apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

unless you are physically unable to carry your purchases (physically disabled, senior citizens, etc).

I am physically able to carry my purchases - to a point. If I plan on doing my grocery shopping, stopping at the pharmacy, going to the library, dropping off or picking up the dry cleaning and maybe getting a coffee, AND I plan to do all this by walking in the six square blocks around my apartment, I probably want some type of cart.

However, I did vote NOT, as this encourages taking more bags (unless you are super conscientious and bring your own). Often I can do a couple of hours of errands and come home with zero bags, just by carrying everything in my cart.

I'd love to hear how other people see this type of cart as an advantage. Sincerely. I don't see it, but some clearly some people do, and I wonder what I'm missing.

Wheeled baskets are less expensive and have more uses. I can just see the oblivious crowd at my local FM bayoneting people in their nether regions with that protruding bar,

You can always use the reusable bags with this but its better than those wheeled baskets as something always has to be at the bottom where it can be crushed. And unless I'm wrong it looks like it would collapse to a tiny profile perfect for an urban Apt.

Rivercat makes a good point about the protruding bar. Yikes.

That said, it seems as if you could use it with cloth bags.

I'm still waiting for a review of the thing, as this is the 2nd post about it and it aint cheap. I cannot carry the amount of stuff I buy at the farmer's market home on foot without killing my shoulders.
I would still use my own bags, and the nothing would be crushed this way. But that basket with wheels on the right, 3rd down, is lovely--anyone know a source for that?

My husband and I bought one in 2005 and we take it to the farmers' market every Saturday. We put our purchases into reusable bags and hang those on the Hook-and-Go. It's especially useful when we need to buy meat. Ever had your shoulder go out while schlepping a leg of lamb around the farmers' market? It folds up nicely and can be stashed away in the corner until your next trip. BTW, I've never impaled anyone with the bar on the Hook-and-Go. But there are several oblivious bobos at my market that I'd like to.

Wow, 2005, I guess that's a good testament to the quality.

As someone who often walks several miles during errand-running, no, I cannot always just carry all of my purchases. City living often requires major hauling of bags (reusable or not) for many, many blocks (and in SF, this often involves major changes in altitude, too). This seems useful to me, especially on multi-errand trips! Plus, no crushed bag at the bottom of my cart.

hey, valhalla--you asked about that lovely wheeled market basket. world market carried one like it [exactly the same one, i believe], and i saw one online at viva terra.

unfortunately, when i searched the viva terra site today, i could not find it. you might try calling them at 800-233-6011
Monday to Sunday, 7AM-1AM Eastern Time.

the aluminum market carts from the container store are great, lightweight but strong, and small enough to manage if you yourself are not strong.

I have a nice mix of this idea and the more commonly seen cart. My cart has spokes along the top rim that are just like the bag hooks on this thing. That way I can put items in the bottom of my cart, then hang my bags from the spokes so the stuff down there doesn't get squashed. they are also very handy for those days were you end up picking up a lot more than you thought you would because you can hang bags on the outsides too. I have no idea who made my cart, I've had it for several years.

My girlfriend and I had the Hook-and-Go for about 3 days. The quality is great, the thing is built solidly, and it does fold up super tiny for easy storage in the car or apt. The only problem, and it is a big one for us, is that when using canvas tote bags with it (already mentioned as the way to avoid amassing and wasting all those extra plastic bags) the bottom of the bags tend to hit the wheels when rolling the cart, thus making it nearly impossible (and at the least, annoying) to maneuver. I would say go with one of the more "traditional" options others have mentioned.

Oh I want one of these

I agree with HMR about the need to bring bags. Sure, you can use cloth ones, but I imagine that many people won't (esp with the publicity photo showing paper bags...) Plus yes, wouldn't it all slide down and hit the wheels or ground when it's tilted?

I have a mesh cart for city shopping. I love it, though it does require that i pack my items with sturdiest at the bottom. Living a mile from the grocery store (and no car) just makes the cart a necessity. And I don't need bags-- I just put everything into the cart.

Thanks for the info on the basket cart, avianmission--and thanks to everyone who posted their reviews of this cart!