What does Clark Howard have to say about this situation in California?
I donāt really see the problem. Growing up, no brown paper grocery bags had handles. I think the first time I saw handles on those types of bags was in a āfancyā grocery store like Trader Joes or Whole Foods. I didnāt realize that some Safeways had bags with handles. Likely the bag is more stable if you carry it from the bottom anyway.
I agree, Amanda. Growing up, our groceries were always in paper bags w/out handles. When I go to a store that has paper bags, unless the contents are very light, I always have my hand on the bottom to make sure it doesnāt tear. I also feel that being ālividā over this is a very over-the-top reaction. 
1 Like
I put a laundry basket in the shopping cart.I then shop,putting items into the basket.Unload at register and reload as cashier checks items.No bags involved and I just load the basket into car.
2 Likes
Maybe he shouldnāt live in a state where the environmentalists run everything. The paper bags with handles just tear off. If he canāt handle them he should get a cart. Canāt believe the news doesnāt even show such childish behavior.
2 Likes
My Harris Teeter has the paper bags with the handles. If the bag is lite they seem to work. But if itās loaded down itās hand under the bag for me. I donāt know why these people in CA donāt have this figured out by now. My Food Lion has both the ānormalā size paper bags and the smaller ones. Paper is biodegradable and plastic is not.
Iām really bad about those re-useable bags. I have a couple in my car, I always forget to bring them in with me!
1 Like
I grew up with only paper bags. And I also was a bagger for awhile. No problem.
The reason they havenāt figured it out in California and especially in a city like San Francisco is because they expect the government to do everything. The government is mainly responsible for this because they try to help the helpless in hopes of generating votes. The guy who started this complaint is a prime example of someone who cannot help him self.
Our Safeway uses those bags with handles also AND they rip off. I think they even have a note or warning now not to pull them to the sides.
Perhaps, since many places are forces to supply āecoā bags, they came up with the idea, āif we have to supply paper bags (at an increased cost0, why not make them so nobody wants them. We save money and people will bring their own cloth bagsā¦ā
My solution for all of you, take the bags and send them to me. For a fee, I will remove the handles and print on the bags āHeritage Tote Bagā, and ship them back to you. For an added fee, I can print āRetro Bagā if you like.
I used to tell the checkout person, āNo bag thanks. If I canāt carry it then I bought too muchā.
Worse now is the local grocery that has a small sign that many people miss that says āWe now charge for bagsā and then you find it can be up to 25 cents added to your total before you realize you are paying for them.