Baggage About A Lack Of Baggage, Part 3

At The Checkout, Cheapskates, Grocery Store, USA | Right | July 25, 2025

I’m scanning items at the express lane when a customer steps up with two bags of chips and a bottle of soda. I bag his items and read him the total.

Me: “That comes to $6.84.”

Customer: *Gesturing at the plastic bag I’ve already put his items in.* “You’re charging me for the bag?”

Me: “Yes, sir. State law requires a ten-cent charge on single-use bags.”

Customer: “That’s ridiculous. I only bought small stuff. The bag’s barely doing anything.”

Me: “It’s still a bag, sir.”

Customer: “Can’t you just waive it? It’s not like I bought a TV.”

Me: “We only sell groceries, sir.”

Customer: “You know what? I’m just gonna carry it. Take the bag off the total.”

Me: “Sure.”

I remove the bag from the counter, set his items beside it, and hand him his change.

He picks up the bottle, awkwardly stacks both bags on top, and tries to balance them in one hand. One bag immediately slides off and hits the floor.

Customer: *Grumbling as he bends down.* “Unbelievable. Used to be service meant something.”

At this point, my manager, who’s been assisting at the next register, speaks over with a smile.

Manager: “Sir, if you’d like the bag back, we’re happy to re-ring it for ten cents, but like my cashier said, we really can’t go against state law.”

Customer: “It’s not about the money. It’s the principle!”

Drink in armpit, he ambles out of the store, a bag of chips in each hand.

Manager’s Customer: “You really gotta admire his commitment to inconvenience.”

Manager: “Well… I guess ten cents is a lot to carry your pride and your Doritos.”