smaller guys would like to expand their operations and make more money. The bigget thing I miss about small local businesses is the attention to the customer. having the clerks remember your name and what you needed, stuff like that. Today in Walmart or Home depot, you'd be lucky enough just to find someone who spoke english. as things expand, the core that once started gets smaller and smaller. the concern focuses on growing rather than maintaining. the problem really doesn't matter about logistics, it's making the customer feel appreciated and that their business is welcomed. todays market, you can get pretty much anythng from anyone so there is no uniqueness to the stores anymore. corporate logos and endless aisles of matter, but no substance.
697377
I agree with all answers so far. Donations, clothing, food, toys...etc.\nAlso, I (personally), think this would be a good idea. Maybe buy Gift Certificates to grocery stores, or a Mall Gift Certificate so that way they can choose what they would like to pick out and buy. Just a thought =)   .. or, do both?  Entirely up to you what you want to do. God Bless
1163091
i hope not. it would screw small busness who get charged a standerd rate for card charges. pluss how would you pay taxi drivers? or the plumber who tightens a nut and call it £3 for the petrol.