620265 Fri May 15 20:40:17 -0700 2009 9 32 Chains 0 4688497 Hubby and I were shopping at Trader Joe's in Huntington Beach (the one at Five Points) and I had brought in my reusable TJ grocery tote. As the checker filled the bag, she asked if we had heard about the Treasure Chest? No, we hadn't, since we usually shop at the TJ's in Long Beach. She handed us a small ticket and instructed us to put name and phone # on the back, then drop it off in the "Treasure Chest" on the way out. Each week they'll draw out a name and award someone a $25 gift certificate for bringing reusable totes - any totes - from any market or store. Hurray for TJ's! What a great way to encourage using grocery totes! If your TJ's doesn't offer it, you might ask them to consider it. (Or any store, for that matter!) Fri May 15 20:40:18 -0700 2009 126074 Joani Macaroni 1 4688508 they've been doing this for several years now, at least in Pasadena. I say that bitterly b/c i fill one out each time and have never won. Fri May 15 20:51:21 -0700 2009 4688497 17438 trolley 2 4688540 Yeah same here in the South Bay, it's been going on for a while, and initially I wrote my info down every time, but eventually I felt like I was just giving the checkout guy my contact info, since I never won. I don't bother with it anymore. Fri May 15 21:14:16 -0700 2009 4688508 24428 buttermarblepopcorn 2 4688549 All TJ's do it (I too have never won, also bitter !). Gelson's does it too, fill it out & return it to the checker. I did win a $25 Gelson's GC 2 weeks ago. Whole Foods gives you 5 cents off your total bill for every bag of your own you bring in-whoo hoo ! Fri May 15 21:17:49 -0700 2009 4688508 20583 alison 3 4690426 Note, WF is supposed to do this. However, it depends on who rings you up. They need to get more consistent about this. I know it's only $0.05 but it's the concept! Sat May 16 18:54:09 -0700 2009 4688549 18011 Jacey 2 4688590 Our TJ's does this AND tries to guilt people into using their bags more. They have this sign saying they took a survey and only X% of shoppers are using reusable bags and that we can do better... :/ --Dommy! Fri May 15 21:50:09 -0700 2009 4688508 10659 Dommy 2 4688764 I'm bitter, too. I thought it was fake, till someone I know actually won. Sat May 16 01:43:26 -0700 2009 4688508 52342 alliebear 2 4688865 I'm in Michigan and they have been doing this for a couple of years now. Count me as a bitter loser too :( I tend to forget my bags about 50% of the time, anyway. Sat May 16 04:57:05 -0700 2009 4688508 109573 coney with everything 2 4690027 I don't even bother filling out the ticket even when using my tote bag. I figure there is only one winner per week so the odds must be pretty heavily stacked against me (even though I rarely see anyone using reusable totes). Sat May 16 15:29:44 -0700 2009 4688508 10764 monkuboy 1 4690202 Yeah, nothing new here either. If it's weekly the odds should be better than many contests, but I still haven't won. ;-) Sat May 16 17:02:36 -0700 2009 4688497 40162 CrazyOne