For me personaly... I always had mine in the pram when at the shops as i knew the moment they got a taste of that indepdance i'd never get them back in the pram again. I don't handle the crowd and them in amongst it freely well. DS1 would go in the pram without an arguement until maybe 2.5-3ish?!?! DS2 is 2.8 years and is still majority of the time in the pram, especially when i have all 3 with me.

BUT having said that i believe it is your choice and the comments you have received have been really quite rude and unnecessary.