'Great gesture' or 'these really are awful?' Readers are divided over the new Walmart cart
People clearly care about carts.
Readers were invited to share their opinions on the cart design shared by a Walmart in Mayfield, Kentucky after the video sparked conversation on social media.
The clamor over carts began in late July when the store shared a Facebook post that showed a store associate demonstrating the cart's new features, which included cellphone and cup holders in addition to being slightly taller. In the comments, customers complained about the height, and some reported pain and discomfort after using them.
But after USA TODAY published a story over Labor Day weekend, we got even more responses with some readers noting that the carts have been in use in some locations well before the video introduction.
The responses were similar to the sentiments found on the original social media post, though the margins were closer with those who did not like the carts slightly edging out those who liked them.
Here's what readers said about the new Walmart cart design.
Why do some not like the new Walmart carts?
Annika Schenk of El Dorado, Arkansas encountered the new carts on Friday and shared her Facebook post reviewing them with USA Today.
Schenk was not the only customer to have trouble with the height of the new design.
"These really are awful for anyone with any problems especially someone shorter. I am now sitting at home in pain between my shoulder blades and my arm," wrote Kim Stewart. "Someone definitely did not think things through with the design. It’s the most ridiculous thing to come out."
Though the height of the cart was the most common complaint, some customers were not fans of the cell-phone holder.
"The cell phone holder is ridiculous! Can people not go without looking at their phone for 5 minutes!" said Barbara Adams of Widner, Georgia.
Jared Strickland of Concord, North Carolina concurred saying, "the so-called phone holder seems useless in my opinion. It's just a small wire shelf to hold the phone upright. It doesn't seem secure enough to me at all."
Who likes the new Walmart carts?
One reader, who liked the new design, felt the carts and their features were a sign that the corporation was meeting the customer's needs.
"They’re thinking about their customers and their needs while shopping, so I think [the phone holder is] a great gesture," wrote Kristian Lynch of Henry County, Georgia. "They should keep both designs to be used by different people and hopefully that will lessen the complaints."
Michael Keichinger, who is a registered nurse at a long-term care facility in Lacrosse, Wisconsin, noted that the carts may subtly help people with their posture. "In the few weeks we’ve had these carts, I don’t see people hunched over and resting all of their weight on the carts. It seems the carts are forcing people to stand up straight and walk with a more natural gait," Keichinger said.
One reader summed up the reality of change,"you can't please everyone all the time, or never for that matter," wrote Julie Linn.
USA Today has reached out to Walmart media relations and has not received a response. We will update this story if there is a response.