The Shopping Cart Theory

[ExiledInIllinois]

18 minutes ago, LeviF91 said:

 

***** thank you.  Let's not act like there aren't parking spaces next to the corral, considering most Americans are lazy ***** and the corrals tend to be further out than your typical 35 BMI patron wants to walk in that oppressive heat.

I park as far away as possible. NEVER up front. 

[RochesterRob]

51 minutes ago, teef said:

i always put the carts back.  at pet smart i'll walk it back into the store.

 

you touched/used the cart, put the thing back.  if you're too lazy to put it back, don't take it in the first place.

 

at wegmans recently, i was in line with a guy that was around my age.  looked to be in good shape.  we walked out together, and this guy parked his escalade in handicap.  the guy had no problems getting around, hoisting the bags in, etc.  once he was done what does he do?  leaves the cart in the handicap space next to him, and drives away.  people like that deserve to get kicked in the face.

  At least he was able to get his Escalade out of its parking space without hitting other vehicles.  Years ago I came out of a Tops to find a crease in the rear right corner of my car and the operator of the vehicle who did it had to know.  No note or anything from that person.  Until my health dictates otherwise I park away from the entrance of a store or the cart corral area.  I also park facing out where I can see if anybody is pulling into that area at 45 MPH without looking for vehicles pulling out.  

[teef]

1 hour ago, RochesterRob said:

  At least he was able to get his Escalade out of its parking space without hitting other vehicles.  Years ago I came out of a Tops to find a crease in the rear right corner of my car and the operator of the vehicle who did it had to know.  No note or anything from that person.  Until my health dictates otherwise I park away from the entrance of a store or the cart corral area.  I also park facing out where I can see if anybody is pulling into that area at 45 MPH without looking for vehicles pulling out.  

there is nothing more angering than that.  just follow up on the mistake!  i had someone park so close to me once, that i couldn't squeeze my body between the two cars to get in.  i had to go through the passenger's side and climb over.  are people that oblivious or do they not just care?  

[Punching Bag]

6 minutes ago, teef said:

there is nothing more angering than that.  just follow up on the mistake!  i had someone park so close to me once, that i couldn't squeeze my body between the two cars to get in.  i had to go through the passenger's side and climb over.  are people that oblivious or do they not just care?  

 

Had same thing when I parked at work at a Hummer 2 parked in "small car only spot".  In order for him to be able to park and get out he needed to park over the line and when he did so he folded my mirror.  I needed crawl in from opposite door which is very difficult to do with bad feet, roll down window and hold mirror when I backed out. 

 

Left a note saying next he did that I'd just scratch up his car.  Saw him parking again in there but this time he parked away from all cars.

[teef]

16 minutes ago, Limeaid said:

 

Had same thing when I parked at work at a Hummer 2 parked in "small car only spot".  In order for him to be able to park and get out he needed to park over the line and when he did so he folded my mirror.  I needed crawl in from opposite door which is very difficult to do with bad feet, roll down window and hold mirror when I backed out. 

 

Left a note saying next he did that I'd just scratch up his car.  Saw him parking again in there but this time he parked away from all cars.

at least he made the attempt the second time!  

[Punching Bag]

13 minutes ago, teef said:

at least he made the attempt the second time!  

 

Some can learn, some cannot.

[Hapless Bills Fan]

42 minutes ago, teef said:

there is nothing more angering than that.  just follow up on the mistake!  i had someone park so close to me once, that i couldn't squeeze my body between the two cars to get in.  i had to go through the passenger's side and climb over.  are people that oblivious or do they not just care?  

 

I vote "yes" (to both)

[Logic]

40 minutes ago, teef said:

there is nothing more angering than that.  just follow up on the mistake!  i had someone park so close to me once, that i couldn't squeeze my body between the two cars to get in.  i had to go through the passenger's side and climb over.  are people that oblivious or do they not just care?  

 

 

“You happy with that park?”

 

 

[Hapless Bills Fan]

20 hours ago, The Dean said:

 

 

Excellent point. But I hope you, and other stressed parents, at least find a place to secure the cart so it doesn't roll out into the parking lot aisle, parking space or vehicle.  

 

I think there is a decent argument for leaving them in the corrals. If everybody brought back their carts (as I do in normal times) it might cost jobs for those paid to retrieve them.

 

Actually the first thing I did was try to park near a cart corral or the store (if the carts went back to the store)

If someone was walking past, say "would you mind taking this back for me?"  Especially someone with kids, almost always worked and at Aldi, often tried to give me a quarter too.

 

But that didn't always work, so then yes, I would ensure the cart was positioned so it didn't block a parking space and couldn't roll.

 

I'm just not all in with the judgy-ness.  Sometimes people have reasonable reasons, and they don't always show.

[Gugny]

Great story from 5 or 6 years ago:  My parents (now 80 and 75) were in a drug store parking lot getting ready to leave. 

 

The woman parked next to them left her cart in the parking lot and got into her car.  Windows were down.  My dad asked, "are you going to put your shopping cart away?"  She responded with, "go ***** yourself." 

 

My dad then said, "Nice mouth!  Do you kiss people with that?"  She flipped him off and drove away.

[teef]

23 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

I vote "yes" (to both)

me too.  a little from column a, a little from column b kind of a thing.

[shrader]

21 hours ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

I’m whatever you say, but

1) some cart corrals are 20-30 seconds away, some are several minutes walk across the parking lot and back

2) Cracking a window doesn’t “cut it” for keeping a dog cool, why would it be effective for a baby.

 

NFW would I have ever placed my kid in a hot car around here and walk away to return a cart, nor in a running car that I then locked and walked away from.  

Unsafe

That was 19-20 years ago Less safe today.

 

And Frankly, my Dear, I don’t Give a Damn whether or not you think that’s Genuine.  

 

I also have little respect for people who respond in a discussion by telling other people they’re “playing a card” - speaking of “not Genuine”

 

 

 

1. Wheel cart to car.

2. Turn on car.

3. Load groceries into car.

4. Wheel cart with car to corral.

5. Bring kid back to car.

 

Multiple kids complicate that a bit, but there are definitely ways to avoid leaving the cart at the spot.  Sure, it takes a little extra work, but isn't that the definition of kids?

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

7 minutes ago, Gugny said:

Great story from 5 or 6 years ago:  My parents (now 80 and 75) were in a drug store parking lot getting ready to leave. 

 

The woman parked next to them left her cart in the parking lot and got into her car.  Windows were down.  My dad asked, "are you going to put your shopping cart away?"  She responded with, "go ***** yourself." 

 

My dad then said, "Nice mouth!  Do you kiss people with that?"  She flipped him off and drove away.

"No, but I did your mother" comes to mind...?

[Chef Jim]

On 7/3/2020 at 10:35 AM, T&C said:

 

Not 10 seconds man. I'm not taking the mofo anywhere in that kind of weather... even with an umbrella.

 

So how do you get your groceries to your car?  

[Greybeard]

On 7/3/2020 at 1:27 PM, Gray Beard said:

Sometimes a round up stray carts and return them as well.  Do I get extra bonus points?

 

    Before the virus, I would gather the carts near the cart rack and make sure they were inserted into each other.  Grocery stores often have double and triple wide areas and people often leave carts at the opening. For some reason I am compelled to stick all the carts together to insure there is room to put the carts there.  Since the virus I don't like to touch multiple carts so I don't do this very often.

Edited July 6, 2020 by Greybeard

[ExiledInIllinois]

14 minutes ago, Chef Jim said:

 

So how do you get your groceries to your car?  

His chauffeur  swings by.

 

? ? 

 

Unfortunately,  I will be here all week.  Don't  try the veal.   It sucks.

[T&C]

42 minutes ago, Chef Jim said:

 

So how do you get your groceries to your car?  

With my hands. If I only have 3-4 bags I don't take the cart out of Publix.

[NoHuddleKelly12]

There's something gloriously gratifying about getting a running start with the cart, and then letting it go right when you hit the corral line, and wait for the crunching sound it makes upon impact--why is that??

[BringMetheHeadofLeonLett]

On 7/3/2020 at 10:59 AM, T&C said:

Publix will ask if you want help with your cart. Even if I have just two bags I always say sure, lets go. Reason is that the baggers always want to get the ***** out of there, even if its for 5 minutes... and I get that. A little fresh air and they've "helped a customer".

 

Plus, after thanking them... mentioning something like "tell the girl stocking aisle 5 that she's hot as hell". The cross

eyed look back is either funny or... an agreement, yes she is.

Nice picture- a 68 year old prog-rocker scoping out the questionably legals...

[Augie]

On 7/3/2020 at 8:43 PM, RaoulDuke79 said:

At least curb it or put it on the side so it can't roll anywhere. 

 

That’s one approach......but I find it’s FAR more fun to give it a giant push up the middle of the row and try to guess which car it will hit first.  Hey, I’m just trying to have a little fun!  

[T&C]

1 hour ago, BringMetheHeadofLeonLett said:

Nice picture- a 68 year old prog-rocker scoping out the questionably legals...

Once you stop looking your days are numbered... I'm not 68 but I'll probably be checking out my hospice nurses.

[The Dean]

1 hour ago, NoHuddleKelly12 said:

There's something gloriously gratifying about getting a running start with the cart, and then letting it go right when you hit the corral line, and wait for the crunching sound it makes upon impact--why is that??

 

 

I like to make the cart hit perfectly to load into the cart in front. Sometimes I try bank shots!  But if I screw up too badly, I have to go straighten them out. If I were only that careful around the house with my own stuff. 

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

If you're too cautious with the carts, there's no repair work for Bubbles...

[shrader]

18 hours ago, Augie said:

 

That’s one approach......but I find it’s FAR more fun to give it a giant push up the middle of the row and try to guess which car it will hit first.  Hey, I’m just trying to have a little fun!  

 

This reminds me of probably the funniest thing I've ever seen at a grocery store earlier this year.  A rather large woman was walking her cart over, but as she got one aisle away from the corral, she decided to give it that long distance push and hope for the best.  But just like all shopping carts, it immediately started swerving to the side.  So she tried to run after it to stop it from hitting a car.  She didn't even make it half way before it slammed into a car.  I had to duck back into my car to hide the laughter.

[Gugny]

7 minutes ago, shrader said:

 

This reminds me of probably the funniest thing I've ever seen at a grocery store earlier this year.  A rather large woman was walking her cart over, but as she got one aisle away from the corral, she decided to give it that long distance push and hope for the best.  But just like all shopping carts, it immediately started swerving to the side.  So she tried to run after it to stop it from hitting a car.  She didn't even make it half way before it slammed into a car.  I had to duck back into my car to hide the laughter.

 

The first thing I do when I get a cart is check the alignment.

[shrader]

1 hour ago, Gugny said:

 

The first thing I do when I get a cart is check the alignment.

If you’re looking for a good alignment, you must be searching for a long time. 

[Gugny]

Just now, shrader said:

If you’re looking for a good alignment, you must be searching for a long time. 

 

A cart has to be pretty bad for me to take it back and get another one.  I usually go with whichever cart I pick first.

 

Sometimes I get the perfect cart (usually Walmart).  My son laughs at how excited I get when I get a cart with perfect alignment AND smooth wheels.  No shake, rattle and roll ... just roll, baby.

 

[GoBills808]

On 7/6/2020 at 6:38 AM, Gugny said:

Great story from 5 or 6 years ago:  My parents (now 80 and 75) were in a drug store parking lot getting ready to leave. 

 

The woman parked next to them left her cart in the parking lot and got into her car.  Windows were down.  My dad asked, "are you going to put your shopping cart away?"  She responded with, "go ***** yourself." 

 

My dad then said, "Nice mouth!  Do you kiss people with that?"  She flipped him off and drove away.

pics

[Doc]

Late to the party but...is it the right thing to worship Satan, Glenn?

[WEATHER DOT COM]

At Wegmans do you go with the two tiered short bus carts or the wide open pontoon boat long carts?

 

Personally am a fan of the two tiered ones. 

 

There is also always a parking spot next to a cart corral. 

Edited July 7, 2020 by wAcKy ZeBrA

[shrader]

49 minutes ago, Gugny said:

 

A cart has to be pretty bad for me to take it back and get another one.  I usually go with whichever cart I pick first.

 

Sometimes I get the perfect cart (usually Walmart).  My son laughs at how excited I get when I get a cart with perfect alignment AND smooth wheels.  No shake, rattle and roll ... just roll, baby.

 

 

I search until I get the cart where the front wheel continuously rotates as I'm pushing it.

[teef]

1 hour ago, wAcKy ZeBrA said:

At Wegmans do you go with the two tiered short bus carts or the wide open pontoon boat long carts?

 

Personally am a fan of the two tiered ones. 

 

There is also always a parking spot next to a cart corral. 

i'm a fan of the short bus cart as well.  it's the easiest to maneuver through the tightest isles you'll every see.  it also allows me to get close and creepy with the hot moms.

[Gugny]

Just now, teef said:

i'm a fan of the short bus cart as well.  it's the easiest to maneuver through the tightest isles you'll every see.  it also allows me to get close and creepy with the hot moms.

 

At my local grocery store (Hannaford), the short bus carts have a flaw.  There's no clearance below for walking like there is in the bigger carts.  If I hold the short bus the same distance away that I do the big boys, my feet hit the deck of the cart.  So I need to consciously extend my arms to provide clearance.

 

For that reason, I forego the short buses.

[teef]

18 minutes ago, Gugny said:

 

At my local grocery store (Hannaford), the short bus carts have a flaw.  There's no clearance below for walking like there is in the bigger carts.  If I hold the short bus the same distance away that I do the big boys, my feet hit the deck of the cart.  So I need to consciously extend my arms to provide clearance.

 

For that reason, I forego the short buses.

i haven't found that with the wegmans version.  that sounds like a serious engineering flaw.  have you tired the carts that look like a little car?

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

24 minutes ago, teef said:

it also allows me to get close and creepy with the hot moms.

I had to scroll upward to see if this was T&C or teef...

*
T&C:  young female store staff.

teef:  MILF shoppers.

OK, got it...

Edited July 7, 2020 by Ridgewaycynic2013

[teef]

1 minute ago, Ridgewaycynic2013 said:

I had to scroll upward to see if this was T&C or teef...

i'm far more handsome.

[The Dean]

Speaking of carts, those at our local Publix stores are impeccable. I've even stopped asking people, if they give me the cart they are returning, "Is it a good one?" (before Covid).  Don't think I've ever had a misaligned one their. But Publix only has one size cart (at least ours do). 

 

One of the few things I like about Winn Dixie is the cart selection. I like the small cart most of the time. I'll grab a hand basket if just picking up a few things. But if one of them is a 12 pack of beer or seltzer, I'd rather have a cart. WD also has really mini carts (with a big flag sticking up) for little kids. Cute.

[Seasons1992]

40 minutes ago, teef said:

i'm far more handsome.

 

You gettin' some of this on the side?

 

 

 

[Augie]

3 hours ago, Gugny said:

 

A cart has to be pretty bad for me to take it back and get another one.  I usually go with whichever cart I pick first.

 

Sometimes I get the perfect cart (usually Walmart).  My son laughs at how excited I get when I get a cart with perfect alignment AND smooth wheels.  No shake, rattle and roll ... just roll, baby.

 

 

A few days ago I greeted the young lady spraying down the carts and grabbed one from the sanitized stack. I got about 5 steps before I realized the front right wheel was a complete mess. I hadn’t even made it from the lobby into the store when I turned around and took it back to the sprayer lady. I told her “you could spray this down again, or just take it out back and shoot it. Nobody will want it as is”. It had a mind of it’s own. Worst cart EVER.  

[teef]

13 minutes ago, Seasons1992 said:

 

You gettin' some of this on the side?

 

 

 

she's a 3 am call.