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Post by slowjoe on Aug 24, 2022 13:48:10 GMT
Okay, I know I'm rehashing an argument from 2006. If you don't know, on the old board there was an epic-length argument over returning shopping carts to either the grocery store or the cart corral, with some people always returning them and some people justifying leaving them wherever. I'm sure I made some stupid jokes on the thread, but remember, I was a single guy so the whole thing didn't really apply to me.
So here it is, 2022, and I now have a four-year-old and two-year-old. So that's at least four years with a child that has to go in a child seat, and two years with double the stress of child safety. This is the first time I can participate in the discussion! And I've never once not returned a cart to the corral or store. In fact, I occasionally pick up another cart along the way, slam the two together, and return them both.
Why on Earth would anyone not return a cart?
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iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295 
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Post by iowgirl on Aug 24, 2022 13:53:55 GMT
I ALWAYS return the cart!
Even when I had babies and toddlers with me.
I am finding myself now taking a cart in with me, when I walk through the parking lot. Either out of the cart corral or if there is a a stray one, I definitely grab that one. I figure it is one less cart they have to wrangle inside.
If everyone would just take a cart back inside with them, it would save the stores a lot of effort, since they seem to be employing less and less people.
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Post by workingclassdog on Aug 24, 2022 13:55:39 GMT
Joe??? Why are you not working? Are you bored? What is going on? I never put my cart away.. snow, sun, rain, whatever.. I leave it in the middle of a parking spot if I can.   |
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Gennifer
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,197
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Post by Gennifer on Aug 24, 2022 14:00:15 GMT
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peabay
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,913
Jun 25, 2014 19:50:41 GMT
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Post by peabay on Aug 24, 2022 14:02:04 GMT
I was one of the people who admitted to not always returning carts. I live in the northeast in an area where cart corrals only became a thing in like the last 10 years. If it was snowy or icy and I had a kid in a carseat and I was parked far away, I didn't always return it to the store. I would try to put it near a curb - and, based on the looks of our lots back then, I was in solid company (carts everywhere.)
The peas not so politely informed me about the errors of my ways and I have since joined the judgy, critical "wtf is wrong with you" crowd.
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Post by slowjoe on Aug 24, 2022 14:02:05 GMT
I am finding myself now taking a cart in with me, when I walk through the parking lot. Either out of the cart corral or if there is a a stray one, I definitely grab that one. I figure it is one less cart they have to wrangle inside. At Walmart the other day there were no carts at all near the entrance, so I had to go wrangle one from the parking lot. Since there were three near each other, I slammed them all together and took them all to the door. I should've asked for a blue vest and partial pay. |
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iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
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Post by iowgirl on Aug 24, 2022 14:06:21 GMT
I should've asked for a blue vest and partial pay. Or at least a discount? LOL I live about 30 miles from my closest walmart. I do have a small town (population around 2K) closer. I try to get most of my groceries there, to support them. And in truth - I spend less by shopping there. But they ALWAYS take my groceries to my car, load them, and stop and have a short chat with me. Plus they have home made doughnuts for sale. I love my small town stores the best! |
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Post by slowjoe on Aug 24, 2022 14:06:57 GMT
The peas not so politely informed me about the errors of my ways and I have since joined the judgy, critical "wtf is wrong with you" crowd. HAHAHA! As I've gotten older, I've become more laidback about certain things, but also extremely annoyed by other, insignificant things. When I see someone leaving a cart in the grass, I think, "what the hell is wrong with you?" Joe??? Why are you not working? Are you bored? What is going on? I'm fighting a cold so I'm taking it easy today. I AM working, don't get me wrong. No such thing as a day off in the mortgage business. |
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pantsonfire
Drama Llama
Take a step back, evaluate what is important, and enjoy your life with those who you love.
Posts: 6,169
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Post by pantsonfire on Aug 24, 2022 14:07:17 GMT
The only time I wasn't able to put it away was when ds was on TPN and oxygen. I needed to park away from cars so I could fully open his door, which put us out last the carts. His tank was huge and heavy and his TPN backpack was also heavy. He wasn't walking and I couldn't shop with him in his wheelchair.
I felt bad that sometimes I couldn't get it back. 99% of the time I had a bagger help me out but on those times no one was available, I had to leave my cart set on the curb.
In a sit second his TPN line (CVL) could start causing issues or he could ha e a seizure or his O2 drop. I had to pull over many times when his TPN pump occluded or he had blood running up the line.
Those were some hard times man. I hope I am not judged for not being able to put the cart back.
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Post by paulao on Aug 24, 2022 14:14:24 GMT
People don’t return carts because they are too effing lazy. They think “it’s not my job.”
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Post by workingclassdog on Aug 24, 2022 14:27:12 GMT
pantsonfire you are forgiven. I do think there are some times that it isn't the end of the world that a cart isn't put away. Like pantsonfire's situtation. Once I didn't put one away because it was snowing so bad out you couldn't even push the cart through the snow and it was snowing so bad out. It took forever just to get to the car and get the groceries into the car. I put my cart out of the way by the curb by the car. Yeah. Maybe not right but that's what happened, I won't lie about it. I usually put my cart away or even take it back up to the store. I will grab an extra cart if I can. So leaving it once or twice out I won't feel guilty.
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Anita
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,717
Location: Kansas City -ish
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Post by Anita on Aug 24, 2022 14:31:02 GMT
See? When we know better, we do better. Welcome to the righteous cart peas.  |
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Post by slowjoe on Aug 24, 2022 14:45:46 GMT
The only time I wasn't able to put it away was when ds was on TPN and oxygen. I needed to park away from cars so I could fully open his door, which put us out last the carts. His tank was huge and heavy and his TPN backpack was also heavy. He wasn't walking and I couldn't shop with him in his wheelchair. I felt bad that sometimes I couldn't get it back. 99% of the time I had a bagger help me out but on those times no one was available, I had to leave my cart set on the curb. In a sit second his TPN line (CVL) could start causing issues or he could ha e a seizure or his O2 drop. I had to pull over many times when his TPN pump occluded or he had blood running up the line. Those were some hard times man. I hope I am not judged for not being able to put the cart back. Knowing what I know now, you absolutely are not judged. But if I saw you in a parking lot (and didn't see your son) I'd totally mumble under my breath. |
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Post by slowjoe on Aug 24, 2022 14:46:36 GMT
See? When we know better, we do better. Welcome to the righteous cart peas. The Righteous Cart Peas would be a great name for a rock band |
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J u l e e
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,531
Location: Cincinnati
Jun 28, 2014 2:50:47 GMT
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Post by J u l e e on Aug 24, 2022 14:49:52 GMT
I am finding myself now taking a cart in with me, when I walk through the parking lot. Either out of the cart corral or if there is a a stray one, I definitely grab that one. I figure it is one less cart they have to wrangle inside. At Walmart the other day there were no carts at all near the entrance, so I had to go wrangle one from the parking lot. Since there were three near each other, I slammed them all together and took them all to the door. I should've asked for a blue vest and partial pay. Shopping at Walmart is a whole other thread in itself! |
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Rhondito
Pearl Clutcher
MississipPea
Posts: 4,826
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Post by Rhondito on Aug 24, 2022 14:51:15 GMT
I always put my cart away. What really makes me mad is when someone is parked one space away from the corral and still doesn't put it away!
I secretly hope those are the people whose cars get dinged by rogue carts.
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Post by scrapmaven on Aug 24, 2022 14:51:33 GMT
Please remember that a disabled spot is also a cart corral. Those of us who use those spots always feel that the need to put the cart there is far more important than using the space to park and have an easier time getting into the store. Remember, the needs of the one outweigh the needs of the many. -Mr. Spock's quote in reverse!  |
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pantsonfire
Drama Llama
Take a step back, evaluate what is important, and enjoy your life with those who you love.
Posts: 6,169
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Post by pantsonfire on Aug 24, 2022 15:07:07 GMT
The only time I wasn't able to put it away was when ds was on TPN and oxygen. I needed to park away from cars so I could fully open his door, which put us out last the carts. His tank was huge and heavy and his TPN backpack was also heavy. He wasn't walking and I couldn't shop with him in his wheelchair. I felt bad that sometimes I couldn't get it back. 99% of the time I had a bagger help me out but on those times no one was available, I had to leave my cart set on the curb. In a sit second his TPN line (CVL) could start causing issues or he could ha e a seizure or his O2 drop. I had to pull over many times when his TPN pump occluded or he had blood running up the line. Those were some hard times man. I hope I am not judged for not being able to put the cart back. Knowing what I know now, you absolutely are not judged. But if I saw you in a parking lot (and didn't see your son) I'd totally mumble under my breath. I get that enough when I park in a handicap spot using my kids placards when they are with me because they don't look disabled. I just let it roll off me now. Used to pass me off. |
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Post by littlemama on Aug 24, 2022 15:11:43 GMT
I own my choices and I will say that if the weather is crappy or if there isnt a cart corral nearby, I will leave the cart at the front of the spot, between the parking spaces. I dont hit anyone's car and I don't block any parking spaces. 🤷🏼♀️ And sometimes I have found it convenient when someone else has done the same.
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Post by katlady on Aug 24, 2022 15:15:10 GMT
The Walmart I usually go to does not have cart corrals in all the aisles. I’ve figured that out the hard way. And if a parking lot does not have any at all, like one place I go to, I look for the “corral” that other shoppers have made. If it looks safe (and it is not a handicapped spot), my cart joins theirs. If not, I’ll take it back to the store.
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Post by hop2 on Aug 24, 2022 15:19:45 GMT
Well, I was always a return the cart person. I’ve even offered to return carts for mothers with young children.
But so much has changed since 2006 in our society that I now agree there are instances where it is acceptable, or possibly necessary to not return your cart.
I’m not going to list specifics because I don’t want to send your thread off the rails though.
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Post by papersilly on Aug 24, 2022 17:25:19 GMT
lack of cart corrals aren't a problem around here so there is no reason not to return a cart. i always do no matter how far that freaking corral is.
i hate loose carts that block parking spots or that roll away and bang into cars. i always wonder why it's so hard to spend less than 30 seconds to put a cart back. it really does say a lot about some people.
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Post by Legacy Girl on Aug 24, 2022 17:35:27 GMT
Invisible illness, which occasionally prevents me from complying with the rules. Enough said.
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Post by katlady on Aug 24, 2022 17:39:09 GMT
lack of cart corrals aren't a problem around here so there is no reason not to return a cart. i always do no matter how far that freaking corral is. i hate loose carts that block parking spots or that roll away and bang into cars. i always wonder why it's so hard to spend less than 30 seconds to put a cart back. it really does say a lot about some people. Well, I will say, in my Walmart case, it was a pain. Before I realized there were no cart returns in the aisle I parked in, I had to walk down the aisle until I found a space big enough to push my cart through to the other aisle. I sort of understand why people abandon their carts in those aisles. But, I definitely don’t park in those aisles anymore. |
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Post by papersilly on Aug 24, 2022 17:48:12 GMT
lack of cart corrals aren't a problem around here so there is no reason not to return a cart. i always do no matter how far that freaking corral is. i hate loose carts that block parking spots or that roll away and bang into cars. i always wonder why it's so hard to spend less than 30 seconds to put a cart back. it really does say a lot about some people. Well, I will say, in my Walmart case, it was a pain. Before I realized there were no cart returns in the aisle I parked in, I had to walk down the aisle until I found a space big enough to push my cart through to the other aisle. I sort of understand why people abandon their carts in those aisles. But, I definitely don’t park in those aisles anymore. wal-mart is the worst when it comes to having enough corrals!! no matter which location i go to, there are not enough corrals. half the time i walk the cart back to the store front. it's not usual to see an ocean of carts scattered all over their parking lots. uggg. par for the course for wal-mart. |
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Post by peano on Aug 24, 2022 18:04:13 GMT
I was one of the people who admitted to not always returning carts. I live in the northeast in an area where cart corrals only became a thing in like the last 10 years. If it was snowy or icy and I had a kid in a carseat and I was parked far away, I didn't always return it to the store. I would try to put it near a curb - and, based on the looks of our lots back then, I was in solid company (carts everywhere.) The peas not so politely informed me about the errors of my ways and I have since joined the judgy, critical "wtf is wrong with you" crowd. This. But I consoled myself with the knowledge that I didn't leave a cart IN a parking space. That to me was inexcusably rude. Now since our grocery stores have installed cart corrals, I always return them. |
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Post by finsup on Aug 24, 2022 18:11:02 GMT
Yesterday I was heading back to my car with my cart when I saw a young man’s cart get away from him and go rolling away. I was pleased that he chased it down before it hit a car. But he just stopped it and pushed into the middle of the parking space. The cart corral was only two spaces away. So I stopped rolling my cart, grabbed his cart, placed it in the cart corral, then went back to my own cart and car…giving him my best “mom look” the entire time. He wouldn’t make eye contact with me. 😄
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Post by epeanymous on Aug 24, 2022 19:17:00 GMT
I really, really enjoy being smug about this.
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peabay
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,913
Jun 25, 2014 19:50:41 GMT
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Post by peabay on Aug 24, 2022 19:29:40 GMT
My Costco parking lot had to have been designed by a person who never shopped in their lives - the lanes are separated by curbed dividers, like grass medians. So, if you screw up and walk down the wrong one, you can't just scoot between cars to the next aisle over. Luckily, there are lots of cart corrals because I could understand someone saying "I just walked 10 miles to get to my car; screw this."
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Post by chlerbie on Aug 24, 2022 19:29:57 GMT
Yeah, I'll always put mine away. Generally, it takes me less than a minute to do so and I have no health reasons, etc. NOT to do so and am firmly in the camp that if you don't have a real reason (health etc.) take that extra minute and put the damn thing away.
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