Community Forums

Tarheel · 07-05-2010, 06:20 PM

Had a Walmart manager stop by on his way to his vehicle while leaving the store on a recent trip. I was getting out of the coach when he spoke and started a conversation about my motorhome. After he threw a couple of hints, I invited him in to look at the inside. During his visit of 30 mins. or so, I told him about the alleged rules that are posted on various RV sites about how a person is supposed to act when stopping for the night at a Walmart. He though that was amusing and told me that the only thing they request is that the RV be parked away from the entrances and not blocking a lane and also appreciates when the RVer comes in to ask for permission. He said he never notices whether a person has their slides out, jacks down, awnings out, sitting in chairs, etc. and could care less about those issues. He is not the first manager to tell me the same thing.

He also said that at the last store he managed the developer posted signs against overnight parking to discourage last trucks from gathering there for the night. When a person came in and asked, they were told to make themselves at home. I have also found that to be true. The only time I have been refused was in Florida due to a local ordinance.

It's always amusing to me how the Walmart forum police have developed the various rules of how one should act when staying in a Walmart parking lot!

Gary - K7GLD · 07-05-2010, 08:19 PM

Quote:

It's always amusing to me how the Walmart forum police have developed the various rules of how one should act when staying in a Walmart parking lot!

It's always amusing to ME, how various Rvers will so eagerly take the word of a single lot boy, or manager, as Gospel as to what the "official" standing of Walmart is - especially when it just happens to agree with THEIR personal desires and interests...

Elkhartjim · 07-05-2010, 08:35 PM

The last time I contacted Wal Mart corporate, they referred me to the local store. Corporate has no "corporate policy".

georgetown350 · 07-05-2010, 10:55 PM

Quote:

we consider camping out on WM and similar parking lots to be tacky - and a POOR reflection upon the RVing way of life!

I don't think anyone outside of the RV industry is paying attention to this particular issue.

Lorna · 07-06-2010, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tarheel

... He though that was amusing and told me that the only thing they request is that the RV be parked away from the entrances and not blocking a lane and also appreciates when the RVer comes in to ask for permission. He said he never notices whether a person has their slides out, jacks down, awnings out, sitting in chairs, etc. and could care less about those issues. He is not the first manager to tell me the same thing...

... It's always amusing to me how the Walmart forum police have developed the various rules of how one should act when staying in a Walmart parking lot!

I have also have several WalMart Manager in different states tell me the same thing. Including the "no parking" signs. there are always various reasons behind that and they rarely apply to Rvers and often do not apply to the truckers. One place that had the Height bars across the parking lot said it was for the high topped tour buses that brought in the folks going to the casino. They used to pile up in the parking lots and the surrounding stores/restaurants lost all the parking and gained no revenue since the buses were empty... Drivers passing time sleeping until time to pick up the gamblers.

As for some of the "rules" .. I agree with some of the rules but mostly for safety reasons. We don't leave "stuff" laying around outside the RV when we are in the store or away for whatever reason. That is due to theft. We will use an LP grill outside and put it up as soon as it cools down to where we can safely pack it back up (usually after we have eaten).... but we also picnic with the same small LP grill, so we are accustomed to using it "on the run". I would not put out slides unless they were opening out into an area away from traffic. But that is because I've seen how folks drive in parking lots. Same reason for not opening up an awning. We operate on the "Leave no trace" theory pretty much every where. We also try to keep a low key presence. That is kinda hard when you tow a food cart that is designed to attract attention. Do we sit outside in our lawn chairs in the shade of the camper? You bet we do. We want potential thieves to know that the RV (and all our stuff) isn't just sitting there unattended! Also it allows folks who want to ask questions (about the cart, about fulltime Rving) the opportunity to ask. Most of the "rules" are common sense stuff. We need to be able to leave out at a moments notice in case the situation changes (trouble, bad weather, etc) and we are required to move out quickly. So that's also another reason for no slide outs, no awnings, no stuff outside. Inside, we try to stay in travel mode. That way we are ready to leave out quickly.

VACMAN · 07-06-2010, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Route 66

We don't remove threads unless there is a severe violation of the rules and we don't close threads unless many posts are getting out of hand.

As long as the posts remain within the rules, the dead horse may continue to be beaten.

Just a diffence of opinion..I personally love to read all WM post.. maybe I'm just weird. No joke I really do read every post I can. i quess I like to hear of different expieriences..

mudpuppy · 07-06-2010, 04:17 PM

Me too VACMAN

georgetown350 · 07-06-2010, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Just a diffence of opinion..I personally love to read all WM post.. maybe I'm just weird. No joke I really do read every post I can. i quess I like to hear of different expieriences..

I have a few posts that never made it off the editing floor. Unless I'm the only bad apple here there must be quite a few posts in the recycle bin.

Well at least were not scrapping

Elkhartjim · 07-06-2010, 05:40 PM

Isn't it much more fun when we play nice?

two-niner · 07-06-2010, 06:28 PM

Okay, it's time for a vote for the most class act.
#1. A 45 footer, late model, slides out, Bar-B-Que fired up at Wal-Marts parking lot.
#2. A 45 footer, late model, with a bright green step ladder on the back.
Remember, every vote counts!!!

Kerry

Mr Nifty · 07-06-2010, 06:41 PM

I'm thankful the vast majority of Walmarts allow RV parking. It's nice not having to fork out $25 or more just for a nights sleep. As with anything you will always have a few who abuse. That is a reality none of us will ever be able to change.
I've only met a few people who were dead set against walmart parking. I think it's jelousy. Some people are to proud to use a walmart parking lot. Even though they would enjoy not spending money on a CG for a night sleep.

Lorna · 07-06-2010, 07:17 PM

I'm thankful that we can park in a Wal-Mart parking lot because there just aren't that many campgrounds that want this rolling in...

And yes that really was us last summer in a Super WalMart in Tiftonia, TN! The old Class C, Stacey's Jeep pulling the hot dog cart and the skoolie/moving van pulling my jeep.

mudpuppy · 07-06-2010, 08:04 PM

You can park by us any time Lorna. I have handled event parking for several years and some of the best folks I have come across are vendors.

Now back on topic. I consider it abuse of Wal-Mart's kindness to leave trash, block access for other customers, stay more than one night, or damage the property. Any thing else is fair game including a bright green step ladder lashed to the back of the MH.

allegro5 · 07-07-2010, 06:56 AM

I too enjoy people and these opinnions! It doesnt bother me what others do! Its just to me, Wallys are intended to allow us to have a place to sleep, not to go Camping at! I bet some spend the whole week end? You know, Jed Clampet style! Folks, its a Grocery store, not Yogie Bears!