Carts go in the "Cart Corral,"

[MIGrandma]

Right....this was the way everyone did it at my Publix when there were no corrals. It's interesting that Northerners come to Florida and immediately insist everyone must do things THEIR way, or you are rude and lazy.

When in Rome, folks.....

DH and I are flying to Florida on Tuesday, we are "Northerners" (Michigan). We will not be in Rome, we will be in Florida and we will do the right thing and return the cart to the corral whether we are at a Publix, Wal-Mart or whatever. If we see no cart corrals we will return the cart to the store. It's the right thing to do.

 

[luvmy3]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23594474/ns/health-kids_and_parenting/

Mom faces trial for leaving toddler in car

CHICAGO — Treffly Coyne was out of her car for just minutes and no more than 10 yards away.

But that was long and far enough to land her in court after a police officer spotted her sleeping 2-year-old daughter alone in the vehicle; Coyne had taken her two older daughters to pour $8.29 in coins into a Salvation Army kettle.

Thanks. One case from 2008, was she actually convicted? Are there more cases? Its really all about common sense anyway, if you don't want to leave your kid in the car for whatever reasons, including fear of being arrested, then take your kid with you when you return the cart.

 

[jodifla]

Thanks. One case from 2008, was she actually convicted? Are there more cases? Its really all about common sense anyway, if you don't want to leave your kid in the car for whatever reasons, including fear of being arrested, then take your kid with you when you return the cart.

Or just leave it in the lot, and let the bag boys get it! Worked for me for 20 plus years!!

 

[Toad_Passenger]

Thanks. One case from 2008, was she actually convicted? Are there more cases? Its really all about common sense anyway, if you don't want to leave your kid in the car for whatever reasons, including fear of being arrested, then take your kid with you when you return the cart.

No she was not convicted. The case went to court and the charges were dropped.

 

[jodifla]

Thanks. One case from 2008, was she actually convicted? Are there more cases? Its really all about common sense anyway, if you don't want to leave your kid in the car for whatever reasons, including fear of being arrested, then take your kid with you when you return the cart.

On that case, I'm not sure. It made national news, I know that, and was discussed in detail on this board.

Michigan's law:

Unattended Children

Michigan does have a specific law that addresses the issue of leaving children unattended in a vehicle (MCL 750.135a); it specifically states that no child younger than six can be left in a vehicle unattended. The person attending the child must be at least 13 years old and not be incapacitated.

 

[luvmy3]

Doesn't really matter, my kids are all big now, the youngest being 10. And no I didn't carry them back and forth and wouldn't now. Sorry. And sorry, but I consider myself a super mom, because at that time we had 3 under the age of 4, HD worked every weekend and every night, except for his 2 nights off. I was tired, and I did everything, not that I owe you an explanation. I hauled all of those kids to the grocery store, I cooked every night and bathed them every night, all by super mom self. So sorry, but if I didn't return my buggy, it was no skin off my back and the employees at Publix never minded as I watched many people try and return them and the baggers told them just leave it there we will get it. OH and FWIW, I always left mine up on a curb, just as everyone else did, so it wouldn't hit a car. There were and is always at least 2 teenage guys out in the parking lot rounding up carts. It is just the way PUblix rolls around here in my area.

There are some of us who consider what leaving a cart may do to someone elses skin, and there are those like you who don't. When it comes down to it, it has nothing to do with how good of a mother you or I or anyone else here is, its just about being considerate of those other people pulling into that parking lot, or walking (like the pp's granfather). You don't have to bring your cart back and you can come up with any excuse to explain it but it won't change the fact that its inconsiderate, lazy and selfish to leave it there.


I honestly didn't think this would be an issue, I assumed everyone on the DIS would agree that putting your cart back is the right thing to do. I can't say I'm totally shocked though.

 

[jodifla]

There are some of us who consider what leaving a cart may do to someone elses skin, and there are those like you who don't. When it comes down to it, it has nothing to do with how good of a mother you or I or anyone else here is, its just about being considerate of those other people pulling into that parking lot, or walking (like the pp's granfather). You don't have to bring your cart back and you can come up with any excuse to explain it but it won't change the fact that its inconsiderate, lazy and selfish to leave it there.


I honestly didn't think this would be an issue, I assumed everyone on the DIS would agree that putting your cart back is the right thing to do. I can't say I'm totally shocked though.

How incredibly overdramatic.

 

[jodifla]

Oh, girl don't even get me started on the up north thing. I will get major points for that. lol

But you know, we are stupid and slow and lazy down here in the south. lol

Any yet, everybody rushes to come to the beautiful Sunshine State...and then tell Floridians they are rude and lazy!!!

 

[luvmy3]

On that case, I'm not sure. It made national news, I know that, and was discussed in detail on this board.

Michigan's law:

Unattended Children

Michigan does have a specific law that addresses the issue of leaving children unattended in a vehicle (MCL 750.135a); it specifically states that no child younger than six can be left in a vehicle unattended. The person attending the child must be at least 13 years old and not be incapacitated.

I guess it depends on what they consider unattended, and that most likely varies from state to state. I would assume that unattended didn't mean walking feet or yards away with the car in view, but I suppose an over zealous police officer would. I do wonder if this woman was convicted, but being that her arrest made National news but no news story of her conviction I would guess not. Anyway, nobody here is advocating breaking any laws to return your cart, if its against the law to leave your child, then bring them, pretty simple solution to not getting arrested.

 

[Toad_Passenger]

I guess it depends on what they consider unattended, and that most likely varies from state to state. I would assume that unattended didn't mean walking feet or yards away with the car in view, but I suppose an over zealous police officer would. I do wonder if this woman was convicted, but being that her arrest made National news but no news story of her conviction I would guess not. Anyway, nobody here is advocating breaking any laws to return your cart, if its against the law to leave your child, then bring them, pretty simple solution to not getting arrested.

She was not convicted, the charges were dropped. The statute in Illinois stated the car had to be out of eyesight, and for more than 10 minutes. The police officer who arrested her could not provide evidence of either of these infractions. In fact people who were donating to the same Salvation Army bucket said she parked directly in front of the bucket, so the care was completely within eyesight. Much like a car would be if you are walking a cart to the cart corral.

In this case she attempted a countersuit against the Police Department, but that, too was unsuccessful. Basically the courts saw the whole thing as much ado about nothing, so neither side was going to be granted the "win."

 

[jrmasm]

Right....this was the way everyone did it at my Publix when there were no corrals. It's interesting that Northerners come to Florida and immediately insist everyone must do things THEIR way, or you are rude and lazy.

When in Rome, folks.....

Oh, girl don't even get me started on the up north thing. I will get major points for that. lol

But you know, we are stupid and slow and lazy down here in the south. lol

This is not about the south. Or even FL. But nice try.

And for the record, when I get to Rome I'm still going to put my cart where it belongs when I'm done with it.

 

[luvmy3]

Do you really need a store to let you know that you should return something after you use it? I mean isn't that something we all just learn to do from a very young age? Well maybe just us up North anyway (I kid, I kid)

 

[sbell111]

If the bumper of my new car was so weak that it would need to be replaced if a shopping cart bumped into it, I would consider buying a different car, but that's just me.

 

[Toad_Passenger]

If the bumper of my new car was so weak that it would need to be replaced if a shopping cart bumped into it, I would consider buying a different car, but that's just me.

Actually the bumper of your new car probably is that weak. In 1983 they changed bumper standards and lowered the impact protection speed from 5mph to 2.5 mph. Why? I have no idea, but most surmise it was because car manufacturers were looking to sell style over substance.

The result of this has been that, yes, you may need to have an entire bumper replaced for something as simple as a shopping cart blowing across a parking lot. In addition, even minor scrapes can add up to major money if you want to keep your car looking good.

SmartMoney did a report on this like 2 years ago and found that the average bumper repair cost was over $4500. And those were all repairs that were needed for collisions at 6mph and lower.

 

[sbell111]

I used to be one of the people who couldn't imagine a scenario where a cart couldn't either be returned to the store or put in a corral. Since then, however, a few of lovetoscrap's excuses befell me. I found myself with two terrific children, now 14 months and two months.

Recently, I was at the grocery store with my kids, pushing their stroller as I pulled the cart. When I checked out, there wee no baggers, only checkers, so I helped bag my own groceries and then pulled them out to the car. It was freezing cold, so I first put the kids in the car and then the stroller and groceries.

Now I had a problem. I found myself with with the kids in the car and the store and corrals way too far away for me to comfortably leave my kids. Luckily, a stranger was walking by and agreed to take my cart. Had she not wandered by, I would have left the cart next to a nearby lamppole and gone on my way.

Why not lock the car doors, return the cart & unlock the car doors when you return to your car? I've done this when it was just me and my DD.

Isn't that illegal?

Yes.

Just the other week, the local news was talking about a parent who was arrested because she left her child in the car while she went into the gas station to pay. My scenario was little different.

 

[sbell111]

Do you really need a store to let you know that you should return something after you use it?

Actually, if you leave the car in the corral, you've no more returned it to where you got it than someone who left it in the lot.

Whether one or the other is more acceptable to the store, can be accertained by whether the store has felt the need to place corrals conveniently in it's parking lot.

 

[sbell111]

Actually the bumper of your new car probably is that weak. In 1983 they changed bumper standards and lowered the impact protection speed from 5mph to 2.5 mph. Why? I have no idea, but most surmise it was because car manufacturers were looking to sell style over substance.

The result of this has been that, yes, you may need to have an entire bumper replaced for something as simple as a shopping cart blowing across a parking lot. In addition, even minor scrapes can add up to major money if you want to keep your car looking good.

SmartMoney did a report on this like 2 years ago and found that the average bumper repair cost was over $4500. And those were all repairs that were needed for collisions at 6mph and lower.

The average car weighs in at around 4000 pounds. You can't apply standards and damage estimates based on damage done to bumpers by other vehicles to that done by shopping carts.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Actually, if you leave the car in the corral, you've no more returned it to where you got it than someone who left it in the lot.

Unless you got it from the corral to begin with.