The 25-Cent System That Changed Aldi Parking Lots
Aldi requires a 25-cent deposit to unlock a shopping cart. The company says the policy reduces labor costs and helps keep grocery prices low. In 2021, Aldi even encouraged shoppers on Instagram to leave their quarters behind as a small act of kindness. By March 8, 2025, major news outlets were still explaining the rule to first-time customers who found it confusing.
The seemingly simple deposit has taken on a life of its own. It’s created a small, informal exchange in parking lots across America, where shoppers pass quarters back and forth, return carts for strangers, or leave them behind for the next person.
The Business Model Behind The Coin
Image via Reddit/vesto2000
Aldi’s quarter system is simple: insert a coin, release the chain, shop, reattach the cart, and get your quarter back. The deposit reduces the need for employees to round up carts, which lowers operating costs. In Germany, where Aldi originated, similar systems often require €0.50 or €1, so the idea is hardly unusual in Europe. In the United States, though, it’s noticeable because Walmart and Kroger do not charge for carts.
The Rise Of The Quarter Network
Image via Canva/Изображения пользователя vetkit
On Reddit threads or TikTok clips, one theme keeps popping up: shoppers treat the quarter like a tradable asset. Some leave it behind intentionally, while others hand their cart to someone walking in and wave off repayment. In 2021, Aldi highlighted the trend by asking its Instagram followers whether they left their quarter behind for the next shopper.
Hacks, Risks, And The Dark Arts
Any underground economy breeds shortcuts. One popular trick involves sliding the back of a house key into the cart slot to release the chain without a coin. The hack circulates online every few months, and it sounds clever until checkout. Aldi employees frequently swap carts during the payment process. If you forget to reclaim your original cart, your house key could disappear with someone else’s groceries.
There is also the risk of damaging the locking mechanism or bending the key. If that happens, the free cart costs far more than 25 cents. Some stores reportedly help shoppers who forget change by providing quarters, though policies vary by location.