Community Forums

chiefdave · 08-02-2010, 05:26 PM

I wanted to wait a day before replying to this post. I certainly agree with ralper that you should never open your door to anyone that you do not know or can't recognize. I always use the small window next to the door. I did have a similar situation in a Wal-Mart in Utah where a man knocks on the door at 2 a.m. in the morning. He was drunk and wanted money. I told him to get away before I called the police. He left saying a few choice words and I waited 20-30 minutes in the front of the coach just to make sure he did not come back and damage the coach or approach again. I do have a can of bear spray that I keep in the front overhead compartment. It was from a recent trip to Yellowstone. I am aware that if I go in Canada I need to declare it, which I’m sure they will remove. This situation could have happen in a church parking lot. Would you have sued them? Wal-Mart has been exceptionally accommodating to RV’ers and I feel safer there than any truck stop. Local campgrounds have been trying to get Wal-Mart to discontinue their policy for sometime now. I hope they don’t get offended and terminate their overnight policy. They are one of the last good guys.

Stillwater · 08-02-2010, 06:58 PM

Can we petition in support of Walmart?

Al, Michigan · 08-02-2010, 07:14 PM

Any business cannot keep all their lots free of crime. That also, is the responsibility of the patrons to help in that way. WALMART should not pay this creep a dime. He parked there on his own, to save a few bucks. Most of the lots we get to, there can be a lot going on, and the store not know it. Why be damn fool enough to open your door that late at night?? We never use WM parking lots, but it is there IF we ever need. Will not use them regularly. Al, Michigan.

WOODYDEL · 08-03-2010, 01:09 PM

This is a very simple case. THEY should have called the police themselves. Walmart will slam the door shut on the use of their parking lots. They don't fool around. Walmart will fight ANY case in court just on PRINCIPLES alone and spend big bucks doing it.

This is how they react typically. I'm in NY near where this took place.

http://blog.nrf.com/2010/07/22/why-w...t-a-7000-fine/

DutchStar38 · 08-03-2010, 05:23 PM

I agree, what a moron. Open the door to a stranger at night. They should be counting their blessings that they are even alive. Judge, throw this stupid lawsuit out and make them pay court costs and lawyer expenses for WalMart.

az bound · 08-04-2010, 06:27 AM

Another case of not taking responsibility for ones own actions, trying to put the blame elswhere, and trying to be rewarded for it. " You can't fix stupid"

rebelone · 08-04-2010, 07:23 AM

I do not understand where this is coming from ?? Walmart parking lot is just that, a parking lot. Most store have them, we as RV people are no different then the person driving a car on their lot. You take your chances there the same as parking on a street ,or?? What is the big deal? Walmart is a store that sells product, customers are just that, in my thoughts Walmart will not refuse parking to any potential customer, RV or shoppers sleeping in a car. I stay there sometimes in my travels, never had a problem. You can get mugged walking or driving, read it in most news items everyday.
Rebel

TWOSHEA · 08-04-2010, 07:48 AM

the sperm has a one in two billion chance

of becoming a human being

DFR · 08-04-2010, 07:52 AM

I'm inclined to believe that the person involved here was approached by the Lawyer (ambulance chaser) about filing the lawsuit. I believe the lawyer saw where a possible lawsuit could be filed against one of the big boys, looking for a big payday. Just my 2 pennies.

Selecthauler · 08-04-2010, 08:27 AM

We live in a country that allows any one to sue anyone else. If the rules of the courts were changed so that if you sue a person and lose, you are responsible for paying the costs of defending against your suit plus the the amount of your original suit - I would imagine there would be lots fewer suits and lawyers.

Bob (WA0MQE) · 08-04-2010, 05:46 PM

First off, Walmart doesn't INVITE anyone to stay in their parking lots. We are the ones that are asking if it's okay to stay in their lot. Also, it's not just RV's, there's usually a lot more trucker's that park overnight in Walmart then RV's. At least this is becoming the case more and more because so many state's are closing Rest Stops.

Which makes me wonder if this had happened in a Rest Stop instead of a Walmart would the idiot have tried to sue the State where the Rest Stop was?

PlayItForwrd · 08-04-2010, 05:58 PM

a couple of these in the Walmart parking lot should do it...

gbs2320 · 08-04-2010, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Selecthauler

We live in a country that allows any one to sue anyone else. If the rules of the courts were changed so that if you sue a person and lose, you are responsible for paying the costs of defending against your suit plus the the amount of your original suit - I would imagine there would be lots fewer suits and lawyers.

That is the rule in England. But then again they have a regulatory system that attempts to protect people and does not leave it to private lawsuits like has developed in this deregulated country of ours. The English rule of loser pays winners attorney expenses of course has a serious chilling effect on factually legitimate lawsuits and and thus without offsetting government regulation would let bad actors run rampant. Under our system only the lawsuits (or potential for same) control the bad actors but this system is not without costs to us all of course.

okie143 · 08-04-2010, 08:22 PM

Is it legal to carry a loaded shotgun in your coach? It depends on the state you register your RV in doesn't it? The article said the owner reached and got his loaded shotgun! Then the two men wrestled for the gun and it went off. At least he was in the motorhome and not outside. If he would have been outside and the owner shot him it would not have been legal in my state. You have a right to defend yourself if you believe you are in imminent danger but the danger has to be inside your house in my state.
WalMart should not be sued they should start putting up signs saying stay at your own risk then they would not have to worry about it.