Would you like a bag with that?
Many of times I will buy only one item, or a small amount that a cashier will pause and ask if I would like a bag. Usually, I instinctively say, “No”. Why is that exactly? Today I said, “Yes”, and started thinking about it. Are bags so expensive that companies are instructing there employees to give the consumer a choice? It seems that asking “Would you like a bag with that” is actually a hidden instruction for the consumer to deny it. The force was strong with this one today, and so I walked out with a brand new plastic bag.
January 6th, 2006 at 9:23 pm
Actually, yes, bags do have a cost. And it tends to be higher then one might expect. Companies have been trying to a) reduce costs, b) do less damage to the environment for PR reasons for awhile now. Some stores (Save-A-Lot) make you buy bags if you want them. Personally, I like being asked, and will usually deny it unless I need a bag either for practical reasons to carry several items, or if I know I need one for another purpose (convenient to clean out the car, etc.)
I disagree that being asked if I would like a bag is a hidden instruction to deny it since the inverse was true when McDonalds had the extra large value meals.
January 6th, 2006 at 9:43 pm
Perhaps - but there is a personal added value if I get the extra value meal. A plastic bag is a bit worthless to me except to carry something easier.
January 7th, 2006 at 6:17 am
I like to avoid plastic bags where I can manage to take home goods in just my bare hands. I think McDonalds uses re-cycleable paper so that should be okie to carry out.
January 8th, 2006 at 11:08 am
I was under the impression that stores ask in order to prevent giving an unwanted bag to someone who might just pull their purchase(s) out and drop the bag (as opposed to disposing of it properly), thus littering, wasting, and possibly screwing with the environment or endangering small animals (if it’s a plastic bag).