What do you tip them? Why? Would you prefer them to talk to you or just get business done? 

I tip about $3 for a cart full. I tip the cause baggers do deal with a lot and someimes don't get paid for what they do. I used to be a bagger and got paid about $4 an hour and we were not allowed to accet tips. I say hi how are you to them and sometimes depending on the bagger they will carry on a conversation. 

Depends on the person and how friendly they are but anywhere from $3-5. When my car is already packed with stuff and they have to "find room" for the groceries, those are the ones who usually get a little more. 

I only go two times a month (for big shopping) so I always tip $5. 

This is funny-- I just left the commissary and was thinking I needed to go out here and ask what the going rate is for a tip.
I usually base it the amount of things I have, anywhere from $3-5. I request certain baggers-- HATE getting the young kid that throws anything and everything together. I don't care if they chat or not, just as long as they look like they care whether my bread and tomatoes make it home unsquashed :-) 

From what I have been told a Quarter a bag . i usually do $3 They got to be making a killing 

You can request a bagger? Awesome! Do they get mad? I also am $3-$5 and sometimes more depending on the person. I have been in customer service forever and I don't think a "hello, how are you?" is too much to ask for. 

Matt, from what I hear, loads of people don't tip. Which is sad because from what I hear, that's literally all they make.

I don't think small talk is a lot at all, Peace. You get many people not talking? 

I never get people who talk! I guess it's because I always go in with both my kids. The only one that talks is a gentleman, about 40ish, he's very nice, and always has a smile, he's usually who I tip $5 because he seems to care about how the food is bagged and placed in your car. 

Weird. It always seems like I get talkers. At least ones who are asking how my day is. 

baggers only get tips... and some don't get tipped... it is sad! but i do $5 b/c i usually have a ton of groceries... and yes you can request one, they don't usually get mad.. 

Good to know! Anyone have a horrible experience with one? 

I had a HS kid once, horrible, but it may have been his first week. Took forever to bad the groceries, then when he loaded them in my car he put the bread behind everything. Usually they hand it to me to put up front or at least ask where. By time I got home the bread was mushed and a few eggs broken :( 

I've had some really bad experiences. One high school girl filled my bags so full and heavy I thought they were going to burst. I had to re-bag them to get the stuff into the house. I've also had the kids who put bananas in with frozen stuff and tomatoes in with canned goods :-(
Has anyone had the really cool Mother-in-law with the southern accent? She's living here with her son and his wife and she's the sweetest thing.
When you first go in, get a look at the bagger's number that you want to have so that you can request the number. I learned that at Holloman and ended up making a life-long friend with my favorite bagger. 

That's really cool Jeni! Thanks for sharing...

Really though, who the hell puts tomatoes and cans together?! 

I've had that happen to me (tomatoes with cans), but that was before we joined the AF.

I've not tipped a couple times, but that was because I really didn't want help to my car and they sort of pushed their service on me. They were nice and all, but I specifically didn't want the help because I didn't have change to give them and it wasn't unmanageable.

But when I do have the change, I'll give a pound or two. I'll usually give a higher tip to the older people who help me. I have a soft spot for elderly people who are still out there working. 

I had one in the States who put my two large cartons of milk on top of my son's birthday cake - I was paying at the time and hadn't seen him - hence the plastic got squashed and the cake squashed - and it was his birthday party that day.....eek...they kinda fixed it back together for me as best they could and gave it to me for free so it worked.....!! 

I tip them five dollars a pop. They don't get any money other than tips, however considering the constant business the commissary has I'm sure they take home a lot. This girl I knew did it on weekends and she used to make bank. Well... she said she did.

I'd rather get an enema than shop there. Though I do. Every month. 

TMI lalaro!! 

Man, I feel you on that lalaro. I've given up buying fruits/vegis there since they rot in like a day.

If only the goods there weren't so much cheaper than buying on the economy. 

I too tip between $3-$5.

I buy my fresh fruit and veg off base, as well as bread and milk. It stays fresh for longer. We actually end up buying a lot of food from Tesco and/or Sainsbury. 

I tip between $3-$5 Depends on what I buy. 

I generally tip between 3 and 5 dollars as well.. 

I had a new car and just got it tinted and when she closed the hatch the box of something she put in scratched the tint where it peeled. I was PISSED. She then started the I didnt do that then when I showed her the box hit perfectly she started the no speaky englishy role??? I told her where to go after having a few choice words with her. I wasnt even expecting her to pay for it just fess up to it. 

Wow, that sucks Matt! 

As a DeCa Employee I can tell you this.

Baggers work ONLY on tips. They are not employed by DeCa

Take that as you will.

When asked for their bagger #, its not because they get a percentage for bagging that order, its so if that bagger did a horrible or great job, you know their #.

Yes you can request a bagger, NO they don't get pissed.

I've always tipped $5 no matter what.

Yes weekends they make more but thats because we are usually SLAMMED. But we have regular morning baggers that are amazing and aren't highschoolers.

If you EVER have a problem with them (Like Matt), just tell the head bagger. He is in charge of them... 

Hey Mrs. Amy, maybe you could answer another question. Why do the fruits and vegis rot so quickly? I took wifey's advice and went to sainsbury's and their produce seems to last so much longer...and they seem to have a much fresher selection. This is especially so with the fruits.
Thanks. 

as someone who has worked in the produce department here perhaps I can answer some queries.
Why doesn't the fruit last long? I don't know LOL (so much for having answers)
But I can tell you this, the fruit and veg comes from local sources, they may even be the same that you can buy at Asda etc... There are deliveries several times a week and stock is rotated constantly. 

lol anita

ah well, then maybe it's just my bad luck. 

You know what, maybe the fruit go bad so quickly cause they are organic? I mean if they aren't grown with the same chemicals as other retail giants grow theirs, that could be it.