Why do people leave shopping carts in the parking lot?

[maddiemouse]

Uhm, maybe it's cultural? Where I'm from, no one would dream of putting their cart back in the store. If we started doing that, the store would be able to cut back on the hours of the high school/college kids and the nice young mentally challenged men who work as baggers. Half their job is to round up carts!

Now, when I lived in NE, I put my cart in the corral or pushed it back to the store. Here though, if there's a corral, I'll put it there. If not, especially at the smaller grocery stores, it goes in a cluster with the other carts.

DH was a bagger in high school and college, and it's SOP to leave the cars in the lot at most grocery stores and part of his job was round up carts. He'll even "stack" them sometimes when we're at our grocery store, just so the baggers will have an easier time with their rounding up later.

But take it back in? I'm not giving anybody any reason to cut anyone's hours.

The only reason for leaving a cart rolling around the parking lot to inconvience other people is pure and simple lack of consideration for others, and laziness.You got to and from the car, didn't you? And pushed the cart around the store?

 

[wonderlanne]

None of these excuses are legitimate. If you have kids, park near a cart corral and you aren't leaving them. Or lock them in the car while you take the cart back.

this is against the law in california.

 

[Planogirl]

What if that cart rolled into the street? I have seen that a few times with cars swerving to avoid it. That could lead to much worse than a few scratches.

Also, a flying cart can do way more damage to a parked car than a scratch.

 

[profdsny]

ummm...if you mean ME, it is because i don't need help.

but i do think others have explained their situations and i am perfectly fine with their not putting their carts away. my car is riddled with scratches, the first ones really hurt, but i doubt anybody let their cart hit my car with malicious intent. if it rolled there in the wind, well, darn. nothing i can do about that.

i don't prize my car above compassion towards others.

Really? Maybe you need to go back up and read above a bit.

 

[hentob]

ummm...if you mean ME, it is because i don't need help.

No. I was not speaking to you.

ummm...if you mean ME, it is because i don't need help.

my car is riddled with scratches, the first ones really hurt, but i doubt anybody let their cart hit my car with malicious intent. if it rolled there in the wind, well, darn. nothing i can do about that.
.

Well, some of us care about our personal property. What else can I say. Why should I sit back and give the thumbs up to folks who don't care if they damage what is mine

i don't prize my car above compassion towards others.

Oh please

 

[wonderlanne]

Really? Maybe you need to go back up and read above a bit.

i didn't see any posts about people doing something like that.

 

[wonderlanne]

What if that cart rolled into the street? I have seen that a few times with cars swerving to avoid it. That could lead to much worse than a few scratches.

Also, a flying cart can do way more damage to a parked car than a scratch.

that's true.

 

[MinnieMe87]

Not to be mean, but if somebody can't "manage" to the point where they are causing hundreds of dollars in damage to someone's vehicle, they need to find an alternative to shopping alone.

 

[golfgal]

I posted this way back on page 2.

Am I right? People don't have their kids return the cart anymore like we did growing up? I don't have kids.

My kids put the carts back when they come with me.

 

[wonderlanne]

Quote:
Originally Posted by wonderlanne

i don't prize my car above compassion towards others.

Oh please

i beg your pardon?

 

[Missy1961]

The supermarket I ususally shop at doesn't have the corrals, so everybody would have to walk back to the store. The parking lot is huge, so it isn't easy to walk back. The store is in the back area of the shopping center, so the carts don't end up in the road. Some people push the cart back to the store, but I bet most people don't. I push my cart back to the store, but I'm not dealing with little kids & I don't have any medical conditions so it's not an issue for me.

 

[Flapuit]

Are they too lazy to walk it a few extra steps? Everyone is anonymous here so feel free to be honest.

Over here, you need to put coins in the cart in order to use it, and you get the coins back when you're done using it.
No carts all over the parking lot!

 

[GoodFairies]

this is against the law in california.

Sorry, but this law isn't targetting taking 30 seconds to put your cart back. Nice try though. That is why you park near the cart corral so you aren't leaving the kids for an extended period of time.

And I agree that if it takes you longer than 30 seconds to put your cart back and it causes you immense pain, it's time to find another plan. Grocery delivery perhaps.

 

[OctMtnWoods]

You guys do realize you are argueing over returning shopping carts to the store, right?

 

[Magic Mom]

Sorry, but this law isn't targetting taking 30 seconds to put your cart back. Nice try though. That is why you park near the cart corral so you aren't leaving the kids for an extended period of time.

And I agree that if it takes you longer than 30 seconds to put your cart back and it causes you immense pain, it's time to find another plan. Grocery delivery perhaps.

What's your number and you can go shopping for me if I'm in that situation again.

 

[phorsenuf]

I raised 4 kids. I never had issues returning carts when shopping with them. Put them in the car or have them tag along and put it away. What is so darn difficult about that? My kids used to love returning the cart themselves.
Don't leave the keys in the car, and in the 5 seconds it takes to walk to the corral I hardly doubt somebody will snatch your kids. You can walk and watch.

 

[OctMtnWoods]

Phorsenuf, I see you deleted a line before I could post. I was thinking the same, but didn't want to say it. Glad I'm not alone.

 

[phorsenuf]

Phorsenuf, I see you deleted a line before I could post. I was thinking the same, but didn't want to say it. Glad I'm not alone.

After I read it I didn't like the way it flowed so I just took it out. Believe me, you are not alone in that sentiment at all!

 

[Magic Mom]

You guys do realize you are argueing over returning shopping carts to the store, right?

ooops Was I arguing? Don't tell my kids OK? They think I'm doing taxes.

 

[Magic Mom]

After I read it I didn't like the way it flowed so I just took it out. Believe me, you are not alone in that sentiment at all!

Don't be coy...share that sentiment with all of us.