30-11-2021, 12:35 AM
I went to Animates the other day to pick up my $96 pet food order and while there, spent another $48 on their great pet food offer.
Paid and was asked if I  had a bag for the $48 assortment of cans and sachets. 
I had left the house with numerous bags but they were now full of groceries in the car a block away and juggling the click and collect (already bagged) plus this new purchase of 48 cans and sachets was going to be tough without another bag. So  I asked for one. There was a discernable pause then she said they only had paper bags and she didn't think it would fit everything. I suggested we try and see, it did and I was able to carry everything back to the car in one trip rather than carrying half back, emptying a grocery bag and driving the car to the shop for the remainder. (It was too hot to walk twice).
When I checked the invoice later, I was a bit annoyed to see a 20 cent charge for the bag. The assistant would have been able to see from my membership that I had spent over $300 on pet food that week and I  can't have a free bag? Even a new customer should be able to have a free bag and their purchase packed for them (don't start me on supermarkets).
The point of this long story is that it highlights something I have long believed - that shops are less concerned about the environment than with being able to charge for something that used to be supplied free of charge ie bags. (And customer service is dead).
Paid and was asked if I  had a bag for the $48 assortment of cans and sachets. 
I had left the house with numerous bags but they were now full of groceries in the car a block away and juggling the click and collect (already bagged) plus this new purchase of 48 cans and sachets was going to be tough without another bag. So  I asked for one. There was a discernable pause then she said they only had paper bags and she didn't think it would fit everything. I suggested we try and see, it did and I was able to carry everything back to the car in one trip rather than carrying half back, emptying a grocery bag and driving the car to the shop for the remainder. (It was too hot to walk twice).
When I checked the invoice later, I was a bit annoyed to see a 20 cent charge for the bag. The assistant would have been able to see from my membership that I had spent over $300 on pet food that week and I  can't have a free bag? Even a new customer should be able to have a free bag and their purchase packed for them (don't start me on supermarkets).
The point of this long story is that it highlights something I have long believed - that shops are less concerned about the environment than with being able to charge for something that used to be supplied free of charge ie bags. (And customer service is dead).