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Number plates on shopping carts

Posted: 20 Oct 2007 23:39
by Daniel
What was the purpose of these license plate things on shopping carts?

Image

Posted: 21 Oct 2007 00:08
by Groceteria
A lot of stores used the numbers as a part of their parcel pickup scheme. The cashier would write the cart number on the receipt and the customer would drive up and claim her groceries with it. And then (dramatic pause) they'd load the groceries into her car for her...

Posted: 21 Oct 2007 19:40
by BillyGr
I believe I have also seen (at least pictures) of carts where the numbered part had 2 pieces.

One piece would slide out and be given to the customer, who would then hand it back upon returning with their car to pick up the items.

Same idea, just a different way of doing it.

Posted: 21 Oct 2007 21:41
by MBZ321
Oddly enough, the "Super G" chain (which was really just Giant-MD..don't know if they had the same carts though) had numbered (and very tiny) carts when they breifly made an appearance in the Philly area in the late-90's. I figured it was just a way for them to keep track of missing carts (but seemed pointless to me) because I don't think they offered any kind of drive-up service.

Posted: 21 Oct 2007 23:20
by Daniel
That makes sense. I can't believe I didn't think of this use, but that's probably because I had never shopped at a store that had parcel pickup until very recently. The Heinen's chain in Cleveland does parcel pickup, but they have a rack of plastic numbers, one goes on the cart and you get the other. Different way of doing it, I suppose.

Posted: 22 Oct 2007 22:32
by Andrew T.
The local Kroger store has toyed around with number plates on shopping carts off and on since the 1980s at least: Originally flat plastic blue-on-white affairs, then later black-on-white embossed plates similar to the one at the top of the thread. Nowadays, they seem to have largely given up on the idea: A few carts still have them, but they're covered by advertising panels more often than not. If they ever had any practical significance, it probably came to little effect: A good portion of the carts in service at any one time didn't have numbers at all.

Numbers on shopping carts

Posted: 31 Oct 2007 13:45
by scanman2
I seem to remember Gemco doing this and you would drive around the side of the building to load your stuff into your car. Possibly I remember Fedco doing this as well.

Posted: 17 Nov 2007 18:53
by dominion301
A handful of stores still use the numbered plastic bin / conveyor belt system of parcel pickup. Here in Ottawa, 2 of the oldest Loblaws stores still do this.

Here's an example at an A&P in Picton, Ontario: http://www.flickr.com/photos/78111739@N00/1142687126/

Here's another A&P in Kingston, Ontario: http://www.flickr.com/photos/78111739@N00/332080419/

Posted: 20 Nov 2007 16:42
by Dave
Groceteria wrote:A lot of stores used the numbers as a part of their parcel pickup scheme. The cashier would write the cart number on the receipt and the customer would drive up and claim her groceries with it. And then (dramatic pause) they'd load the groceries into her car for her...
It's been a long time since I used parcel pickup. I suppose that these days there's not a big comfort level in just leaving a cart full of groceries unattended while you fetch your car - and most parcel pickups I ever saw weren't attended until you rang the bell by driving over the hose in the parcel pickup lane.

Re: Number plates on shopping carts

Posted: 06 Jun 2008 12:15
by dominion301
Dave wrote:
Groceteria wrote:A lot of stores used the numbers as a part of their parcel pickup scheme. The cashier would write the cart number on the receipt and the customer would drive up and claim her groceries with it. And then (dramatic pause) they'd load the groceries into her car for her...
It's been a long time since I used parcel pickup. I suppose that these days there's not a big comfort level in just leaving a cart full of groceries unattended while you fetch your car - and most parcel pickups I ever saw weren't attended until you rang the bell by driving over the hose in the parcel pickup lane.
Stores that have/had 'high-end' parcel pickups had the bins or carts stored in a secure parcel pickup room.

This ex-Loblaws (this store is now Loblaws' sister store YIG) where I live in Ottawa has a secure parcel pickup room: http://www.flickr.com/photos/78111739@N00/2324853349/ So even during slow times of the day/week when the room is left unattended, peoples' groceries are still kept safe & secure.

Re: Number plates on shopping carts

Posted: 17 Jun 2008 14:38
by GothicPrincess
Found some gems in Greensburg at the Shop N Save on 130 Hempfield twp. Nearly soiled myself being I have gone to that store many many times and never even noticed these. the sign is to the right of the in/out doors, with a bar going across and a chain, I'm guessing that's where the carts sat until they were loaded. They also had a half-door for pushing carts through, either in or out, I don't know. I got the pics with no problems whatsoever. Hopefully I can find out who owns this particular store and get the scoop on it.
enjoy the pics. that's my husband and my daughter's tushies in there lol


http://www.flickr.com/photos/12675558@N02/2588055478/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12675558@N02/2588055448/