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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To buy one of those pensioner shopping trolleys?

143 replies

PosieParkerIsAHero · 17/12/2019 08:15

Am going to finish my Xmas shopping.

Am 34

Dont drive.

Anticipate dragging a lot of bags around and am tired and really cba

AIBU to buy a granny trolley at my age?

OP posts:
CliffsofMoherVisitor · 17/12/2019 08:30

You could also use a wheeled suitcase to save buying a trolley. Although I think they're fine.

CoraPirbright · 17/12/2019 08:31

Loads of the mums at our old school had them - urban, quite cool, young, concerned about the environment and trying to avoid driving and using plastic bags. I say go for it! Who cares what other people think?! Just be smug as you wheel your brilliant invention along with zero strain on your back, shoulders and arms and laugh at other people struggling!

CroissantsAtDawn · 17/12/2019 08:32

I'm in Paris and can confirm that everyone, of all ages and sexes, use them. They're pretty essential when most people don't use cars to go shopping.

LadyCordeliaVorkosigan · 17/12/2019 08:34

I'm in London and most people use them. They keep those household shops with plastic crates outside in business and only cost about 15 quid. And come in cool designs.

I use mine all the time for shopping (you can fit a full small trolley contents in it). Best moment is strolling past the queues for the supermarket car park before Christmas and coming out to see the same cars still waiting...

user1473069303 · 17/12/2019 08:37

I used to have one, they're great. If you're tall, I would recommend finding one with a height-adjustable handle so you're not having to stoop over!

PumpkinP · 17/12/2019 08:39

I’m in London and can’t say I’ve ever seen anyone who isn’t very elderly using them! I wouldn’t sorry. My mum is in her 60s and won’t use one either. (She uses a suit case instead) I’m lucky my baby is still in the pram so that helps. But I wouldn’t be seen dead with a shopping trolley.

Original poster
PosieParkerIsAHero · 17/12/2019 08:43

That amazon one is fab but can't afford that at all.

OP posts:
Somanysocks · 17/12/2019 08:44

I would always have the fear of unknowingly wheeling it through dogpoo and the aftermath that ensues, but apart from that they are great idea Smile

ambereeree · 17/12/2019 08:46

Lots of young people in London have them especially the non English. Its not really a granny trolley anymore.

JellyfishAndShells · 17/12/2019 08:49

I got one a decade ago when I had gynae surgery that meant that I was not meant to carry much. Still keep it in the car because parking in my London street can be tricky and it is easier to load up the trolley with bags and wheel them from two streets over rather than do two trips.

There are lots of wheeled soft bags around now like back packs that have handles that can be pulled up ( not talking about suitcases ) so I am not sure anyone would give a second glance to a trolley. And ppfft to what anyone thinks, anyway - better a trolley than back strain.

A Dutch friend could not believe, when they lived here, that there weren’t in more common usage amongst all age groups.

pachyderm · 17/12/2019 08:53

I love mine! Polka dot from Argos, you can carry loads in them. I am not a granny but there's nothing wrong with grannies.

hazeyjane · 17/12/2019 08:54

I have one and my friend takes the piss out of me, and calls it my Audrey trolley (obviously Audrey Hepburn must have had one....) I don't drive, always have tons of shit to carry to work and prefer not to break my back carrying shopping home.

Oysterbabe · 17/12/2019 08:55

I've told DH I'm getting myself one as soon as youngest is out of the buggy. He's horrified at the idea.

Ohpleasefuckofflove · 17/12/2019 08:55

OP I’m 25 I do drive and I’m thinking of getting one!

I go to Asda and do the self scan, pay by card thing, therefore I can pack my shopping as I go (god send - though appreciate it is not good for jobs (I am sorry) and I would love one! But where I live, more specifically my local Asda would probably raise a few eyebrows! I might build the courage up in 2020!

Let me know how you get on!

WorraLiberty · 17/12/2019 08:57

YANBU. I had a black one for years.

Top tip. Don't get the ones with plastic wheels as they often shatter when you bump them down the kerb.

Rubber wheels are much better.

goodgirlinchachaheels · 17/12/2019 08:58

I have one. Bought it 10 years ago. still use it regularly.

TreeSwayer · 17/12/2019 09:00

I remember lots of young people pulling them round the BBC Good Food show in 2002!

They are incredibly practical and I would have one if I needed one. There are some very funky ones available as I have seen people with them. Lots of bus users tend to have them.

ZombieNut · 17/12/2019 09:13

I'd say definitely get one, they're so much better than struggling with bags. DH thought he was hilarious ordering one for my 50th as a 'joke' present. It's red tartan and I love it! My 8yo DGD insists she pulls it along when we go shopping. It was also invaluable during The Beast From The East. I was shopping for multiple households and it was the safest way to get from the shop to the car fully laden. I could then unpack it into bags in the boot ready for drop offs. I am thinking of upgrading to a 4-wheeler for extra stability but two wheels are great for dragging through the snow!

BillywigSting · 17/12/2019 09:15

I'm 29 and bought one a few weeks ago.

Absolute game changer should have done it years ago.

I fuckin love my little granny trolley

youcancallmequeenE · 17/12/2019 09:21

Also eyeing one up once the kids are out of the pushchair. Actually, I could've done with one when shopping last week. Dunno why I was arsing around carrying a million bags. Nearly broke my hands and back!

In fact, I'm going research one! Thanks for the push @PosieParkerIsAHero ! Bollocks to what anyone else thinks. They're not the ones carrying your shopping are they?!

TotHappy · 17/12/2019 09:26

Does anyone think this would work while carrying a newborn in front carrier with pre schooler walking alongside? With first newborn I used to shop with baby in front and rucksack on back but rucksack is broken and I'm wondering whether to replace with trolley instead.... First baby wasn't in pushchair much and with a trolley I'm thinking I could have a hand free to help her across roads etc. But I am tall and worried it'll just be an unmanoeuvrable ballache... I don't really get on with Wheely suitcases already..

Dontsweatthelittlestuff · 17/12/2019 09:28

Ok I am older than you but I took mine Christmas shopping last week. So much easier than carrying multiple bags and the added bonus of every time the shop assistant said “ do you want to buy a bag” I could say no and just pop it in the trolley.

I don’t know why more people don’t have them.

formerbabe · 17/12/2019 09:31

I have one! I take it to the beach..it's really handy. I did take it food shopping once when I didn't have a car. If you look, you'll actually notice people of all ages have them. Do it! Mine's really nice too, black and white polka dot.

Dontsweatthelittlestuff · 17/12/2019 09:32

TotHappy you can buy adjustable trolleys for taller people so height is not an issue.
With a preschooler I would use a wrist strap still so I don’t see why using a trolley wouldn’t work.

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