Aldi quarter for the cart etiquette?

**imagine** · 06-16-2009, 03:03 PM

What is Aldi's quarter for the cart etiquette ?

Okay we have figured out if someone says "I'll take your cart" that they give you a quarter. The kids hate this when it happens as they like locking the cart back and the quarter popping out. But they realize the nicety of the person offering and the nicety in letting them use your cart. So they do it.

Here is a quarter experience we had last time shopping and I don't know the etiquette for.

Noone but us was around and there were two cart in the corral but not locked up. Much to the children's love of locking the carts up they happily locked them up and when the quarter popped out they were extra happy at their good fortune and each kept a quarter. Later I wonder if there was some quarter for the cart etiquette I didn't know. What was the proper thing to do when you find carts with quarters?

**Debbie-cat** · 06-16-2009, 03:09 PM

We don't have an Aldi's here but when I lived in my hometown the Safeway there had quarters in the cart.

If there was a cart left, I would use it and return it but not lock it up. I always left it for the next person as I was thankful that someone left it for me. At the end of the evening the cart boys would get the quarters that people left....sort of like a tip.

**The Muse** · 06-16-2009, 03:29 PM

Originally Posted by Debbie-cat

At the end of the evening the cart boys would get the quarters that people left....sort of like a tip.

What a nice idea! We're getting an Aldi in the fall. I'll have to remember this.

**nodmicks** · 06-16-2009, 03:42 PM

I always leave the quarter in the cart at Aldis. I figure it is a very small way to make someones day "lucky".

**imagine** · 06-16-2009, 04:56 PM

Originally Posted by nodmicks

I always leave the quarter in the cart at Aldis. I figure it is a very small way to make someones day "lucky".

It sure made my kids day to find a quarter! They also found a dime and a penny on the ground during the rest of our errands that day. They were feeling quite wealthy with that much coin to jiggle in their pockets.

**happimommi** · 06-16-2009, 04:58 PM

I would say that it was perfectly fine to put the unattended cart back and take the quarter. The whole quarter thing is to eliminate the carts in the parking lot. Somebody may have left it there for a child to find and return and get a quarter.

**imagine** · 06-16-2009, 04:58 PM

Originally Posted by Debbie-cat

We don't have an Aldi's here but when I lived in my hometown the Safeway there had quarters in the cart.

If there was a cart left, I would use it and return it but not lock it up. I always left it for the next person as I was thankful that someone left it for me. At the end of the evening the cart boys would get the quarters that people left....sort of like a tip.

What a nice and free way to do a random act of kindness

**imagine** · 06-16-2009, 05:05 PM

Originally Posted by happimommi

I would say that it was perfectly fine to put the unattended cart back and take the quarter. The whole quarter thing is to eliminate the carts in the parking lot. Somebody may have left it there for a child to find and return and get a quarter.

My kids sure did enjoy the find -the chance to lock up additional carts and the quarter. Sure made them feel lucky. It made their day.

**craftypam** · 06-16-2009, 05:10 PM

very nice of you debbie-cat.

**Nana2two** · 06-16-2009, 05:51 PM

I also leave mine too. the look on the kids face is priceless. We also leave quarters in the candy machines at stores.

**strezzed** · 06-16-2009, 08:49 PM

When I worked as a cashier in a grocery store with quarter carts, the boys would always find extra money this way. Unfortunately, they would flaunt it to us on cash. It was definitely not fair, as we were the ones dealing with irate/angry/upset customers all day, not them, and we weren't making any tips (it's not customary). Also, the cashiers weren't making more than the cart-boys. If any of us would have been asked to collect the carts all day, we would have jumped on the chance. Sorry had to add my rant.
So this is the reason I lock up the extra cart and take the quarter. If I see a child though, I always suggest that s/he do it and take the quarter.

**frugalwarrior** · 06-16-2009, 09:09 PM

Isn't it funny how people have different interpretations. Our Aldi's has almost a social network of handing off carts to each other. They hardly ever go back. If I am short or it is my only quarter I keep in the glove compartment. If I have extra bags I share.
Strezzed, I have been a cashier many times and I can sympathize about having to deal w/ angry,bent out of shape people but how much money we really talkin here at a quarter a pop. Quite frankly I'd be o.k. w/ it if I didn't have to push carts thru slushy,windy,winter storms or unload trucks in said weather. Yuck.

**Momto2Boyz** · 06-17-2009, 08:51 AM

I wouldn't worry about any particular ettiquette, per say. Someone left the carts unlocked becuase they were either in a hurry, or they wanted to make someone happy by leaving the quarter...and it sounds like they made your kids very happy!

I used to leave my quarter there each week, but now that I have kids who "steal" the quarters out of my purse, I tend to keep my Aldi's quarter in my car and my boys know not to touch it! The only problem with that is then I end up with people who only have two dimes and a nickle asking to trade for my cart...and I can't say not to that! But then I just have to make sure I replace my Aldi's quarter!

**phoeny_moonstar** · 06-17-2009, 08:56 AM

I remember when I was a kid I loved taking back the aldi's cart for this exact reason, I always got to keep the quarter. I don't think there is any quarter etiquette.

**imagine** · 06-17-2009, 09:04 AM

Originally Posted by frugalwarrior

Isn't it funny how people have different interpretations. Our Aldi's has almost a social network of handing off carts to each other. They hardly ever go back. If I am short or it is my only quarter I keep in the glove compartment. If I have extra bags I share.
Strezzed, I have been a cashier many times and I can sympathize about having to deal w/ angry,bent out of shape people but how much money we really talkin here at a quarter a pop. Quite frankly I'd be o.k. w/ it if I didn't have to push carts thru slushy,windy,winter storms or unload trucks in said weather. Yuck.

We hand off a lot but the person always hands you a quarter. But there a times when no one is going in when we are coming out.