Do you return shopping carts? (1 Viewer)

[Caveman33]

How does everyone feel about returning shopping carts?  Don't the stores pay someone to come pick those things up?  Some people argue that if you leave the carts in the parking lot, they are taking up space and could damage a vehicle.  Maybe it's better to roll them up into the mulch?

 

[ChiefD]

Always return them. I'm not a neanderthal. 

 

[foxco]

Every time. 

 

[otb_lifer]

that's a big no  

 

[nirad3]

I am an "almost always".  I won't leave them in a parking space or in anyone's way, but if I see that a few carts are being put in a certain area, I'll add mine to the mix.  But yeah, 99% of the time I'm bringing the cart back to the corral or whatever you wanna call it.

 

[Juxtatarot]

Yes, I want my quarter back.

 

[Caveman33]

I am an "almost always".  I won't leave them in a parking space or in anyone's way, but if I see that a few carts are being put in a certain area, I'll add mine to the mix.  But yeah, 99% of the time I'm bringing the cart back to the corral or whatever you wanna call it.

That's an opportunity to link all those loose carts together and bring the whole train back.

 

[nirad3]

That's an opportunity to link all those loose carts together and bring the whole train back.

I've done that before, will again.  Especially if they're in a location that happens to be precarious to vehicles.

 

[Gally]

I always return them to the designated outside return areas so they aren't in the way of other cars or could roll away with the wind and into unsuspecting vehicles.  It takes less than a minute to do so why not do it?

 

[Caveman33]

I recently binged some CartNarcs videos.  This guy goes around parking lots and tries to shame people who don't bring their carts back.  Originally, he would use pit maneuvers, rolling their cart in front of their car before they could drive off.  Eventually he moved on to putting bumper magnets on their cars.  People often freak out and have complete meltdowns.  Rarely does anyone say OK, I'll bring my cart back.  I don't care much for CartNarcs persona.  He seemed somewhat genuine in his old videos but has morphed into an obnoxious phony since achieving a following.  But the public freakouts are sort of amusing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiKiKjg8HRw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JovIKbxZpNY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHkVpUbuVvk

 

[Bogart]

Always. Just the right thing to do. Plus you can push real fast, jump,  and get a ride on the back. It's the small joys of life.

 

[MAC_32]

Yes, I want my quarter back.

I only have 2 quarters - one in each of our vehicles. The only reason I ever intend to acquire another quarter is if we get a 3rd vehicle.

 

[stbugs]

I am an "almost always".  I won't leave them in a parking space or in anyone's way, but if I see that a few carts are being put in a certain area, I'll add mine to the mix.  But yeah, 99% of the time I'm bringing the cart back to the corral or whatever you wanna call it.

This. Some places don’t have cart returns in all rows or close to ends of lots (like Costco on weekends) and if I can’t find a spot near a return, I’ll make sure it’s out of the way or near others. Most of the time I actually look for parking near cart returns if I’m getting that much. If a small amount, I just carry the couple bags out anyway.

 

[zamboni]

I almost always do, because it's a crappy enough job for these kids that have to collect them. My son had that job last summer, so I know from his experience.

Also, annoys me when people leave carts so that they block parking spots. 

 

[Da Guru]

Years ago, I just beached them up on a landscaped are.  I have matured and now always put them in the cart area.

In some areas of Detroit, they have cement poles outside the front door that carts won`t fit through as people steal all the carts. Used to see people walking down the streets with grocery store carts all the time when I was a kid.

 

[Zow]

Always return them. I'm not a neanderthal. 

This should be the lone post in the thread. 

 

[TLEF316]

I pretty much judge everyone I know on this specific issue. If you don't bring it back to the return and just leave it in the lot, you are a bad person (only exception is if you're a parent with a small child and can't leave them alone to walk a cart back across the lot. And if so, you probably should have parked near the return)

The thing that cracks me up is the people that actually take the time to bring the cart back....but then screw up the cart return by putting their big cart on the side where everyone before them put the little half carts. Then everyone else follows suits (creating a messy mishmash of carts that spills out into the lot) and it nearly defeats the entire purpose. 

People really are just absolute animals. It literally takes 5 seconds to do this properly.  We're supposed to be living in a society!!!!

 

[Osaurus]

Cart corral or store front. Whichever is closer. 

 

[ghostguy123]

Cartnarcs guy is awesome

 

[AAABatteries]

This. Some places don’t have cart returns in all rows or close to ends of lots (like Costco on weekends) and if I can’t find a spot near a return, I’ll make sure it’s out of the way or near others. Most of the time I actually look for parking near cart returns if I’m getting that much. If a small amount, I just carry the couple bags out anyway.

I can’t remember where but I’ve been somewhere where there were no cart returns in the parking lot.  I made sure it was out of the way but I’m not taking it back in the store. 

 

[wikkidpissah]

that's why i continue to stick with this forum thru all the operational disagreements & disappointments, because i KNOW i'm among 95% cart-returners in a 28% cart-returning world

ETA: plus i'm only tears away from getting the EGOT for saying so!!!!!!

 

[zamboni]

Always. Just the right thing to do. Plus you can push real fast, jump,  and get a ride on the back. It's the small joys of life.

And don't forget the unparalleled demolition derby experience of smacking your cart into a bunch of others as you send it on its way to the return spot.  

 

[wikkidpissah]

i park in handicapped and one of my great pleasures each early Saturday morning is to do my weekly shop and use my ol' bouncepass muscles to shove my cart  from in front of my car, across the lane, up the ramp to precisely adjacent to the exterior rack so there's a loosy for the next person. my rate's about the same as my FT%

 

[belljr]

if there is no cart return i still take it back to the store....... you guys are soft

 

[brun]

I almost always do, because it's a crappy enough job for these kids that have to collect them. My son had that job last summer, so I know from his experience.

Also, annoys me when people leave carts so that they block parking spots. 

When I was a kid working at a local grocery store I loved going out to collect the carts. I saw it as a smoke break.

 

[nirad3]

I pretty much judge everyone I know on this specific issue. If you don't bring it back to the return and just leave it in the lot, you are a bad person (only exception is if you're a parent with a small child and can't leave them alone to walk a cart back across the lot. And if so, you probably should have parked near the return)

Yeah the only way I don't take it back to the corral is if I have a kid with me.  And I almost always try parking near a corral so I don't have this issue.

 

[Sullie]

I feel guilty as hell if I don't return the cart so I always try to park as close as possible to the cart coral and then I find myself straightening out the carts if I have the time and it's not too brutally cold or hot out.  What's with people leaving their trash in their carts and putting the big carts in the small cart section and vice versa?  You've gone through all the trouble of bringing the cart back, finish your job, put the cart back in the right section, come on people!

 

[Gally]

I pretty much judge everyone I know on this specific issue. If you don't bring it back to the return and just leave it in the lot, you are a bad person (only exception is if you're a parent with a small child and can't leave them alone to walk a cart back across the lot. And if so, you probably should have parked near the return)

Yeah the only way I don't take it back to the corral is if I have a kid with me.  And I almost always try parking near a corral so I don't have this issue.

I don't get this either.  If the kid is small enough to sit in the cart then you just give them a bit more of a ride.  If the kid is big enough to not ride in the cart they should be ok to sit in the car for the 30 seconds it takes to return the cart.  Plus you are showing your kid what adults should be doing with the cart.  

 

[Scoresman]

Some stores don't make it easy to return the cart.  There should be at least one corral in every aisle but this isn't always the case.  Still no excuse not to return it though.

Shark move is to park close to the corral and launch the cart from your car, perfectly making it in.  

 

[BeTheMatch]

The "almost always" crowd seems worse to me in some ways than the despicable human beings that never do. I mean, the never-dos are serial-killer-type narcissists that have no redeeming quality about them and shouldn't be allowed to walk the earth. I think we all agree on that.

But what's with the almost-always types? You get it. You know you should. But sometimes you just don't? I suppose you also almost always pick up after your dog? And you almost always stop at red lights? I've got no room for you in my world.

 

[Jobber]

I recently binged some CartNarcs videos.  This guy goes around parking lots and tries to shame people who don't bring their carts back.  Originally, he would use pit maneuvers, rolling their cart in front of their car before they could drive off.  Eventually he moved on to putting bumper magnets on their cars.  People often freak out and have complete meltdowns.  Rarely does anyone say OK, I'll bring my cart back.  I don't care much for CartNarcs persona.  He seemed somewhat genuine in his old videos but has morphed into an obnoxious phony since achieving a following.  But the public freakouts are sort of amusing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiKiKjg8HRw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JovIKbxZpNY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHkVpUbuVvk

My son introduced me to the CartNarc channel a few weeks ago! Those are hilarious, and quite uncomfortable at the same time.

eta: I’ve always returned my cart. But anytime we travel to Florida, it seems everyone is perfectly happy leaving them all over the parking lot. Buncha freaking low IQ animals.

 

[brun]

Always. Just the right thing to do. Plus you can push real fast, jump,  and get a ride on the back. It's the small joys of life.

I've done that on occasion. A couple years ago an older woman caught up to me at my car and said that seeing me do that made her day.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Yes, I want my quarter back.

That's what half the NFL says.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

When I was a kid working at a local grocery store I loved going out to collect the carts. I saw it as a smoke break.

Yes, I had that as my first job. Fresh air and fewer bosses looking over your shoulder.

 

[otb_lifer]

When I was a kid working at a local grocery store I loved going out to collect the carts. I saw it as a smoke break.

this guy ^ knows things. 

 

[RJS113]

Don't the stores pay someone to come pick those things up? 

If you use a public bathroom, do you piss all over the toilet seat because they pay someone to clean the bathrooms?

 

[WDIK2]

Always.  I usually give it a little shove from about 10 feet away to see if I can fit it in there just perfect.  Have to play the slope of the parking lot and the wind.

Coworker had the paint on her car take some pretty good damage from a rogue Home Depot cart. 

 

[Jayrod]

I don't get this either.  If the kid is small enough to sit in the cart then you just give them a bit more of a ride.  If the kid is big enough to not ride in the cart they should be ok to sit in the car for the 30 seconds it takes to return the cart.  Plus you are showing your kid what adults should be doing with the cart.  

I got into my only real Facebook argument over this.

The irrationality of mothers is pure insanity.  Any report of a child getting abducted at a grocery store means children can't be left alone for 5-10 seconds in a parking lot while you put the cart back in its place. To act like there are child abductors sitting in parking lots waiting for mothers to put their carts back is just crazy.

As per usual, the only time this ever happens is with a relative kidnapping their child or close relative...not some rando stranger.  Sure, if your abusive ex-husband with a restraining order is out on parole, I'd be nervous.  But to assume anyone wants to risk imprisonment to nab Timmy in broad daylight while you are within 50 feet is simply irrational.

 

[belljr]

If you use a public bathroom, do you piss all over the toilet seat because they pay someone to clean the bathrooms?

Toilet seat? Isn't that what the drain on the floor is for?

 

[cockroach]

I like finding an old lady and asking if I can take her cart back for her. 

 

[B Maverick]

Not only do I not return them, but you should see all the carts I have outside my house 2 blocks from the store!!!

just kidding, I am one of those animals that return them most of the time.

 

[popeye]

I like finding an old lady and asking if I can take her cart back for her. 

I'm similar.  I like finding an old lady and see if she'll take mine as well . . . .

 

[Grahamburn]

Toilet seat? Isn't that what the drain on the floor is for?

It’s all pipes!

 

[Runkle]

Meh.

I mean, I don't leave the cart in a space or blocking it. But, if the parking lot has planted/curbed areas near the parking spot, I'll push the cart up against one so that it stays put, out of the way, and doesn't roll away. (Not on the parking curb assigned to each spot, that's too close to vehicles. But if there's, like, a tree every five spaces, surrounded by a square/diamond curb around it, yeah, I'll pop up the front of the cart a half inch so the front end rests on the concrete, blocking no parking space, and that's good enough for me.) 

 

[zamboni]

Meh.

I mean, I don't leave the cart in a space or blocking it. But, if the parking lot has planted/curbed areas near the parking spot, I'll push the cart up against one so that it stays put, out of the way, and doesn't roll away. (Not on the parking curb assigned to each spot, that's too close to vehicles. But if there's, like, a tree every five spaces, surrounded by a square/diamond curb around it, yeah, I'll pop up the front of the cart a half inch so the front end rests on the concrete, blocking no parking space, and that's good enough for me.) 

That’s some serious hard core analytics there. Don’t think I’d want to play in a fantasy shopping cart league with you.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

That’s some serious hard core analytics there. Don’t think I’d want to play in a fantasy shopping cart league with you.

He's the type that would snag your sleeper carts right before it's your turn in the draft.

 

[beer 30]

How does everyone feel about returning shopping carts?  Don't the stores pay someone to come pick those things up?  Some people argue that if you leave the carts in the parking lot, they are taking up space and could damage a vehicle.  Maybe it's better to roll them up into the mulch?

I've always returned carts to the corals but a few years ago I was listening to a podcast and the person said, "don't inconvenience others with your existence." That really stuck with me so I quote it often but in particular, they were discussing returning shopping carts. Since then I've gone out of my way to return any stray carts I see, within reason. I'm not hoofing a half mile to get a cart but if there are 3 or 4 around I'll happily put them in the coral. Be the change you want people to be.

Not sure why but this is particularly noticeable in Florida. We were on a family vacation there a few yeas ago and went to a Walmart. Probably 50 carts just randomly left all over thee parking lot. The family and I put all of them in corals before we went into the store. People were looking at us like we were nuts. Why is that Floridians?

 

[Judge Smails]

If they have plenty of return areas like Costco I do 100% of the time. If they don’t it’s iffy

 

[-OZ-]

Yes, I want my quarter back.

Sometimes, if I’m feeling like a baller, I give a cart to someone and don’t ask for their quarter.

I'm not a neanderthal. 

 that’s debatable.  

 

[-OZ-]

I've always returned carts to the corals but a few years ago I was listening to a podcast and the person said, "don't inconvenience others with your existence." That really stuck with me so I quote it often but in particular, they were discussing returning shopping carts. Since then I've gone out of my way to return any stray carts I see, within reason. I'm not hoofing a half mile to get a cart but if there are 3 or 4 around I'll happily put them in the coral. Be the change you want people to be.

Not sure why but this is particularly noticeable in Florida. We were on a family vacation there a few yeas ago and went to a Walmart. Probably 50 carts just randomly left all over thee parking lot. The family and I put all of them in corals before we went into the store. People were looking at us like we were nuts. Why is that Floridians?

Could have been a one time thing, but when we visited the Walmart at Gulf shores, there were more strays than I’ve ever seen. Might be a beach “I’m on vacation” thing.