Questions of human nature

[BigV]

I've seen carts that have four casters instead of two casters on the front and two fixed wheels on the back. Four caster carts are practically unsteerable--stupid design. My favorite grocery store has flatbed carts but the casters are on the end with the handle, making them effectively pull toys, not push toys. Very frustrating.

[classicman]

Totally disagree with you V. I LOVE the carts which have four casters, like those at IKEA. There is no reason to have any other kind of cart. I can literally go sideways to avoid other people and/or objects. Complete mobility. As an added bonus they are fun to play with.

[Perry Winkle]

I don't care about carts. I've never paid much attention to them. They always work well enough.

Now what really grinds my gears are those reprobates that put every curly brace on a new line.

[Pete Zicato]

Originally Posted by Perry Winkle

I don't care about carts. I've never paid much attention to them. They always work well enough.

Now what really grinds my gears are those reprobates that put every curly brace on a new line.

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[BigV]

Originally Posted by Pete Zicato

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bwaaaahahahhahahahaha!

[BigV]

Originally Posted by classicman

Totally disagree with you V. I LOVE the carts which have four casters, like those at IKEA. There is no reason to have any other kind of cart. I can literally go sideways to avoid other people and/or objects. Complete mobility. As an added bonus they are fun to play with.

right.

I see you said sideways but completely ignored my point about actually steering them. You can easily spin them, but not easily steer them. I can get sideways in one and continue in a straight line as the scenery zips by from left to right--crunch--the left side of my cart bumps what I tried to avoid.

They're fun, but I don't see the steering benefit. The force needed to turn a fixed rear axle cart is less than a four caster cart. By putting a differential force on the handle, you turn the rear axle. Since it can only roll straight (fixed direction wheels, remember) the cart turns. In a four caster rig, the same force moves one wheel ahead of the other, but since the wheels are not fixed, they aren't forced to change direction. You can only "turn" by exerting a sideways force on the cart at its center of mass, not at one of the poles.

Anyhow, glad you like them. For light loads or for office chairs where the thrust and turning forces are exerted at the center, they're great.

[glatt]

You get a good workout in your core muscles with those 4 swivel wheel carts.

[classicman]

I'm serious - never had a problem at IKEA. Even with heavy furniture and whatnot loaded. BTW, that is the only place around here that I know has them.

[ZenGum]

I prefer 4 x casters, for maximum manouverability. You just want to tuck the cart in tight and push around the outside when doing a turn at the end of an aisle.

I don't mind fixed rear wheels, because you can swing the front pretty easily, but still get good control.

A local big-box hardware store has trolleys with rear casters and fixed front wheels. It is like conning a ship. Have to push the rear slightly left about 50cm before you want it all to go to the right. Is teh suk.

[Undertoad]

I would not shop where they wanted a deposit on the carts.


eta buy you a coke

[Sundae]

It's very common here.
At least I've encountered it in Bucks, Leicestershire and South-East & East London.

Deciding not to shop in such a place could be cutting off your nose to spite your face.
Many charities here sell tokens for £1 that you keep on your keyring. That way you are always able to use a gym locker/ trolley, without having to carry cash.

[Undertoad]

I suspect our retail experiences are quite different and interesting. For a while I've wanted to take some pics of the local shopping locale which is the New American Way of shopping, mixing big box stores with smaller places to create a huge "town" of stores.

I think you would be offended by it Sundae. I know I am. But yet I go there every day.

[Sundae]

How could I be offended by how Americans choose to shop...?
I get what you're saying though

I mourn the passing of individual shops in my own country, because I experienced and appreciated them. And because they still exist in affluent areas, which means they must have some value. Received wisdom is that we all miss them, but we'd never use them. I know it's untrue.

Please, please take pics Tony.
I'd love to know how it works elsewhere.
Just don't get arrested as a potential terrorist.

[Undertoad]

That's no problem, we only hire smart cops out here in suburbia-land. I will try to get over there while the light is still up.

[Perry Winkle]

As much as I loathe them, I wasn't comfortable living in England until I found the retail areas that are similar to what we have in surburban USA. Not sure why. Something anchoring about knowing that it's not such an alien place.