Wal-Mart's new cover charge!
It's like a nightclub without the bouncer! 
OK, maybe that's pushing it a little bit however, when you take your kid to Wal-Mart, better bring an extra buck for the shopping cart! You're darn rootin' tootin! The folks at Wal-Mart think they're on to something trendy by offering parents these little shopping carts at certain stores throughout the country. Yeah, these things let the kiddies climb aboard and eye up all the toys on the bottom shelf while Mom pops the tylenol from all the kicking and screaming. These "vehicles" are nothing new...grocery stores have had them for years. They come in several shapes and sizes including cars, SUV's, and helicopters. The only thing is, if you happen to see one of these things at the local Dominick's or Jewel, your little angel can ride for free. Not at Wal-Mart. That will cost you $1.00 and the famous "greeter" will make sure to twist your arm to rent this thing all the while in front of the kids!
What does a dollar get you? Commercials. You get commercials for video games, DVD's, CD's and all kinds of toys from Star Wars to The Fantastic Four. I first read about this concept several weeks ago as some "Mom's on the go" threatened Wal-Mart to make these things free for their kids or they'll shop somewhere else. I'm sure Wal-Mart is really taking the threat seriously. Now, depending on who you heard the story from, a dollar goes a long way. One employee said that every dollar goes to the upkeep and maintenance of these plastic vehicles as well as the licensing fee to ASCAP for the "radio" in the car that plays a continuous loop of kiddie songs. Another employee said that the dollar is mostly going into the stores pocket with a small portion of loose change going towards the upkeep. For $1.00 rental fee, they'd better maintain these things. For starters, how about fixing that one wheel on the cart that doesn't spin? That's the way I see things today!
posted by Dave Sypniewski at
Monday, July 18, 2005
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