To think using a supermarket trolley to take your shopping a mile home is not ok

[Jigjigjigsaws]

Friend of mine lives in a house which is about a mile away from the nearest big supermarket, although there is a Tesco Express about 10 minutes away. She drives but doesnt own a car. Found out recently that when she does a big shop she pushes it the mile home in a supermarket trolley and then leaves the trolley in the street. Apparently, the trolley always disappears after a few days. Something about this has really lowered my opinion of her. She's not broke and could easily afford an Uber a couple of times a month. Just after some other opinions in case I'm being too judgemental.

It’s theft pure and simple -

When you have a spare 20 minutes, please could you pop round to her house and empty a bin bag in her front garden?

Much appreciated

I could get over it if she returned it but to just leave it there? Strange thing to do and very lazy.

She's a dickhead.

What does she think happens to the trollies? Someone returns them to the store?

No they end up in a fucking river.

You're not allowed to "borrow" supermarket trolleys to take them home and return them, are you? I thought there's a lock or something that stops it after a certain distance away from the shop?

Yes, this is irresponsible behaviour, to say the least, on your friend's part OP.

All the people suggesting she keeps the trolley and uses it each time she goes - that’s theft too!

She should buy her own trolly on wheels and use that.

Metal supermarket trolleys cost the store between £100 and £300 each, and are meant to be used several times an hour by different customers. If the store had to pay for a trolly per customer, the price of your shopping would at least triple.

I was going to say taking it away is considered theft, whether you plan on returning it or not, but thought I was missing something. Glad to see some people saying it too.

Oh god, this is rife in my town. It's annoying as they are just dumped, which is horrible for the people who live in the same street. Just buy yourself a shopping bag on wheels fgs!!

@Countdowntonothing

If she took it back again I'd think she was very sensible!

Leaving it lying around is the problem, not using it to avoid a polluting car journey.

This.

Our local Tesco pays people in Tesco vouchers for information on trolly thieves/recovering stolen trolleys, They also ban the trolly thrives.

I would anonymously report her.

Its really trashy

It's theft - would you condone someone shoplifting. No Idea what supermarkets pay for these, but would have thought in the region of £200+ per trolley. Puts up the cost of goods for everyone else.

I thought they have locking wheels that are activated away from the supermarket.
If I see them in the street I'll call the supermarket concerned. If I knew someone that was doing it on a regular basis I'd let the supermarket know so that they can go down the prosecution route.

Found out recently that when she does a big shop she pushes it the mile home in a supermarket trolley and then leaves the trolley in the street.

I'd want me pound back from the trolly!

The leaving it in the street bothers me. When I lived in London and had no car then I did this for a few big shops with my housemates, but ALWAYS took the trolley straight back.

Taking the trolley is theft and leaving it in the street if fly tipping.

I have a relative who used to work in a senior role for a large supermarket. Apparently those large metal trolleys are actually quite expensive (as you would expect) and having them stolen and abandoned is quite a serious issue.

Why do people perpetuate this idea that stealing from large businesses is ok?????

Loads of supermarkets round here now have grates so you can't do this!

I have a festival trolley which is great of I decide to walk the shop rather than drive (not often!)

And “borrowing” them is not ok either! Just buy your own shopping cart!

This is so wrong. Fine if she took it back but leaving it outside.... the supermarkets get charged by the council for dumping waste and they have lost a trolley which are actually quite expensive. I know that tesco etc are not a small business but does that make it ok to steal from them and fly tip??

It's awful and a problem in our town too. Trolleys end up dumped in streets, park pond, gardens and even launched into traffic 'for fun' by the local ferals. It's gotten a lot worse since the pound-lock-things were removed.

A while ago I reported details of where our local Asda could find half a dozen of their trolleys but they weren't interested, just gave me details of another organsition to report to, they weren't interested in following it up themselves.

I have done it

@TheCountessofFitzdotterel

Leaving the trolley in the street is not on. Borrowing it instead of driving is better for the environment and if she took it back after it would be fine.

I agree.

My mum has recently moved into retirement flats. There is a sainsbos small trolley in the bin area that is taken to and fro by the residents......
But it is scuzzy to just leave it in the street.

I did this a few times in my youth, but only for an occasional extra-big shop. But always took the trolley back. If I'd had the money for the bus or to buy a proper old lady shopping trolley, I would have done that instead. But just dumping it in the street after is just filthy and feckless.

People who do this with shopping trolleys (dumping them in the street) are the same ones who a) drop litter/fag butts b) don’t pick up dog shit c) have messy front gardens.
Very chavvy.

Has she not heard of online shopping?