Avoiding Shopping Cart Damage

I avoid going shopping at all costs. I don't mind going into the stores and the crowds don't bother me that much. Standing in line really isn't that bad either. I avoid shopping because I fear that I will walk outside to find that a shopping cart has rolled into my car. I avoid shopping because once I get to the parking lot I can't even find a parking space at times for the number of carts scattered throughout the parking spaces. With so many shopping carts not being put away, cars are often being damaged. With a little patience there are ways to keep your car safe while you are inside shopping.

The first rule is to park up hill when possible. While it is possible for high winds to push a shopping cart uphill, the carts are more likely to roll downhill. If your car is parked at the bottom of a hill, this may mean it is a target for stray shopping carts. Many times the wind carries shopping carts or some customers simply let their cart go.

The next rule is to park close to a shopping cart corral. These are the metal cages that stores provide for customers to place shopping carts once they are finished with them. The closer that someone parks to these corrals, the more likely they are to put their cart inside it, instead of leaving it in the empty parking spot next to them. If you park next to one of these, there will be less of a chance that damage will occur to your car.

This may seem like common sense, but never park next to a stray cart. Even if the cart is a few parking spaces over and does not look like it will move, don't park next to it. Another car could come along and bump it or the wind could send it sailing toward your vehicle.

Another good rule to follow is to never park your car by itself, especially at the bottom of a parking lot. When your car is parked without other cars around it, all sides are wide open for damage. If you are parked next to two other vehicles, the sides of your car are more protected. To better protect the front of your car from damage, park next to a median or at the edge of the parking lot.

It is sometimes hard to tell which direction the store security cameras are pointing. They could appear to be pointing directly at your vehicle, but really they are set toward the end of the parking lot. Still, when possible try to park where you think the cameras are pointing. If your car is hit by a shopping cart, the store will possibly have the accident on tape. If caught on tape, your chances of being reimbursed for the damage increases greatly.

If your car is hit by a shopping cart and it causes damage, do not leave the parking lot. Make sure first that it was a cart that did the damage. Bring a cart over to your car and make sure that it is the same height as the dent. If you do think it was cart damage then you will need to report this to the store manager. They will help you file a report and you will have to wait to see what they decide.

Keep in mind that it is very rare that stores actually pay for damages caused by a shopping cart. Always take precautions when parking your vehicle, especially in parking lots where you know there is a problem with stray carts.