Grocery questions

The kids at Plaza have to keep a good grade average to keep their jobs. A lot of them are saving for college. I always give the kids $2.

I only have them help me if I need them. Otherwise, I take my own. If I do accept their help, I tip according to how much stuff I have, usually a dollar, more if I have a lot or they have been particularly pleasant or helpful in the bagging. My husband usually tips more. I prefer to bag my own and put it in my car myself. I do a better job.;) I think Plaza must hire more teenagers than anywhere else I've seen. There was a thread about this a while back.

So interesting! On STJ, we count our blessings when we don't have to bag our own groceries, let alone carry them anywhere! At least the folks at St. John Gourmet (newest grocery store, near the Westin) are friendly -- unlike another establishment I could name.

Baggers at Plaza only work on tips, no min wage nada:-o anywhere from a dollar to five dollars depending on the load:D

How is that legal!?

They are classified as independent contractors. It's not just done in the USVI, All Military Commisarries on Federal property do it! It's Legal.

interesting, i did not know that.

I think it's great that Plaza Extra requires their school age employees to maintain good grades. I always tip the bag boy $2-3. These kids are also very polite. I wish there was a way that all young people would be encouraged to do the best they can to get a good education.

My Wife and I wish we could put them in our van and let them unload and put away all the items*-)

i tip $1 per bag if they carry it out, if i don't need their help, usually one or two dollars.

are ya'll serious? They do not get paid to work? Even waitresses get paid at least $2/hour! I assumed they took the groceries out because the stores didn't want to buggies left in the parking lot. The no wage really is nuts.

I know, it's hard to imagine NO wage, but it's really a win-win situation for all. Even though some people don't tip or maybe just .50 or so, if they take only 5 loads an hour of people who tip $2.00, well that's pretty darn good for a high school kid. MUCH better than the minimum wage they get at fast food and other places that typically hire students.

No, it is done lots of places. The store wins because there are no carts in the lot. The kids get to earn money. And you and I get help and the opportunity to do something nice for the kids. At $1 or $2 a trip, a kid can easily make $20 an hour on a busy day.

well i am glad someone asked about this because i had no idea and probably would have gone along and not tipped because i thought they were surely getting paid. Thanks for letting us know.

Just in case you didn't know this, Plaza also give a 5% Discount to Seniors and Veterans-also Active duty! they consider a Senior 65 or older.

Plaza gives the discount to anyone with a senior citizen card. You only need to be 60. They also offer it to MASA members and probably a few others.

I usually tip $1 for a normal run. I do Food Center about three x a week for odds and ends but need help loading it usually. If it is one of those days I am doing major restocking then about $2 - $5 depending on how heavy the stuff is. If I am shopping for a charter then I will tip the fellas at Cost U less and Price Smart $5 to load the water, cases of beers, etc. along with the groceries.

Pamela

This is a good thread, I always tipped a buck but now I'm even more glad that I did since they aren't getting paid otherwise.

On the MASA discount, there are restrictions as to what items get the 5% discount. I can't remember the details but there are quite a few things that you don't get 5% on (like bulk items, sale items, liquor etc.). Not sure if its the same for the other discounts (Veteran/Senior Citizen).

Sean

I usually take my own reusable bags, but sometimes I forget. My tip starts at $2, but I subtract .01 for every black plastic bag they use on my groceries. By the time we're done, they owe me.

The discount restrictions are the same for seniors, MASA and others.