Tensions are brewing at Carlaw Park Student Village as residents are divided on the morality of stealing shopping trolleys from Countdown.
Since the beginning of Semester Two, increasing numbers of trolleys have been taken from Countdown on Quay Street, and ended up abandoned in the basement carpark of the residence.
Debate over the trolley issue came to a head as residents made anonymous submissions to the “Carlaw Confessions 2k20” Facebook page. One anonymous commenter made a plea for residents to return the trolleys so they can be used by people who need them in store.
“How about y’all stop being lazy asses and just carry your groceries home. Show some integrity!”
Since the submission was posted, a number of residents have defended their actions in taking the trolleys.
“Supermarkets are capitalizing the fuck out of these lockdown periods, so I’m struggling to see how 10ish missing trolleys are going to make a significant difference,” reads one submission.
The argument continued on the page for days, with one commenter labelling those speaking up about trolley theft “Karens”, while others said residents should stop arguing over trolleys and go back to “writing thirsty confessions and dissing our flatmates”.
A number of Carlaw residents told Craccum that the trolleys can be repurposed and are often reused by residents. “I can just chuck all three of my flat’s rubbish bins in the trolley and take them down to the rubbish room in one go,” says one resident. “Otherwise I have to fuck around and make two trips, and it stinks down there.”
A Countdown spokesperson said it is not unusual for trolleys to go missing from time to time, but they should not be taken away.
“We’d of course encourage students not to take baskets or trolleys away with them as this is actually theft, and it also disadvantages anyone else who needs to use a trolley or a basket when they shop with us.”
Countdown collects any abandoned trolleys, and customers who spot any that seem out of place should report this by calling 0800 40 40 40.
