SHOPPING CARTS...Supermarket/Mall/Wholesale Clubs???

[bigmerle1966]

I voted based on miss reading the topic, I thought it was asking about other people returning the carts, do they do that at stores in my area.

But then I realized that what I voted was true in a way. It said returning them to corrals, I try to leave the cart at the store entrance. If I can carry what I have bought I just take the bags and leave the cart. If not I try to take it to a corral, depends a lot on where it is, where I'm parked, what time of day it is and where the store is. If I can't I make sure I put it somewhere that it won't go anywhere and it's not in the way.

 

[jbdreamer]

One example of when it is not possible with little kids. You have 3. A 4 yo, a 2yo, and 6 month old. It's pouring down rain, lightening and thundering. Not a cloud in the sky when you went into the store. There are only 2 cart returns in the 5,000 car lot. You are no where near them. Oh yeah, and it's after dark. Am I going to drag those kids through the lot, return the cart, and go back to the car (walking at the 2 yo pace)? No.

Ok, I think we would all excuse you this one time if you were ever is such an extream situation. The main point though - it is rude not to return the cart. How can you argue that?

 

[rt2dz]

maybe to you, some of us take great care of our cars, and do our best to minimize dings, I also park as far from stores as possible to avoid dings, and detail my car regularly, it is an investment to me, as is your house, would you not care if someone dinged your house with a hammer...


I just don't understand people today, not having respect for other people's property...

Let me be VERY, VERY clear on this. When I park, I am in my spot. I always make sure that I can open my doors and get my kids in and out (and strapped in their car seats) without getting anyones car. However, a couple of weeks ago, the people who were parked on each side of me left and new people pulled in. BOTH parked way over the lines in their spots into my spot. I could not get any car door open even a half inch. In the mean time, I had a toddler who was overdue for a nap and a baby screaming his head off to nurse. I literally had to wait for someone to come and move their car so that I could get in mine. And they had the nerve to say nasty things to me (not dis approved vocabulary in front of my 5 yo) about having them paged by the store (who knew how long they'd be) to come move their car so that I could get into mine.

And as I said the first time. I almost always return my cart, kids and all. Certain circumstances from time to time, make it not so easy--and sometimes I will skip it. The poll did not have my response: almost always, only very occassionally do I not return my cart.

I think I have my priorities straight. A car is a thing. Things aren't important in the long run. I would rather lose all my things than my child. Health and happiness go a lot further in life than stresses out over *stuff*. Of course, I don't need to keep up with the Jones'. I don't go out unkept, but I'm not afraid to leave the house without makeup (even if I wore makeup).

 

[Skatermom23]

I return the carts *most* of the time, and always if it is windy. If I do leave the cart in the parking lot, I will always make sure it is secured on the curb or sidewalk so that it doesn't go flying into someones car.

 

[rt2dz]

I don't get why the child has to be left in the car in the first place. It doesn't have to be an either/or thing -- there is no reason they can't go to the cart corral with you. After all, they just went into the store, didn't they?

I just don't buy your arguments. You can justify it however you want, but it's just plain old laziness. I have a lot of respect for those who at least admit it for what it is.

A child? You're right. If on those rare occasions I only have one with me, cart returned. If I only have two children with me, not a problem. Usually not a problem when I have 3 kids with me; 3 kids who can't be allowed to walk through a parking lot alone, specifically. But under very certain circumstances, with 3 kids, it isn't done. Not out of laziness, but out of SAFETY.

On a normal day, the cart is returned. But occasionally (like one trip out of 500) it is safer to leave that cart. And, btw, on those days, carts are secured (put on the grass), not just left out anywhere.

 

[rt2dz]

Ok, I think we would all excuse you this one time if you were ever is such an extream situation. The main point though - it is rude not to return the cart. How can you argue that?

I HAVE been in that extereme situation. Living in the south by the gulf, it's not uncommon. As I've said in every post, I almost always return the cart. BUT on occasion, it isn't the best thing.

 

[MICKEY88]

After we did our shopping we went to our van, which was parked in kind of an upper parking area and after unloading I realized in our area there wasn't even a cart corral. To get to the corral we'd have to go up over a curb, through a grassy area with trees, down another curb, into the other parking area (we'd walked through that area going to the store, but hadn't paid any attention that there wasn't a corral where we were parked). So we put our carts with the other carts, not in a corral. But the look on my DH's face was priceless and I know he was thinking of this thread. I told him that at least we'd brought a cart into the store that hadn't been put into a corral, so at least we were even.

if you went over the curb and thru grassy area with stuff in the cart why not with an empty cart, if you didn't then you clearly had a clear path back to the store with the cart.....
s
story doesn't add up....

 

[MICKEY88]

It's a car. It is not a child who might be kidnapped if left in the car while I walk across the parking lot--it's on our news every couple of months where someone left a child in and they were kidnapped or the car was simply stolen with a kid in it; sometimes the result is less than pleasant. It is not a child who might die from being locked in a hot car while it is 110 degrees outside (common summer temp here June-August) and up to 40% higher inside while I'm gone for those "quick" ten minutes (5 minutes there and 5 minutes back).

It is a form of transportation. A way to get from point A to point B. It is not how I measure my self worth. Scratches, dents & dings happen. Just like bumps and bruises on a child learning to walk. They can be fixed. It is not the end of the world. It is not the same thing as when someone rams you breaking your tail lights or some other major damage--much more akin to your grease on the shirt analogy, unless you are talking about a mechanic. And then yes, I would be just fine with grease on the shirt, expecting it. I certainly don't have problems when I'm holding a baby and he/she spits up on me. It's just another fact of life.

if these abductions happen that frequently I would move to another area.....

if the cars are stolen, most likely the owner lef tthe keys in the car....


I don't measure my self worth by my car either, but I work long hard hours for all that I own, and take care of my car to keep it in the best shape ossible,...as someone else said why should I pay for ding repairs, because of someone else's laziness or lack of respect for other people's property..???

I guess I'm showing my age, but I remember when people respected each other and their property

 

[MICKEY88]

Let me be VERY, VERY clear on this. When I park, I am in my spot. I always make sure that I can open my doors and get my kids in and out (and strapped in their car seats) without getting anyones car. However, a couple of weeks ago, the people who were parked on each side of me left and new people pulled in. BOTH parked way over the lines in their spots into my spot. I could not get any car door open even a half inch. In the mean time, I had a toddler who was overdue for a nap and a baby screaming his head off to nurse. I literally had to wait for someone to come and move their car so that I could get in mine. And they had the nerve to say nasty things to me (not dis approved vocabulary in front of my 5 yo) about having them paged by the store (who knew how long they'd be) to come move their car so that I could get into mine.

And as I said the first time. I almost always return my cart, kids and all. Certain circumstances from time to time, make it not so easy--and sometimes I will skip it. The poll did not have my response: almost always, only very occassionally do I not return my cart.

I think I have my priorities straight. A car is a thing. Things aren't important in the long run. I would rather lose all my things than my child. Health and happiness go a lot further in life than stresses out over *stuff*. Of course, I don't need to keep up with the Jones'. I don't go out unkept, but I'm not afraid to leave the house without makeup (even if I wore makeup).

the story is irrelevent to what I stated before, however if the driver of the car on your right, could get out of their car, you should have been able to get in on the passenger side and slide across..


I have my priorities straight as well, I have respect for other peoples hard earned property, and never put a minor inconvenience to myself above that respect..


keeping up with the jones' has nothing to do with this issue, nor does your wearing or not wearing of makeup...

and yes a car is a thing, and it is important, next time you trade in a car, ask how much more you'd get on trade if the paint was spotless, no dings or chips....maybe you have money to throw away senselessly, not all of us do..., nor not everyone who has money to burn chooses to waste it...

the money I save by keeping my car as pristine as possible, allows for extra family vacation time, I'd say that's a pretty good priority...

 

[DaisyD]

Always! After 3 kids I still found a way to return the carts. I figure if I couldn't return them then I wasn't entitled to use them. Common courtesy!

 

[In a hurry]

OMGosh! I just went looking thru the poll...and I said I never return my cart! ...note to self...double check my answers before I submit!

I return carts, except for Aldi's, where someone will snatch a free cart within seconds of it being left!

 

[pozey]

It is each and every person's prerogative as to how they treat and maintain their vehicle. I am not denying the fact that a car is a mode of transport. But I also look at vehicles as an investment.

I do not drive a "status symbol" vehicle. It is not how I determine my self worth. However, I paid hard earned money to buy the vehicles we drive. And I take good care of them. I wash them regularly, I wax them. I treat my vehicles like I do any other thing I pay lots of money for. I take good care of them.

Now, that is not to say that things have not gotten spilled in them. I too have 3 kids. Things spill, mud, dirt, water, vomit, you name it.....my truck has seen it. However, it gets cleaned. Always remember.......RESALE VALUE.

Having said that..........my family is placed WAY ahead of any "item" I own. My family is the most important thing to me. I would never jeopardize their safety in any way, shape, or form.

Which brings us back to the original question.........do you return carts? Yes I do. Even with 3 kids.

How do I do that? I take the cart to your vehicle. I put each child in the vehicle. I unload the groceries. I LOCK THE DOORS. Then I walk the cart back to the return. Then I unlock the doors and get in. My vehicle is NEVER out of my sight. At most it would take me 45 seconds to return a cart.

That's MY routine. It's not hard.

Yes, there are times when there could be an exception. If it is pouring rain, then I can understand. But I ALWAYS have a large golf umbrella in my truck. I use it.

 

[jbdreamer]

OMGosh! I just went looking thru the poll...and I said I never return my cart! ...note to self...double check my answers before I submit!

Well that's cool. I never knew you could see WHO voted for what.
http://www.disboards.com/poll.php?do=showresults&pollid=9342

Now I know who to blame next time I get a ding at the grocery store.

 

[In a hurry]

Well that's cool. I never knew you could see WHO voted for what.
http://www.disboards.com/poll.php?do=showresults&pollid=9342

Now I know who to blame next time I get a ding at the grocery store.

LOL! That was too funny. Here I was being nosey and caught myself!

 

[Marseeya]

Wow, that's funny! How did you do that?

 

[jbdreamer]

Wow, that's funny! How did you do that?

Click on the underlined numbers in the poll.

 

[In a hurry]

Wow, that's funny! How did you do that?

Stupidity, or meds...hoping it was the meds!

OMGosh I started out the day with a killer migraine. Complete with all of the side effects! I took one of everything I had in the house that was even mildly migraine connected. If I had had pills that would have stopped the nausea too, I would have taken them.

Totally not cool.

eta: Oh...you weren't talking to me... The meds have worn off...

 

[Tigger&Belle]

if you went over the curb and thru grassy area with stuff in the cart why not with an empty cart, if you didn't then you clearly had a clear path back to the store with the cart.....
s
story doesn't add up....

The story adds up...the cart corral is not near the front of the store, but near the back of the parking lot, down the hill. When we came out of the store with the cart, we veered right, up the street where cars drive in, down the aisle to our van. We then unloaded and went to look for the corral and realized that there wasn't one. To get to it we'd have to walk through the grass, etc, or walk WAY around, so that's why we added it to the probably dozen or so carts that were up there. The store must know that there's a problem since there are so many carts. I don't normally part there and now know not to unless I'm just getting a few things that I can carry (same as when I'm at our Costco and I park down stairs--I only park there when I'm buy a few things that I carry).

 

[MICKEY88]

The story adds up...the cart corral is not near the front of the store, but near the back of the parking lot, down the hill. When we came out of the store with the cart, we veered right, up the street where cars drive in, down the aisle to our van. We then unloaded and went to look for the corral and realized that there wasn't one. To get to it we'd have to walk through the grass, etc, or walk WAY around, so that's why we added it to the probably dozen or so carts that were up there. The store must know that there's a problem since there are so many carts. I don't normally part there and now know not to unless I'm just getting a few things that I can carry (same as when I'm at our Costco and I park down stairs--I only park there when I'm buy a few things that I carry).

as I stated, you had a clear path back to the store so why not take the cart back there...??

 

[littleteapot]

I answered occationally, just because if I have just my youngest children loaded in the car and the cart corral isn't close by I won't leave them.

This is only about 1% of the time. If I have my older children or am by myself, I/we always take the cart to the corral or back to the front of the store. My oldest often collects several carts.