Commissary Tipping

NAF = Non Appropriated Funds -- oh, that's right. How dumb of me ...

But, that means it supports itself (in theory). The employees are paid from proceeds, more or less, and so the 5% surcharge is what pays for these commissary services -- employees, etc. And baggers get 'no pay' ... just tips.

Based on that, and based on the fact that many retired folks suppliment retirement with minimum wages jobs -- the tipping is pretty good income ... assume even the minimum some of the guys here said ... $2-$4 per -- and assume at least 4 or 5 trips per hour. That at least double minimum wage, probably. So, to get back to $1 a bag thought ... way too much. Mine is at least ten bags a trip (and I help load it, or course) so, at ten bags / ten bucks, that's $40 an hour ... pretty nice if you can get it ... no wonder there's a waiting list ... :

Excerpt from a DeCA feedback article.

“Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) Commissaries are appropriated fund activities. By that, I mean they are allowed to use taxpayer dollars (if approved by Congress) for their operation and construction. The agency operates more than 261 stores throughout the world”.

“Commissaries operate under guidelines and procedures incorporated into Federal Law. Commissaries must sell their items for the same price they purchase them. A five percent surcharge is added to the purchase to help pay for normal operating costs and facility maintenance and construction.”

“Although most of the commissary "pay-roll" (cashiers, stockers, etc.) comes out of the surcharge, baggers are independent contractors who work solely for tips. It's customary to tip baggers between $1.00 and $5.00, depending upon the total amount of your purchase.”

“DeCA claims to provide an overall savings of over 30 percent. That means a family of four, shopping regularly can save about $3,000 per year and a single member can save about $1,000 per year in grocery costs.”

“However, your particular mileage may vary, depending upon whether or not your local civilian food store charges a sales tax for food items, and what type of grocery stores you have available in your local area. In preparation for this article, I visited a local Wal Mart "Super Store," and bought $103.57 worth of groceries. I then made a list of the items I bought and traveled to Patrick AFB (about 90 miles away). At the commissary there, I priced the exact same items. According to DeCA, my commissary bill should have been around $70.00. Had I actually purchased the items, my bill would have been $85.52. Tack on the 5 percent surcharge, and it would have been $89.79. I won't count the bagger's tip, as Commissary baggers not only bag your groceries but take them outside and load them into your car. That's worth every penny of the tip, in my opinion. My total discount would have been 13.3 percent.”

FastEagle

Beale AFB now has four self check-out stations if you have forty or fewer items.

Got a small chuckle for myself today ... at the commissary.

Was shopping big time as I usually do because it's quite a ways from home. Had lots of bags... and reflected upon the post here once about a buck a bag -- which I don't do ... But when I got home and was unloading I noticed one bag had only one container of napkins in it ($1.49) and another had two small containers of dog food ($3.59) ... and then I reflected on what percentage the tip would be if the "buck a bag" held up :

I never noticed any ethnic unbalance except in the south -- and then, it just matches the local area, so is not surprising ... and not out of line either. For example, if you go to Homestead, Fl, you find hispanics -- makes sense. And in Southern Califirnia, the same thing -- but in Newport RI, you find mostly caucasians -- at least that's been my experience.

I don't know how that theory works here in Va., at FT Eustis, when I look around, at least 90% are oriental, not that that matters in relation to the original question.

Usually I tip between $3-$5 per trip. If the bagger is rude or throws my groceries into the trunk the tip goes down to $2. I know alot of commissaries are going to the system where they put a can out at the register and the baggers split the tips. I don't agree with this. I tip the bagger once they have put my groceries in the trunk. I do prefer the self check outs myself. Then I can bag my groceries the way I want.

Does anyone know why some commissaries have to check the ID at the door and then again at checout?