Walmart's Parking

[two-niner]

In the summer, check out the Wal-Mart in Page, AZ.
At least it's no longer "I stop for a few hours rest".
Thanks for the honesty.

Kerry

[Chuck 1935]

Reading all of these posts reminds me of the words of a great statesman, Rodney King, (no relation to MLK) "Can'ts we all jus get along". Peace, Love, and GO GREEN (for fat Al's sake)

[WilleyB]

Originally Posted by georgetown350

If you pull into a walmart at midnight you may or may not wish to stay in your unit for safety. Totally up to the individual and none of my business. This is why I would not dictate to anyone to go in and ask for permission especially late at night. Prohibitive signs are good enough for me. If there are other rvers already snoozing and no prohibitive signs then thats my cue to pull in turn the key off and go to sleep. If Im not sure about the parking rules I personally would not hesitate to go in and ask.

Curious "If you pull into a walmart at midnight you may or may not wish to stay in your unit for safety" Just wondering if you didn't stay in your unit, where would you stay?
You are certainly correct in that it is up to the individual as to their own behavior while staying at the stores.
However as jobriant has pointed out in previous posts some of the reasons for the No Overnight Parking signs being erected. In cases where it is store policy and not a municipal ordinance, you can bet that it is because of disrespect for the store policy and property. It is no small wonder that someone has tried to promote an acceptable (VOLUNTARY) code of conduct to help prevent more stores from closing their lot's to RV overnighting. It is in the best interest of those who wish to overnight in places that are not campgrounds. The promoted code of conduct breaks down into two simple requests
(1) Respect and politeness
(2) Leave the place that same as or better than you found it
I would guess RESPECT would cover that too. Let's face it who want's to clean up after you leave? If it was my store I know what I'd do.

jobriant may not have posted all that much on this forum, but there's a starting point for everything. He's been at this a lot longer than I've been RV'ing. With regard to overnight parking in North America (the whole continent) and Mexico there isn't a more complete and up to date site on the internet. Along with the overnight site it lists the amenities close by.

Pete & Linda
I just don't understand this. Everyone seems to agree we don't want to screw up a good thing and yet we stay overnight when we shouldn't. Maybe I am missing something,

Wow! again, problem is everyone doesn't agree, they object to showing respect where the practice of overnight parking is allowed. Where there No overnight parking allowed, well just by parking there shows disrespect.
In a previous post I quoted one of my experiences, overnight parking under the signs. In this case there is a valid reason for those signs (It's a very small parking lot, actually close or equal to area occupied by the store
The store closes at 10:00PM and the status quo seems to be as long as the lot is cleared for customer parking at opening time it's not enforced.
In another case I posted it was a City By law that was not enforced (these are the laws that can be changed by lobbying) I have been active in this pursuit since 2006. In any case the store manager said it was OK by him if we stayed overnight at our own risk which was minimal.
BTW even if it looks like I'm a scoff law sort, don't count on it. I do follow the code of respect by asking permission, picking up after my puppy, and in general leaving my overnight area as clean as or cleaner than I found it.

Unlike in the USA, the WM and big box stores in Canada close at 10pm so someone arriving at closing or after hours cannot ask at the desk.

Cheers
Willey

[Big Bear Local]

WTG !!

[Chuck 1935]

For a real Wal Mart camping experience, try spending the night at the Wal Mart in Homestead, FL.. I needed a few things and drove the the store in my toad. After getting into the store and looking around I realized that leaving my toad in the parking lot with Calif. plates was a bad idea. We went right back outside and left before it got stolen.
This is from someone who is afraid of pactically nothing !

[Big Bear Local]

Originally Posted by Redcrown

Walmart is the most expensive rv spot I have ever parked on, I don't think I have every left there without spending $150 or more! Walmart loves it!!

I'sn't that the truth. We have stayed a couple of times last year and just love the SUPER wm's. I think I like them more than Home Depot.

[1oleman]

I also have never stopped at Wally World for the night. However, when we go back to Tennessee in 2 or 3 years, I will use either WW or rest areas whichever is avaliabe. ReasonW cannot travle for long periods and I usually stop at WW to shop anyway. No slides or BBQ just rest. If allowed, why not? Ed

[georgetown350]

Curious "If you pull into a walmart at midnight you may or may not wish to stay in your unit for safety" Just wondering if you didn't stay in your unit, where would you stay?

In the furniture section of Walmart on a nice sleep by numbers bed.

What I meant Willy B is say for example a nice couple driving a motorhome pull into a Walmart at 1 am. Now they have a choice of staying in their unit till morning or going into Walmart to ask permission to stay. Some people might not feel safe walking around at 1 am.

[Lakeman1]

WilleyB I think we do all agree that we don't to screw up a good thing, its just the way some people go about it. I doubt anyone here would say that they want to screw up over nighting at WM, so we all agree. Georgetown350 I knew what you meant.

[WilleyB]

Originally Posted by georgetown350

In the furniture section of Walmart on a nice sleep by numbers bed.

What I meant Willy B is say for example a nice couple driving a motorhome pull into a Walmart at 1 am. Now they have a choice of staying in their unit till morning or going into Walmart to ask permission to stay. Some people might not feel safe walking around at 1 am.

Point made I guess I'm more used to the WM's up here they all close at 10pm (at least all the ones I know of). If the store is open I park closer to the doors then go in and ask (saves a long walk back if the answer was to be NO). After 10pm I just park on the perimeter or close to it and away from the store. It's rare when I come in that late and it's usually because I left from somewhere else where I was getting bad vibes about the area.

Cheers
Willey

[WilleyB]

Originally Posted by Pete & Linda

WilleyB I think we do all agree that we don't to screw up a good thing, its just the way some people go about it. I doubt anyone here would say that they want to screw up over nighting at WM, so we all agree. Georgetown350 I knew what you meant.

Ah! again, point noted I guess it's just that I look at things overall. Sorry, I wasn't meaning just the posters to this thread, to me it means all RV'ers. The issue of the signs has been a thorn in my backside ever since I became aware of them. I do not dispute the right of a property owner to erect signs restricting access to their property, however I do have issue with non owner bodies imposing their restrictions on someone else's property.

Cheers
Willey

[Lakeman1]

Yes

[Wayne M]

I have never stayed at a WM, but that is not saying I would not. If the situation and opportunity affords itself, I just may.

But, if I were to pull in at 1 a.m., and afraid to walk across the parking lot, I'd pull out the Cell phone and call them and ask to speak to the manager. Phone numbers can be gotten off the internet, information operator, or other means. Also, I could pull up with the coach door at their entrance and ask DW to go in and ask.

There normally is a means of obtaining permission. One just needs to be resourceful and think outside the box.

[George Z]

Originally Posted by Wayne M

I have never stayed at a WM, but that is not saying I would not. If the situation and opportunity affords itself, I just may.

But, if I were to pull in at 1 a.m., and afraid to walk across the parking lot, I'd pull out the Cell phone and call them and ask to speak to the manager. Phone numbers can be gotten off the internet, information operator, or other means. Also, I could pull up with the coach door at their entrance and ask DW to go in and ask.

There normally is a means of obtaining permission. One just needs to be resourceful and think outside the box.

Wayne, where you and I differ is if I was not comfortable walking across the parking lot either because of the clientele , the neighborhood, or the lack of lighting, etc. , I would not stay there no matter who said it was ok. My own gut feeling is 75% of my decision making.

George