Why do people leave shopping carts in the parking lot?

[FSUDisneyGirl]

I just had to comment on this thread...

I left Walmart last night. I usually park the cart in a corral...however, Walmart was crowded last night and I couldn't park where I normally do. I took out my stuff and looked around...I could not find a cart corral ANYWHERE!!! I honestly looked for at least a minute, because I couldn't believe it.

Long story short, I pushed the cart up where it wouldn't hurt any other cars, and left. I was really quite far from the store, waited in line for almost 20 minutes...and wasn't going to spend another 5 walking back to the store to bring the cart back while my ice cream continued to melt.

However...I would be more than happy to walk to a cart thing if there was one anywhere near me in the parking lot!

 

[Mommy22]

When my children were very small I did not return the cart unless the return stall was very close. I didn't and still don't feel bad about not having returned those carts. Now that they are older I do return the carts.

 

[Mommy22]

What I was not going to do was walk off and leave a running car so it could be stolen or leave my child in a running car so I could return a cart.*
I'd never leave a child alone in a car for "a minute or two" anyway.* I'm just not that casual about walking off and assuming all will be well.* A child's well-being is much more worthy of concern than some potential ding on a vehicle.* Sorry, those kids are more important than my car.....or anyone else's.

Well said!

 

[MushyMushy]

On the way in, we didn't have a cart. On the way out, it's extremely uncomfortable maneuvering through traffic with a cart to the car. You really can't judge, not seeing the parking situation, but I don't even have little kids. At Costco, I don't return the cart and my kids are 18, 16, and 11, and usually not even with me! It's a dangerous situation, and I'm not making the trek two times, even when it's just me. I'm not alone because pretty much no one returns their carts from the Costco parking lot hinterlands.

What do you mean we can't judge? Don't you think we've ever been in parking lots all over the US in all kinds of cities?

I really don't know how people manage with kids!

 

[Arielx2]

What do you mean we can't judge? Don't you think we've ever been in parking lots all over the US in all kinds of cities?

I really don't know how people manage with kids!

I don't get it. Some how I mange to return my carts to the proper corral with kids in tow in cold temps during the dangerous parking lot holiday season.

 

[rie'smom]

Geez, you don't return a cart and you're met with outrage. This thread is one of the funniest in a while. Thanks for the laughs!

 

[Cool-Beans]

I've been flamed for this before and didn't care then, so flame if you want - I still won't care.

I don't take the cart anywhere when I'm done with it because it pisses me off that I have to haul my own crap to the car and load it up in the first place. Doubly pissed in the winter when I have to try pushing through all that snow. The stores used to do this and IMO, they still should.

I will like hell do even more of their work for them and bring the cart to the place they'd like it.

I do try to shop at the one and only place around here that still loads your crap up, but they're closed sometimes.

So, I shop and I schlep, but I don't return the cart.

If the store wants to keep carts in the store, they can jolly well not make us push them out there in the first place.

 

[kaytieeldr]

We must live in a prosperous area because our stores have baggers and people who get the carts.

Back in the olden days, so did we Nowadays, stores seem to cross-train people to work in multiple areas.

It doesn't matter if your Costco parking lot is the Indy 500 with drunk people behind the wheel, bring your cart to the corral.

But, how did you Costco shoppers get those children from the car to the store and the store to the car?

No, it doesn't annoy people. It costs them money when that cart puts a dent or scratch in their car.

And it inconveniences other shoppers/drivers when they try to pull into a parking space that one or more other shoppers has turned into an ersatz cart corral; or when they need to move several carts from behind their own vehicle before pulling out because a shopper just left an empty cart there after putting purchases in their own trunk... and then other shoppers play 'monkey-see, monkey-do'; or someone can't get INto their own vehicle in a rainstorm without first moving the several carts that other shoppers left next to the car door instead of using a nearby cart corral or even rolling the cart three more feet to the sidewalk.

What I was not going to do was walk off and leave a running car so it could be stolen or leave my child in a running car so I could return a cart. I also was not going to turn off the car so it could reheat in two seconds flat and have my food go bad instantly, not to mention that would mean we'd walk right back to an oven with wheels.

Option three: take child, in cart, to cart corral; leave cart; take child, not in cart, back to car.

I don't take the cart anywhere when I'm done with it because it pisses me off that I have to haul my own crap to the car and load it up in the first place. Doubly pissed in the winter when I have to try pushing through all that snow. The stores used to do this and IMO, they still should.

I would not be surprised if all the shoppers in your area got together and guaranteed to the local stores that they would willingly pay overall higher prices for old-fashioned, personalized service, the stores would be willing to hire additional people to provide this service.

 

[Jaclynfett]

This is the little thread that could.

Maybe it's because I'm a parent but I couldn't imagine demanding and fussing that other people should lock their babies and kids in the car to return a cart.

 

[finallygoingtoWDW]

I don't take the cart anywhere when I'm done with it because it pisses me off that I have to haul my own crap to the car and load it up in the first place. Doubly pissed in the winter when I have to try pushing through all that snow. The stores used to do this and IMO, they still should.

What?!?!? You're angry that you chose to go out and buy something and then you have to get it back to your car? What is the world coming to?

You know, you can buy things on the internet and have them delivered right to your door. That's almost as good as snapping your fingers and having something appear before you. You might want to try that from now on.

 

[kaytieeldr]

What?!?!? You're angry that you chose to go out and buy something and then you have to get it back to your car? What is the world coming to?

You know, you can buy things on the internet and have them delivered right to your door. That's almost as good as snapping your fingers and having something appear before you. You might want to try that from now on.

Don't hold back - tell us what you really think :

 

[SereneOne]

Yeah, well, I don't go around labeling people over what they do with their shopping carts. I do care about dings in my car but again, life is too short to be so concerned with material possessions that I get ticked at other people about it. I have a child. HE matters to me. I would totally judge someone and get VERY pissed if someone did something careless that hurt him. Some people get more irritated about things like rogue cart damage than they do about caring for children. I just don't have the emotional time to go 'round worrying about grocery carts; it's not worth it. SO many more important things. LOL, I think this is a funny(odd) thread because it's as hot a topic as spanking evidenced by your 'careless, thoughtless people' statement and others. When I came back tonight, I was suprised to see it still had life.

I am astonished to see all the special snowflakes with children that have parking spots open up for them EVERY TIME they go to the store that have the cart stalls next to them, so they do not have to chose between their child(ren) or putting up a cart. First God parts the Red Sea and now He opens up parking spots near cart stalls...wonders never cease!

 

[phorsenuf]

This thread just cracks me up. Return your carts, don't return them, whatever. I'm sorry but the the whole "I have kids" excuse just boggles my mind. Like I said before, I had 4 kids. I took them shopping with me all the time. In busy parking lots and everything. Hot weather, cold weather and even rain and snow. However did I manage is beyond me. I must be a supermom!

 

[jrmasm]

I've been flamed for this before and didn't care then, so flame if you want - I still won't care.

I don't take the cart anywhere when I'm done with it because it pisses me off that I have to haul my own crap to the car and load it up in the first place. Doubly pissed in the winter when I have to try pushing through all that snow. The stores used to do this and IMO, they still should.

I will like hell do even more of their work for them and bring the cart to the place they'd like it.

I do try to shop at the one and only place around here that still loads your crap up, but they're closed sometimes.

So, I shop and I schlep, but I don't return the cart.

If the store wants to keep carts in the store, they can jolly well not make us push them out there in the first place.

I give you props for your honesty instead of using some lame excuse why you 'can't' return the cart.

But I still think you should return the darn thing to wear it belongs

 

[MushyMushy]

This thread just cracks me up. Return your carts, don't return them, whatever. I'm sorry but the the whole "I have kids" excuse just boggles my mind. Like I said before, I had 4 kids. I took them shopping with me all the time. In busy parking lots and everything. Hot weather, cold weather and even rain and snow. However did I manage is beyond me. I must be a supermom!

You are supermom!

I must be supermom too!

It really cracks me up that these same people will traipse their kids miles and miles at WDW in 90-100 degree weather.

 

[MushyMushy]

I give you props for your honesty instead of using some lame excuse why you 'can't' return the cart.

But I still think you should return the darn thing to wear it belongs

I agree. On both thoughts.

 

[kellyg403]

I guess I never really thought about it before, I usually always return the cart to the corral. Especially on a windy day. I have seen carts fly across parking lots and hit cars, I don't want to have that happen to me or anyone else.

My thought on the having the kids,or the elderly or handicapped. even the stores in our area, i.e. walmart, that does not have baggers/service clerks, I know that if you ask someone will help you to your car. A very young girl in front of me not too long ago with twins was buying groceries at Walmart. Struggling with two, what looked to be about 9/10 month old twins in one cart and the groceries in another. She simply asked the cashier if there was anyone that could help her to her car. One of the customer svc managers came over and walked out with her. When I was leaving the same csm was bring both carts back into the store. So, I guess its only my area that if you ask for help, the store will do so? I am not flaming, just wondering why some are saying the stores want their carts they should have the people to help you out but don't ask if someone will help them outside with their stuff.

Kelly

 

[SereneOne]

This thread just cracks me up. Return your carts, don't return them, whatever. I'm sorry but the the whole "I have kids" excuse just boggles my mind. Like I said before, I had 4 kids. I took them shopping with me all the time. In busy parking lots and everything. Hot weather, cold weather and even rain and snow. However did I manage is beyond me. I must be a supermom!

What boggles my mind is people who claim that they return the carts every time whether it was with four kids or whatever. That anyone would endanger their four children over returning a cart and dodging traffic and having them out in all kinds of weather because a material possession getting a scratch in it is more important than a living being...THAT is mind boggling.

What is even more mind boggling to me is that this thread is as long as it is over cart parking, but yet there is all the suffering there is in in this world and I do not see half the outrage at those atrocities. The things people will find in order to make themselves feel superior.

 

[rie'smom]

What boggles my mind is people who claim that they return the carts every time whether it was with four kids or whatever. That anyone would endanger their four children over returning a cart and dodging traffic and having them out in all kinds of weather because a material possession getting a scratch in it is more important than a living being...THAT is mind boggling.

What is even more mind boggling to me is that this thread is as long as it is over cart parking, but yet there is all the suffering there is in in this world and I do not see half the outrage at those atrocities. The things people will find in order to make themselves feel superior.

People who don't return carts = child molesters, and Osama Who knew?

 

[phorsenuf]

What boggles my mind is people who claim that they return the carts every time whether it was with four kids or whatever. That anyone would endanger their four children over returning a cart and dodging traffic and having them out in all kinds of weather because a material possession getting a scratch in it is more important than a living being...THAT is mind boggling.

What is even more mind boggling to me is that this thread is as long as it is over cart parking, but yet there is all the suffering there is in in this world and I do not see half the outrage at those atrocities. The things people will find in order to make themselves feel superior.

Endanger children while returning a cart? That's just too friggin funny. How did any of them survive? Oh me oh my. Did I mention I was disabled too.

Now I see why so many children are the way they are these days and why those darn blades are so loud.

Anyways, I'm out. You guys just crack me up. It's been fun and very enlightening.