Community Forums

Lorna · 11-04-2010, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck 1935

... OK, Ok, Lorna, I now agree with the WALMART Campers ! ...See y'all at Wally World !!!!

HAH! Another convert!

jobriant · 11-04-2010, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RonK

OK I'll add to it.....
Talked to a good friend ... he pulled into a WalMart in Az. A "greeter" was in the parking lot and directed him to a parking spot ... came to his side window, Welcomed him to WalMart, told him to have a good evening, stay a coupla days if he wanted, and asked if he needed directions to his next destination. ...

There are a couple of Walmarts along I-40 in AZ and NM where this is standard practice.

jobriant · 11-04-2010, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lorna

We have been told to say as long as we want in every Sam's club parking lot we have parked in. And several of the Wal-Mart ones... by the MANAGER.

While accepted "blacktop boondocking" etiquette is to stay no more than one night in the lot at a Walmart or other retail store, there are many store managers who will readily grant or even offer a longer stay. A couple of those managers have told me that they do it for two reasons -- one is to keep a paying customer shopping for another day or two, and another is to give the RVers time to spend additional money at local tourist attractions, restaurants, etc.

Possum · 11-04-2010, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by idenphones

I have a confession to make.

The DW and I, left Canada headed for Florida. First night out we stayed at a Holiday Inn and I surfed the web to get caught up on all of the this that I have been missing, especially here.

The next day, we hit the road and I guess I was daydreaming as at the end of the day, I pulled into Wally World, parked, but could not get the slides to go out.

The DW finally asked me what I was doing, so I told her, opening the slides and then get the jack down.

She said, " Honey, that was a long drive but the Ford Edge does not have jacks or slides!"

Our coach was in Florida waiting for us! Sure was a long drive that day!

Thanks, after a really bad day I really really needed that laugh. Will have to pass that one on.

RV Wizard · 11-05-2010, 02:30 AM

0309 1830 0000 3610 3971

Quote:

Originally Posted by Possum

Thanks, after a really bad day I really really needed that laugh. Will have to pass that one on.

That was a good one. Had me going for a few seconds. Thought I might have to help him diagnose the problem!

Monacoach · 11-06-2010, 08:03 PM

Do you Wallyparkers stay at Walmarts that are "NOT" open 24 hours and if so do you feel safe after the store has closed and you are the only vehicle or two in the parking lot?

Lorna · 11-06-2010, 08:19 PM

We have. If you don't feel safe ANYWHERE, whether parking lot or campground, then you should move on. We have camped in campgrounds where we were the only ones there (I love winter camping). We spent 4 months in a campground in GA. We were usually the only ones there and we were 18 miles form town. I was usually there alone during the day. I never felt at risk. I have been in a rest stop during the day and felt very uncomfortable (I was not alone... that was why I was uncomfortable).

Lindsay Richards · 11-06-2010, 08:30 PM

We have stayed at many of both kinds. The 24 hour stores are becoming the norm. Even the non 24 hour stores if along a major road will have trucks overnighting in the lot and employees restocking in the store. Most also have signs saying that cameras watching the parking lot. I don't think anybody is watching the cameras, but they are on a loop where they can go back later if there is a problem.

Monacoach · 11-06-2010, 09:29 PM

We are planning a trip which would have involved staying overnight at a town called Cordele in Georgia on the way to Florida but the Wally closes at 10 so we decided we would stop for dinner in Cordele then move down the road 100 miles to a Flying J. You guys are making me reconsider this idea.... maybe we will stay at Wally after all. Haven't called for permission yet so maybe Wally will take the decision out of our hands.

Lindsay Richards · 11-06-2010, 09:41 PM

We have stayed at the Wal-Mart in Perry, GA which is about 35 miles North of Cordelle, Ga. It is around 6 hours North of our house and a good sport to stop. We always ask permission and it is given. Usually 4 or 5 trucks there also. It is easy in and out and some gas stations nearby, so we fill up in the morning before hooking up. If I remember correctly, it is a non 24 hour store. Good Luck.

buckeyeduffer · 11-06-2010, 11:24 PM

We are beating this thing to death but gotta tell you all that we relish the WM stop over opportunity and will continue to utilize this service as long as it it avaliable. Each time we have stayed we were welcomed by the management and via thier hospitality they have captured us as everyday customers while at home in Oro Valley. Do not know how much annually we spend with them and Sams, but it is substantial and probably more than pays our share of the lights and parking lot space we use in our 15-20 nights per year in thier parking lots.

jobriant · 11-06-2010, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monacoach

We are planning a trip which would have involved staying overnight at a town called Cordele in Georgia ... maybe we will stay at Wally after all. Haven't called for permission yet so maybe Wally will take the decision out of our hands.

The two reports I have on this store, from Sept 2007 & Mar 2008, indicate that both times the reporting RVer asked and received permission to park overnight at this store.

Route 66 · 11-07-2010, 04:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monacoach

We are planning a trip which would have involved staying overnight at a town called Cordele in Georgia on the way to Florida but the Wally closes at 10 so we decided we would stop for dinner in Cordele then move down the road 100 miles to a Flying J. You guys are making me reconsider this idea.... maybe we will stay at Wally after all. Haven't called for permission yet so maybe Wally will take the decision out of our hands.

I have stayed at the Walmart in Cordele with no problems and there were several of us there.

idenphones · 11-07-2010, 05:07 AM

I was just looking at some of the applications that are available for my good friend, the iPhone and I found ONP Walmart.

This application tells you where the Walmarts are and if they allow parking in their lots.

It does seem to be somewhat accurate. For example the Walmart at Cagans Crossing in the Hwy 192 and Hwy 27 area, not too far from Mickey Mouse in Florida is posted in the lot as no overnight parking and the app agrees!

Unfortunately most mornings there are a couple of RV's in the lot on extended shopping trips. Guess they did not see the signs.