Shopping at Inconvenience Stores

Believer, 2009. Asma Chaudhary. Recycled Home Depot shopping carts, stainless steel, and paint.

This morning, I went to four different grocery stores to ask for free shopping carts. I received a negative response from each place. One store wanted my information to keep on file in case they have a damaged cart to donate--but this could take forever because stores often send their carts in for repair in larger amounts rather than one or two at a time. I also learned that most shopping carts cost between $200 and $600 each. Another store recommended that I visit older locations that have not been remodeled yet. I am beginning to lose hope because I have received a rejection from at least 10 stores. I understand that desperate times call for desperate measures. However, I feel like a homeless person stalking these carts in empty parking lots, either that or a dumpster-diving freegan.

I visited numerous stores at several locations (throughout northern Virginia, from Fairfax/Annandale to Dulles/Sterling/Manassas) including:

• Home Depot
• Lowes
  
• Wegman's (they have 2 very cool versions)
  
• Safeway
• Giant (they also have 2 new styles)
  
• Shoppers Food Warehouse

Any recommendations?

Photograph courtesy of unarco.com