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Why Don’t People Return Their Shopping Carts? A (Somewhat) Scientific Investigation
Behavioral Scientist ^ | 19 Nov, 2025 | Hannah B. Waldfogel

Posted on 11/28/2025 8:03:12 AM PST by MtnClimber

click here to read article


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To: dfwgator

😅


121 posted on 11/28/2025 9:31:19 AM PST by Georgia Girl 2 (The only purpose of a pistol is to fight your way back to the rifle you should never have dropped)
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To: Chengdu54

I don’t know, I am 69.


122 posted on 11/28/2025 9:31:38 AM PST by yldstrk
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To: MtnClimber

In my town, at both markets, carts are returned 100% of the time.


123 posted on 11/28/2025 9:33:02 AM PST by Jim Noble (Let it turn to something else, Matty)
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

That was my cousin’s theory on whether or not tossing his empty beer cans on his neighbor’s front lawn was littering after the MI 10-cents per returnable bottle or can went into effect. He ‘reasoned’ that it was a fair deal since he was practically throwing his money out the window in exchange for the peace of mind of not having the empties rolling around on the floor of his or his buddies’ car. At first, I thought it made perfect sense. If I was 15 then, I probably would’ve said that just so I could tag along without them thinking I was some kind of “narc”.


124 posted on 11/28/2025 9:33:53 AM PST by equaviator (Nobody's perfect. That's why they put pencils on erasers!)
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To: MtnClimber

Laziness...I choose to think cart return is part of my daily exercise...


125 posted on 11/28/2025 9:35:44 AM PST by goodnesswins (Make educ institutions return to the Mission...reading, writing, math...not Opinions & propaganda)
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To: MtnClimber

Look at Aldi’s “25 cents” cart return setup: 100% success rate, no psychologists or manpower needed.


126 posted on 11/28/2025 9:36:37 AM PST by exinnj
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To: MtnClimber

Flew into Vegas in 1987, to visit a pal. He couldn’t pick me up until he got off work at 5pm. During the interim period, I returned luggage carts, for the quarter reward that was dispensed. When I got to about $3.00, went back inside and played video poker, and won $75. By the time I left town, three days later, I had about $150 more in my wallet, than I arrived with,and the flight was $29 each way, from LAX. Only time I ever made a profit, in that town. Gave it all back, subsequently.


127 posted on 11/28/2025 9:36:42 AM PST by jttpwalsh
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To: MtnClimber

Costco’s has people they pay to return the carts.


128 posted on 11/28/2025 9:38:41 AM PST by Kleon
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To: Jamestown1630

I have a $100 EUFY that does decent vacuum job (we have cats)


129 posted on 11/28/2025 9:39:56 AM PST by goodnesswins (Make educ institutions return to the Mission...reading, writing, math...not Opinions & propaganda)
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To: goodnesswins

And it mops, doesn’t just vacuum?


130 posted on 11/28/2025 9:41:44 AM PST by Jamestown1630 ("A Republic, if you can keep it.")
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To: nobody in particular

Sometimes I do, sometimes i don’t. I have no obligation nor am I required to do so. It’s my choice and if you don’t like it then that’s your problem. Not mine. Have a great day!! %^)


131 posted on 11/28/2025 9:44:00 AM PST by SGCOS (If COVID doesn't kill you, the vaccines will. )
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To: MtnClimber

No home training and they think their mamas work at the store.


132 posted on 11/28/2025 9:44:01 AM PST by lastchance (Cognovit Dominus qui sunt eius.)
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To: Jamestown1630

No...doesn’t mop...but they may have one now that does...mine is @3 yrs old


133 posted on 11/28/2025 9:45:03 AM PST by goodnesswins (Make educ institutions return to the Mission...reading, writing, math...not Opinions & propaganda)
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To: MtnClimber

I could have saved the author the trouble of the study. They leave their carts because they’re inconsiderate lazy fat f*cks, that’s why.


134 posted on 11/28/2025 9:46:26 AM PST by dinodino ( Shut it down anyway. )
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To: Jamestown1630

https://www.wired.com/review/eufy-x10-pro-omni/

Spendy


135 posted on 11/28/2025 9:46:48 AM PST by goodnesswins (Make educ institutions return to the Mission...reading, writing, math...not Opinions & propaganda)
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To: metmom

We lean on the carts. It is a giant walker. Once shopping and unloading the cart is done, pain can be bad.

I do not park in handicapped spots, no tag. We park near the corrals. I have seen handicapped people leave their carts near the poles or in the loading zones. I do not blame them.


136 posted on 11/28/2025 9:48:09 AM PST by madison10 ("...the dark places of the earth are full of the haunts of cruelty." Psalm 74:20b [NKJV])
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To: dfwgator

I was almost killed by a hit and run driver while I was returning a shopping cart in a supermarket parking lot.

Wonder if I could get a refund for the emergency room visit and hospital stay- it was a bit more that a quarter

I don’t return shopping carts anymore . It’s just not worth the risk . They pay people to do that


137 posted on 11/28/2025 9:48:31 AM PST by rdcbn1 (..when poets buy guns, tourist season is over................Walter R. Mead.l)
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To: metmom
Isn't it a funny topic, though? In my 20+ years at FR, I have started maybe 50 threads, and I struggle to get more than 30-50 posts on it!

But when shopping carts in parking lots are the subject, EVERYONE has an opinion on that!

138 posted on 11/28/2025 9:49:18 AM PST by rlmorel (Factio Communistica Sinensis Delenda Est.)
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To: MtnClimber

I always return them and when I get to the store I find a loose one and use it.


139 posted on 11/28/2025 9:50:07 AM PST by US_MilitaryRules (#PureBlood )
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To: yldstrk

Yeah, it makes you OCD. There are many of us! 😀


140 posted on 11/28/2025 9:50:10 AM PST by madison10 ("...the dark places of the earth are full of the haunts of cruelty." Psalm 74:20b [NKJV])
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