Walmart's Parking

[jobriant]

Originally Posted by Dunner

I thought it was pretty funny that the customer service associate told me that it depends on what security guard was on duty.

I've experienced that same situation in one Walmart in a popular northern California tourist area. I travel through there several times a year. If a particular security guard is on "roving parking lot security" duty, he will give me permission to park overnight in an isolated corner of the lot. But a couple of times he's also added that I must be gone from the lot by 6 AM, when a different security guard comes on duty.

[EnolaEagle]

Originally Posted by jobriant

I've experienced that same situation in one Walmart in a popular northern California tourist area. I travel through there several times a year. If a particular security guard is on "roving parking lot security" duty, he will give me permission to park overnight in an isolated corner of the lot. But a couple of times he's also added that I must be gone from the lot by 6 AM, when a different security guard comes on duty.

That's funny. I'm sure in the future there will be more security guards on a power trip. As for the 6am shift guy, I wonder if he's a jerk if an RV pulls in around 7am to go shopping for an hour or so

[Dunner]

I think I would go ballistic if I pulled in to go shopping, parked in the back and an $8/hour "security" guard told my I can't park there. The "Real: manager would be hearing from me and I would think that the "guard" would be adding to the unemployment statistics.

[jobriant]

Originally Posted by EnolaEagle

That's funny. I'm sure in the future there will be more security guards on a power trip.

I don't know whether this is a "power trip" or just a situation where one guard is a "letter of the law" person and another looks at the issue as "shades of gray" rather than "black and white."

Originally Posted by EnolaEagle

As for the 6am shift guy, I wonder if he's a jerk if an RV pulls in around 7am to go shopping for an hour or so

I have no idea; I've never met him or her, because I departed the lot before 6 AM.

On other trips, when I didn't overnight there, I've shopped at this same Walmart, arriving in the RV during the daytime. I was only approached once by security, but it was the guy who had let me park there previously -- he recognized me and the RV and swung by in his little truck with the flashing yellow light to say "hello."

[TheArnolds]

If you follow the instructions below then you should not have a problem parking "OVERNIGHT"! It is not a right to use a Walmart parking lot; it is a convenience that is allowed with permission.

Per the Walmart Q&A site.
"While we do not offer electrical service or accommodations typically necessary for RV customers, Walmart values RV travelers and considers them among our best customers. Consequently, we do permit RV parking on our store lots as we are able. Permission to park is extended by individual store managers, based on availability of parking space and local laws. Please contact management in each store to ensure accommodations before parking your RV".

[jobriant]

Originally Posted by Dunner

I think I would go ballistic if I pulled in to go shopping, parked in the back and an $8/hour "security" guard told my I can't park there.

I'd be upset too, if that happened, but I'm not going to worry about it until and unless it actually does happen.

I do know of a couple of Walmarts that really don't want RVs in their lot at any time of day or night. One in Ohio has its parking lot prominently signed to that effect.

There are also a number of Walmarts with "low clearance" bars at the parking lot entrances -- but at these, RVs can usually come into the lot via the delivery truck entrance behind the store or on one side of the building. But there are also a couple of Walmarts where there is no way to drive from the truck entrance to the main parking lot, so the clearance bars serve to keep both trucks and RVs over a certain height out of the lot.

Originally Posted by Dunner

... parked in the back ...

For the benefit of any new RVers reading this, or for anyone else not familiar with how the term "back of the lot" is often used ... I've had a lot of Walmart Store Managers and Customer Service Managers say that they give RVers permission to park overnight, but they must park "at the back of the lot." When they say "back of the lot" they mean what I was thinking of as the "far front end of the lot," farthest from the store and closest to the street running in front of the store. I found the term "back of the lot" confusing until I realized what they meant by it.

[Dunner]

Kinda like the "back" 40.

[Monacoach]

I think I would go ballistic if I pulled in to go shopping, parked in the back and an $8/hour "security" guard told my I can't park there. The "Real: manager would be hearing from me and I would think that the "guard" would be adding to the unemployment statistics

I will not let anyone evict me who makes less then 10 dollars per hour

[1stCougar]

What if that "security" guard, is the "real" manager!

[mythplaced]

Originally Posted by gray ghost

....I am not saying that I always make my own rules, but I do insist that the rules I follow will come from the entity who has the right to set those rules.

Hear Hear!

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by Dunner

I think I would go ballistic if I pulled in to go shopping, parked in the back and an $8/hour "security" guard told my I can't park there. The "Real: manager would be hearing from me and I would think that the "guard" would be adding to the unemployment statistics.

Doesn't matter how much the security person makes, it's his job. If the manager is any good he's laugh in your face and give the guard a pat on the back, in writing, is his folder.

[cekkk]

Originally Posted by Mr_D

Doesn't matter how much the security person makes, it's his job. If the manager is any good he's laugh in your face and give the guard a pat on the back, in writing, is his folder.

x2. He could be a bored retired guy who could buy and sell you, too.

[jobriant]

Originally Posted by cekkk

He [the security guard] could be a bored retired guy who could buy and sell you, too.

Reminds me of a story:

A retired older gentleman was hired as a Walmart greeter. He was very good, except that he was habitually late for work. The Store Manager called him into his office. The manager said, "George, we love the way you interact with our customers, and we get great feedback from them about you. But you do need to be at work on time. What did they say at your last job when you came in late?"

George replied, "They said, 'Good morning, Admiral.'"

[mikron]

Originally Posted by jobriant

The Walmart website says there is no store in Kingston, MA. The closest is at 300 Colony Place Rd in neighboring Plymouth, MA. Is this the store where you parked? Or was there a store in Kingston which has since closed?

Thanks!

Kingston is a newer one and Plymouth has one and one closed.