A Discount On Principle

To be honest, I’m still not sure if this is a NAW or NAR. I oversee a self-checkout for a grocery store that offers a five-cent refund if you bring your own bags instead of using the bags provided. A customer comes in with two items and no bag. Before scanning, she pushes the “I Brought My Own Bag” option.

Me: “Ma’am, you don’t have a bag.”

Customer: “But I’m not using one of yours.”

Me: “I know, but… you said you brought your own bag and you didn’t.”

Customer: “Yeah, but I’m walking out of here without using a store bag, and that’s what you want to encourage, right?”

Me: “You still don’t have a bag, and the refund is for people who bring bags.”

Customer: “Are you going to get in trouble over this five-cent refund?”

Me: “I guess not?”

Customer: “Then can I have it?”

Me: “I guess so?”

Customer: “Thanks!”

I didn’t want to ask my supervisor in case I did the wrong thing, but I did see her point.