Somehow just before my vacation at the Happiest (and most Commercial) Place on Earth I managed to injure my foot. Walking on it all day for several days did not improve the situation. Once the charming staff at the ER ruled out nasty life-threatening scenarios like a blood-clot, they handed me a pair of crutches, prescriptions for pain killers, and instructions to stay off the foot until I got home to Portland and saw another doctor. I’ll be on crutches for at least another week.
In the meantime, I’ve gotten a chance to test drive the seated motorized shopping carts at multiple retail establishments. A friend put the bug in my ear that I should review them, so here goes.
Gateway Fred Meyer
Not too shabby. Had enough power to motor me around even with a cart full of Thanksgiving fixings, but not fast enough to run over the toddlers who got in my way. Didn’t get a chance to try out the horn. Dual basket space (full basket and a small raised basket) and simple controls available on either side of the steering bar.
Pro: Corners really well, plenty of oomph, quiet reverse warning sound
Con: Have to find an employee with a key before you can use it.
Mall 205 Target
Hands down the best cart I drove. Good speed, easy controls, very responsive. Full basket carrying space.
Pro: Just get it from the customer service area and away you go!
Con: Obnoxiously loud reverse warning sound. So shrill I was lax to use reverse.
Hollywood Fred Meyer
Out of the three carts at the grocery entrance, only one was not “out of order.” No key required. The basket was roomy and functional, but the armrests were way too short. Controls were similar to motorcycle accelerator where you rotate the handles forward to go. Confusing layout of buttons. Horn didn’t work.
Pro: I wasn’t using my crutches to navigate the last minute Thanksgiving shoppers
Con: Really, really painfully slow. I would have been faster on my crutches, but it hurts a lot to walk around that much. Controls would sometimes stop working after the cart was stopped.
Potentially more reviews to come as I continue to gimp my way around our fine city…