Walmart's Parking

[jobriant]

Originally Posted by sgtjoe

What's this about the Greeters being gone? My Walmart in West Jordan Utah still has them. ...

Why are so many people assuming that if there's a change at one Walmart, the same change must be happening at the same time at all Walmarts? In a corporation this large, some changes will be system-wide, some will be regional, some will be local (all the stores in one small area) and some changes will be instituted at the store level by the local store manager.

RV parking is a perfect example of the latter. Walmart leaves it to the manager of each store to set that store's Overnight RV Parking policy, within the scope of local laws, zoning regulations, construction permit restrictions, etc. There are also cases (more so in Canada than in the US) where the store is in a mall, and the mall sets the Overnight RV Parking Policy for the lot. But absent any outside forces that make the decision, the store manager decides whether or not Overnight RV Parking is allowed.

There are extreme cases, too. There is one Walmart in Ohio where the store manager has completely banned RVs from his store's parking lot. RVs are not permitted to enter the lot at any time, day or night, to shop or for any other reason, period. But that store's policy has no bearing on the Overnight RV Parking policy of the thousands of other Walmarts and Sam's Clubs.

The difference in detail regarding Overnight RV Parking from one Walmart to another can be almost overwhelming. It's not just a matter of "yes" or "no."

• Some stores allow Overnight RV Parking.
• Some stores don't allow it.
• Some stores don't mind, but the local police will evict RVs (and maybe issue citations) at the drop of a hat.
• In some cities there's a "No Overnight RV Parking" ordinance that's enforced only if the store asks the local police to do so.
• In some cities there's a "No Overnight RV Parking" ordinance that's enforced when any citizen complains.
• Sometimes there are "No Overnight Parking" signs that apply only to trucks, and the store will let RVs park there.
• Sometimes there are No Overnight Parking" signs that apply to RVs, trucks ad everybody else.

And among the stores what do allow Overnight RV Parking, the variations are nearly infinite, too--

• Many stores allow the Customer Service Desk to grant permission for Overnight RV Parking.
• At some stores, only the manager on duty can grant that permission.
• Some stores want RVs to park in one part of the lot, other stores prefer a different part of the lot.
• A few stores have marked truck/RV parking spaces, sometimes as long as 100 feet.
• Some Walmart lots are almost perfectly level.
• Some Walmart lots are on such a slope that it's impossible to level your rig.
• Some Walmart lots are extremely quiet.
• Some Walmart lots are very noisy, all night long.
• Some stores readily allow stays of 2-3 nights.
• Some stores hold fast to a "one night only" policy.
• Some stores require RVs parking overnight to arrive after a certain hour.
• Some stores require RVs parking overnight to leave before a certain hour the next morning.
• Some stores specifically say "no use of generators."

It's simply not possible to make accurate "blanket statement" about Walmart, regarding Overnight RV Parking or anything else.

[SeattlePirat]

Originally Posted by sgtjoe

What's this about the Greeters being gone? My Walmart in West Jordan Utah still has them. What I have noticed lately is men at the doors, parking lot and within the store wearing black light weight jackets with Asset Protection written on the back of the jackets.

Our local Wally World still has them too.

[Dunner]

I saw on of those on the way out yesterday. He just said thank you as we passed, but there was no greeter/package checker.

[jzick]

What's this about the Greeters being gone?

This February article talks about it Walmart Store Greeters Relocated; Senior Workers Worry | Moneyland | TIME.com

The article says "This change has been coming for some time. Walmart got rid of night-shift greeters several months ago. Now greeters are being removed during all shifts. Some think it’s only a matter of time before these older workers are let go."

Read more: Walmart Store Greeters Relocated; Senior Workers Worry | Moneyland | TIME.com

[Lindsay Richards]

I have noticed a lot of handicapped folks as greeters. Some of them fairly severely. I always respected Wal-Mart for doing this and think it went back to Sam Walton. At our store, there was one geentleman that was very deformed and was in one of those electric wheelchairs controlled by a joystick. He was always very pleasant and friendly. He was an asset to the store and the community. He has been gone for years and would not be affected by this. I feel sure that he could do almost nothing else.

[static]

The wife and I stayed at WM in Bemidji MN last weekend for a night on our way to Duluth. I parked us by our "lake" Which was the drainage ditch for the parking lot.

The next night we were in the Sam's Club lot in Duluth, then a Firestone lot in Beaver Bay MN. (they were closed for the weekend)

All 3 nights, no jacks down, no slides, strictly boon docking.

All I was looking for was a place to stop for the night and catch a few hours of rest.

[sgtjoe]

Here's the Official word from Walmart.

Wal-Mart Says Goodbye To Greeters

Sam is going to be upset.

[Boeing Guy]

Originally Posted by sgtjoe

Here's the Official word from Walmart.

Wal-Mart Says Goodbye To Greeters

Sam is going to be upset.

Just my guess, but I'm thinking that Sam won't voice his opinion one way or the other.

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by Ramblin

The friendly greeter at my local WM who smiled and welcomed me warmly as I arrived has been replaced by a sour old woman eyeing me and my cart suspiciously as I leave. I have to wonder what is behind this change.

When I was in last week the woman was checking receipts against what you had in your cart like Costco does, plus stopping those that the alarm sounded as they left. Was bringing an RV plug back that I didn't need, she didn't want to put a red dot on it either.

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by azpete

i have stayed at walmart, flying j, rest areas, welcome centers, small town city parks, police stations, courthouse parking lots. etc. its surprising where you can park if you ask. in 1967, when campgrounds were almost nonexistent, i stayed at many police stations. and roadside parks, just asked the local sheriffs dept. now, i travel almost full time in my job, and use campgrounds when im not traveling between jobs. the key is to ask, you'd be surprised. my only rule is no awnings or chairs and barbeque.
if you need slides out, find a spot by the curb, or out of the way. do not take up close parking space under any conditions.
run generator as needed. the semi truck parked 5 ft away will drown out any noise you make.

When we started RV'ing in 1957 almost anywhere that was open space was good. On the street beside a city park was OK too as were police stations.

[Aguyfromcalg]

I noticed today at my neighbourhood Wal-Mart a few RVs have a red tow away tags on them. I guess they forgot to buy their daily ration of Wal-Mart roasted chicken.

[Dunner]

Originally Posted by Aguyfromcalg

I noticed today at my neighbourhood Wal-Mart a few RVs have a red tow away tags on them. I guess they forgot to buy their daily ration of Wal-Mart roasted chicken.

Are there any camp grounds nearby?

[Aguyfromcalg]

Originally Posted by Dunner

Are there any camp grounds nearby?

Yes there is. The owners of the RVs probably used the parking lot for free storage or a place to park their RV close to their home.

[Davdeb1]

Originally Posted by sgtjoe

Here's the Official word from Walmart.

Wal-Mart Says Goodbye To Greeters

Sam is going to be upset.

I'm going off-topic, but I was in Walmart yesterday, and a guy dressed in a suit said "welcome to walmart" rather insincerely. It was like he was the manager or from corporate office and was upset he had to do this.