Walmart I10 Gulfport refund coming

Who has been told not to and did anyway? My parking in a private lot concerns me and the owner of the lot, no one else!

AO_hitech wrote:
I completely understand the don't screw it up for the rest of us. But, that requires that someone care about "me" doing those things. And THAT is what I don't understand. Why on earth would anyone care if "I" am "camping" in a Wal-Mart parking lot? As long as I don't cause them to be concerned for their safety, why? If "you" are driving by a Wal-Mart and see someone camping other that being concerned that they will "screw up the privilege" why would "you" care?

That's what I don't get. Why the need to control someone else's behavior?

That is just it AO_HiTech Wal-Mart and other businesses are giving you (us) the privilege of parking overnight on their property. Should I abuse the privilege, you do not get to park for a moment never mind overnight. You have been driving for longer than 10 hours and really need to stop for safety's sake. You have been told not to park on the property but stop anyway, leave you rig and take the chance of getting towed. Now my screw-up is your problem, towing fees, impound fees and possible a night or to in a motel away from you destination. I own the property, I get to set the rules....now do you get it??? Though I really doubt it!

Saw that practice on the news onces. What to OP ran into used to go on in the Los Angeles area years ago until they made the practice illegal. They called it "quick towing" and was practiced by rogue tow truck operators that would hook up your vehicle the minute you left it. Then they would hold it hostage for hundreds of dollars. They would actually troll for vehicles in areas with lots of no parking areas. Now I believe they can only tow if a police officers calls the tow truck.

The purpose and design of the parking lot is for customers who are shopping to leave their vehicles in a safe location while they spend their money in the store. When the lot is used for ANY other purpose than that, it's something the observer notices that THEY don't have and therefore can and will take exception to. "Why does HE get away with parking overnight and I don't get an equal advantage?" Even though the other person who's observing doesn't even own an RV and have a need to camp overnight, they will feel that they are due some sort of equal compensation for the overnight parking. I'm sure I'm not making myself clear, but human nature seems to always be asking, "what's my fair share? What's in it for me? Why should I have to even look at an RV parked in the parking lot when I can't take advantage of it?" Heck, most people do that even with the handicap parking; "Why is that lifted 4x4 parked in a handicap spot? That person didn't even have a limp and they parked there. They don't have a placard or license plate designating the vehicle as a handicap registered." etc., etc., etc.... If people are so petty that they look for cause to challenge a handicap parking, they certainly will for other, non-regulated parking lot uses.
For me, it draws attention to park in the Walmart lot and I'll never do it other than to shop. Not overnight, that's for sure. Too many people think you are having an advantage over them. Even the fact YOU own an RV and take advantage of the privilege to use the Walmart lot overnight is to cause some folks to realize what they don't have and what they consider to be not fair.

I completely understand the don't screw it up for the rest of us. But, that requires that someone care about "me" doing those things. And THAT is what I don't understand. Why on earth would anyone care if "I" am "camping" in a Wal-Mart parking lot? As long as I don't cause them to be concerned for their safety, why? If "you" are driving by a Wal-Mart and see someone camping other that being concerned that they will "screw up the privilege" why would "you" care?

That's what I don't get. Why the need to control someone else's behavior?

AO_hitech wrote:
I've never understood why anyone (other than the owner of the private property) care how long I park/stay there. Why does anyone care if I camp in a Wal-Mart? Why does anyone else care if I put out lawn chairs? What possible difference does it make to "you"? I'm not hurting or hindering you in ANY way. Why do "you" care?

I'm serious, I really want to know why. For those of you who think "I" shouldn't be allowed to do these thing, I honestly ask why?

BTW, I have never stayed the night at a Wal-Mart, and likely never will. I have parked in a parking lot in the MH and slept once, but that was because I couldn't figure out how to pay for the CG and I was arriving at mid-night. I didn't want to disturb anyone and only needed to park and sleep, so I just parked in a parking lot instead.

I really don't think these forum posts are to imply that you shouldn't do these things because for some reason they want to control you.

The fear is, that the more people who are parked at Walmart do that looks to passers by that people are "camping" there, the more likely it becomes that we will, in time, lose this valuable choice.

I have spent many nights at Walmarts. I don't extend my slides. I don't put down jacks and extend awnings. If there is trash around I pick up some. I always try to thank a member of the local management for the hospitality.

No one here can tell you haw to conduct yourself, but if you behave badly or call negative attention to yourself then you certainly have the potential to impact the rest of us.

AO_hitech wrote:
I'm serious, I really want to know why. For those of you who think "I" shouldn't be allowed to do these thing, I honestly ask why?

I have never stayed at a WM either, but I would care if your behaviour caused WM to alter their policy allowing staying in their parking lots.

Ken

I've never understood why anyone (other than the owner of the private property) care how long I park/stay there. Why does anyone care if I camp in a Wal-Mart? Why does anyone else care if I put out lawn chairs? What possible difference does it make to "you"? I'm not hurting or hindering you in ANY way. Why do "you" care?

I'm serious, I really want to know why. For those of you who think "I" shouldn't be allowed to do these thing, I honestly ask why?

BTW, I have never stayed the night at a Wal-Mart, and likely never will. I have parked in a parking lot in the MH and slept once, but that was because I couldn't figure out how to pay for the CG and I was arriving at mid-night. I didn't want to disturb anyone and only needed to park and sleep, so I just parked in a parking lot instead.

Boy there have been thousands of posts on RV forums by folks who think they have a God given right to stay at Wal-Mart and break these rules above as well as other common sense rules. Frequently when any big box store is built there are fights among the neighbors and it doesn't help to have fuel to that fire.

We have been a Good Sam Member for 27 years and we always obey the rules and hope everyone does.