A Kmart I've been to has carts that lock when to tilt them so if you go over a curb, it locks. An Aldi locked the wheel when I took it in the exit door. I haven't seen places not allowing the carts outside. Menards did prohibit taking their electric cart outside which I think is a good idea but boy did a couple of people throw tantrums! Anyone who expects groveling level customer service at a dollar store is in for a surprise. When I was managing station stores we were the price leader. Gas was lowest in the area, though in the later years they'd let someone match but we always were the first to drop prices and last to raise prices as the price would trend. Sold milk, cigarettes and other support items at state minimums, coffee and fountain pop was the cheapest around and had a lot of promos on pop and things. But still, people would come there all the time taking the extra two or three cents of gas or trying to tell us to cut prices, change check policies and all that or "you'll lose a customer!!!" Buh-bye now, don't let the door knock you over on the way out and I'll see you in a couple weeks since you're not going to give up the penny or two a gallon savings for very long! And they'd be back far more often than not. Losing a customer for a short time happens but losing them long term takes quite a bit. There's an interesting thing in sales. If you price things higher from the start, people are less likely to complain and want more. The "upscale" stores sell the same Tide detergent, the same Colgate toothpaste, the same Maxwell House coffee and the same Skippy peanut butter but people aren't near as likely to complain at the upscale store. And curiously, it's not the truly poor people who try to get more for less! That said, not being able to take a cart full of purchases out could have an impact with a few people. This weekend I bought 3 cases of spring water at a Walgreens. If I couldn't take it to my vehicle I wouldn't have bought it. People who have trouble walking likely will avoid a place where carts couldn't go out. As suggested, multiple bags, someone walking with a cane and other times when multiple trips would be necessary could have an affect. But I doubt it'd be many. I doubt the true loss would offset the cost savings though so I highly doubt they'll change this policy. The one thing though is if this is successful, other stores will follow. Retail trade is a herd of cattle. One or two try things out and if it works, others follow. I remember when self-serve gas started in this area. The chants of "I'll never buy that!" and the like. Now getting gas pumped for you is a rarity. Prepaid gas, drive up windows, no checks, etc are examples of how businesses follow the lead. Take out, delivery. Burger King is experimenting with delivery. Yes, retail is interesting. I do kind of chuckle at Aldi's quarter concept. Talk about puppets on a string. People really will do most anything for a quarter. Don't get me wrong, I think it's a great idea, but just like the clubco type stores and their perceived "savings" it's amazing what people will to to think they're saving money. And you never hear of people complaining about lack of service there. They will not help you carry out even a furniture or appliance purchase. I asked for a flatbed and maybe someone to help me load it and it was like I asked for the Taj Mahal. He did bring a flatbed and shoved it at me from about 10' away and took off. "We don't help people load". LOL

In my photography I use a lot of the 24x36 foam core matt boards for everything from matting a photo to building a set or prop for Frogs antics. Those boards are $3.50 at Michaels and sometimes I find them on sale for $2.79. Jan found the same boards at dollar tree for $1 each so she called and told me. I told her to grab some,,so she came home with 6, which she said that was all they had but she said the store manager told her it was a regular stock item so if we needed more to check back in a week. The next week Jan returned to the store and found they had both white & black finish so she called and asked me which I wanted so I told her to get some of each..Later when Jan got home she said there is only ten boards in a case, so I bought a case of white & a case of black, but now that you have all reminded me,,I think I need to go and get another couple cases cause Frogs antics is killing me,,,,,LOL

I get mine on Amazon - a box of 40 pairs for $37. These are the kind Sea_shell mentioned: adhesive toe warmers that stick on your socks. I go through one or two pair a day from now through April.

Su, I think you set up is wonderful ! Plants look beautiful !!!! And I love the three hanging baskets also!!!!! Dollar Tree/yard sales/thrift stores are all great possibilities for reservoir containers! Yay!!!! Speaking of reservoirs,,,I am experimenting with 2 Kcups with fresh cut leaves. I have put them right away on wicks. I usually put them in a snack baggie with a couple inches of soil, set on its short end. They do well, and then when I transplant and put them on their wick,,,,,well,, let's just say I have an extensive cemetery. sigh,,,RIP. SO,,,we are going to START on wicks. We'll see what happens with a little more consistency. I don't have room to "dome" everything after they come out of the baggies. And I am not transplanting when they are too little. But when you grow in a controlled "womb" and are thrust into the cold cruel world, well,,,, sigh. Anyway,,,I am all for recycling!!!! Rosie PS. We have been going to Fish Fry every Friday and I save my plastic glass and my cole slaw condiment cup/lid and YEP I take them home with me! Now multiply that by 3 (me, husband, grandson) then multiply that by 6 days of fish fries and WOW!!! AND if I go out to eat and they serve me in plastic,, well, yep! Same rules apply, they come home with me!!! Lots of containers!!!!! I can use them and better than ending up in the landfill !!!! Useful things!!!! Yay!!!!!