>
A locker wouldn't have that problem, as there is nothing to break.There is also no need for collateral or a smart contract in this scenario.
> Public bikes in many big cities don't have that problem either (i.e. there's no assessment of the returned bike).
How does a smart contract improve over the current system?
> A smart car doesn't have to have it either (sensors in the car could detect crashes, for example, and interiors could be built to be tough, like many public cars already - see Paris' AutoLib)
How does a smart contract help?
In all of your examples a smart contract doesn't add anything to the equation because the merchant (or the merchant's automated centralized systems) already have the authority and capability to relinquish deposited funds.