Olympia Tools 85-404 Pack-N Mesh Rolling Cart, 55 Lb, Plastic, 55LB, Black

This cart has literally changed my life. I live in a Manhattan apartment that has limited closet space and no room to store a regular folding shopping cart. I have been searching for a cart that would fold flat to no avail until I saw a neighbor in the street with this cart - she raved about it. I am absolutely thrilled with this item and cannot understand why its availability is not more widely publicized. The cart folds flat very easily, and takes an incredibly small space. It also unfolds very easily. It is lightweight - I especially like the luggage type telescoping handle. The wheels work very well, smooth and easy to maneuver over rough potholes, curbs and steps. It is quite roomy and very sturdy. I think all Manhattan apartments should come equipped with these carts! The only thing I don't like is the name - there is no "mesh" in this cart - I think of mesh as being like a netting. I also think a photo of the cart in it's collapsed state would let buyers know how really compact it is. I have already saved more money in delivery fees than the cost of the cart. It has also allowed me to visit several stores in one trip because I don't have the problems of carrying heavy packages or not being able to carry more in my two hands, and as mentioned before, do not need to pay for deliveries. I have recommended this cart to friends and neighbors, and think it would be good to keep a spare in the trunk of cars. In short, I love it and if I ever find a drawback, I'll let you know.

This is a nifty easy to assemble cart. I use mine primarily for laundry and I post several of them around my apartment to transport things without much effort. I love how I can fold it easily and put it in the trunk of my car and haul groceries. I just bought one years ago and just used it around the house until somebody said oh I want one so I ordered them one now I own four or five just for myself I like to especially for laundry and then I use the others for calling heavier stuff from Room to room . At first, I thought one was plenty but I have since discovered that I like to have more than one. The big drawback for me is not the item itself, but the fact that the cost went up I used to get them for $30 apiece.

I use the Olympia cart primarily to schlep groceries and supplies around NYC, and I'm currently on my second one. Before I get too far into my review, it should be known that I regularly exceed the designed 55-pound weight limit, and I'm probably rougher than most on this thing.HOW IT WORKS:As the description states, this cart folds and clips shut to a total thickness of about 3 inches. Once unclipped and expanded, you (i) fold down the bottom, (ii) pop 2 black reinforcement pieces out of the bottom of the cart, and (iii) snap those onto the left and right sides of the top of the cart for additional support. I can quickly "transform" the cart at the grocery store in about 15 seconds after my items are on the conveyor.MY EXPERIENCE:I bought my first cart in the fall of 2012, and I was living in a neighborhood at the time with very uneven sidewalks and poor upkeep during snowy conditions (see more on snow below). I regularly pack every inch of the cart completely to the brim (for a total weight of approximately 80 lbs.). I've also lugged it up and down more subway stairs than I care to remember. This particular cart has held up remarkably well through my "torture testing."By the end of the first cart's lifespan in the fall of 2013, I had broken three of the four handled sides on the top of the cart, the plastic mesh was cracked all the way down the front, and I had lost one of the two plastic reinforcement pieces. The final straw was when one of the front wheels came loose and went flying down the sidewalk. RIP, first cart.I haven't treated my second cart any more gingerly (although I live in a neighborhood with more forgiving sidewalks now). So far, I've cracked one handle, but otherwise it's held up well for about a year.PROS:-Lightweight (9 or so lbs.)-Ergonomic (molded handles allow the cart to be carried up stairs fairly easily, and it fits nicely under the arm when folded)-Relatively durable (I put these things through Hell, and they have performed nicely)-Unique (I get tons of comments from people on the street about how much they like it)CONS:-If you're rough on your cart and overload it like me, the plastic near the handles is apt to break (again, more of a user flaw)-Plastic reinforcement pieces can be misplaced-Doesn't roll very smoothly on surfaces that aren't completely flatSPECIAL NOTE ON SNOW:One additional point worth mentioning specifically: this cart is NOT particularly snow-friendly. (i) The uneven, snowy surface makes the pulling experience pretty unpleasant; (ii) the cart is low to the ground, and so the snow tends to pile up in front of the cart like a snow plow; and (iii) perhaps most importantly, because the cart's sides are plastic formed in a mesh pattern, items in the bottom-front of the cart tend to get a little soggy if you have a lengthy commute. Long story short, it can be unpleasant using this cart in the snow.Overall, I recommend the cart and will continue to use mine. If Olympia designed a new, similarly lightweight version that was sturdier and rated for heavier payloads (perhaps made of aluminum instead of plastic), I'd buy one in a heartbeat.

The Olympia Tool Cart is excellent for transporting groceries. It is taller than the other folding carts sold. It can fold down and fit in your trunk but I usually leave it standing behind the driver's seat for easy access. The cart I purchased was replacing one that I had used for years but had broken (probably as a result of the trunk being slammed on it!). The new cart seems a bit flimsier than the old but it works well and can hold a lot. The mesh design makes it lighter but also a little wobblier. The handle is much better than the old style. The old cart had big set screws which held the handle in place, but often slipped. The new cart has a pop up handle whick locks into place.These carts used to be sold in retail stores such as Staples, but are no longer available. I was glad to find it through Amazon at a very good price. I am very happy to have my tall cart back!