Community Forums

Dunner · 09-16-2011, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne M

Well, if there were a campground near every Walmart in the country, the campground would probably go broke. Now of course the CG owners could petition he city to put in an ordnance to prohibit over night parking in parking lots. Some have already done that.

Greed like that is what is ruining this country.

Mochisme · 09-16-2011, 10:46 AM

I have always had the impression that one reason Wal-Mart liked RV'ers to spend the night in their parking lots was that it discouraged the bad guys.

You know all those "old geezers" Dunner is talking about, are up all hours of the night to pee or get a drink or just because they cannot sleep and all have Cell Phones to call 911 if they see wrong doing.

Lots of "Old Geezers" are also armed and being retired Military well trained in their use and I would think that is a factor in discouragement of them being bothered by bad guys at Wal-Mart.

But what the heck do I know as I have never stayed in a Wal-Mart over night, but I am looking forward to doing so before the year is out.

Wayne M · 09-16-2011, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lindsay Richards

I recently read that the average Wal-Mart store averages between $30,000 and $40,000 per hour 24/7/365 passing through their checkout lines. I don't think Rv'ers camping out are ever going to be much of an addition. The liability insurance would be more than the income.

That's why I put "little" in quotes. RV'ers purchases are pennies to them. They just allow parking as a good will gesture, But then, every little penny adds up to dollars.

Dunner,
Greed like what? CG's installed next to WM? City ordinances? I lost that one with my post being quoted. Help?

Lindsay Richards · 09-16-2011, 11:26 AM

Sam Walton was an avid camper back when his children were young. It is in his book.

Francesca · 09-16-2011, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lindsay Richards

Sam Walton was an avid camper back when his children were young. It is in his book.

Thanks, Lindsay
That's probably where the policy originated, alright.
Even though it's a corporate giant now, Walmart did start out as one regular guy with a store.

I'm glad to hear that ol' Sam also found the time to take his family camping!

Francesca

Lindsay Richards · 09-16-2011, 11:43 AM

For years they sold his book for a dollar. There is one written by him and one written by somebody else without his permission, but not hostile. Many Libraries have them. Light, easy reading. Took a small loan from his father-in-law and turned it into $80 billion. We lived in Springdale, AK in the early 1970's and his store was very innovative even then, He got very good deals from suppliers and passed along the savings. One day I went by the store and he had 200 riding lawnmowers in the lot at an unbelievable price. They were all over town for years afterward.

Dunner · 09-16-2011, 12:06 PM

Greed, as in petitioning for an ordinance to prevent RV parking at WM.

navychaps · 09-16-2011, 02:21 PM

Ok, if I throw in my 2 cents after 179 pages of everyone putting in their 2 cents and maybe more I think we have enough for a tank of gas!

I have made the occasional overnight stop at Wally World, usually when there isn't enough coffee left to keep my eyes open and I also tend to stop at truckstops (TA, Flying J ect..) when I am traveling from point A to point B.

I think you could say we "hybrid" our stops in that some times we stop at predesignated spots for a day or two and other times we drive til it hurts, it all depends on how much time we have on our trip. I do what feels comfortable for me as many times I have pulled into a WM parking lot and decided there was no way I was staying there and other times I have pulled in due to the frustration of not being able to find a CG for the night.

Both approaches are valid depending on one's situation at that time.

Dunner · 09-16-2011, 11:24 PM

One time, in Band Camp, oops, wrong thread, I left Phx pulling my 33' 5er, at ~5:30 AM and didn't stop, except for diesel, till I reached Kerrill, TX around 9:30 PM. I had planed to stop, but got my second wind and was still alert.

mrblanche · 09-17-2011, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dunner

Thugs could think that RV'ers are more vulnerable(Read helpless old geezers).

That could only stem from a serious misunderstanding of geezers.

mrblanche · 09-17-2011, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lindsay Richards

For years they sold his book for a dollar. There is one written by him and one written by somebody else without his permission, but not hostile. Many Libraries have them. Light, easy reading. Took a small loan from his father-in-law and turned it into $80 billion. We lived in Springdale, AK in the early 1970's and his store was very innovative even then, He got very good deals from suppliers and passed along the savings. One day I went by the store and he had 200 riding lawnmowers in the lot at an unbelievable price. They were all over town for years afterward.

I doubt he ever lived in Alaska. Springdale, AR, although Wal-Mart's first headquarters was (and still is) in Bentonville, AR, a little ways north and west of Springdale.

mrblanche · 09-17-2011, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dunner

Greed, as in petitioning for an ordinance to prevent RV parking at WM.

I have said many times that it's not hard to compete with Wal-Mart. A campground could do it, too. Easy 24-hour check-in, hook up, and check out; clean facilities; good security; friendly management and reasonable prices would just about do it, I figure. I guess they figure it's easier to strong-arm RV'ers with lobbying for local ordinances.

Boeing Guy · 09-17-2011, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrblanche

I have said many times that it's not hard to compete with Wal-Mart. A campground could do it, too. Easy 24-hour check-in, hook up, and check out; clean facilities; good security; friendly management and reasonable prices would just about do it, I figure. I guess they figure it's easier to strong-arm RV'ers with lobbying for local ordinances.

I agree. Any campground that provided Easy 24-hour check-in, hook up, and check out; clean facilities; good security; friendly management and at the same reasonable prices that Wal Mart charges, I'd stay there.
I would like to contest the $30,000 to $40,000 revenue figure at an average WM. Where did you get that number? My wife can spend that much by herself.