Walmart's Parking

[Route 66]

Some of these posts are getting personal, which is not permitted by iRV2's rules.

Lets get away from that.

Thanks!

[Lindsay Richards]

Once again it's not about the money it's about ease of use. I can stop, shop, sleep and be on the road the next morning with minimal effort.

This is a very good way of putting it and I suspect the main reason why people overnight a Wal-Mart. It sure is for me. We can usually walk to eat out if we like and many times don't even decouple the toad. We buy foodstuffs and all manor of items as well as fuel. I still am at a lost to see why so many nonWal-Mart RV'ers get so upset about what we do. I think the folks saying I have never stayed at one, but know it is a bad thing, need to actually stay at a Wal-Mart a few times before slamming the practice. Try it, you might like it and you can gain a hour of driving time.

[George Z]

I have been curious about one thing, If RVer's are so valuable to Walmart, Why isn't a section of the parking lot laid out and striped to accommodate them like Cracker Barrel or Flying J? As we know, WM works on a 2.5-3.5 % net profit so they gain about $3 from that $100 you spend.

George

[Lindsay Richards]

Evidently they have thought things through and determined it not to be a good practice. Thinking things through is one of the reasons they have become so sucesful. Usually when we are at a Wal-Mart, the parking lot is not that full anyway. They have to have the parking lot the size of maximum parking on the busy days. Setting aside an area could cut down on their normal parking. Usually when we ask to stay, they will designate the spot for us. We cost them nothing and most RV'er buy lots from them. Win Win situation. Sam was not a fool.

[Gary - K7GLD]

Originally Posted by Ken-55

Ahhhh! . . . now I see where you're coming from!

Coupla' questions . . .

Why did you (and your neighbors) buy a house where you didn't like the rules?

If Walmart overnight parking (and sorry, it's NOT camping) violated zoning regulations, how did they get away with it?

Lessee - *I* drive all day, end up in an RV CG, cook supper - watch a little TV, maybe go for a walk or walk the dog, go to bed for a good night's sleep, get up the next morning, have breakfast, walk the dog again, then resume my trip...

YUP, *I* was *camping* overnight in a CG!

Why is what "Walmart Campers" do, any different - why work at calling it a different name, when all the activities are identical - except the COST of the stay? Any way ya slice it, it's still balony!

And here's new thought for you - it's quite common for the Walmarts to arrive long AFTER the residential neighborhod is established - and the CCR's and local zoning, were NOT an issue until the Walmart store arrived across the fence - and operates on a different set of rules than their residential neighbors - capeesh?

"NO sympathy" for residential home buyers who sign off on CCR's that don't apply to the Walmart next door? WELL, I guess that's ONE way to sooth our conscience on a practice that some question - but WE embrace...

AND, by the way - I'd bet that MANY, if not MOST Walmarts are actually violating existing zoning in their locations concerning overnighters, if anyone really wanted those zoning laws enforced...

Another poster brought up the old argument about those nasty RV park owners opposing RVers staying in local area parking lots - well, why WOULDN'T they complain, when THEY are forced to conform to costly zoning laws pertinant to RVing overnighters and longer term, that Walmart either doesn't - or more likely, simply ignores...

REMEMBER folks - this is merely an active DISCUSSION on a usually controversial subject - my personal opinion is just that, MY personal opinion - I'm entitled to it just as others are entitled to their countering ones - and as long as posters mind their manners and attitudes,we'll work thru this,and still all be friends - I hope!

[dajudge]

If all these people worrying about us parking in wal mart lots would spend their time minding their own business, they wouldn't be minding mine. Grow up people. If walmart wouldn't want us, the would tell us. Lighten up and smell the roses.

[Gary - K7GLD]

Originally Posted by dajudge

If all these people worrying about us parking in wal mart lots would spend their time minding their own business, they wouldn't be minding mine. Grow up people. If walmart wouldn't want us, the would tell us. Lighten up and smell the roses.

I repeat:

REMEMBER folks - this is merely an active DISCUSSION on a usually controversial subject - my personal opinion is just that, MY personal opinion - I'm entitled to it just as others are entitled to their countering ones - and as long as posters mind their manners and attitudes,we'll work thru this,and still all be friends - I hope!

[Rich and Cork]

I think my favorite Wal-Mart is the one in Elko, Nevada. They have a sign welcoming you and directing where to park. Where you park is at the edge of the parking lot overlooking the whole valley and it is a nice view.

We were in Las Cruces a couple of days ago and parked at the one in town off the 25, not the one by the freeway. We were the second RV in the lot around 7 PM. During the night another 3-5 rigs showed up and we were all gone by 8. Was snowing when we left which made it fun.

It is nice to have the opportunity to use their lot while traveling and I really appreciate that they have this as a corporate policy.

[DBOL]

I've been following this thread for a while I notice some who complain about those that use Wally World for over nights are those who complain about Kids and Dog's,but what i want to say is if you do use Wal Mart please be reasonable in your use,because I have only been RVing 2 1/2 years and we haven't had enough time out to use Wal Mart,but I certainly will after spending many Thousand of Dollars there in the past 42 years of Marriage.As long as they O.K.I see nothing wrong when neccessary,but please don't over do and for the one's who don't that's your right!

[skipwil]

Originally Posted by George Z

I have been curious about one thing, If RVer's are so valuable to Walmart, Why isn't a section of the parking lot laid out and striped to accommodate them like Cracker Barrel or Flying J?

George

Probably because there's enough room so they don't have to change the striping pattern.
The Cracker Barrels I've attempted to park in have all the Rv slots packed with CARS. I parked in one section - used about 8 spaces - then asked for the manager. I informed him where my Rv was and why I put it there. His reply was "ENJOY your meal with us and come BACK". I enjoyed breakfast,tipped the waitress and had a great day. I have no problem with sleeping at a W/M-Rest area-truck stop-or Weigh station. If they (powers at be) say no. I move on. I do give them the courstsey of being asked first tho. Too many people nowadays want everything MY WAY-RIGHT NOW and GET OUT OF MY WAY. Enough ranting Go - Rv'ing and have fun.
Safe Journeys

[WilleyB]

Lessee - *I* drive all day, end up in an RV CG, cook supper - watch a little TV, maybe go for a walk or walk the dog, go to bed for a good night's sleep, get up the next morning, have breakfast, walk the dog again, then resume my trip...

YUP, *I* was *camping* overnight in a CG!

Huh! You call that camping? Oh well to each his own, I'd say you were overnighting in a campground

Question for you
Past Summer we parked on city streets in Calgary AB for 12 days & and nights, observing the city regulations with regard to parking. In your honest opinion would that be parking or camping?

Cheers
Willey

[georgetown350]

In all these posts I have not heard one reason why someone other then a campground owner would be apposed to us parking at Walmart.

[Ken-55]

Originally Posted by Gary - K7GLD

Lessee - *I* drive all day, end up in an RV CG, cook supper - watch a little TV, maybe go for a walk or walk the dog, go to bed for a good night's sleep, get up the next morning, have breakfast, walk the dog again, then resume my trip...

YUP, *I* was *camping* overnight in a CG!

Why is what "Walmart Campers" do, any different - why work at calling it a different name, when all the activities are identical - except the COST of the stay? Any way ya slice it, it's still balony!

Well . . . if I'm camping at a CG, I'll hook-up to their utilities, open my slide (when I get one ), spread out on the site (eat outdoors when possible), make a campfire, enjoy a nice. long hot shower in the bathhouse and enjoy the peaceful surroundings and whatever other ameneties they may have AND probably stay at least a few days.

When I park overnight, I usually pull in after dark, relax/unwind a little IN my RV, eat IN my RV and leave early in the AM before rush hour if possible. If the place that I'm parking happens to be a retail store or restaurant, I make it a point to eat/shop there if possible. I NEVER put out the lawn chairs, awning, etc. AND NEVER spend the day or days there.

To me, there is a much bigger difference than the cost . . . and I'll bet your CG is farther away from the interstate than WalMart.

Originally Posted by Gary - K7GLD

And here's new thought for you - it's quite common for the Walmarts to arrive long AFTER the residential neighborhod is established - and the CCR's and local zoning, were NOT an issue until the Walmart store arrived across the fence - and operates on a different set of rules than their residential neighbors - capeesh?

It may have been a new thought for YOU . . . but I would have asked what is going in that big empty space on the other side of the fence BEFORE I bought the property and if the answer was "I don't know", at the very least I would have found out what it was zoned for. I'm guessing that property owners 4-5 blocks deeper into the residential only part of your neighborhood were happy to have a WalMart around the corner (and paying taxes to your community).

Originally Posted by Gary - K7GLD

"NO sympathy" for residential home buyers who sign off on CCR's that don't apply to the Walmart next door? WELL, I guess that's ONE way to sooth our conscience on a practice that some question - but WE embrace...

AND, by the way - I'd bet that MANY, if not MOST Walmarts are actually violating existing zoning in their locations concerning overnighters, if anyone really wanted those zoning laws enforced...

I don't know what you want here?? . . . YOU sign off on CCR's for your property knowing (or at least you should have known) that they don't apply to the property right on the other side of your fence and you want that property owner to follow your rules so that YOU feel better??

I'll take that "bet" . . . I've seen the signs in some WalMart campgrounds . . . oopps! . . . I meant parking lots that say "Local zoning laws prohibit . . ."

I'm also convinced that if zoning regulations were being violated in your backyard, you'd be on the phone in a heartbeat.

Originally Posted by Gary - K7GLD

Another poster brought up the old argument about those nasty RV park owners opposing RVers staying in local area parking lots - well, why WOULDN'T they complain, when THEY are forced to conform to costly zoning laws pertinant to RVing overnighters and longer term, that Walmart either doesn't - or more likely, simply ignores...

I've heard this before. I don't know the true story here . . . I'm guessing that most of the CG's that I've stayed at are far enough "out in the country" that zoning laws were not an issue. Again, if WalMart was ignoring regulations there is a remedy for that.

Originally Posted by Gary - K7GLD

REMEMBER folks - this is merely an active DISCUSSION on a usually controversial subject - my personal opinion is just that, MY personal opinion - I'm entitled to it just as others are entitled to their countering ones - and as long as posters mind their manners and attitudes,we'll work thru this,and still all be friends - I hope!

Finally . . . something we can agree on!

[Gary - K7GLD]

Originally Posted by WilleyB

Huh! You call that camping? Oh well to each his own, I'd say you were overnighting in a campground

Question for you
Past Summer we parked on city streets in Calgary AB for 12 days & and nights, observing the city regulations with regard to parking. In your honest opinion would that be parking or camping?

Cheers
Willey

WELL, if you were doing pretty much all the same things there in your RV you would in a formal CG, I'd say it was camping...

The name doesn't change just because the asphalt does...

In all these posts I have not heard one reason why someone other then a campground owner would be apposed to us parking at Walmart.

It's undoubtedly a personal choice thing - and NO, *I* am not, never have been, a CG owner!

BUT in my case, it's a image thing - when I see an old - or new RV - setup for an overnight or longer stay in an area clearly NOT designed or intended for that purpose, I feel it's tacky, makes RVers appear to be cheapskate freeloaders, and since *I* too am a RVer, I feel that reflects upon me as well - which by my personal view, MAKES it "my business" too!

And I won' even get into the MANY reported abuses done by RVers on various parking lots that further damage non-RVing public opinions and viewpoints of our lifestyle...

I personally choose to pay ALL my own way in this RVing lifestyle I have chosen - and IF and WHEN my finances and/or unwillingness to plan my travels properly require me to start doing MY camping on a retail business parking lot, my rig will be up for sale!

Human nature is a funny thing at times (yeah, mine too!) - but I'd bet that most, if not ALL of the dedicated "Walmart Campers" here have at one or more times sat around the campfire - or similar gathering - and when the discussion rolls around to politics and Socialism, will gripe loud and long about our "welfare state/nation" - and the high percentage of "freeloaders" taking advantage of the system.

BUT, after all, welfare, unemployment compensation, food stamps, housing supplements, medical care - and lots more. were PAID FOR, and EARNED by most benefiting from those "handouts". Those benefits were freely available, publicly offered, and there for the free taking by those choosing to take advantage of them.

You know much like the "free benefit" of parking overnight at Walmart...

SO, Walmart campers, think about that next time you feel like griping about our "welfare society" - you just might be on the same team...

"Welfare" takes MANY different forms...

Thanks to the 2 posters quoted above - I personally enjoy a spirited discussion, free of personal references and abuse. Opinions will, and DO vary - but consideration and courtesy doesn't!

CHEERS!
.