My daughter and I were out for a leisurely day one Saturday afternoon and decided to venture on down to the car wash. They were running a special and my car was in dire need of a wash so we decided to go for it. I peered across at Wal-Mart (they are in the same shopping center) and was quite surprised to see the parking lot not quite as full as usual.
So Honey and I dropped off the car and told them we were going to do a little shopping and would return to pick it up. Sounds easy enough doesn’t it? So we grabbed our shopping cart and began our browsing. You know us women we are just good with looking around. I decided I would take Honey down the toy isle and see what she was interested in and maybe grab a few good ideas for Christmas. (Yes this was before Christmas) While she was scrutinizing the toys I caught a glimpse of a few games for her I would love to get. Like this Guess Who? Extra game. I think this would be fun to play, she is always asking me to play board games and I think this would be challenging yet fun. I also thought she would get a kick out of this Bed Bugs game.
Anyway on to my story as so far I’m sure you wondering how the title ties in. I of course did not purchase the games quite yet because, well Honey was with me. I decided instead to try to do some quick grocery shopping so I wouldn’t have to go out again on Sunday. So Honey and I did some speed shopping grabbing the necessities like milk, bread, eggs, etc. Now imagine our cart if you would for a minute. There are six people in our house so a quick shopping trip turns into a lot of groceries. I especially find myself with a cart full of heavy drinks like a gallon of milk, a gallon of chocolate milk, orange juice, boxes of soda, etc. I promise this vision will make sense as you continue to read, just keep it in mind, a cart full of HEAVY items.
So our speed shopping done we pay for the groceries and make our way out of the store. It then hits me. How am I going to get this cart load of groceries over to my car? The way the shopping center is laid out is Wal-Mart is in the center with all it’s parking, then there is the main driving area so to speak that splits the car wash, gas station, and tiny strip mall from each other, though it is all on one lot. So I reluctantly decide I’m going to have to take my cart right up to my car over at the car wash and then bring it back when I’m done unloading the groceries.
Now here is where this story becomes interesting. Feel free to laugh on my behalf it is ok I’m a big girl I can take it. So picture me pushing this cart full of groceries with Honey in the seat all the way to the end of the HUGE parking lot. I look both ways before crossing the small main driving area. I get about one foot or two into the road and SCREECH! The cart comes to a halting stop. I mean this thing would not budge, would not move. So I’m thinking to myself what the heck is going on. In that one fleeting moment it hits me!
Have you ever seen the warning (if any of your stores use these) on the carts that state the wheels on this cart will lock up if taken off of this property. YEP! Guess What? Wal-Mart was not lying.! The minute I got that cart out of the parking lot it locked up. The fun part is they don’t unlock once they get back on the property. So I took Honey out of the cart and she stood to the side while I with all my might and force had to drag this cart full of heavy groceries out of the main driving area. I tugged, pulled, and used everything I had to move it about 6 feet up onto a sidewalk out of the way.
So now I’m standing with Honey next to my cart and looking at the car wash. I had no choice but to leave a cart full of groceries to go get my car. Wouldn’t you know it for the first time they wanted to see my receipt, and guess who couldn’t find her receipt? You guessed it! I lose anything and everything. So I’m searching through my purse and actually asked the guy to please keep an eye on my cart full of groceries. When I finally produced the receipt I grabbed my car and the nice man at the car wash walked over and helped me load up my groceries.
LeeAnn says
Yeah, I'm laughing. Sorry about that. That story is just nuts! I can just see you standing there with this cart full of groceries that won't move. I would like to say that if I had driven by I wouldn't have laughed at you, but I don't know if I would have been able to help myself! 😉
Thanks for the laugh today. I sure did need it!
Coupon Queen says
Well its good to know for future use, our Walmart is near our oil change place so now I know not to do what you did. I smiled but didn't laugh because this soooo easly could have been me!! Thanks for sharing!
Carol says
That sucks in the most hilarious way possible! I didn't even know that carts would lock up like that. Man, you are lucky that no one stole your groceries!
emrldeyz28 says
I could totally see this happening to me… but it will probably also be raining! Thanks for the smile!
Kimberly says
I am sorry but I am so laughing…but with you…WITH YOU 😉
Thanks for the giggle!
KM says
I had no idea their carts did that!!! Wow…they must have a huge prob w/ cart theft. LOL!
http://livingwiththemartins.blogspot.com
Kristen says
Oh gosh I couldn't do it! I would have been so mad. Good thing its done and over with.
Terra H. says
I had no idea that carts did such a thing! You'd think that it would cost less for a store to just buy a new cart rather than install perimeter tracking devices. I've got to say though, I got quite a laugh out of the story!
Dee@Cocktails with Mom says
Thanks for the public service announcement haha!. I sorry to laugh but I can imaging the look on your face when you realized what happened and then struggling with the cart. Shoppers be warned LOL.
Colleen Shibley says
That is ok it really is quite a funny story.
Donna says
lmao. But you handled much better than I would have. 🙂
Lisa @ljenator says
OMG!!!!!!!
Mellisa @funsavingmoney says
Oh, I can only image how you felt! Funny, but so sorry that you had to experience that!
Brandy says
Oh my gosh! I would have been embarrassed as well! RED face for sure, from being embarrassed and flustered! I haven’t ever seen a sign like that though, now I am going to look for one around here!
Cindi @ Moomettes Magnificents says
I have never, ever heard of such a thing happening! But of course, none of the Walmarts around here in CT are set up like that, nor have the ones I’ve visited out of state in New England. I could just imagine this happening to you in if there was snow or ice around! Glad it all worked out for you.
Jasmine Galvin says
At least you got out the door at Ross they have these huge friggin’ poles sticking up out of their carts like a antenna trying to contact mars and you cant even exit the door! The crap part (as if that isnt the crappy part) they have the nerve to sell furnature, I went in and bought two lounge chairs and two storage type ottomans. When I slammed into the door, my cart tipped and almost fell on my 3yr old. Also the ottoman on top, fell out of the cart and hit the electric door. Instead of the manager running to my aid, like grabbing the cart that was almost falling over on my kid. She ran to the door and yelled to security to check if the door was working before I left! My cart almost fell on my kid and she was worried about the operation of her stupid door…Vent,Vent,Vent! Ross- Dress for less and get treated like less.
I get it people steal carts, BUT REALLY???
Colleen says
Man that would really irritate me. If they are going to sell you large furniture the least they can do then is get it to the car from you if you can’t use a heart.