my whole life and i've always called them shopping carts, but since i've started working here, i've heard them called several different things. a lot of people call them buggys and baskets, and i've heard a few of the older employees call them bascarts. i'd like to add that i live in michigan, so maybe it's a regional thing. has anyone else heard shopping carts referred to as these terms? i hope i'm not alone on this
When I was hired at Kroger over three years ago, in the 'training' literature or computer classes, the proper term is BASCART. I assume that is the word that Kroger would like their employees to use.
I have always called them "SHOPPING CARTS" and that is what I still call them most of the time. Although I might say BASCART occasionally. "Bascart" is not a word that the general public uses very much.
Buggies? NO, not a good word. That sounds like a baby buggy. (Say "Rubber Baby Buggy Bumpers" three times quickly!
Baskets? No, that word should be reserved ONLY for the actual small plastic baskets with two handles you carry for just a few smaller purchases.
Carts...... OK, but the word is also a "multi-purpose" word used for several different kinds of carts (Rubbermaid carts, green U-boats, brown "trucks") used in the meat, dairy, deli, bakery, produce and other depts.
I'm in Ohio, and my folks always referred o them as a cart or a buggy(not really sure where that one came from either to be honest). But yea, I've also heard them being called Bascarts by other employees and co-workers. And to me that is one of the truly weirdest names for them. And at times I STILL have to pause and be like what in the world are they referring to.
But in general I think Kroger's terminology leaves much to be desired at times. As I know I had asked one of my back up managers what was the PLU number for Macaroon cookies we got in as it wasn't in the book. And she said the paper she had printed off must have gotten taken down. So she goes in the office and prints another one off. I'm labeling the other cookies and was waiting on her so I can finish up with the Macaroons. And she is like here's your "write up". And I"m like my "What?! And for what?" Turned out it was just the damn paper with the information on where to place the cookies and the number for them. But she could have simply said here is your run down of the information you need. As everyone already knows when you say a write up, that means you are in trouble for something.
I worked at Big Bear (now defunct but was a big grocery store chain in Ohio and a few states) in the early 1960s. Bascart is not new terminology because that's what we called those shopping carts back then. "Cart" is too ambiguous because carts come in many sizes and shapes. For example, Home Depot has many carts. Bascart used to be very specific but now many stores have more than one size or style of bascart.
We call them carts, baskarts, and buggys. Nobody is required to stick with one word. We have a guy that says "we need buggy service outside please." When we are low on carts (99.99% of the time) or have an over abundance of loose carts (less than 5% on a GOOD day) on the lot.
