SpecialKay Posted December 13, 2006 Share Posted December 13, 2006 I try to avoid taking plastic carrier bags - I have re-useable cotton bags I take shopping with me and all stores I've encountered so far recognise the problem with plastic waste and are happy for customers to bring their own. Many supermarkets offer incentives to customers who re-use bags. I was told in Primark last week, by a discourteous member of staff, that it's company policy for everyone to have their purchased items in a plastic bag. This angers me because: 1. I don't think I can be forced to have a bag. 2. I think this 'company policy' is meant to act as a deterrent to theft. I though that was why we got a receipt printed with the date/time/purchased items. What's to stop a person shoplifting after paying and obtaining a bag? It seems like lazines on the part of the store. 3. I object to automatically being treated as a shoplifter. 4. Once the items are paid for, they belong to me, and I should decide how I carry them home. Can anyone give me any thoughts on this, have you had similar experiences? Do you know of any legal arguments on this matter? Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jubby Posted December 13, 2006 Share Posted December 13, 2006 I try to avoid taking plastic carrier bags - I have re-useable cotton bags I take shopping with me and all stores I've encountered so far recognise the problem with plastic waste and are happy for customers to bring their own. Many supermarkets offer incentives to customers who re-use bags. I was told in Primark last week, by a discourteous member of staff, that it's company policy for everyone to have their purchased items in a plastic bag. This angers me because: 1. I don't think I can be forced to have a bag. 2. I think this 'company policy' is meant to act as a deterrent to theft. I though that was why we got a receipt printed with the date/time/purchased items. What's to stop a person shoplifting after paying and obtaining a bag? It seems like lazines on the part of the store. 3. I object to automatically being treated as a shoplifter. 4. Once the items are paid for, they belong to me, and I should decide how I carry them home. Can anyone give me any thoughts on this, have you had similar experiences? Do you know of any legal arguments on this matter? Thank you It appears to be a policy, there is no legal requirment to have a bag. Most shops obviously give you a bag to help you carry items home, but if you have your own bag or prefer to carry them in your arms thats your business. What I would do would be take them oput of the bag, when they hand them to you. They have already sold you the items so unless they are willing to refund you there on the spot can't make you leave the shop without your goods. You could call the police on them for theft if they did, and the bobbies wouldn't be pleased to be called to a shop on the account of a carrier bag. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sultana Posted December 13, 2006 Share Posted December 13, 2006 I shopped all round town the other day, and refused plastic bags in most places when I did not need them, and there was no problem with this anywhere. However, I did not venture into Primark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayne67 Posted December 13, 2006 Share Posted December 13, 2006 I think its down to advertising. You are promoting Primark by carrying one of their bags. The suggestion about removing the goods after they are packed sounds good. Just leave the bag on the counter! Jayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesandtwos Posted December 13, 2006 Share Posted December 13, 2006 yep, if they insist on putting your stuff in a carrier, take it graciously, then remove the items and put them in your environmentally freindly one!, so much for reducing environmental waste. never heard anything so daft as insisting you add to landfill sites on their behalf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fox20thc Posted December 13, 2006 Share Posted December 13, 2006 I suggest you email them and ask them to change their policy enquiries@primark.co.uk or snail mail them Primark Stores Limited Primark House 41 West Street Reading Berkshire RG1 1TT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hook Posted December 13, 2006 Share Posted December 13, 2006 I suggest you email them and ask them to change their policy enquiries@primark.co.uk or snail mail them Primark Stores Limited Primark House 41 West Street Reading Berkshire RG1 1TT Including a link to this thread! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scoop Posted December 13, 2006 Share Posted December 13, 2006 Well next time tell them that the item now belongs to you and it's your policy not to put your belongings in a plastic bag I love a good row I'm thinking of going with a cotton bag tomorrow to buy something just so I can argue about it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jubby Posted December 13, 2006 Share Posted December 13, 2006 Well next time tell them that the item now belongs to you and it's your policy not to put your belongings in a plastic bag I love a good row I'm thinking of going with a cotton bag tomorrow to buy something just so I can argue about it I hope you do Scoop, put them to the test, in fact just buy a t-shirt and don't take a carrier bag, see how they would FORCE you. I can't see how they would be able to make you take a bag, what would they do if you gave it back? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpecialKay Posted December 13, 2006 Author Share Posted December 13, 2006 I certainly plan to write (both by email and by good old paper post) and let Primark know that I'm not the only one who thinks that their company policy is no good. Good idea about the link to this thread. Then they can see for themselves. I especially like the point about getting them free advertising, I'll mention that too. Thanks in fact to everyone who's replied so far - I hope more people do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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