While most retail and grocery stores offer plenty of shopping carts and baskets for customers to use open entry, some people prefer to bring their own vessels to the store for various reasons. Perhaps they wish to avoid germs, or maybe they just like the look and feel of their personal cart or basket. Some individuals may bring their own shopping cart out of necessity, as these portable products not only help them get around the store but also make it easier to load and unload their groceries. Whether out of convenience, preference, or necessity, folding shopping carts certainly come in handy.

If you’re considering purchasing a folding cart of your own, though, you don’t want to end up with a shoddy product. A personal cart is an investment and should serve its purpose for as long as possible. The question remains, though, how long do folding shopping carts typically last? As is the case with most questions of this nature, the answer is highly variable. Still, while there is no concrete conclusion here, we can at least go over the various factors that contribute to a personal folding cart’s longevity.

Factors in the Lifespan of Folding Shopping Carts

What Is It Made Of?

The lifespan of any object largely depends on its overall durability, which is directly related to its composition. Therefore, the first thing to consider when searching for heavy duty folding shopping carts is what they’re made of. Most of these carts are made of some combination of metal and plastic, which are both relatively sturdy materials if properly manufactured and maintained. There are, of course, different types of metals and plastics, some of which are stronger than others. Some folding carts also feature fabric, which either makes up the main vessel or acts as a cover inside or around a metal/plastic frame. Even the strongest fabrics are flimsier than metal and most plastics, of course, and run the risk of tearing, staining, expanding, etc. That said, fabric linings can help protect the objects inside the cart from the hardness of a metal or plastic frame. Generally speaking, the longest-lasting folding carts feature strong metal or plastic frames and wheels and thick fabric lining.

What Is It Being Used For?

Folding shopping carts are most often used for grocery shopping, but these vessels are versatile, serving a number of functions. For instance, you might use your cart to transfer laundry, equipment, and more. Of course, the way you use your folding cart will naturally affect its longevity. The more weight and pressure your cart must withstand, the faster it will decline. It may take several years for this wear and tear to reveal itself, but understand that your cart’s purpose(s) is directly tied to its lifespan.

How Often Is It Being Used?

Cart longevity isn’t just a matter of how it’s being used, but also how often it’s being used. After all, the more you use anything, the faster it loses its integrity. If we take the exact same folding shopping cart, for instance, and put it in the hands of two different people with different lifestyles, we will see a difference in wear and tear. Let’s say one person uses their cart three times a week and the other only pulls it out once a month. The former individual will inherently put more stress on their cart’s frame, wheels, axles, and hinges, meaning their cart will ultimately need to be repaired or replaced potentially years before the latter individual needs to do anything.

Is It Easy to Maneuver?

Maneuverability also ties into durability and longevity, even if the connection isn’t clear right away. Consider this: folding carts that are difficult to steer and/or carry will most likely make more contact with other surfaces due to accidental bumps and crashes. Those with carts that are easy to move around, on the other hand, can avoid more obstacles. In this way, even the most heavy duty shopping carts may wear down faster than lighter ones if they’re constantly running into objects and aisles.

Can Parts Be Easily Repaired or Replaced?

As time goes on, your folding cart might remain mostly in great shape despite a faulty wheel or dented frame. And as long as these issues are easy to address, you can continue using the same cart for some time to come. In other words, folding carts with parts that are easily fixed or replaced often last longer than those with complex and rare components.

Proper Maintenance Makes a Difference

Finally, how long folding shopping carts last is also a matter of maintenance. Metal frames and wheels can rust if left out in the rain and not cleaned on a regular basis; neglected fabric liners, vessels, and covers can rip, expand, and even carry mold; the hinges that allow the cart to fold can wear away if open and closed recklessly; the list goes on. The better you take care of every aspect of your folding cart, the longer it will last. Period.

Folding Shopping Cart Durability: The Bottom Line

So, how long do folding shopping carts usually last? Well, if you purchase a cart made of quality materials, know its purpose ahead of time, use it only when necessary, prioritize maneuverability and component replaceability, and take great care of it over the years, your cart could potentially last you several decades before needing a total replacement. If you ignore the above considerations, you might only get a year or two out of your folding cart before discovering a new one might be in order.Good L Corporation delivers innovative shopping cart and basket solutions for retailers on a global scale. From a fleet of new custom carts to launch your store opening, to replacement shopping baskets that supplement your existing shop supply.

Good L Corp can configure the right carryall strategy to boost your retail business. Let’s get started! Contact us today for a no-pressure sales quote.