Walmart overnight parking abusers

[TJ]

Originally Posted by Cooperhawk

Nothing in Seattle surprises me anymore.

Absolutely!!!!!

TJ

[TJ]

Originally Posted by Solo_RV_Guy

There are 3 kinds of people involved -



1) folks with good manners who use the overnight for just that, an overnight sleeping place that is *relatively* safe (safer than a side street near an off ramp, at least) and patronize the merchant;


2) folks that have been displaced by the rising cost of permanent housing and/or loss of income, mental illness or addiction and who are unable to come up with a better solution to their housing problems and never leave the parking lot;



3) folks that use the parking area for their own financial convenience, like the lady that 'stores' her unit 5 days a week.


The second type is the most troublesome as it's a societal issue and to make any significant impact means that the root causes of these extended-stay campers needs to be dealt with. Look to the west coast, where a studio apartment (slightly more s.f. than an RV) rents for $2000+ a month, IF you can find a place... those folks who've had financial setbacks from medical expenses, cosigning their kid's college load (and subsequent defaults), losing a job or spouses income... they can't afford where they are and they can't afford to move, either. What to do? I don't know but realistically they can't stay in WalMart lots. As much as I blame WalMart for destruction of small retailers and mom & pop stores, WalMart shouldn't have to put up with homeless encampments (even if they helped create the need for them).


The third type... not to advocate violence, but the lady quoted needs a "biotch-slap" of the psychological/metaphorical kind. She's a user and needs a reality check.


Again, what's the fix? I don't see one but ultimately I see WalMart banning overnight parking. What will be interesting is to see the blowback when WalMart calls in the tow trucks to remove units that have been in their lots for extended stays.

Well said!

I believe what will ultimately decide the issue is cost to the property owner. Building and maintaining parking lots is not inexpensive. Getting a return on investment is tough. That's why you see all kinds of small businesses popping up in the corners of large parking lots; coffee stands, food trucks, etc. The property owner leases an unused section of the parking lot to them and recovers some of the investment cost.

The only reason that Walmart and other businesses have spare parking spaces is because of zoning laws requiring X number calculated on the building square footage. Many jurisdictions are reducing these requirements and you can look for more permanent uses of the excess space.

Additionally, the lack of sanitary facilities for long-term "residents" creates issues with the local health authorities. Parking lots were never intended to be residential areas. The one-night rule would help in that regard, but is not a full solution.

In the end, I think we will see the end of this kind of parking lot use.

TJ

[Gavenger]

as I mentioned, task the Security officer that is already there with issuing a piece of paper with either the Date you arrived or the Date your expected to leave. Set a One Night only policy, which shall be posted. If someone tries to violate the policy, first the Security officer requests them to vacate, if they refuse...Local Law Enforcement on speed dial and trespass them off property.


The only hitch in the above is if someone tries to claim squatters rights. Which I suppose if the policy was written more of as a storage policy versus a hotel-like policy you may be able to avoid that. Not a lawyer so...

[LabRat]

A hoot reading this thread and people talking about old dilapidated RVs and then reading the Class A RV Park thread where people called it snobbery for a park to have a 10 year rule.

Other observation is that the original article is from Canada and it clearly states that what people are doing is perfectly legal, ill-advised, but legal. If the locals want it changed, they need to change and enforce the laws.

[V3600]

Originally Posted by wrvond

I deliver new RVs all over the country. I am only allowed to drive for 11 hours at a time then have to stop for 10 hours, I also sleep in my truck and never enter a new camper. Being able to use an App like ONP Walmart to find a place to get off the road and get drinks and snacks at a reasonable price is a real benefit.
At one WalMart I already had purchases in hand when I asked the manager for permission to park overnight. He noted I had bought stuff and thanked me for shopping at WalMart then told me which area he preferred I use for parking.
I'd hate to see all overnight parking at WalMarts banned across the board.

I too deliver RV's. I work for a nationwide RV dealer and drive motorhomes in-between our dealerships. Drivers aren't allowed to sleep in any motorhomes or trailers. Instead we stay in hotels and the company reimburses us. I have no need nor desire to park overnight in a Walmart.

[Old-Biscuit]

Glad to see NO OVERNIGHT ordinances


Took a LEO getting shot and a Low Life getting killed before NO OVERNIGHT ordinance was passed/posted/enforced


Now I don't have to escort her thru the parking lot or deal with trash/urine bottles and panhandlers



Like it........actually LOVE IT!

[twinboat]

Originally Posted by V3600

I am in the camp that would like to see overnight parking banned at all Walmarts. I see only RV's that look ready for the scrap heap at my Walmart. They're an eyesore.

Don't look !!

[V3600]

Originally Posted by twinboat

Don't look !!

Wish I didn't have to see but there is no separate parking for RVs, they're in the main parking lot.

[KSagal]

I have never overnighted at Walmart, Cabellas or Cracker Barrel, or any retailer.

I have a 1988 motor home, that is in good shape, and I frequently tow a toad.

I am loathe to tell Walmart what they should do on their property. I would be very surprised if there is any thought at all that their corporate policy was to help with the homeless issues, I would think it is far more about being a well thought of retailer, encouraging a transient market of people who spend money at their stores. Most all of their policies are about increasing sales, not social engineering.

While I have not taken advantage of sleeping at one of these sites, I can appreciate the value of having it as an option, and would show my appreciation with both patronage of the retailer, and by being a courteous guest.

However, the social ills of our society expressed in this thread are real, and there are often too many people who are more than willing to take advantage of any courtesy shown generically. This is not just RVs in parking lots, but currently is very prevalent in our society. Self discipline and good manners have become far less commonplace than they were in the past.

Furthermore, the choice to take advantage at all costs is becoming far more commonplace with a larger portion of society who place very little value on the others whom they abuse or take advantage of. (Again, this is not just an RV at a retailer thing, watch people drive their cars, or any of many other shows of selfish, boorish behavior)

One last point, I am not rich, and have an older motor home that I take pride in. (A campground that has a 10 year rule for seasonals, with a invite policy for older campers that they observe as being in good shape has invited me more than once, based on the appearance and condition of my motor home) At the same time, I take offense at people saying that if you are rich enough to have a camper, you are wrong to take advantage of a reasonable offer from retailers who offer this service on the expectation that it will enhance sales, or at least not cost them too much.

That does not mean that some may not be taking unreasonable advantage. Not all who use this service are taking advantage, however. There is no reason to attack all who have a camper, nice and expensive or not, who may take advantage of this service, if they do so with courtesy and appreciation.

[Isaac-1]

Having an above average amount of business interactions with Wal-Mart store managers over the years, I suspect most of them consider RV's in the parking lot one of their last concerns, as long a drug dealing and violence are not involved. In my part of the country the only time most Wal-Mart parking lots are anywhere close to capacity is during the Christmas shopping season. The rest of the year they are at least half empty, the store managers know those RV'ers parked in their parking lots are likely to be spending money in the stores, which is the main thing they care about, so as long as don't make too big of mess or attract too many complaints my guess is most store managers never give them a seconds thought.


There are of course exceptions to this, stores with small parking lots, or in prime tourist destination areas, like the Wal-Mart that is across from the beach in Galveston, TX.

[grindstone01]

Originally Posted by RichnSue

Ditto on MRUSA14 comments. When we take a long weekend, we'll stop at Walmart on a Thursday evening, next morning up early go in the store and stock up, we'll probably spend couple hundred dollars for the weekend on food and supplies. We try and leave by 10am and of course checking around our spot, cleaning up anything found from others, DW even takes carts to the corral that were left way out where we parked by others

That $100 of groceries bought at Walmart only amounted to a $2-3 profit for the store. The sale may make you feel like you are contributing to the stores bottom line, but in reality a typical cashier ring up is a pretty small profit to the store.

[ByeTheWay]

Walmart owns the lot. They get to make the rules.

[bluepill]

Interesting news report:

https://youtu.be/h1AWLo_fK1U

[Mr Mac]

Originally Posted by Chargerman

Preferring to stop in a well lite and managed interstate rest area. Yes the trucks can be noisy but I feel it is a more appropriate spot. If I am off of an interstate then I will hunt out a Walmart, Cabella’s or Cracker Barrel

We only use the Wal-Mart if we need to pick something up and would rather not stop and go again.