Why Don’t People Return Their Shopping Carts? A (Somewhat) Scientific Investigation

Behavioral Scientist ^ | 19 Nov, 2025 | Hannah B. Waldfogel

[Georgia Girl 2]

😅

[yldstrk]

I don’t know, I am 69.

[Jim Noble]

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

[equaviator]

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”.

[goodnesswins]

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

[exinnj]

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

[jttpwalsh]

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.

[Kleon]

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

[goodnesswins]

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

[Jamestown1630]

And it mops, doesn’t just vacuum?

[SGCOS]

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!! %^)

[lastchance]

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

[goodnesswins]

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

[dinodino]

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.

[goodnesswins]

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

Spendy

[madison10]

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.

[rdcbn1]

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

[rlmorel]

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!

[US_MilitaryRules]

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

[madison10]

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