Expected bagger tips at the commissary?

PO3 David Miller — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 12:15:10 -0400

We that shop at the commissary have seen it time after time. The baggers that bag your items for you upon checkout, and then expect that you will allow them to take your items out to your car, put them in for you, and then expect a tip from you.

Some get highly upset at you if you don't have any cash on you at the time, or you only have a few items, and can handle taking the items out yourself.

What does everyone think? Should it be expected that I will allow the bagger to take my items out every time and receive a tip, or should the bagger understand that some of us prefer taking the items out to our car ourselves?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2014 12:26 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 12:26:12 -0400

My rule is: self checkout if I want to do it myself/avoid the tip, Tip if I use a bagger, even if it is jsut one or two items. Even if I go through a normal line for just a few things and carry it myself, the bagger still gets a tip from me.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Aug 14 at 2014 2:35 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 14:35:09 -0400

I tip on how big my purchase is. If I have a lot of groceries, I will tip $3-5. Medium size purchase, $2-3. If I'm carrying it myself, then I buy myself ice cream later on.... ;o)

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 14 at 2014 2:41 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 14:41:41 -0400

PO3 Miller,

I feel that the bagger should always be tipped. As far as I know, the only pay they receive is the tips we give them. At least they're working for their money, unlike the panhandlers I see begging outside of the gates. If we didn't have baggers, the line would be much longer because the cashiers would have to do the bagging.

I've never let them carry my bags to the car, and I tip them 10% of my total bill. If I don't have extra cash on me, I use self-checkout instead.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 14 at 2014 4:28 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 16:28:34 -0400

Always give a four dollar tip. I don't use the self check out, so I appreciate them bagging it all up. I also help load it in to the vehicle. Its just what I do.

Response by 1SG Rich Martinez made Aug 14 at 2014 4:32 PM

1SG Rich Martinez — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 16:32:43 -0400

At all commissaries around the world the baggers work for tips only. So I feel that if they bag your groceries then a tip is deserved. How much you tip is up to you. I tip anything from $1 to $5 for bagging my groceries. Especially in the summer time since a lot of dependent High School kids work as baggers.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 14 at 2014 4:38 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 16:38:56 -0400

PO3,
My brother and sister worked at the commissary when they were in High School and were paid solely on the tips they collected. I don't think that means you have to tip or should feel bad if you can't, but I do think it is something to consider.

Response by SPC David Wyckoff made Aug 15 at 2014 11:29 AM

SPC David Wyckoff — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 11:29:43 -0400

Both my daughters started their working careers as baggers at the Fort Greely Commissary. They were paid by tips only and are considered self employed. They did that through high school and earned good money.
They never pressured anyone, provided good customer service and only complained at home to me about people who would use their services and not tip. I reminded them that life wasn't fair. They were basically offering their services for a donation and that professionalism would carry the day.
Should it be expected that the bagger will assist you, as the customer? No. If you want to tell them no thank you should be able to do that with no lapse in courtesy from them.
If you allow them to assist you should they expect a tip? I would think so. But again there should be no lapse in courtesy or service if you don't.
I think this position is an excellent way for young people to gain real world experience in dealing with people. It can serve to hone their work ethic, professionalism and personal responsibility.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2015 8:57 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 20:57:17 -0400

Since the bagger get no pay but tips I always tip.

I don't think any of us would want to do this job for free.

Response by PO3 Donald Murphy made Mar 10 at 2016 4:08 PM

PO3 Donald Murphy — Thu, 10 Mar 2016 16:08:43 -0500

I give $5. Why? Cuz (1) its their salary and (2) they know who you are. Stiff them and mysteriously, next visit your eggs will be broken, etc. Not worth it the risk. Same with my favorite restaurants. They know me so I have a reputation. As a result I'll get "drink specials" that don't exist, quick seating, etc.

Response by ENS Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2016 4:37 PM

ENS Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 Sep 2016 16:37:11 -0400

I will tell the cashier if I want to carry my own items out. I tip $2 if I carry my own items out. If the bagger carries the items out for me, I tip $4. If I do not have cash on hand, I will ask for cash back. If I am paying with a credit card, I will buy a small item with my debit card and get cash back. There was only one time I couldn't tip. I told the guy I'd find him next time - and I did.

Response by SSgt Boyd Herrst made Oct 7 at 2017 3:33 PM

SSgt Boyd Herrst — Sat, 07 Oct 2017 15:33:36 -0400

I know when I went I over to commissary from the barracks(it was right across the lot from the barracks, so I didn’t drive over) I’d get some gr. Beef n buns, some chips an’ sour cream for dip. I usually bagged the stuff myself so I didn’t leave a tip in the can. There wasn’t much so I’d carry it myself. Sure, Got some negative looks.. I wasn’t that concerned. If I ‘d had a couple bags full to haul, it might be another story and I’d let the bagger haul it to the part of the lot as close as I could get to the bks and I’d prob’ly Slip him some $..