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Letter: Don't like depositing $1 for Walmart carts? Bring your own

Stolen carts are a widespread problem that results in higher prices
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Letter writer Biro Kalman doesn't understand what all the fuss is about when it comes to depositing a $1 to use a shopping cart at Walmart. File photo

Editor's note: This is in reply to the letter, Paying for shopping carts is the last straw

Let's make one thing clear: No Walmart customer is paying for the use of shopping carts. The $1 you need to use a Walmart shopping cart is a DEPOSIT — the same as a deposit on beer bottles when you are buying beer.

Nobody complains about the deposit on beer bottles. You get your deposit back in both cases, beer bottles and shopping carts.

In 2014 the city council addressed the issue of abandoned shopping carts (Northern Life, Aug 14, 2011).

"Ward 3 Coun. Claude Berthiaume said that when businesses have carts taken from them, the cost goes up for consumers."

“After all, the bottom line is all consumers pay for it, because (the cost) will be added on their grocery bill ... in order to incorporate some of the losses,” he said.

To appreciate the problem, all you have to do is look around at apartment buildings, bus stops and Junction Creek, to see how wide-spread the problem is.

If you still object to the $1 deposit to use Walmart's carts, then you should bring your own cart. Problem solved.

Biro Kalman
Sudbury