Plaza Extra Etiquette?

The baggers work for tips. I don't think they get much salary if any. Go with the flow. Let them put your bags in the car and give them two dollars. After paying double for living here two dollars isn't much more and the process will go smoother. You will get used to it. No worries. Take a deep breath and relax.

the baggers don't get any salary..and they have to submit their grades etc to Plaza to get and keep the position. I believe the company does something about scholarships for those going on to college or whereever though, but I don't know the details if this is the case. I usually give the bagger some change even if I want to carry my stuff out...beats seeing them hanging out on the street corners..and the dollar or two extra is just part of how it is...some of the kids are quite personable if you talk to them a bit...

the baggers don't get any salary..and they have to submit their grades etc to Plaza to get and keep the position. I believe the company does something about scholarships for those going on to college or whereever though, but I don't know the details if this is the case. I usually give the bagger some change even if I want to carry my stuff out...beats seeing them hanging out on the street corners..and the dollar or two extra is just part of how it is...some of the kids are quite personable if you talk to them a bit...

Just curious, how come then I see some locals taking out their own carts, do they get harrassed as well? Do they do this at Pueblo?

If you don't like the Plaza Extra system shop elsewhere; Cost U Less lets you take the cart to your car.

I'm on stx, and don't recall ever seeing anyone taking one of the grocery carts outside themselves...perhaps I've missed it, but we've shopped in Plaza since before Hugo.....
Pueblo never used to have the kid baggers...but can't say as I refuse to shop in them and have't been in one in years...

After the last thread on this topic, I asked a coupla baggers at Plaza West if they are paid an hourly wage. Yup, they are. It's just minimum wage, of course. These are the kids that are trying to make an honest living. I'm happy to do what I can to help them.

Does anyone know how much the baggers make? I have been told they make minimum wage. If that is the case and most people tip a dollar or two each trip that means these kids make more than a lot of adults I know. Min wage is $7.25/hr and they could do from 10 to 12 (or more) trips per hour they could be making a minimum of $17.25 per hour (and that's if people only give $1). I'd really like to know what the "salary" is they are paid.

I don't know about Pueblo or the locals taking out their carts. I only know that the smile and the customer service from the kids at Plaza extra is well worth the little bit of money I give them for taking out my usually very full cart. I always get a big thank you, "mommy" and a few always make sure JJ, my son, is buckled in his car seat. I am 51 and come from a time when, at least where I lived we had baggers take our groceries to our car and when I was a child when you went to a gas station they checked your oil, washed your windows, checked the air pressure in your tires as well as pumping your gas. Daddy always gave them some change for a tip. If I could transport myself back in time I would. Those were wonderful times. Now our children don't have any early teenage jobs so they don't learn to be productive and self sustaining. Our current government wants us to support our children until they are 26. I had 3 babies before age 25.

Giggle, I was just reading what I wrote. Skighee, you don't know me and are new to the board. I have 5 adult children and adopted a newborn 6 years ago.

again, just curious, what is the cut off point for assistance to the car, 1, 2 , 3 bags? KMART, Cost U More, and Home Depot have all deemed this pratice as silly. Also, who eats all the frozen Nan bread that is in the freezer case there? And I also get a kick of the janitorial folks and their cleaning carts, they just motor around and really dont clean anything?

I know I wont change the system. Just wondering, then if you shop at Plaza Minus, I will need to be escorted, then I will be escorted.

If this is the case, then the same tipping etiquette needs to be instilled at McDonalds(just had my first experience of 20 people working there, that for some reason, didnt make fast food, "fast").

This was my last stop today after deciding when WAPA decided to cut power again after the 7th time this week to run and get errands done, Paint Depot for roofing caulk, Cheapo Depot for a screen door slider (they dont carry them as they get inventory from Puerto Rico and they must not have mosqitos there?)

Power was out at the lights in Tutu (when lights go out it becomes a 4 way stop? not here! Also, at the Tutu light, when coming from Char Am, the left into the KMART if it has a red left arrow, can you still make a left on red?)

Then off to KMART, where there were lines beyond belief (4 items or less you can check out at the snack bar and pick up one of their delectible snacks at the Carribean Snack Bar?)
Then to get a key cut at the mailboxes etc (key doesnt work), then off to my Plaza Minus jaunt.

Then got behind a dump truck that went 5 mi per hour the entire way home! Good news, had a rain shower for the cistern! 1st rain in 3 weeks!

It is truly a charming experience and ? I have found if you dont have patience, get off the Rock! Too bad I think this lifestyle is pretty fun, and well the veiws here at 6PM, well, priceless!

Sorry for my sarcasm, Happy Easter (guess this is a big camping weekend here?) and Happy Past Transfer Day!

Just curious? 😎

Don't know about STT, but on STX the carts don't leave Plaza.

Skighee, you don't sound very happy to be here, I hope you're just having a bad day.

skighee: I am sorry that you have discovered that the Virgin Islands are a place apart from your previous home. When we try to say that things are different here, sometimes it soaks in and sometimes it doesn't. I wish you luck and a big dose of patience to continue your stay here.

i am always happy to have a bagger take care of me and get my stuff to my car, because i feel that i am contributing in a small way to a youngster's ability to earn some money. guess it's not for everyone. as you live here longer, perhaps you will find yourself doing things you did not do when you first arrived. maybe not. time is longer than twine.

Just tip the two dollars, be happy you never have to lift the bags yourself, and move on. Are you really willing to put up a fight over this?

I tip 'em, although I prefer not to see people going after tips for things I can do myself.

skighee: I am sorry that you have discovered that the Virgin Islands are a place apart from your previous home. When we try to say that things are different here, sometimes it soaks in and sometimes it doesn't. I wish you luck and a big dose of patience to continue your stay here.

I now understand the nuance of the Plaza Extra baggers, thanks! The rest of my day was just a pun for those who are contemplating a move here, that it is exactly not like stateside, and if you dont have patience, then you will not like living here!

I am very happy and was very patient through my day (I was laughing the entire time about some of my observations while being patient, my sense of humor is a very sarcastic one).

What makes up for the frustration is truly the reward of the weather, beauty and friedliness of the island!

From what I understand the young men and women who work at Plaza have to maintain something like a B average to get hired and keep their jobs. Is a dollar really going to matter at the end of the month?

Ah, humor! That which is frequently lost over the internet! 😉

I get more frustrated by the guys at the garbage bins....they are really nice about it, but I wonder more about whether giving grown men money to put my trash into a bin is a good idea.

I have to say, if this sets you off that bad, perhaps you should re-evaluate you place of residency. Wait unti you have some real issues to deal with, and Plaza will be something you can laugh at! I guarantee it, something far worse than a bagger is going to happen.

I'm a little bit afraid of the garbage guys. Plus, sometimes there are actual employees at my site and I can't tell the difference.

I have no problem telling them "I got this". The plastic bag thing is horrible, so I bring reusable cloth bags and usually I can fit my whole haul in 2-3 bags, which is easy to carry sans cart.

If I forget my bags, or have a big purchase...I let them escort me and always tip them.

Exactly what Noah said. Plus, I like to actually bag my own, which they back off and let you do, particularly with your own bags. I just show them my bags and say I got it, and they are cool and walk away to do something else. I seldom buy more than what I can get into a couple of bags. We usually buy the bigger stuff, like cases of water, soda, etc. at Cost-U-Less.

I have to say, if this sets you off that bad, perhaps you should re-evaluate you place of residency. Wait unti you have some real issues to deal with, and Plaza will be something you can laugh at! I guarantee it, something far worse than a bagger is going to happen.

Trust me, I own a house here, that is an issue in of itself, I did laugh about the bagger thing, again I have a sarcastic sense of humor! I now have a change jar in the car for the baggers since they have to keep up their grades!

A CHANGE JAR?? That should make you very popular with them.