I was reminded by a recent magazine article to not forget my helper-people during all of my holiday gift giving. You know the ones I’m talking about. The mail man. The garbage guy. My kid’s teacher. And, although the article didn’t specifically mention them … the commissary baggers.
Ah, yes! The baggers! The spirit of Christmas, at the least, means I should give them a little something extra around the holidays. Even as I do my yearly reading of “A Christmas Carol” Charles Dickens seems to be speaking just to me. “Amy, you cheap MilSpouse, give these poor people an extra dollar or two.”
He’s right. I should. But my problem doesn’t end there. Because the truth is that I never know what to tip the baggers to start with.
I’ll never forget the first time I shopped at the commissary. I had grown-up shopping in Safeway where baggers are store employees and aren’t even permitted to accept tips. I had no idea that I was expected to have a few dollar bills for the bagger. So I didn’t. And boy did I feel like a jerk when I realized that I was their meal ticket.
Before writing this I made a phone call over the Defense Commissary Agency’s public affairs office. I wanted to know what, if any, data they had on just how much baggers commonly make. I wanted them to hear “your measly $2 tip is below the national average.”
But they didn’t say that. Instead they repeated the “baggers are not commissary employees and work for tips only” line (necessitated by a 1997 lawsuit in which baggers sued DeCA for minimum wage because, according to this story). They said they have no information. They said they don’t know what baggers usually make.
So I did some extraordinarily informal polling on the subject. I asked every military spouse I ran across for a few days how much they tip their baggers both in general and around the holidays.
What I found lined-up with what the author of this article said – it looks like, in general, shoppers tip somewhere between $2 and $5, with many being much closer to $5 side during the holiday season. One friend said she tips $10 a trip (whoa!!), another said she tips around $.25 a bag (a system that would require me paying attention to one more thing on top of the two children I’m already trying to shepherd).
I admit it. I’m closer to the $2 side.
Maybe I’m going to cheap military spouse hell. Or maybe no one out there actually knows what to tip the commissary baggers, either – holidays or not. You tell me.
About Amy Bushatz
Comments
I tip $1 and then take it to the car myself. One time I had too many items for self-checkout and I asked to bag for myself. That seemed to work just fine. I still can't figure out why I would want to pay for something I can do myself.
here here,. Tipping for bagging is such a weird concept to me.
I've never been successful in asking them to let me bag myself, and in either case they seem disgruntled and like you inconvenienced them.
It's a military installation, military members are not trained or raised to ask for handouts or to have people do their simple tasks for them. I think they should set aside some aisles with NO BAGGERS signs on them and then see how necessary they really are.
I won't stand in the self-check if I have a cart full, and despite that there are always lines going down the aisles with members pushing full carts just to avoid the baggers.
I agree with your comment, I'll carry my own weight thank you, and if I take my kids, I would love to show them how to bag for me. I learned as a kid, helping my mom and took pride in it.
So instead you are that lady who completely ignores the baggers until they finish filling your cart, then you run.
I agree, it's not a handhout. However, I would prefer to have the option of opting for/against the bagging/carting/loading service. It can be beneficial at times when you are sheparding 3 young kids. However, when you get the opportunity to grocery shop solo, I rather bag/cart/load my own groceries.
when I do any of my shopping, where a tip may be envolved, I will tip according to the services rendered, and what I would expect for doing the same job….Baggers who work for tips only usually know the rules, and they are earning "extra" money, and NOT a living off their tips???
Wow, you're tight. You must squeak when you walk. I bet you could hold a dime between your butt cheeks!
I'M A CASHIER AT THE COMMISSARY. TIPPING IS NOT A REQUIREMENT! A THANK YOU WORKS FOR SOME, WHILE OTHER BAGGERS WILL LOOK AT YOU LIKE REALLY??? 2 DOLLAR A CART IS GENERAL RULE OF THUMB HERE. SERVICE N NO LOST ITEMS OR BROKEN ITEMS ARE A CONSIDERATION. HAHAHA… THEY DO VERY WELL HERE, WHILE TIPS ARE TO BE REORTED, MOST BAGGERS WON'T REORT TRUE AMOUNT IF THEY REORT IT AT ALL. WE HAVE BAGGERS WORKING HERE FOR OVER 25 YEARS…TAX FREE MONEY N THEY ARE ELIGIBLE FOR FOOD STAMPS ALSO. THERE IS ALOT TO CONSIDER.
Honestly, I don't mind tipping them, but I do mind when the cashier says to me "don't you want cash back to tip the baggers?" In front of the whole line mind you….REALLY? I complained to the manager..
Gee Kristen, are you the wife of an O5 or above? Prior to joining the Navy I worked as a bagger at the commissary. The cheapest tip I ever received was ten cents, one dime…and the base sticker had an eagle adjacent to it meaning an O-6. Now, when I use the commissary, $3.00 is my minimum and i goes up from there depending on the load. These people work hard and deserve a far tip..
The real question is, "What do you tip the crazy ones?" I will not soon forget the bagger who cheerfully informed us on the way out to the car that "the devil is everywhere," then narrowly missed slamming trunk lid on my arm. I think the few dollars we gave her were more to ensure that she went away than to thank her for her assistance with the groceries.
Sounds like she cold be suffering from mental illness,I suggest that you still be kind and to help out poor people like this, you. I have to take my hat of for this person and say thanks for working and generating some income, MOST people always say Get A Job,what commissary was this if in virginia let me know where so i can tip her and say thank you..
I hardly even go to the commissary due to where we live in relation to the base but when I do, I use the self checkout. When I have used the commissary more regularly, I usually tip .25 a bag. One time I went, I wasn't completely together and thought I gave the bagger a $5. and she started to say something and then stopped. When I went to the next errand and proceeded to pay, I realized that I've mistakenly given her a $20. and also realized that that's what she had started to say something about and then stopped. I have to say, I was pretty angry about that and perhaps that's why, along with not currently being close, I don't shop at the commissary if at all possible.
A friend quite a while ago pointed out that baggers, if they can carry out bags for 10 people and receive an average of $2. per trip, will be making $20.00 an hour. That's more than I've ever made in my life. I do realize that there are ebbs and flows in traffic but it was a little surprising if one thought it that way.
Time yourself the next time you go to the commissary, I'm sure you'll find it takes a lot longer than 6 minutes to bag your items, walk to the car, load them and walk back to the store — and remember that many, if not most, commissary customers have large loads. If you consider the occassional slow volumn and 5 minute break I think you'll realize that the average is much closer to 4/5 trips an hour over the course of a day (keep in mind the job has zero benefits and constant movement).
If you can't afford to pay, or would just rather not, then bag and carry yourself — that simple.
I seriously doubt you could bag, carry, and load all those groceries and average 10 trips an hour for a full workday.
Even if you had superhuman endurance and COULD do that, the customers don't flow that evenly throughout the day.
I'd bet the average works out closer to 3 to 4 trips per hour. If everyone is as cheap as you, they're lucky to get $8/hr, along with NO benefits.
I live in San Diego and our commissary is large and busy. There is no way the baggers are carrying out for 10 people, plus not everyone tips, etc.
If anything more than $2 is going to hurt your budget then, by all means, pay $2. I think that's a minimum, especially if you live in an area with bad weather, have a cart full of many bagged items, etc., it should never be less than $5.
I know people who never tip anywhere. I won't share a meal out with them, it's too embarrassing to have to pretend to go to the bathroom to get a decent amount of money to my hard working server's hand!
I bagged groceries as a teenager and made $6 an hour. When I wasn't bagging groceries I was required to sweep the floor, mop the aisles, and police the shopping carts and trash out of the parking lot. I stayed busy the entire time. The commissary baggers get between $2-$5 per trip, and if they average 4 trips per hour, thats between $8-$20 per hour (depeding on the tipper and the traffic volume) with their only responsibility being bagging groceries and loading them into a car, then standing around BS'ing while they wait their turn. I'd say that's a pretty good paycheck for the amount of work they actually do. If it takes 10 minutes to bag groceries and then take them to the car, and they get $2, that translates to $12 per cumulative hour of actual work done. Give them $5 and it becomes $30 per cumulative hour.
Back in 1974 I was a bagger at the commissary as a dependent. We could work only Thursday evenings 4-8 pm and Saturdays 8am-2pm, Often at the end of each shift we would rake in $12-$20 dollars per hour and sometimes more. It is no wonder that you rarely see any teens bagging groceries anymore since it is a relatively high paying job with minimal skills required.
I usually tip $1 if they just bag, $2 if they bag and carry out and more if it's a HUGE shopping trip.
What bothers me is that I am a 26 Infantryman, fully capable of taking my bags to my vehicle myself, yet every time I go to the checkout I have to argue with a 70+ year old woman just to get her to let me take my own bags. Its embarassing. For that reason, I always go to the self checkout.
that is funny!!!
I tip $3 and usually spend about $130ish. I always have the baggers push it out to my car too. I've often wondered if this was too little as well. One of my students is a bagger and indicated that this was a pretty common tip, so I'm assuming I'm OK.
I get to the $3 per trip amount on most trips that has six bags (paper) that fill up their little push cart so that amounts to fifty cents per bag.
I usually tip between $3-5 per trip. Obviously some of these people have never worked for tips (of any kind). As a server/bartender for over 10 years, those tips are earned through hard work I assure you. Plus the fact that most of the people bagging groceries are military family members and I don't know any of them that ever did it because they wanted to, it's done out of necessity.
If you have a Blessed life and have $5 bucks, cut them some slack and give them the tip; however if they throw your stuff around and crush items, I have been known to tell them to stop immediately and finish the job myself.
I spend anywhere between $300-$400 when I go shopping so I tip $4 or $5. They are earning a living just like everyone else who has a job and I don't have issues with this service, in fact, I appreciate it. If people don't like it, they can either use the self-checkout or go somewhere else.
That isnt always an issue. We live in S. Korea and thats pretty much our only option.
thats what i do since payday is always my biggest shop day,as many bags as i have ,i give $5.00.and as far as them making alot,that isnt true,my son once was a bagger at the commisary and sometimes he would work 5 hrs. and come home with $2.00,they aslo have to pay the head bagger $5.00 for the days they work.i forget the reason.some of the baggers kinda push the newer ones out of the way becuase they want to be the ones to make all the money.especially the asians.but for the ones who complain about not wanting their bags taken,what does it hurt to give a little.i mean come on,if u can by a cup of coffe or other junk why not have a giving spirit,and i dont want to hear i dont have the money i am on a budget,that is a stupid excuse.when i am sure you spend money on stupid stuff.and if your mad scratch ur botty and get glad.BE KINDHEARTED,maybe that is the only job they can find.pay it forward man,anyho God Bless
My tip depends on the size of my haul and whether I bring it to my car. Since I'm a healthy 26 y.o. woman, I generally bring it out to my car myself. If I have just a few groceries (I'm talking 3-4 bags full) I'll tip $2, but if it's a big trip or I'm shopping for a holiday party or something, I'll tip more.
I give them 5 dollars every time!
I do too, They are providing a service and in today's economy if you can afford it why not, they work for tips not a check. So what if you never made $20.00 an hour in your life, doesn't mean everyone should work for minimum wages. Your tip does not go to just the person that is helping you it goes in a jar and gets divided up among all the baggers. They have to put up with some real crap from some people too I know I have worked in a public service job. Put yourself in their shoes, would you want to do that all day and make only 25 cents a bag, I doubt it. You probably throw away $5.00 in the bar or some other worthless thing and not get anything back from it. Ever been to a casino or played the loto and didn't win? Some of these people depend on that money to feed their families.
When we first married and didnt buy a lot we did 25 cents a bag and averaged 4 bags that lasted 2 to 3 weeks. Now we are feeding 2 teenagers & buying 4 to 6 bags a week, so I generally tip 5 dollars a trip. However if its raining or I had to park a long distance I will sometimes do 6 or 7. Every time we PCS hubby and I do a major stock up that is probably 10 to 12 bags.. this is when we are filling the freezer & cabinets.. and then he will give them a 10 as its a lot.
Generally I use self check though as I like to bag my own stuff. I grew up with grocery stores that had a cashier & then you went to the end of the belt & self bagged. Or the ones that you had the cashier place the items into a 2nd cart & you took that cart to a bagging area & did your own.
Jeez! These people are cleaning up. How do I get a job bagging? #noseriously
Cleaning up?? You've got to be kidding me! If you really believe that, then stop in at your commissary's office and see if you can get a bagger position. My gut feeling is that 1) you won't do it; 2) if you do, and get on, you won't stay there very long; and 3) you'll change your opinion on how well the baggers are "cleaning up" working at the commissary!
If you are interested in obtaining a job as a bagger, just contact the head bagger at your commissary location. Prior to submitting your request, i would suggest that you spend two hours with a bagger to see exactly what their job entails. As the old sayig goes, "until you have walked in their shoes".
I bagged part time for 12 years and we weren't "cleaning up" as you put it. We hauled out groceries in all inclement weather and sometimes for no tip at all. We also had to clean the belts and register area every night and stock the bags from the werehouse on the registers. So it isn't as easy as you think.
I guess military pay has not raised very much since I retired in 1976; however, I tip 20 percent minimum in restaurants and today I sent $25 to my mail carrier, and two newspaper boys for Christmas. I remember when I used the commissary about 5 years ago, that I always gave $4 or $5. If you are too cheap to tip, don't use the service.
Marist, I hope you gave your mail carrier the $25 in a gift card. I've been told that by law mail carriers can't accept cash, but can accept presents or gift cards. I verified it with my new mail lady this year, so I'm assuming that I was told the truth about the cash law.
My mail carrier has NEVER had a problem accepting cash!
I agree. Don't go if you can't tip.
I think I was more willing to tip the baggers before I realized that the commissary charges a surcharge. Forever I thought the commissary was tax free, but sure enough they add a few dollars on each transaction. I have asked what it was for and received vague replies.
What it definitely isn't for is the baggers — who really do earn tips alone.
The surcharge is for the cost of running the commissary. The management, cashiers, stockers, and other employees. The baggers actually pay a fee to work (insurance) and only make the tips. The commissary has lower prices before the surcharge because of that price being what is paid to the vendors for the products.
$6 to $8 surcharge per purchase would appear to more than cover the cost of stocking the shelves. I to have been a $2 to $3 tipper if the bagger is careful with my order. I have timed the process many times and found the start to finish to be a 7 minutes if the checker is good passing items through the scanner. If your were to calculate a 7 minute task in 1 hour that would allow a bagger 8 trips in 56 minutes or 8.57 trips per hour average. Multiply that number of trips by $2 per trip should total $17.14 an hour with no taxes taken out due to cash payment. Very few part time employees get that kind of payment for that simple task. When you calculate the surcharge and the bagger tip you do not get the 30% average savings suggested by many who advocate shopping at the military commissaries. The commissaries are subsidized by the military defense budgets. Those budgets are getting looked at hourly. Things will change in the future and commissaries will incur more costs which will require more surcharges to make them efficient. Consider the bagger but realize that isn't the deal breaker. You won't buy there if the local Walmart is cheaper for the same qualty. Walmart doesn't allow tipping….
I was upset when I seen the surcharge. I feel they falsely advertise the no tax thing. I asked what the surcharge was for and they replied with vague answers also, once I was told it was for them stocking. this answer made me mad also since our commisary is closed every monday and I will go on tuesday and almost always have to ask for them to get something from the back, because they didnt stock it up on monday.
There is no false advertising and there is no tax. The items sold in the commissary are priced to cover the cost of the specific items. The surcharge, currently the huge amount of 5%, is what pays for spoilage, damaged items, theft, cashier's and other employee's salaries, cost of repairing current facilities and building new ones. Oh, and the baggers are not employees, so the surcharge doesn't have anything to do with them. Perhaps you should do a bit of research and find out some of the facts surrounding the commissary system itself to include what the surcharge does do!
AYKM? This is posted at every commissary at the front door. Grocery stores have fruit and veggies go bad, meat that has to be sold at cut prices when it's too close to the sell-by date, dairy that spoils, cans and boxes that fall and break or dent – the commissary has to pay for all that. Considering they charge customers the same price the vendors charge them for each item, they would quickly operate at a serious loss without that 5%. Then you have to figure in other costs: lighting, employees, refrigeration, programming the cash registers, paying maintenance on everything. The commissary is not free, which is why the DoD is talking about finding ways to decrease costs or eliminate it if the military has to make those insane cuts.
When I look at prices at other grocery stores, I really don't mind at all paying the 5%, or the $5 tip I nearly always give the bagger. It's not that big a deal.
If you will take the time to talk to the commissary manager at your location, you will find that the surcharge is not a tax but is the direct funding for your commissary operation and improvements. At this point in time our commissary operations are the only self sustaining base operations.
You forgot the Army/Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) We are not only self sustaining. We are not GS employee's paid by the taxpayers. We're paid out of the bottom line just like any retail facility off base and we are required to give money to MWR to support them every year also.
You are completely correct. I have worked for the commissary for years and that is always a question that comes up. I would prefer to pay a surcharge then to pay a tax to the government and not know where it really is going.
I do not know if anyone told you but the surcharge is not a tax. The 5% is put in a fund to build new commissaries and refurbish older commissaries. You should have asked to speak to Store Director. He or she would have explained this to you. Anyone working at the commissary should know this and if they don't they should call their immediate superviser
To be clear, the surcharge does not go to pay the baggers….THEY WORK FOR TIPS ONLY! I was a bagger 30 years ago before I joined the AF and it sounds like these people are getting the same amount now as I got then. Put yourself in their place….this is not slave labor; there are signs all over the commissaries stating they only work for tips. Who do you people think you are?
The surcharge is for MWR. This helps other servicewomen/men, most likely, the single soldiers/airmen that live in the barracks. The surcharge is less than most, if not all, sales tax rate.
You do realize that even with the surcharge, that money does not go to the bagger.
I have worked as a bagger for 3 years now. The commissary charges a surcharge to be able to pay the power to run the store, the people who stock the shelves and the people who run it. That helps out to keep the prices down. Personally, I would rather pay a surcharge then to pay a tax to the government. At least with this surcharge you know where it is going.
When I have cash on me, I will tip $2. However, I almost never have cash on me. Counter intuitive, I know, to Dave Ramsey's advise, but if I have cash on me, I spend it. And I am thrifty by nature, so I'd rather not have the cash to burn. When I am at the commissary, I always tell them ahead of time that I will take it out myself, as I refuse to make them do it and then not pay them. However, even when I say I will take it out myself, I have gotten sighs, head shaking and semi-dirty looks. I get that they work for tips, which is why I choose NOT to make them work and bring it out to my car. The whole reason I shop at the commissary in the first place is to save money on groceries, and I am fully capable of handling my own groceries. Maybe I'm the cheap one, but that's ok with me.
I agree with you! And I honestly don't have extra money in my budget to be tipping everyone that has their hand out. I will gladly bag my own and take them out!!
Serving in the military is an HONOR for Americans. YOU got the PRIVLEDGE of shopping at the commissary, which means YOU DON"T PAY TAXES on what you buy. Stop being so cheap and let these people WORK the AMERICAN way. You are on that property because of a PRIVLEDGE. Keep that in mind!
Where can you find a state sales tax that's as low as 5%? Even considering the fact that most states with sales taxes don't tax food, the commissary is still a heck of a lot cheaper than any off-base grocery store. The off-base stores might have loss-leaders that are lower (e.g. below cost) but those are relatively rare.
I live in a state where NO ONE (military or not pays taxes) on groceries…..and I believe that my husband has EARNED the benefits that he gets!!!! I don't feel we OWE anything to the bagger who chooses to work for tips and earns more than my husband for our family of 4. I'd say RIGHT more than Privledge!!!!! But I do normally tip them for helping me out!
I agree with you! It is a PRIVILIGE not a right!
I tried to select the thumbs up and accidently selected the wrong one….and I can't change it. :-/
there on the property because they serve their country and do it at or near poverty level wages. should they have to let the baggers work if their "not hiring"?
As the wife of active duty Army who's deployed 4 times. I've faithfully maintained the home front, taken care of 3 kids all while going to school and working full-tme. In my opinion, I've earned the benefit to shop at the commissary. It's not about being cheap, it's about trying to save money. My family and I are on the property because of my husband and all the other service member's sacrifices.
you can get cash back at the checkout, they also bag for tips…it's their job and they are mostly military dependants working as baggers…
You are CHEAP!! Do you BAG your OWN too???? You know you dont!! It is not about taking your bags to the car, Do that yourself,,,, it is about bagging, hence "baggers" Bag your own groceries, I have been in the military for 26 years and reading your post makes me ill…. If you are too damn cheap to tip a kid, then get out of the military, Use a different Store…. Too cheap to give 3 dollars,,, maybe then you should not have bought that case of SODA TOO.!!!!! Get a life!
Exactly Right! Kent said what I wanted to post . All military people know they can bag their own groceries. The ones that take advantage of this service are the ones without honor. How sad to see people such as these in our military without honor.
Cheep skate.
I almost never used the commissary stateside (way to crowded) and I try to shop n the economy while overseas (fresher), but I def tip more overseas (5-10) as I figure it’s harder for teenagers to find jobs over here than it is back in the states. I always feel uncomfortable having adults help me out – it seems like a great alternative to babysitting for teens!
There are hardly any teenagers that bag anymore……it's the retired that they hire which is pretty sad that they do that. I feel like the retired should step aside and give the youth a chance. The elderly are being too greedy!!!
My experience overseas in Guam was the 'kids' taking out my groceries, on the rare occassions I needed them to, always talked inappropriately to their bagger friend taking another person's groceries out. My kids and I really didn't need to hear about their 'accomplishments' or 'failures' regarding their girlfriends or date night!!
Because I have two toddlers to get into the car, it is a huge convenience to me. I also only shop twice a month so my haul is larger. I tip a minimum of $3. If the weather is bad, my haul is larger, or the bagger goes above and beyond I tip more. My largest tip was probably $10 in the pouring rain on a freezing cold night. I usually average $5-$6.
I usually give $3 under $100, $5 for $100-$200, and $10 for $200+.
Since I rarely spend more than $80 a trip … you're making me feel better ;-)
When in doubt, be generous.
Or, when it doubt, whip it out. Your wallet I mean.
We'd usually have a large order when our kids were little (sometimes $200-350 at times) and usually gave them about $5.
Here's my tip. Do well in school so you are not bagging when you are in your 30's.
Most of the batters are retired military
I guess that depends on which commissary you shop at. The ones that I'm used to, most baggers don't even speak English.
So True.
That's an awful tip since I'm not even thirty yet. But I will do well in school so that I can be as generous as some of the customers I bag for.
Most of the kids working at the commissary over seas can't find other work, and they are not going to work there in their 30s, they are looking for some spending money so they can try to have a normal teenager life! Remember, this is our community, and working in the commissary is how we can help.
Some of the baggers are volunteers….
I used to tip $5 (spent around 150) but realized that was $20-40 per month that I could easily save. So I started bagging myself. Yes, you CAN do that! I prefer the way I bag anyways. I load everything onto the belt and as the cashier is doing his/her thing I bag into big, reusable bags. Then I put them back into the same cart I came in with (because my kid is sitting in that cart along with our things) and pay with my debit card. Super easy and saves me money. After we unload the groceries in our car, we walk the cart back inside then head home.
You are completely allowed to bag your own groceries in a normal checkout line. Simply tell the cashier that you'd prefer to bag yourself. I am typically done by the time the cashier scans the last item so I'm not actually taking any more time than a for-tips bagger.
It's great that you want to save a couple of bucks, BUT while you are bagging your own food, the bagger that has waited for you is now waiting for the register to open back up so they can start earning more tips. You just took money out of their pocket. They can not just go to another register while you are earning their hard-earned tip. (Go somewhere else and shop because you really don't save much money by using the DECA services).
Over 50 years ago , when I started at A&P, I was the highest paid retail clerk in the store, and I was a bagger.. If you bagged the groceries right, and hustled, you made great tips. Enough that you made more in tips, than anyone else did in hourly wage. In adverse weather they even tipped better.
Exactly.
I don't mind tipping the baggers at the commissary; however, they can be quite nasty if you, for some reason, don't. And they do average at *least* $2-$3 per customer. I knew someone a few years ago who brought home $150-$200 in cash per *day* bagging groceries in Germany. That said, I find it horrible how they can be to someone for not tipping. There was one time that I tried to use my debit card and get change back so that I could tip the bagger (and he was watching the whole transaction as I tried to check out). I had forgotten my PIN and tried over and over again to remember it so I could get change and tip him. It wasn't working. So I ended up having to use my credit card. When we got to my vehicle and he loaded my groceries, I didn't say anything, because he had watched the entire ordeal at the register. He started to walk away, then turned back and said, "have you been at this base long?" I told him no, which was true, and he continued to tell me that it was customary to tip the baggers, since that was their source of income, and how he wouldn't say anything (oh, really?), but some of the women would give me a hard time. I had already been near tears, and this just pushed me over the edge. It should not be such an emotional ordeal to go grocery shopping!
I would have walked right back into that commissary and let the Manager know he said that to me. They may not be employees, but they do have to have permission to be there at all. If they are going to be rude to customers, they don't need to be there.
I tip based on how long it takes them to bag and take it to the car. I figure out it takes them about 15 minutes at most to do that and then they might have to wait in line to get their next fare! So if you think of it that way and base it on minimum wage, I give about $3 to $4.
Under $100 purchase is $3.00. Over $100 is $5.00.
I Bagging Groceries during my last three years in high school 1968-1971 on average we got anything from 5 cents to 25 cents per bag that was 40 + years ago so 25 cents a bag in 40 years I would say the price hasn’t changed much. There were the families that we knew would not tip because that did not have the money then there was the families that made sure they tipped extra so it all averaged out we knew who the good tippers were and we knew who would stiff ya. It was not a living but it helped I was a Military Brat and there were 5 of us with 2 in collage so Bagging Groceries put spending monies in my pocket until I enlisted into the military myself.
I am 6'4", bench press over 300 pounds, swim miles, run miles, am 54 and I let the 70+ little old lady take my groceries out the car and load them, and I pay her a $10 bill. I always have from the first time I used a bagger when I came back from Navy dive school. Get a grip…. these people are working in America, stop being so damned cheap.
higher the grade the lower the tip
It usually happens that way with servers and bartenders also!
I can't believe that this is an issue with so many who use the commissary! WOW! Such CHEAPSKATES! Service in the military is an AMERICAN PRIVLEDGE! You are on the base property, using a service that saves you a LOT of money, and you are gonna b!^c$ about tipping the bagger? How many other aspects of your life do you analyze so carefully where you WASTE money? Gone to the mall lately? Bought makeup? Bought dessert? Drove around on a day off that spent a little extra gas? The very people who have been given a lifestyle that others struggle for, are complaining about tipping and then those who do… well… they are so cheap! If you don't give the bagger at least $10 per trip, you are CHEAP!
in my state we don't pay taxes on food items anyway in regular grocery stores so with the surcharge I figure it works out to about the same as walmart…except they bag my groceries for free!! SO NO THIS DOES NOT SAVE A LOT OF MONEY! It may be something different or convenient for those on base but for the majority it is not a savings …stop acting like the military does anything as a favor…everyone in the military has earned their benefits thank you very much!!
I have forgotten just how much was expected of us to pay the bagger per bag. So, I sort of judge the cost of bagging on how much my order is. Since I go about once a month and buy for the month, I usually give a $5 tip and no more. At the checkout, I use coupons, which never seem to cover the surcharge. My order is somewhere around $400….then I've got to tip the bagger. Some how, the saving some money idea goes out the door.
I do shop at the commissary frequently, but I try to use the self check out line because like everyone else I am trying to save money by shopping there. If I buy enough to use the regular check out I usually tip between 2 and 4 dollars depending on how much I buy.
Most of these baggers are kids and are appreciative. It is when the 40 something lady looks at me after I give her $3 and sighs "huhhh", that I seem agitated. Great article. I have been asking about this for years and received the same "whatever you feel is appropirate" response. I usually purchase $250-350 in groceries and gave $5 last time which I felt appropriate.
Time yourself the next time you go to the commissary, I'm sure you'll find it takes a lot longer than 6 minutes to bag your items, walk to the car, load them and walk back to the store — and remember that many, if not most, commissary customers have large loads. If you consider the occassional slow volumn and 5 minute break I think you'll realize that the average is much closer to 4/5 trips an hour over the course of a day (keep in mind the job has zero benefits and constant movement).
If you can't afford to pay, or would just rather not, then bag and carry yourself — that simple.
Depends on the amount we buy. We tip good if the bagging is done correct and they have great attitudes. 2 to 4 bucks on a normal grocery day. 4 to 7 if we shopped heavy.
Same goes with tipping eating out. If they go the extra mile, they will be tipped very well.
I give them one dollar for every hundred dollars of groceries. I usually spend between 200 and 300 dollars every two to three weeks. I feel that is enough, however during the Christmas season I give them an exttra dollar or two.
We tend to tip an average of $2 if they carry our bags out and help us load the car….usually $1 of they just bag; I seem fully capable of taking my own groceries out when shopping at a civilian supermarket and there are times when I tell them to just put the bags back in my shopping cart and do it myself. At the commissary I use, one of the baggers made the very great mistake of hassling the base CO over the size of her tip…..the result being they will now politely thank you if you drop two pennies in the box.
The whole idea behind the military commissaries is to give the service personnel a break from the regular prices in civilian markets; in most cases that's only pennies saved on the items, so tipping at 2 or 3 dollars effectively negates the reason for shopping there in the first place. Tipping is just another way of shoving operating cost onto the customers. The same applies to waiters and waitresses; when you tip them you're just subsidizing the owners who are too damn cheap to pay their help a living wage. Tipping is for suckers.
The entire American consumer public is being played for suckers and they put up with it because they feel sorry for the workers who aren't being paid enough by the greedy owners. Now it's been institutionalized to the point where they have certain amounts they deem appropriate like 15 % or 20% and you're considered a scrounge if you don't meet up to that arbitrary setting.
So you don't tip the baggers at the grocery stores either, huh? No, no… the grocery stores that allow tipping!
I really really hope you don't EVER eat out where someone is waiting on you and then return. If so, there's no telling what you've eaten in the past. I assure you, after 10 years of serving and bar-tending, that servers have LONG memories of people that stiff them with no (or crappy) tips.
If you don't want to tip, please do the world a favor ALWAYS eat at home. Being a military spouse of over 18 years and, as stated above, a server/bartender for over 10 years (because no one would hire a military spouse for anything more permanent), I worked in the service industry because my family NEEDED the money, not because I loved slaving for 8-14 hours a day.
Yea, you go out to Walmart or wherever and try to buy Milk a gallon fo $2 bucks and meat products for $3 or less. Let's see how that works out. There is way more savings at a commissary than you think. Get a clue!
Dont be a Scrouge the baggers have been around for ever tip them accordingly to how many bags they fill and load in your car. If thats a problem tell the cashier you will do your own bagging.
Lots of cheap folks here. We usually tip at least 3 and up to 5 depending on the size of the trip. Our December trip will likely be double that at 7 to 10. We tend to go once or twice a month so the number of bags can be up to a dozen. These days we use the cloth reusable 'green' bags because they have handles and don't rip, otherwise paper and almost never plastic which some baggers find extra work as they don't come off the easy pick rack like plastic bags. Also, my old back doesn't like lifting and some of these folks are older. Doing this for several hours, especially in bad weather is tough. Have a heart.
I used to give them $1 a bag. But due to where i retired to i haven't been to a commissary in years.
Now it's Costco or Walmart for groceries.
When people state that they give gifts to the mail person don't they realize this is against federal law. A federal employee cannot accept a gift of any kind from a customer. Mail handlers are paid very well for their services. Would you tip the person who helps you at any other federal agency??
Give me a break.
Federal employees are NOT allowed to accept gratuities (tips, money, or items of value). They CAN accept a nominal gift (generally worth less than $20.) on special occasions, such as holidays, birthdays, retirements, etc. from customers and co-workers, but NOT in the course of regular business.
Mail persons are allow $25 dollars value gift. No Money. She got 2 boxes of candy worth $25 with card. (Mail Lady)
E-6 and above should tip at least 5 dollars for at least 5 bags of merchandise. less than that 2 dollars should be enough
My wife is a bagger at the Millington commissary. She averages a tip every other customer. She estimates that her average is $2 per tip, due to not being tipped by the flashy dresser/cadillac escalade crowd. Mostly, she gets $1, but there are enough $5 and $10 tippers that it evens out to about $2, maybe 3.
Semper fi
It's work and they deserved to get paid. Dollar hundred is not too much to ask. More if it's like today. Cold with 50mph winds and snow and rain.
While in Germany in 1971 my husband gave a bagger (she waws an adult german lady who did not speak English) at a commissary $2 for 5 bags. She got angry at him and gave him the money back indicating by sign language that is was not enough. Back in those days 25 cents per bag was the going rate and when my son bagged in the states around 1974 is was still 25 cents per bag going rate.
I had similsr issues in europe with baggers in Germany I was at the commissary for the first time and had 6 bags so I tipped the lady 6 dollars, sounds easy enough but the lady got up set because I was parked way out in the lot and expected a larger tip. I tried to say I am sorry that I am new to the area and I gave her a 8 dollar tip, she took it mumbeling something as she walked off. That was the first and last time I allowed that bagger to bag my groceries. I was told by a chshier a dollar a bag was more than enough.
Back in the 60′s as a teenager I used to bag on week-ends and it was a understanding that we got 10 cents a paper bag & we took them out to the car. We all knew who wouldn’t gives us the dime and you can bet that the bread end up in the bottom of the bag full of can goods. But times have changed . It cost us 25 cents to go to the base movie back then.
Shame on you! You should never have mistreated anyone's stuff – even if they didn't give you a lousy dime!
It's so interesting that people have had bad responses from baggers, because in all of my days of (as it turns out) under tipping (oops!) no one has ever said anything. If they had I would've known sooner!
I tip $1.00 a hundred with a min of 3 bucks. If holidays they might get $10. If it goes to the next hundred they get another dollar. If it's nasty outside they get more. If they go far to the car they get more. More is $1.00. I only shop every other time at commissary. It's 90 miles away. Walmart is closer and about the same $$$.
My wife once bagged for a number of months. She said blacks and officer wives were cheap and unappreciative even if they didn't tip ya.
I am very grateful for the self checkout. I am always very uncomfortable when I have to deal with a bagger. When necessary I tip the bagger and then take the groceries to the car myself. Why doesn't the cashier bag the groceries as she goes along? Most would really prefer to take their own groceries to the car by themselves.
Reality these people are usually not rich and are making alot less money then us on average.
I save alot of money using the commissary and (Good prices/No tax) do not mind sharing that with someone less fortunate.
I usually do not carry cash but will make sure i give them a 5 dollar bill today. Godbless
I don't have a problem tipping. I used to bag at a commissary many, many years ago and it's hard work. You are on your feet for 8 hours a day, moving fast and pushing heavy carts through all kinds of weather. If someone told me they wanted to bag their own groceries, I gratefully sat down for a few minutes until it was my turn again. Now that I'm a grown woman with three small children, I appreciate having someone else worry about getting groceries bagged. If I take it out myself, I tip $2 to $3, depends on how much I have. If they take it out for me, I always tip $5. Right now we live in Alaska, where it's cold and snowy for 8 months out of the year. They definitely deserve a tip.
One day I went to the commissary and the customer in front of me had everything loaded on the belt and realized she left her ID in the car, so she ran out to get it. Then she came in, they ran through everything and bagged it and then she says she forgot her debit card. So they UNbagged everything, and voided the transaction, only to have her say, "Oh, I'll just write a check!". So the baggers then had to bag everything, again. She left no tip when she was finished, so I tipped for the both of us. I just don't like seeing honest, hardworking people get taken advantage of that way. And for those people who think the baggers should go out and get a "real" job – the economy sucks. At least they are working, and don't feel the job is beneath them. I will always tip. Merry Christmas!
I do $2 if my groceries are less than $50. $4/$5 if they are over. Holidays $5 and graduation time when the dependents that are bagging are graduating $5-$10.
I tip $20. But bear in mind I only go to the commissary once every 4 months and I am doing a major freezer and pantry stock up. Since I live 100 miles away from the closest mil post I seriously plan for the trip and since I am filling a Suburbans entire tail gate and third row I use the bagging and car service. But I also help load it into the car because I know I have a 100 mile drive to get it home and into a freezer and I want to get there without wasting time!
We had no idea you were supposed to tip when we first lived on base. So the first trip was him digging for his wallet after he put it away. After about 3 trips we quit going – just because they were rude and had poor customer service. Especially if you tried to put your own bags in your cart just to speed up the process. We would rather drive out the gate and go to walmart just for less of a hassle. We usually gave 5$ max. We live a whole town away now and we have alot more peace and quiet than when we lived on base.
I personally have a difficult time tipping baggers. I have waited tables for many years to get some extra cash. Waitresses may as well not be paid either as hourly pay is $2.13/hour. At many places the average tip is $5 and you are spending 30 mins to an hour busting your butt working for that tip. All they are doing is putting my groceries in bags and maybe walking it to my car, it’s not like it is alphabetical or color coordinated. I had a bad experience with an older commissary bagger. It was my first trip, I had no clue you had to tip and he was so rude and blurted out ” baggers work for tips you know!” Shaking his head and walking away.
I tip 20% min at restaurants, grocery baggers 0.
How much do you tip the person who makes your coffee drink? How much are they making an hour, at least minimum wage. How long are they working on your order? How heavy is it? Will they carry it to the car and put it in the drink holder for you? Think about that one next time you decide even $1 dollar is too much. Most baggers are working for a living and they even claim it as income so they end up paying taxes. I know…I am a military spouse…I bagged groceries for awhile after I lost my regular job and couldn’t find another. Pouring rain, freezing cold, and dealing with people who think they are better than you because you bag groceries to help support your family…let me take this opportunity to say thank you to all those wonderful people who didn’t think a tip was too much, you helped me pay my bills when I was struggling. God bless you.
How much do you tip the person who makes your coffee drink? How much are they making an hour, at least minimum wage. How long are they working on your order? How heavy is it? Will they carry it to the car and put it in the drink holder for you? Think about that one next time you decide even $1 dollar is too much. Most baggers are working for a living and they even claim it as income so they end up paying taxes. I know…I am a military spouse…I bagged groceries for awhile after I lost my regular job and couldn’t find another. Pouring rain, freezing cold, and dealing with people who think they are better than you because you bag groceries to help support your family…let me take this opportunity to say thank you to all those wonderful people who didn’t think a tip was too much, you helped me pay my bills when I was struggling. God bless you.
I politely ask them to put my bags in my cart so I can take them to the car myself. If they are willing and don't have an attitude, I give them $2. It pays to be nice.
I never leave a tip. There are 40+ yr old folks at the commissary bagging groceries. I always show them my receipt and show them the sur-charge and inform them their tips in the bill.
Except that it isn't … the surcharge does not go to the baggers. They rely entirely on tips.
They should enlist or get a commission, either way their out of the bagging game. I went to Patrick AFB the other day and I told the guy bagging ( he looked like he was in his 50's and smelled of alcohol ) I could bag and take my stuff out to the car myself. He looked at me as though I had a phallus growing out of my forehead. I could understand leaving a tip if they did tricks or told jokes at check out but sadly that's not the case.
I guess inflation doesn't count. I haven't routinely shopped at a commissary for more than 30 years (widow of disabled vet), and back then I tipped $0.25 per bag!
I tip at 2%, rounded to the nearest dollar, with a minimum of $1, usually in the express lane, where I'm just buying a couple of items and carrying it out to the car myself. So that comes out to $1 up to $75, $2 from $75 to $125, etc. Generally corresponds to somewhat near the $.25 per bag other people have described, I think, but I find it a lot easier to calculate than counting the number of bags.
commissary is a rip off..by the time you have to tip baggers and pay the surcharge you aren't saving anything!
When I got back from the Korean War I went to college. On vacations, I worked as a commissary bagger and carry out to the car guy. In those days we did not get paid and the tips were our only income. Some wives still stiffed us with nothing for bagging and carrying the bundles to their car.
OK — that lady is crazy.
Just in case you didn't know, all the baggers that work.for Deca are either dependents or retirees..you can't get the job unless you r one…so.they are getting money every month someway….
I tip 2-5 depending on how much I buy, if I don't have them take it out I leave a Euro (we are overseas)
There have been times I haven't tipped, we have a few older ladies (locals) who when I was heavily pregnant and by myself would not take my bags out and would pack to much in for me to carry.
I tend to tip the teenagers more as they are more polite and don't have other opportunities for making money.
When I go I have them bag and load my car. I tip $3-$4 and I typically get $200-$250 worth of groceries. If they bag them but I carry my own bags to the car then I tip $2. The amount changes depending on the weather or if I do an unusually big trip then it could be $5-$6. When I first started going to the commissary I went overboard and was tipping $5 regardless of how much I spent. Back then comrats was $150 a month. Luckily a bagger clued me in and this is how I've been tipping ever since. I also make it a point to just get $5 cash back at the register so I can tip.
I actually tip $20 because I buy a lot of food when I go. If it's smaller then I tip $10.
When I was a kid on Guam in1949 I bagged at the MARBO Army Commissary I w ould get 25 cents to 50 cents a trip. Navy Chiefs were the best tippers but they were few at an Army Commissary. Sometimes I would get a greenback but it would be from a Chief! Women, including my Mom, tipped the least but they usually managed the budgets.
DID YOU KNOW THAT NOT ALL EMPLOYEE'S WORKING FOR THE COMMISSARY ARE ALLOWED TO SHOP THERE OTHER THEN FOR A SNACK AND/OR THEIR LUNCH? I AM A VETERAN (NOT RETIRED), N WORK P/T AS IS STANDARD FOR THE COMMISSARY STATESIDE. I ALONGSIDE OTHERS HAVE TO SHOP OUTSIDE AT OTHER STORES BECAUSE SUPPOSEDLY IT WOULD TAKE A ACT OF CONGRESS TO ALLOW US TO SHOP THERE. SEEMS TO US UNAUTHORIZED PERSONS THAT'S JUST UNFAIR. I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A STORY WRITTEN ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THEY COMMISSARY ALLOWS AUTHORIZED ERSONS TO BRING IN "GUESTS" WHO ARENT ALLOWED TO SHOP BUT SEEMS THEY DO BRAZENLY N OPENLY IN FRONT OF THE CASHIER WHO ISNT ALLOWED TO SHOP THERE THOUGH EMLOYED N WE ARE SUPOSEDLY TO TELL THESE OTHERS THEY COULD LOSE THEIR SHOPING PRIVELIGES??? REALLY? WHAT A JOKE !!! COMMENTS PLEASE….
You ask for commits when all you have really done is yell at people in anger (all caps).
Use of the Base Commissary and BX/PX is a "privilege" given to active, guard, reserve and retired "Military" members and their dependents by "Act Of Congress and Federal Law". It is not for civilian employes that work on the base. Yes, there is a surcharge that any $$$ over the cost of operation is used to support (fund) MWR and Child Care Services, etc. on base.
I do tip the baggers ( when I use them) between $2 and $5. I have never been given a hard time by any bagger. Maybe it is because I respect them for the "people" they are and do not put them down. I talk to them on the way to the car and find out how their day is going.
Yes, I do take "guests" in with me on an occasion. I have taken my 90 year old mother in with me while I was shopping – I was her primary caregiver and she lived in my house. I have taken others in with me to shop because they were doing the cooking for me when I was giving a large (65 people) party for "me" (they were there to make sure that "I" bought the right things).
MSgt (ret), USAF (27-1/2 years)
At Ft. Jackson, they use to have a self checkout line where you could checkout any amount of items…..they have changed it to a "40" item or less checkout line…..if you have 41 items you have to go to the regular line and be forced to pay the bagger. I think that that is not fair to do that to customers. I go to self checkout so I don't have to pay a bagger to bag my groceries because I'm capable of doing it myself. Since they have forced me to do that, I don't shop at the commissary anymore. Besides, they commissary doesn't save me any money. Their prices, well at Ft. Jackson, SC, are outrageously high. A Family size box of Frosted Flakes(about 25 oz.) at Walmart costs $3.88 while at that commissary, it costs almost $4.00 for a 12 oz box of Frosted Flakes. Everything is high in that store. Except for the vegetables. But half the time their vegetables look horrible. Public and Bi-lo has better looking produce then the commissary at Ft. Jackson. The commissary here does the military no justice in helping to save a little money.
Back in the 60's when I was a married E-4 with a one-year old, talking home $110 every two weeks, living on the local economy in Hawaii because I was too junior to be "Command Sponsored," we always tipped the baggers $2. So, everyone here is telling me after 46-years, you still only give the bagger $2.00??? I've heard of cheap, but this is pathetic. Your bagger works FAR harder than any waiter or waitress, and you would never be that cheap with them! Plus they receive a basic wage from their employer on top of it. You should ALL be ashamed of yourselves. And NO ~ just for the record, I am NOT nor have I ever been a bagger. If you cannot give your bagger a decent tip, be honorable and use the self-checkout aisle.
I recognize that they work hard as baggers and that's why I tip them way more than $2. Sometimes I tip $25, especially if I'm buying $300 or more worth of grocery (I only go to the commissary once a month). I mean, they are bagging it all for me AND taking it out to the car for me. I think it's only fair to give them a decent tip.
I live 150 miles away. I don't shop that often at the comissary I don't buy meat&dairy product but I tip $2 don't metter what. even I can do my self just for thank you. where I go to comissary they don't have self check out.I do like to use self check out
It's sad that a trip to the commissary is more like a "guilt trip!" We go to the commissary to save money..and we always tip the baggers but really…if thats what they do for their "livelihood," it sounds like they to do something more guaranteed. But if they average $20+ an hour..maybe I should rethink it!
i normaly only go 1 time every few months now that we moved, the one closer to us is not that big so more of a pain, so i drive 3 towns away, i realized today the ser charge was 6% that is ALOT for Tax free, when our food tax here is 2.5% and sales tax is 5% so i am getting a surcharge over the TAX rate, alot of things are not cheeper, i do stock up on meat, and sales that i can match with a coupon, normaly they wont let me bag or bring it otu to the car my self, normaly i get some one that does not speak english or if they do not much, and are very rude, i try to give $1-$3 there have been times a kid or husband has taken money out of my wallet and i did not know until i went to tip, and the bagger got really rude with me, today how ever i had a wonderful young man, we talked about it, as i wanted to lean on the cart and push because i needed it for balance as i did not bring my cain in, he said he knows right before the 1st and 15th people are tight on money and as long as they are nice he understands, but when you get the rude want you to orginize and make room in there packed car to make room for grocerys while they sit in the car and wait, then no tip bothers them. i hate that they are not paid atleast what waitress's make, as some times i realize i dont have cash or as much as i wanted to tip and feel rude.
Instead of asking WHAT TO TIP a bagger. How bout IMAGINING what YOU would consider a fair tip if YOU were a bagger, going out in all kinds of weather, hot, cold, wet, dry, windy.
Better yet. Imagine what the Bagger thinks of you if you don't give them a tip at all. Around Christmas. Remember…."There but for the grace of GOD go….YOU…if you were a bagger!"
If that is how you interpreted what was said. You should be complaining more about how the educational system failed you. I spent 30 years in uniform. Navy to be exact. I worked hard to get higher in rank so I could afford to help others who weren't as fortunate…who had to work at the Commissary..pushing carts. If you are so selfish, you think that is the reason people are on welfare. I hope you NEVER MAKE ANY HIGHER RANK. The military doesn't need YOU. Stay poor, and dumb. Unsuccessful people always stay that way.
My 17 year old son is a bagger at the Air Force Academy commissary. His daily take depends on: how busy it is, how many other baggers are working, and the amount of the tip. His tips usually fall into the range of $0-5. Yes, he gets stiffed quite often during his four hour shift. He averages about 3 customers an hour during the week and 4 customers on the weekends. Often he will have a customer that requires two carts of groceries and takes about :30 from the start of bagging to delivering at the customer's car. Therefore, anything less than $4 for two carts is being cheap. Anything less than $2 is being cheap for one cart. My son works hard during his four hour shift and earning $8-10 an hour seems appropriate. Therefore, $3 to $5 a tip depending on the amount of groceries, distance to vehicle, weather conditions and over-all time spent seems right in my estimate. On slow days, his earnings barely cover the cost of gas to get him to work and home.
I tip $2 because they bag my groceries and carry it to my van but I rather save my own money and bag my self. I just wish there was a line for 30 or more items. I'm sure most people would rather bag there self and save the money.
Average fast food wage around here (MA) is $10/hr. I usually just go to commissary once a month and do a massive purchase ($500) Using the average fast food wage as a guideline, the bagger usually works on my order for about 15minutes ( 25% of $10=$2.50) S/He bags about 30 bags and hauls them to my car. At .25 a bag, that works out to a $7.50. So in total for his/her labor, I give $10.
I ask for them to be put back in my cart and I take them out myself. This might sound awful but I don't tip them if I do that. I only tip if they take it to my car. I do $5 for those trips and $10 if the weather really sucks.
When I was junior enlisted in the 70's I used to work the Frankfurt commissary to suppliment my princely wages. It was usually good for about a hundred a day on paydays and 50 to 80 other days.
Now I never tip less than $5. Too many people (dependant family members) rely on it as primary income.
In the old days the only people allowed to bag were on-base dependants. I have no idea who is allowed to do it now days but it seems to be run by a primarily oriental group.
At Luke there are two or three ladies I remember from when I was active and F-15's were new. Quite a career considering there are no benefits or retirement. . .
Since I do my shopping monthly I decided that $1 per $100 cost of groceries was fair. I normally round up to the next even hundred. My tip typically runs $3.
I watch and do sloppy mental math as we go. I figured the "job" is "worth" something around $15/hr, but not much more than that. Our volume contributes to has fast or slow a bagger gets back to the next customer. The volume of shoppers in the store dictates how many trips to the front of the line an aggressive bagger gets in an hour. Their listening to instructions from the "shopper" (my CinC-House), counts for something. Unless it is the "express lane" and we carry the bag or two ourselves, the tip is generally closer to the $5 mark based upon the above considerations.
I tip $5.00 every time we shop. Most of the baggers are young wives, and some kids. I have no problem tipping them for a job well done. I also get the car and bring it up close to the door in the winter, while my wife finishes the check out. They are very appreciative of this. I was a young Airman, married and with a baby when worked part time in an NCO club overseas. I remember the tips and how the extra money helped provide for my family. The $5.00 tip is less then a latte at Starbucks, what is the big deal?
We always tip $3-5 each trip regardless of how much we spend. Yes we could bag our own but we also recognize this is a job for the baggers – so many are elderly ones – and one never knows we may be in that same position one day. It may be the only job available for us. Many are foreigners who have no other job options. Why so many negative comments I do not understand. Wonder what people tip cabbies, wait staff, others who make llife a little easier for us. To the original question – $3-5 is what I would recommend that would be fair.
As my husband rose in rank over the 38 years he was in, I started giving baggers more. I am so fortunate to be able to do this. If the bagger makes an effort to engage me or be pleasant, their tip will go up. During holiday seasons, I tip more. What is a few more dollars to me could make a huge difference to their household. Come on, friends. They are lugging heavy things out in all kinds of weather, many of them older than I am. Isn't supporting working people with a few dollars more better than them sitting home on welfare?
Honestly I would rather have them get paid hourly than to pay a tip. I am an guy age 32, but I hate getting an old Asian lady to pack my groceries. They never pack my groceries properly, they hardly talk to you as your walking out, they have an attitude, or they just seem disgruntled. That is not customer service.
You all say to use the self checkout, but you have an item limit. I would love to check my whole cart of groceries. I have bills to pay and to pay a tip just peEz me off, especially when I get a crappy bagger. We still have to pay the surcharge so you are basically paying tax. I shop there for convienve only. I will admit that I will never pay these people more than 3 dollars and to me that is over payment. $10 people…really, you are crazy! If it is a student, and you know them, that is different. Go buy your spouse some flowers. That is where that $10 is going, or it is buying my kids a toy.
Really? Someone was really this confused. It is based on the amount of work they do. They work for tips! I tip $5 because I know they don't make much from bagging.
I usually go to the bank and get several $2 bills which I use for tips. It may be below the average, but the bagger is usually pleased with it. That, and half dollars, too.
I shop at an air force base and my average tip is $4.00. At checkout I have observed quite a number of baggers waiting in line for their turn to bag. How often they bag depends on the number of check stands open. So, on the way to the car I asked my bagger how often they get to bag and the reply was, "Usually about three times an hour." Based on the earlier comments they are lucky if they make $10.00 an hour. Not much of a living wage. Be generous, you are saving 22% plus any coupons yhou use.
I used to tip $.25 per bag… then I realized that the bagger was only putting in one or two items in each bag. Now I tip $1 for every $50 I spend.
Bought $50 tonight and tipped $3. Two weeks ago we spent $400 and we tipped $5,
Well, let me said I worked as bagger working between 5 to 7 hours some days. I never complained about hours what I received made my day. This job is usually for students or folks who need some extra cash. I always heard the kids complain about their tips. Sometimes some baggers won't bag for people they knew didn't tip good. I would not everyone can afford to tip do a good deed. Thank them and tell them to come back. Sometimes, I would received .25 for 20 bags or $5 for 2 bags. Most important thing was never count the money in front the customer or show signs anger about the tip!! At the of the day this money you wouldn't have had it not been for customers :-)!!!
Why do people complain about everything? I mean really, look at it this way how much would you like to be tipped if you were a bagger working at the commissary or any other grocery store? You don't have to go to the commissary; you can choose to shop somewhere else feel free to do so. When you go to the restaurants if you don't want to leave a tip then don't. You know they work for tips and expect tips, so what's the problem. A lot of these baggers are kids that are going through college and they rely on this money to help them pay for certain things so when you decide to tip $.25 per bag or five dollars don't complain about what anyone else tips. And for those of you counting other people's money such as making $20 an hour. What about the slow days when the people don't come into the commissary and the baggers walk away with five dollars or $20 for the whole day, are you complaining now? Oh and for you 26-year-old healthy I can carry my groceries on my own type people. Why are you arguing with a 70-year-old person, just show respect, you have no idea what this person is going through or have been through instead of arguing with that person take some time to have a conversation and find out how they are doing today and why they are actually at the commissary working as a bagger and maybe just maybe that would give you a great idea on how to tip. Last question how much candy do you give to each kid on Halloween? Signed, I ain't no joke.
I usually tip $4 for my standard load (about $250). For a small load, it's $3. If my daughter is the bagger, it's $5. Just a note on how it works – if they carry out to the car, they go to the end of the line, no matter the size of the load. If they just bag a self-carry load, they are still up.
I am a retired MSG. When I first retired I worked several hours a day as a bagger to keep some form of comradery to replace what I lost when I retired. I didn't need the money I needed the people around me. I only did it for about a year or so, and then I stopped. My experience and first hand knowledge thru friendships with other baggers is this. Most of them are working there because they need the extra money. None of them are getting rich from it, and DECCA treats them like dirt. I've bagged 2 shopping carts full of groceries, taken them to a big SUV and loaded them in the vehicle only to be told by the woman. "oh I'm sorry I don't have any money left, I'll catch you next time". Yeah right. I find it shameful that anyone would even have to ask what to tip. A couple of bucks won't hurt anyone. I also think it's shameful if you try to rationalize how much they make as an hourly wage. The only reason you would have to worry about that is because you sure don't want them to earn more than you do. Guaranteed, they don't earn very much. I religiously tip 3 bucks and 5 around Christmas.
I know my husband and his squadron once rented a check out lane for a fundraiser, which made me think that maybe the baggers rent their lanes? I tip $2-3 depending on how many bags, and $5 in bad weather.
I usually tip $1 per every hundred I spend, rounding up if I go each hundred. For example, if I spend $240, then I give $3, someone had given me this advice years ago.
I always tipped based on how much I spend. Since I usually make one big trip a month, i would tip about 2 for every $100 i spend. im especially more generous to teenagers who are taking their weekends to make a few extra bucks. My first job I ever had was as a bag boy so I know what they go through.
I know based on the previous comments that I'm going to start cutting back on my tip. I always tip $1 per $20 of groceries. I was told to do this by a friend whose mother had told her this rule (they are and were both military wives). So now that groceries have gone up, I end up tipping $8 on a bill of $160… but not anymore!
That's a lot. Even though I'm a bagger, I'd suggest against it. There's a fine line. You should definitely tip on how much groceries you've gotten. If you've gotten a full cart, there is no "mandatory", but I truthfully wouldn't want any less than three. If you give me four, you'd make my day! But if you're coming through with less than a full cart, I'd suggest two or three bucks to be frank. Nowadays, $20 of groceries will only get you six items depending on what you buy!
I was a bagger long ago when I was an Air Force brat so I have a little different perspective on what's reasonable. I usually give about 2% which usually comes out to about $4~6, a little more during the holidays. Thanks for bring up the topic. Most commissary shoppers don't have a clue about what to give.
I tip between $2.00 and $5.00 according to size off order. I also tip if bagger bags only one item, I am proud to see that the work ethic is not lost with most of the baggers at my commisary being senior citizens.
A Christmas tip for the GARBAGE MAN??? You must be joking.
I think it's sad that so many people are having an uproar about baggers. I am a single father and soldier and i have plenty of single friends in the military that are willing to tip $3 on a bad day. but on average I will give $5. While I am on a budget like most family's, especially for the holidays, I still keep in mind during my shopping that I will want to tip the baggers. However, I have Never let any of them carry out my bags for me because I am more than capable. These kids and elders are obviously not overjoyed about helping you out for Free or next to nothing. I would encourage you all the next time you are in the commissary to find at least two items, whether its cereal, cheese, or vegetables, and either buy the cheapest of them or find something on the list you can do without, and give that extra few dollars to your bagger.
When I joined the Navy in 1977 I was told then that 2% of the bill was reasonable.
No matter how small the size is, I give $5 minimum. It's the same as tipping in the restaurant. It could be you and you would want someone to be generous to you. That's what my late husband always said.
What a pleasant mentality to live by – I'd endorse it! Thank you for being a thoughtful customer.
Back in '68-you young folks don't remember that date but a bagger I sued to know told me that they got an average of 25 cents per bag and times and salaries have changed somewhat so go figure.
I usually tip a couple bucks…but I don't shop at the commissary that much..I find that after paying the 5% surcharge and making the extra trip, that the prices are about the same as some of the local food stores…Oh sure some items are priced lower…but usually something I don't need…I never know when the specials are on..The local food stores have weekly sales sheets that come out. I don't know whats on sale at the base stores…And speaking about the PX/BX…Seldom is there a deal that I would make the trip for…All the clothes are made in other countries..and the prices are really too high..don't call me unpatriotic…I love the military but these are the facts in the city I live….God Bless our military..
We fit the category of retired, so if they close the state side commissaries, we wouldn't get additional BAS; however, whether they close the commissaries or not, here's something to think about: we live in a state where there is no sales tax on food, just on non-food items like paper products. When I decide whether to shop local or go to the Commissary, I look at the sales ads versus the price at the Commissary (I sometimes even take the ads along), plus their 7% surcharge, plus the gas for the trip, plus the bagger's tip if I don't do self-check-out!. In a month's time, using the sale ads, I frequently find it cheaper to shop locally with no doubt on who is going to do the free bagging and carry-out. :)
I watch how the bagger/s put the groceries into the bags. If they dump them where cans can get bend or other items smashed, that determines my amount of tip. I tip according to how many items that I have in the cart, not how many bags the bagger uses. Some will not fill the bag, so that they use more bags thinking they will get larger tip. Then I use coupons, how many, how much do I get taken off my bill, that also depends on how much I tip. Majority of the time it's $3 or $4. Holidays don't matter to me.
This is a great way to adjust your tip. I'll be honest with all of you here – some of the baggers don't give a damn about your stuff and that pisses me off. I'll take the extra minute or two to make sure none of your light stuff gets crushed and that it's all secured before I leave. I'll never throw anything unless a customer explicitly states, "Yeah throw that over, it's fine."
Watch your bagger as they put stuff into your car. The ones who don't care aren't many though. Most of us do care about your items. We aren't Frys or Safeway baggers. They get paid on a wage, so you're just another face to them. We know the regulars and we know the newcomers, but we treat them all the same.
We must remember that 'to tip or not to tip' is no different than hiring a person to do a job of chores for a short period of time. But please, if I do not need or desire your assistance, why should I have you to do a job that I don't need you for, if I can do it myself and want no help?
If I desire you to do that work, then I am going to pay for the work, according to what 'I' not 'others' think it is worth.
We should also consider that Generals make a lot more than Privates. So the privates my make a different decision as to how much to tip, based upon his ability to pay.
I get paid more by a guy with a beat up Honda than I do from an Officer's wife. Higher ranks don't tip well. I got stiffed by an officer on a full cart order. Mind-blowing, isn't it?
EDIT: I don't have my degree yet. So, please don't tell me to, "GET A BETTER JOB SON >:[" because I've saved up a good sum by working here. This job has taught me to manage my money and when I get the degree I want, I'll be able to tip the way I believe everyone should tip. No, I won't outrageously go and tip someone fifty dollars for groceries, but if you do a full cart for me, I'd throw down at least four dollars.
When I lived near a commisary I got to know the baggers I always gave a smile and chatted with them. I tipped well $5-$7 They were always happy to see me and always bagged my groceries how I asked. At christmas I tipped $20 right before the holiday. It is not to much for a years worth of smiles and knowing I made someones holidays a little nicer. And on the off chance I didnt have much money on one of my many trips through the year to the commisary the baggers know i would make up for it on another trip. ANd no grumbles! MOst baggers are great!
Great! This sounds like a pleasant customers to bag for.
First, you individuals who tip $.25 a bag are living in the dark ages. Think about it, when you go to a buffet style eating establishment do you tip by the number of time you go to the buffet line. I don't believe you do. At a regular restaraunt the normal tip is between 15% – 20%, at a buffet type 10%. My point being that if you are tipping $1.00 – $5.00 for something you are doing yourself, why not tip one of our commissary baggers $5.00 on a $200.00 or more grocery bill, when that individual is bagging your items, taking them to your automobile, and unloading them into your vehicle.
AMEN
I see these "baggers" (most of them are NOT retired soldiers, rather anyone from a kid with no military connection to older individuals most of whom are not related to any service connection) just waiting to intimidate commissary customers about taking their groceries out to a car. If I take my own bags out, (which I do when I shop at a regular grocery store), I hear comments about being cheap or worse. I wonder how many of them declare the tips and wads of cash they rake in daily to the IRS? As long as I am healthy, I will continue to carry my own stuff.
We are required to ask to take you out. If I don't ask you once/twice, I can get fired. I'm not intimidating you. We already know you're capable of taking out your own groceries. Trust us – we know who can and who can't. Because, if somewhere down the line [and it does happen], a customer flip-flops and says "Well, I wanted him to take it out." I'll get in trouble for it AND not receive the tip I was going to receive. We aren't hustlers – we're just doing our jobs.
I have over 20 years of service and another 20 as a dependant. Baggers have historically worked for tips only and originally or at least as far back as I can remember, been retired personnel or their dependants/spouses – supplementing their income or just staying busy/active. I have to say, that I have been a bit miffed as of late when moving to larger metropolitan areas and seeing non retirees, as well as non-military personnel/dependants bagging. For some reason I had always believed this to be a form of the "miitary taking care of its own" so to speak.
As for tips, generally, $2-3 if < $150 and $4-6 if > $150;rarely do I go over $250; single and 1 trip per month; they bag, they deliver to vehicle and always a little more during the holidays. The more pleasant they are, the more I tip (reverse psychology on their part, works!). No cash! raid the ash tray – yes I've actually tips $3 in change! I've never had anyone be rude to me, but have observed unprofessional behavior between the baggers and can see where it might be coming from due to the change in personnel demographics. If they are rude, It should be reported. We don't tolerate unprofessionalism in the military, why should we at the commissary. And if a bagger is talking strangely about the devil, that should definitely be reported as there is likely a mental condition lurking in the shadows that none of us wants to be near when it comes full term.
My wife usually shops once a month at the commissary and tips between $10 and $20.
90% of the baggers in my commissary are spouses, or retired military. They are not bagging to make a living, but to have something to do. Tips are supposed to be taxed, but most do not enter them on their tax returns. Also, baggers are required to give the head bagger a percentage of their tips. As someone said, they are not commissary employees, and the head bagger , if I remember, is a independent contractor or something of that sort.
I usually tip $3, unless I go to self checkout.
I feel that the ones who are receiving a large monthly check and the amount of bags should be $1.00 per bag.during the holiday season maybe 3.00 extra .MERRY CHRISTMAS ,HAPPY NEW YEAR
Many comments smack of one-upmanship. I note that no one mentions their rank. Who are the $10 big shots? If a bagger makes $1 every minute, he's making $60/hr. Not bad. Probably more than you make, regardless of rank. How much do you think a bagger makes in a civilian store? The service is the same. Why pay for a service I can get for free (I know – hidden charges) at an outside store?
LOL! It takes one minute for the customers to put the groceries on the belt, who in the world is going to make $60 in an hour? This comment made me LOL IRL. I'd be driving a BMW if I made the money you think I make.
You might want to look at your receipt, they charge 5 to 10% for service charge. on top of that they are rent free business and most everything you purchase is = or more that you pay at stores off base/post. Yes there are a few things less but my last visit did not seem worth it. CSM Ret.
Does anyone know what the average income of a bagger actually is? How many trips outside does the average bagger make per hour? How much more would it cost to pay baggers an hourly wage with benefits?
Hello sir! You're the type of person I enjoy seeing in comment threads. Instead of thinking you have the correct information, you're ASKING for the information that you don't have.
During the summer, you're lucky to go home with thirty dollars in six hours. During the winter, you're lucky to go home with forty.
Today, I think I was able to manage four orders an hour [not any of this "ten orders an hour" funkiness that I'm hearing here]. If you're lucky and no baggers come in that day, you could probably get upwards to six.
Some baggers [such as the ones in Germany IIRC] get paid an hourly wage + tips. Getting benefits is also a different thing. My brother has been with DECA for years and he still doesn't qualify for benefits. Getting benefits as a bagger sounds outrageous.
I haven't used the commissary in years and the reasons are two the tipping baggers and the five percent surcharge(tax). In our state food is not taxed, but the commissary has the above stated TAX . If Food markets can pay employees to bag and carry groceries to the car for customers why can't the commissaries? The commissary used to be a way for poorly paid military families to save save a few badly needed dollars but they keep coming up with ways to harrass the customer. I shop Walmart and pay no sales tax on my food and I don't get hassled by "baggers"!
I tip what I can afford to tip. I am not an officer's wife, and even if I were, I'd still live on a budget. For every trip the bagger makes, if they get $5 and make an average of ten trips an hour, that's $50 an hour. Have you ever thought about that? Even at $2 per trip, ten trips per hour, that's $20 per hour. I don't know about you, but I was a stay-at-home military spouse for awhile. This was our choice. So no, I don't feel GUILTED into tipping, but I always try to leave at least 25 cents per bag. What really gets my goat however is one day a couple of months ago, I was at D-M commissary in Tucson & I gave the bagger $2 – it was all of the cash I had. I felt I would have liked to give him more if I had it. That was until he actually counted it after I gave it to him & started shaking his head with an odd expression on his face! I only have 6 small bags too. Needless to say, I try not to use this bagger – I figured I'd save him the angst. Maybe he needs to sit down & look at his earnings a little better.
We don't make ten trips an hour. I can tell you right now that that's impossible even for the fastest baggers. The most you're going to be able to squeeze out of an hour is five. The chances of you getting five every hour is slim – VERY VERY VERY slim. I can do three on a busy day and with the right amount of baggers. The most I've made in one hour has been twenty-four dollars and that's because a generous couple gave me a twenty dollar tip. So, with three trips an hour and the average tip being two dollars, I only make six dollars. While I have indisputable evidenhce that this happens, PLEASE TELL ME WHERE YOU'RE GETTING YOUR NUMBERS.
What bagger is taking out ten orders an hour? By what great faith are they able to avoid those three-four cart orders that take us twenty minutes to do?
What they do is kinda rude. My husband told the bagger not to do it, she faked not knowing English and kept doing it, and then followed him out to the car where I was waiting with my kids because they were being roudy. I smiled and said hello, and she just glared with malice. We don't carry cash, and he told her not to do it.
So if you are a bagger reading this, don't force yourself on people. It's obnoxious and rude. Find a better job that makes you happy so your not moping around rubbing your bad mood on everyone. I'd happily over-tip if we needed help. I typically like to give overly generous tips, at restaurants I like to give 25-30% when the standard where I come from is 15%.
Some of these people are first generation Americans. They don't "fake" knowing English – some of them genuinely don't know it well. They also aren't "forcing" themselves on you, if you aren't clear or loud enough, they won't understand what you've said and they'll take it out anyways. It's also ironic to make a post about someone being "rude" and then to generalize a whole group of people into one bad experience. Your post is very rude especially to a bagger who wouldn't do this to you. I know baggers who would take you and your husband out for free on a good day. So, please don't generalize us and continue to use us as a service. It's just like every other retail place – some workers are good and the others are bad.
I make a base trip every Wednesday. Usually it goes like this, Barber shop if necessary, then Exchange if necessary then the Commissary. I know the people who work there and are paid by DECA as well as some of the baggers by sight. For most it is their sorce of income, some are or appear older than I. I tip $3.00 and more if I have a large cart. If it is raining I bring the car to the loading area as they don't need to get wet also.
The 5% surcharge is supposed to pay for help, bldg maint. In 2014 we are supposed to get a new and larger commissary. Our commissary are showing comparison shopping between local stores.
When I used to bag at the commissary as a part time job while on active duty, Officer wives would tip $1 or $2 while the enlisted wives would tip much higher.
$5 each time, they cam only do about 3-4 an hour at a busy commissary. Between bagging and waiting for you and getting the car there and putting the cold things where you want and the soft things wjhare you want it takes at least 10-12 minutes. That is very hard work – think about your unpacking when you get home! If they make $20-$25 an hour they deserve it, now through oin some of the above who tip $1-$2 dollars. They live off your tips and you are saving a lot there – be generous!!
To be a bagger in most places you have to be connected.
Around the holidays I usually tip about 2 dollars every time I go. But any other time, if i only have a few bags then im guilty of not tipping at all. However, if i have enough for two carts full then i tip 5 dollars for the extra help taking it to the car. I know they work for tips, but if you think about it this way if ten people an hour gave the bagger a dollar each, he's making 10 bucks an hour! That's probably more then the cashier makes and he doesn't have to pay taxes or share his tips!!
I am shocked that so many people are not paying for a service provided to you by someone! If you don't want to pay, don't use the service!
Also, the service charge does not go to the baggers pockets, it goes to DECA. So those who say you shouldn't have to pay baggers because you pay a surcharge are wrong!
The comments that people are making that "so and so bagger makes 15 dollars an hour so I don't tip. Why should they make that much?" are ludicrous! First, you don't know how much they make and why does it matter to you how much they make. They are working, doing a job to make money!
After being an Army spouse for 19 years I have never heard of anyone admitting they don't tip baggers. I am embarrassed by the rudeness I have seen on this topic.
5% to 10% no matter what
I am comfortable; they should be, also
Makes me feel good, too
$1 to $2 depending on how much I bought. More than that? No way. Even at $2.00 a trip, they might do 5 trips an hour, thats $10.00 tax free. They probably make more due to the $5 people. Anyway, $10 an hour to bag groceries is excessive. I say pay them minimum wage, keep their hours less than 30 and no health care. Or, get a real job. I see recent retirees bagging who could very easily work real jobs but don't for whatever reason. No sympathy from me.
I always tip $5.00 every time ,they work hard for there money.
at mcas miramar the commissary charges 5% to the grocery bill for baggers, and the still want u to tip them
I worked at the commissary in Vilseck Germany over the summer as a bagger at the Commissary. Most of the baggers who work all the time get to learn the regular faces and try to personalize their bagging habits to what specific MilSpouses, single soldiers, or families prefer. On average I use to get a dollar here Then mostly customers who I became a favorite for gave me 5$ or sometimes people were just feeling particularly generous. Usually around payday I made the most money (euro too) does add up nicely when put aside and saved.
My whole thing is just trying to figure out if I am saving money by going to the commissary. I too live far from base. My husband thinks it is worth the trip in savings to drive all the way to base. I often agree, but by the time we are done paying the service fee, and the tip, plus the gas to get there, I am wondering if we saved.
My husband can't stand the way the baggers bag our groceries; they double bag EVERYTHING! we get home and have a million plastic bags by the time we are done unloading. We are also new to the military and have shopped at the commisary a few times since we live on post, and yes I feel like a huge jerk because no one ever told me that you are supposed to tip the baggers, i noticed people doing it after a couple trips. Back home you either do it yourself or the baggers get paid by the store. We always take our groceries out to the car ourselves, We are in our mod twenties so why would we have some little 70-80 year old lady do it for us?
When I first got to Aviano, I was surprised that they work for tips only! What kind of place is this?!?! I got mad at my husband first, thinking he was wasting money giving these teenagers EXTRA money! But then I felt bad after finding out… now after reading this, I think under $5 is good! We never have them take it to our car but it makes me angry when the toss around your husband's Monsters or cram eggs and bread upright…. ;)
breeannahope.com
I go with the old rule for tipping: the greater of 10% or $2.00 Of course the quality of service and attitude does affect my tipping. I don't give much of a tip to someone who does a lousy job of bagging or has a crappy attitude. Same for waiters, valets, etc.
There is nothing wrong with tipping a 1 or 2 dollars. Overtipping is a mistake that many good-hearted Americans make. Giving someone more than they deserve for their efforts consistently over time breeds an expectation that it will continue.
These folks make a minimum of 5 trips an hour, easily, even when it's slow. At 1.50 to 2.00 per trip they are making 6-10 bucks an hour.
Don't overtip – you just create the snotty attitude that I've called more than one bagger out on.
I guess I go with kind of a generous old rule I learned from my family – 20% of the bill if the service was awesome, 10% if it was adequate, verbal if nonexistent.
However, I do use self service more often than not – I can get through the line much more quickly and get on with my day in an expedited fashion. Time off the ship is very limited, and I like to enjoy that in the comfort of my home with my family rather than grocery shopping. :)
As a bagger, I get tips between $2 and $5. Usually someone who carries their own groceries out will tip $1 or whatever change they have. Usually someone who has a lot of stuff tips $5. And so forth in between. Not everyone tips, but I don't get upset because not everyone can afford to tip, and I understand that. Especially since tips is what gets me by.
This is becoming a huge problem. I am not a bagger but I know a lot about what they are making and what they are not. The Scott's Center Annex in Portsmouth Virginia had a grand opening with thousands of people shopping and you would think these baggers would make a killing on that day, you would be wrong, the vast majority of shoppers gave no tips at all, these baggers were making on an average 2-3 dollars an hour with some not even making that and working 8-12 hour days. What was equal or even more disturbing was the amount of elderly, handicapped people and disabled Veterans who were bagging and not getting any tips, whatsoever. How can the Military Community do this to those who served before you? Many of these baggers are Veterans and cannot work anywhere but the commissary due to their specific handicap. I for one cannot just set by and idly watch this happen, something has to be done, its not right, it is wrong on every level. As much as I dislike the ACLU, they have to be notified.
This is becoming a huge problem. I am not a bagger but I know a lot about what they are making and what they are not. The Scott's Center Annex in Portsmouth Virginia had a grand opening with thousands of people shopping and you would think these baggers would make a killing on that day, you would be wrong, the vast majority of shoppers gave no tips at all, these baggers were making on an average 2-3 dollars an hour with some not even making that and working 8-12 hour days. What was equal or even more disturbing was the amount of elderly, handicapped people and disabled Veterans who were bagging and not getting any tips, whatsoever. How can the Military Community do this to those who served before you? Many of these baggers are Veterans and cannot work anywhere but the commissary due to their specific handicap. I for one cannot just set by and idly watch this happen, something has to be done, its not right, it is wrong on every level.
Pete, there was no surcharge at the commissary in the 1960's, right? The dollar was also worth more, so you could get more for your money than you can now. Makes a difference to a lot of people. I shop the commissary every 2 or 3 months. I don't feel like I save much money shopping there anymore – seemed a lot better deal 5-10 years ago – even though I was buying more. Based on the responses I've read, I tip well – usually 6-8 dollars per trip, occasionally more. I would rather not have to deal with baggers. They seem never to be satisfied with the tip at my location. Some are downright rude or mishandle my purchases. I understand why they are working there – but they should really receive some training or have to follow prescribed customer service standards. I always tip, thank them, help them with the carts if I have more than 1, help load the car. Please baggers!