Parking lot damage

[riptides]

Was out late last night, super windy.

Car took a major assault from a shopping cart in a big box store lot. And I mean major. Easy thousand worth of damage. I don't know if the cart was free in the lot, or came out of the lot holder itself.

I'd like to hold the big box store negligent in this instance. Why? Upon inspection of the lot holder for carts, I noticed no strip on the asphalt to hold them in place. Other carts were uncollected.

I know act of nature and all that, but I tell you, if you see my car, it was assaulted I tell you.

I don't do trivial law suits, but in this instance, I feel I am right. The store manager did not offer information or condolences.


Your thoughts?

 

[buickanddeere]

That is why I keep telling the wife and kids to park uphill , well away from the front doors and main driveways .
Sorry but unless there is a parking lot video . You are out of pocket for the repairs. Or do you have comprehensive insurance on the vehicle and how high is the deduction?

 

[dmccarty]

I think you are out of luck and you or your insurance will have to pay. A video might help but if the video shows another person not putting the cart in the cart corral...

I have never seen a strip of asphalt to hold the carts in place. Good idea but I have not seen it.

I do try to park away from the car corral and away from other vehicles and I check the ground for stuff that will pop a tire. I have found more than one nail in the parking lot. :shocked:

Good Luck,
Dan

 

[engine29]

That's what your insurance is for. Buck up and take it. We are in a world today where everyone wants to blame and sue someone else. It just happened, no one's fault.
It's not the store manager's fault either. Just live w/ it.

 

[newbury]

Remember the OP lives in an area with the highest ratio of lawyers per capita. Around here suing is what keeps people employed.

 

[dodge man]

IF the paint is intact maybe a paintless guy can get the dent out.

 

[dave1949]

This is why the coin release shopping cart system is good. You have to put money in to release an empty cart from the string, and you get it back when you return it. It's an unattended system that works well. In Germany they used a one Deutsche Mark coin, that was before the Euro conversion.

 

[Sprinklerman]

It was windy last night here in Maryland also . You could push the issue , but I think you are going to be out of luck .

 

[South NH]

You advised the manager, now go up the chain to management/owner. They may help, as they don't like hearing good customers complaining or not doing business with them.good luck

 

[sailorman]

Aint 'gonna happen . You really have no proof how, why, or who is responsible . Now ya might be able to sue and get the store to pay to avoid the hassle..... that is if you can get a lawyer to take the case . Small claims court may be real ify on this one .

 

[South NH]

They deal with that regularly, and probably have it on film. They'll check it. If no help, ask for their insurance co info too.

 

[South NH]

Ps keep your receipt for proof of when and where...

 

[MikePA]

I know act of nature and all that, but I tell you, if you see my car, it was assaulted I tell you.

I don't do trivial law suits, but in this instance, I feel I am right. The store manager did not offer information or condolences.

Your thoughts?

Why wouldn't you report it to your insurance company and let them fight with the box store, if they believe they might be liable?

 

[Bird]

This is why the coin release shopping cart system is good. You have to put money in to release an empty cart from the string, and you get it back when you return it. It's an unattended system that works well. In Germany they used a one Deutsche Mark coin, that was before the Euro conversion.

I agree. The newest chain of grocery stores in this area is Aldi and they are the only store I know of that uses the coin release system (takes a USA quarter). The only reason we don't trade there is because they do not take checks or credit cards; cash or debit card only.

 

[riptides]

I will write a note to the big box store HQ, and show them what I think they should do to prevent errant carts from getting out of the collectors. Most stores in this area, food, shopping, all have strips on the asphalt in front of the collectors area to prevent roll-aways.

My daughter was in the car, she thought she was hit by another car. She was catching up on sleep. It was two carts that damaged the car.

I don't report stuff like this to insurance companies IF people settle the damage incurred.

Since the store manger took the non-caring, non-acknowledging route, I will contact my insurance company. And write a b**** note to their HQ.

Cleaning up the area around a store should be good for customer service.

What if some little old lady had been run over by these way-ward carts? Changes the tune of a few doesn't it?

The force of the cart against the back door, actually took the body side molding off since it buckled the metal inwards so bad. And the carts had "bumpers" on the corners. Crazy amount of force.

 

[tcreeley]

Come to Maine- the snow in the parking lot will keep the grocery cart from rolling!
That's too bad. But then it is why we use insurance.
Good luck. -I wouldn't spread the bad karma by suing. It always comes back to individuals.

 

[dave1949]

I agree. The newest chain of grocery stores in this area is Aldi and they are the only store I know of that uses the coin release system (takes a USA quarter). The only reason we don't trade there is because they do not take checks or credit cards; cash or debit card only.

I grocery shopped at an Aldi in Germany.

 

[TomSeller]

My grocery store has a sign that basically states when you park in their lot you release the store of liability for that sort of damage. Park at your own risk sort of thing.

 

[MossRoad]

My sister-in-law works at a large chain store. You should see her mini-van! Its been hit several times. Doesn't matter where you park. Those carts get rolling 10-15 mph and its gonna hit you sooner or later. Store won't pay for the damages for employees. Good luck to you, though. Seems reasonable that they should have someone watching the parking lots for customers that leave carts out of the cart racks.

 

[JDgreen227]

This thread explains the reason when I go to a grocery or big-box hardware chain store I park WAY OUT from the pack of cars and shopping carts....and if possible on a slope that will prevent a cart from rolling toward me. I have to walk a distance to get into the store plus walk back plus walk back with the cart after unloading it, but it's good excercise. The lazy turds who leave carts loose instead of returning them to a corral make me furious. While I feel sorry for the OP, I agree it will be difficult for him to collect from the store.