dam .net cookies

Why do they mess with something that works fine

in my cart page im setting a cookie

VB Code:

Dim cookie As HttpCookie = New HttpCookie("CartCookie")
            cookie.Value = Request.Cookies("CartCookie").Value + 1
            cookie.Expires = Date.Today.AddDays(14)

i have a control for left panel and if cookie has value greater than 0 then i display a section of code

but it dosnt work

VB Code:

Dim cookie As HttpCookie = New HttpCookie("CartCookie")
            cookie.Value = Request.Cookies("CartCookie").Value
 
            If cookie.Value > 0 Then 
                Me.CartPanel.Visible = True
                CartCount = Request.Cookies("CartCookie").Value 'cookie.Item("CartCookie") 
            End If