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Annual military commissary tipping edition

If you are associated with the military and use the commissary, you know what I am talking about.

For those who do not know what I am talking about, here is a quick primer.

Commissary is what the military calls its grocery stores. They are a fantastic benefit for military member. The costs are almost always a bit less than when shopping out in town. They also offer a service that is hard to find anymore out in the civilian world. Baggers that not only bag your groceries, but take it out to the car and load it in the trunk for you.

But….the baggers don’t get paid.

They work for tips only. Rain, snow, blazing hot sun. They work for tips only.

Which brings me to my annual survey:

What are you tipping?

Please answer in the comments below with your current state of residence and what you tip in both of the following situations:

1)Sunny, less than 4 bags of groceries

2)Rain/snow and more than 8 bags

 

{ 4 comments… add one }
  • Suquamish January 11, 2012, 5:29 pm

    I heard that the rate for tipping was 25 cents a bag. I can’t shop there, but I work there making sure the military can get the #1 Benefit available to them. The Commissary boasts that they save the military member 30%. Doing price changes every month, I see the BIG savings one can get. I wish I could shop there! Technically I can shop during my breaks for my meal, but when you work after the store closes, I can’t. Then i wished that I was 100% disabled so I can shop there. I am only 60% disabled was in the Navy for 9 yrs 8 months, until being kicked out for being a weight control failure. I have worked 15 yrs 7 months at the Commissary. So 25 years of Federal service for me. Thanks Jimmy and all those who serve their Country protect me!

  • Lindsay January 11, 2012, 7:17 pm

    I had no idea this even existed!

  • Cristi January 11, 2012, 8:33 pm

    You go to the Commissary and buy less than 4 bags of groceries?!?

    I tip $3-$5 depending on the number of bags. I try not to shop when it rains, and I would pull up to the loading area if it was. Our baggers only push out a single pushcart of bags (whatever you call the things that they load the bags on). If I have more than that, then they’ll pile them back in my cart and expect me to push it to the car. No way I’m tipping more than $5 if I have to push half the stuff myself. I know they work for tips only, but I also figure that I’m not the only customer that they are bagging in an hour.

  • Shanon Renee January 11, 2012, 8:56 pm

    I have no clue but am commenting so I can get the email follow-ups 🙂 Adam usually doesn’t have them carry out his bags since he doesn’t buy much maybe 1-2 bags of stuff when he goes but tips a dollar I would probably tip $1-5 depending on how much I bought. But have no clue what is expected.

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