Shopping Cart Returning

[Mr. DS]

My father once told me to always return shopping carts to their respective places at stores.  He accompanied that with the statement that stores will more than likely raise their prices if they lose enough carts.  This has always stuck with me and quite frankly I 99% of the time look for a return dock in the parking lot no matter how far away it is.  I personally lose it when I see someone walking up the road with a shopping cart from a store.  I understand not everyone has transportation but stealing a cart...really?  It belongs to the store folks.  I also hate it when someone lazily leaves a cart in a parking space.  Most of the time its in a prime spot too.

[3mnkids]

Not only do I return mine but I straighten out the other carts that are there. Its a problem, I know   

[Jack]

I always put them back where they belong.  I dunno, just seems like common courtesy, and it's not much trouble at all.

[Paquita]

I always return them!!  I'll even return other carts on my way sometimes.  There have been times when I was really far from the cart coral in the cold and really thought hard about not taking it back, got into the car, and then got back out and put it away because I just couldn't handle the guilt.

I've even converted my husband into a compulsive cart returner.  The first time we went to the grocery store together and I saw he didn't return the cart, I returned it for him and told him he broke my heart.. he's done it every time since.

[Leah]

Me and my mum are always frustrated at people being lazy and not returning them, esp. at Wal-mart, where people don't put the carts back, even when they are parked next to the 'return carts here'

[Sleepyskull]

I also just can't stand not putting the carts back!

Jack-
Even though it might not be "common courtesy" it definitely is the polite thing to do. Good for you! In fact, good for everybody here!

[Newt]

What a bunch of good folks we are here!

We always return them; may collect a few strays on the way and often straighten out the others a bit when we get there.  I think it is all part of a 'be responsible/pick up after yourself' mindset.

3mnkids: I don't know that I would call that a 'problem' - unless you are making a career out of it or haranguing other shoppers on the issue?  

[SPazzo]

I always return them...  Here in Canada we have a store called Loblaws.  At that store all the shopping carts are linked together at the cart corral.  To get one un-linked you put a Loonie ($1 coin) into the cart and you get the cart.  You do your shopping and when you're done you return the cart and get your Loonie back.

I'm kinda obligated to return my cart.  I mean, it's a whole dollar!

[Jack]

So nobody's going to fess up and admit they just leave them in the next parking spot?

[Mr. DS]

So nobody's going to fess up and admit they just leave them in the next parking spot?

I'm currently waiting for someone to vote for "I steal shopping carts".

[JaseSF]

Yes I return them...I really hate it when they take up a good parking space ...plus with the winds we sometimes get here, leaving them unattended could mean a potential hazard...I've seen them go rolling across a parking lot before because of high winds.

[3mnkids]

3mnkids: I don't know that I would call that a 'problem' - unless you are making a career out of it or haranguing other shoppers on the issue?  

Im not that bad but its a problem because it doesnt matter what else is going on.  kids gotta pee- hold it, car waiting for the spot- tough, sub zero temps- oh well, I must fix them. Drives my family crazy and if we are all together im not allowed to take the cart back anymore.

[Allhallowsday]

What's a "shopping cart"?   

[Mr. DS]

What's a "shopping cart"?   

City thing?

[AndyC]

I often don't bother to get a cart, and go strolling up to the checkout with an overflowing basket that weighs about fifty pounds. Funny, I never think the list is that big.

But when I do use a cart, I prefer to put it in a designated area. I do get slightly miffed at the local Foodland, which has a parking lot that's more than ample, yet doesn't bother to provide any place to return carts other than right back inside the store. At that store, I'll meet them halfway and leave it secure and out of the way at the front of the building. That's the minimum. I hate seeing empty carts scattered around the lot, especially the "race car" cart. There's only one, your kids have enjoyed it, now put it back where the next family can find it.