<p>I often tell the checker at Wegman’s that I’ll do my own bagging; they always say thanks.</p>
<p>I’ve only read the last few posts in this thread but opened it because of the title. DH and I were enjoying a coffee outside Starbuck’s yesterday and he went in to ask for a cup of water for our dog. They asked if he’d prefer a dog dish. :)</p>
<p>Gonna travel way back in time here to the way it was done at the supermarket my mom shopped at when I was little. I don’t recall who did the bagging, but the bagged groceries were placed in a numbered bin and the customer was given a chit with the matching number. Then the bin was sent on a conveyer belt that carried it outside to a waiting area. You’d drive up, hand the employee your number, and he’d load the bags into your car. That was nice, especially on a rainy day!</p>
<p>The Wegmans where I shop doesn’t have any option for self bagging. It’s good service. I’m being too picky.</p>
<p>I think that service is available at our Wegman’s, MommaJ. No conveyer belt, but there is a pull-out in front of the store, separate from the regular entrance, and they will bring the groceries out and load for you.</p>
<p>MiamiDAP - We’d happily get the boxes at Costco and do it ourselves as the checker checks. We do that at BJ’s, or we self-check out there. I was just saying it was interesting that our Costco always has two employees at each register for that. That’s in contrast to your Wegman’s that has bagger’s (paying two employees) and mine doesn’t employ them. You make decisions on where to shop, in part, based on number of employees at a certain post…two where one could do the job. I was pointing out that in my area the stores, Wegman’s and Costco were the opposite of what you experience, and perhaps it was regional.</p>
<p>The service I get at Starbucks is typically much, much better than at other quick-service places in Chicago, even though every order is more complex. I always get rapid, correct service. This is true even when there is a crazy line. The only other chain I go to where the service is equally quick and competent is Potbelly’s.</p>
<p>Garland, just shy of a year here in NJ and still feeling our way. It’s true that my Wegman’s often has the checker do the bagging, as well. But when it’s busy, they pull in backup help.</p>
<p>I often find at stores like Shoprite that the checker is officially expected to bag but sort of procrastinates and looks at me as if I’m a lazy bum if I don’t hop in and do it for her/him. </p>
<p>It’s not that I’m so outraged at bagging my groceries. I hate the absurd claims that these businesses are just trying to save me money by making me bag my own. Baloney!</p>
<p>When we lived in San Francisco, I shopped at a wonderful Italian family-owned grocery near us. The proprietor would get to know you and after a while he or one of his sons would push the cart of your groceries to your car, load them into the trunk. Not for guys! Just for the women customers. So politically incorrect, but I miss it.</p>
<p>Hanna - you’re lucky. Our local Potbelly stinks! I was so thrilled when they opened and gave them several tries, thinking it was growing pains, but no luck. It’s a shame because the one about 40mi from here that gets 10x as much business is amazing.</p>
<p>sewhappy–that store sounds lovely. I would adore to have a small family grocery like that!</p>
<p>(for the record, my SR’s baggers would get their feelings hurt, i think, if someone jumped in to do it. They take their jobs very seriously!)</p>
<p>At Publix here in Florida, each cashier has a separate bagger that offers to take your groceries to your car. You always see them in the parking lot pushing the carts and helping folks. I also think they are not allowed to accept tips.</p>
<p>Other supermarkets have better pricing, but Publix still has the lion’s share of the market down here due to their excellent customer service. [The</a> opposite of WalMart](<a href=“The opposite of Wal-Mart”>The opposite of Wal-Mart)</p>
<p>Off topic, but I have been noticing lately what seems like an increasing tendency for parents to let their very small kids out of the cart and into the aisles of super busy crowded grocery stores. I just cringe. It seems so dangerous to me and so rude to the other shoppers who have to be vigilant to avoid running over the tykes.</p>
<p>audiophile, Publix sounds fabulous. I’m glad it’s out there and hope I can visit one someday.</p>
<p>I was at Trader Joes and a mother and daughter was at the checkout line with three baskets. Someone was called over to help with bagging. Fortunately it was only moderately busy - when it is really busy - it’s all-hands on cash registers and there probably wouldn’t be extra help for bagging.</p>
<p>I’m waiting for a 10 items or fewer line.</p>
<p>sewhappy – that scares me too – especially when I picture a kid running full speed, going smack into an unsuspecting shopper’s metal cart – pain and tears in Aisle 3.</p>
<p>It is how they learn. No biggie.</p>
<p>I’m waiting for a 10 items or fewer line.</p>
<p>I’d like one of those at Costco.</p>
<p>Our new BJ’s has self check out which goes really fast. Sadly, I don’t like it nearly as much as Costco.</p>
<p>Is it really that unusual for the bagger to walk you out to your car? At our grocery store they often ask if I need help ( even when the bagger is older than me! 
) but I usually say no, unless it is a really nice day, and I can tell they are dying for a chance to go outside.
:)</p>
<p>Jimmy John’s subs also has great service IMHO.</p>