Walmart Parking coming to an end??

[Ultrastryk]

I have using the app that shows what Walmarts allow parking for a while now. Recently I posted that a Walmart in Mobile had changed from allowing RV's to not allowing. I got a response back from the guy that runs the app. He said that more and more managers are changing their stores to not allowing RV's. This was disappointing to me, as my wife and I travel for work in the RV and have to use Walmarts a lot during the week because most campground offices close before we get in, and don't open by the time we leave in the morning. I think that we should all write nice letters to Walmart's corporate office and thank them for allowing us to park there. We should ask them to encourage their managers to allow RV parking and point out how much we spend there on groceries and fuel. If we are forced to use campgrounds every night, we will obviously be buying our food and fuel at the closest places to the campground. It will clearly cause some drop in their business. We should point out that we don't really see what harm the RV's are causing, as we usually park in un-used parking places and are very neat. The letters would not be threatening, but mention how much we appreciate them allowing us to park there up until now. Clearly, they didn't have to allow us all this time. I think if they get enough emails/letters, they may change their minds.
Thanks

[wa8yxm]

Far as I know company policy is to allow.....

BUT The sponsors of this forum also own campgrounds.. Thus they belong to several campground owners associations. (By no means all of them).

These association members (All the associations,, Not sure if all the members support this position or not) The Associations lobby Cities, Counties and States to ban overnight RV parking except for a licensed RV park or the owner's property.

Now I can not say as I blame them,, I mean around here it is around 25-35 bucks a night for overnight so they association members see it as lost income.

But there is another way to look at it.

Overnight in a CG.. no generator use.. Dump and fill as needed,, 25-80 dollars (Usually you can find the lower end) you eat your own food (perhaps 10 bucks).

Overnight in a Flying-J,, Dinner at the diner for 2,, 30-50 bucks,, Breakfast half that..... The campground is cheeper!!!!!!

[crudeman]

rockhillmanor wrote:

crudeman wrote:

rockhillmanor wrote:

crudeman wrote:

rockhillmanor wrote:

bluegypsy wrote:

Ultrastryk wrote:
... have to use Walmarts a lot during the week because most campground offices close before we get in, and don't open by the time we leave in the morning. ....

I know it's off the Walmart subject, but wanted the OP to know that all RV parks and campgrounds we've stayed in (and worked in as workampers) has a "Late" or "After-Hours" Check-in - either some paperwork posted near the office or a bulletin board saying what sites are available, and payment envelopes and lock boxes to pay....

X10!
No one HAS to use a Walmart because of CG hours.

If the CG is not gated and gate closed you just go in no matter what time. And follow the signs to the office.

There will be instructions what to do with your check/money for the fee or instructions where to park or a note to: 'see the mgr in the morning'.

I full time and I use this service regularly because I do not make reservations and pull off the road where ever, what time, when I am tired of driving. I've pulled into many as late at midnight or even later. The late arrival is offered on the honor system to anyone RV'ing.

IMHO

there just is no reason to stay on the side of a road, parking lot of any kind or truck stop. There will always be a CG along the way no matter what time of day or night to safely park your family and RV. :C

You still have not come to grips that not everybody doesn't think or do what you think is best.

What part of "IMHO" don't YOU understand? :R

IF you would have read the post I was offering information on how to use CG's available after office hours are closed to a forum member that thought they could not go into a CG after office hours.

And btw every one here is entitled to their own opinion.
You don't like my opinion move on.

Lmao I have heard your bashing before, repeat don't like what I said move on.:B

READ the post and reply before you go off accusing others of bashing.

Please explain what part of offering 'information' to a forum member how to use late night CG arrivals, that they were not aware of, is bashing?

Apparently in your eyes it was ok for bluegypsy to offer the info but I should not agree and further explain it?:R

Let it go it's a Wal Mart thread, something you obviously not interested in doing. Let it go.:B

[rockhillmanor]

crudeman wrote:

rockhillmanor wrote:

crudeman wrote:

rockhillmanor wrote:

bluegypsy wrote:

Ultrastryk wrote:
... have to use Walmarts a lot during the week because most campground offices close before we get in, and don't open by the time we leave in the morning. ....

I know it's off the Walmart subject, but wanted the OP to know that all RV parks and campgrounds we've stayed in (and worked in as workampers) has a "Late" or "After-Hours" Check-in - either some paperwork posted near the office or a bulletin board saying what sites are available, and payment envelopes and lock boxes to pay....

X10!
No one HAS to use a Walmart because of CG hours.

If the CG is not gated and gate closed you just go in no matter what time. And follow the signs to the office.

There will be instructions what to do with your check/money for the fee or instructions where to park or a note to: 'see the mgr in the morning'.

I full time and I use this service regularly because I do not make reservations and pull off the road where ever, what time, when I am tired of driving. I've pulled into many as late at midnight or even later. The late arrival is offered on the honor system to anyone RV'ing.

IMHO

there just is no reason to stay on the side of a road, parking lot of any kind or truck stop. There will always be a CG along the way no matter what time of day or night to safely park your family and RV. :C

You still have not come to grips that not everybody doesn't think or do what you think is best.

What part of "IMHO" don't YOU understand? :R

IF you would have read the post I was offering information on how to use CG's available after office hours are closed to a forum member that thought they could not go into a CG after office hours.

And btw every one here is entitled to their own opinion.
You don't like my opinion move on.

Lmao I have heard your bashing before, repeat don't like what I said move on.:B

READ the post and reply before you go off accusing others of bashing.

Please explain what part of offering 'information' to a forum member how to use late night CG arrivals, that they were not aware of, is bashing?

Apparently in your eyes it was ok for bluegypsy to offer the info but I should not agree and further explain it?:R

[crudeman]

rockhillmanor wrote:

crudeman wrote:

rockhillmanor wrote:

bluegypsy wrote:

Ultrastryk wrote:
... have to use Walmarts a lot during the week because most campground offices close before we get in, and don't open by the time we leave in the morning. ....

I know it's off the Walmart subject, but wanted the OP to know that all RV parks and campgrounds we've stayed in (and worked in as workampers) has a "Late" or "After-Hours" Check-in - either some paperwork posted near the office or a bulletin board saying what sites are available, and payment envelopes and lock boxes to pay....

X10!
No one HAS to use a Walmart because of CG hours.

If the CG is not gated and gate closed you just go in no matter what time. And follow the signs to the office.

There will be instructions what to do with your check/money for the fee or instructions where to park or a note to: 'see the mgr in the morning'.

I full time and I use this service regularly because I do not make reservations and pull off the road where ever, what time, when I am tired of driving. I've pulled into many as late at midnight or even later. The late arrival is offered on the honor system to anyone RV'ing.

IMHO

there just is no reason to stay on the side of a road, parking lot of any kind or truck stop. There will always be a CG along the way no matter what time of day or night to safely park your family and RV. :C

You still have not come to grips that not everybody doesn't think or do what you think is best.

What part of "IMHO" don't YOU understand? :R

IF you would have read the post I was offering information on how to use CG's available after office hours are closed to a forum member that thought they could not go into a CG after office hours.

And btw every one here is entitled to their own opinion.
You don't like my opinion move on.

Lmao I have heard your bashing before, repeat don't like what I said move on.:B

[toedtoes]

Which was my point in the $10 parking lot setup. But that's been thrown out as not viable. Why? Because people won't pay $10 for something they can do for free.

From what has been said on these threads, I have read the following "facts":

RVers would stop staying at Walmart parking lots IF they could find a cheap, no utilities, park that allowed them to come in late at night and leave in the early morning.

Walmart parking lots are filled up and blocked by large RVs all the time.

Only about 5 RVers are staying at any given Walmart parking lot on any given night.

RVers (those with money) are not being cheap by staying at Walmart because they spend a lot of money buying things they don't need in the store to "pay" for their overnight stay.

RVers won't stay overnight at an RV park because it will cost them $30 - $50 to do so.


Hmmm, I see a lot of contradictions here. Seems to me that folks are justifying the fact that they like getting something for free. Why? Because they don't think anyone else should get anything for free.

[rockhillmanor]

crudeman wrote:

rockhillmanor wrote:

bluegypsy wrote:

Ultrastryk wrote:
... have to use Walmarts a lot during the week because most campground offices close before we get in, and don't open by the time we leave in the morning. ....

I know it's off the Walmart subject, but wanted the OP to know that all RV parks and campgrounds we've stayed in (and worked in as workampers) has a "Late" or "After-Hours" Check-in - either some paperwork posted near the office or a bulletin board saying what sites are available, and payment envelopes and lock boxes to pay....

X10!
No one HAS to use a Walmart because of CG hours.

If the CG is not gated and gate closed you just go in no matter what time. And follow the signs to the office.

There will be instructions what to do with your check/money for the fee or instructions where to park or a note to: 'see the mgr in the morning'.

I full time and I use this service regularly because I do not make reservations and pull off the road where ever, what time, when I am tired of driving. I've pulled into many as late at midnight or even later. The late arrival is offered on the honor system to anyone RV'ing.

IMHO

there just is no reason to stay on the side of a road, parking lot of any kind or truck stop. There will always be a CG along the way no matter what time of day or night to safely park your family and RV. :C

You still have not come to grips that not everybody doesn't think or do what you think is best.

What part of "IMHO" don't YOU understand? :R

IF you would have read the post I was offering information on how to use CG's available after office hours are closed to a forum member that thought they could not go into a CG after office hours.

And btw every one here is entitled to their own opinion.
You don't like my opinion move on.

[bfast54]

bluegypsy wrote:

Ultrastryk wrote:
... have to use Walmarts a lot during the week because most campground offices close before we get in, and don't open by the time we leave in the morning. ....

I know it's off the Walmart subject, but wanted the OP to know that all RV parks and campgrounds we've stayed in (and worked in as workampers) has a "Late" or "After-Hours" Check-in - either some paperwork posted near the office or a bulletin board saying what sites are available, and payment envelopes and lock boxes to pay.

Also, as an alternative to Walmart parking, we park at casinos, many allow overnight RV parking, see casinocamper.com

I have been to many campgrounds.....that "after hours"..close the gates swing a bar swing a chain across and you cannot get in or out for that matter.


Casinos are definitely a viable alternative but what it boils down to plain and simple is that a lot of people who are traveling through neither want nor need a campground they just want a place to park and the campgrounds are missing out by not offering this but most campgrounds are not near two major thoroughfares or expressways either so once again they are not designed for a person to just stop for four five six hours get some sleep and move on campground s simply are not set up that way

[crudeman]

rockhillmanor wrote:

bluegypsy wrote:

Ultrastryk wrote:
... have to use Walmarts a lot during the week because most campground offices close before we get in, and don't open by the time we leave in the morning. ....

I know it's off the Walmart subject, but wanted the OP to know that all RV parks and campgrounds we've stayed in (and worked in as workampers) has a "Late" or "After-Hours" Check-in - either some paperwork posted near the office or a bulletin board saying what sites are available, and payment envelopes and lock boxes to pay....

X10!
No one HAS to use a Walmart because of CG hours.

If the CG is not gated and gate closed you just go in no matter what time. And follow the signs to the office.

There will be instructions what to do with your check/money for the fee or instructions where to park or a note to: 'see the mgr in the morning'.

I full time and I use this service regularly because I do not make reservations and pull off the road where ever, what time, when I am tired of driving. I've pulled into many as late at midnight or even later. The late arrival is offered on the honor system to anyone RV'ing.

IMHO there just is no reason to stay on the side of a road, parking lot of any kind or truck stop. There will always be a CG along the way no matter what time of day or night to safely park your family and RV. :C

You still have not come to grips that not everybody doesn't think or do what you think is best.

[bfast54]

rockhillmanor wrote:

bfast54 wrote:
.Local ordinances are generally the ones that prohibited it.

That is so not true. That is an urban myth that local ordinances and/or the CG's in the area are ticked off about Walmart overnight parking and on and on internet garbage.

The influx of Undesirables, Druggies, Mobile Meth Labs AND RV'ers who make a Walmart PARKING LOT their camping 'destination' are all that have contributed to Walmart having to rescind their offer to weary travelers and/or emergency stop overs in their parking lots.

Here is a flash. Walmart is not a CG. Never was and is not now.

I am an RV'er I full time and I will NOT even shop at a Walmart that have a lot full of 'destination' campers in the parking lot. They set up the scenario for the drug set to nestle in within the same area.

This is the sign I look for. :W

And pray tell how did you come up with your philosophy that my statement about zoning ordinances is "SO NOT TRUE "???????.....:h


can you give me some kind of hint ???????

90 PLUS percent of the Walmarts that do not allow overnight parking ARE DUE to city state Township ordinances ...Feel free to "research "it.:S
(Most all of them have the ORDIANCE NUMBER. And wording on the sign..that way it can be enforced).....:S

ok the official philosophy of Walmart is to encourage RV ers to rest overnight at their store parking lot in the corner -----because they know they will spend money !!!!!
you do not park at Walmart for free ----I guarantee that

[westernrvparkow]

toedtoes wrote:
Maybe someone should take up on a business idea here. Build a "one-night only - no utilities" campground. Make a paved parking lot with slots sized for the RVs and charge $10 per night. In no earlier than 9 p.m., out no later than 8 a.m. No amenities.

Wonder how many folks parking in a Walmart for free will change to a $10 parking lot set up specifically for a "quick overnight sleep"?

Once upon a time, highway rest stops were established for this exact purpose.

The $10 RV site has been hashed around repeatedly. NO business person thinks it would have a snowball's chance in Hades of working. First, why pay $10 when Walmart and many other assorted entities are free? Second, how many people really use Walmart on a day to day basis? My observation is usually two or three, and ten would be a big abnormality. So say optimistically you captured them all and got 5 per night, that's $50.00 a day and most places would only have traffic for half the year, so that's $9000 gross per year if you were wildly successful. You would have taxes, advertising, insurance, upkeep, trash service and the like to pay. Even if you did it on the honor system to avoid having employees you would have to realize you won't get the full $9000 because some people do not honor the honor system. And with no employees, who makes change for people who don't have $10 exact change, because I am assuming a cash only business because you don't want to pay between 7% to 10% of your gross revenues in credit card fees. (3% of the transaction amount plus anywhere from $.35 to $.60 fee per transaction.)

[korbe]

toedtoes wrote:
Maybe someone should take up on a business idea here. Build a "one-night only - no utilities" campground. Make a paved parking lot with slots sized for the RVs and charge $10 per night. In no earlier than 9 p.m., out no later than 8 a.m. No amenities.

Wonder how many folks parking in a Walmart for free will change to a $10 parking lot set up specifically for a "quick overnight sleep"?

Once upon a time, highway rest stops were established for this exact purpose.

The state of California will require, restrooms, utilities, park lighting - the works.

[Bird_Freak]

rockhillmanor wrote:

bfast54 wrote:
.Local ordinances are generally the ones that prohibited it.

That is so not true. That is an urban myth that local ordinances and/or the CG's in the area are ticked off about Walmart overnight parking and on and on internet garbage.

The influx of Undesirables, Druggies, Mobile Meth Labs AND RV'ers who make a Walmart PARKING LOT their camping 'destination' are all that have contributed to Walmart having to rescind their offer to weary travelers and/or emergency stop overs in their parking lots.

Here is a flash. Walmart is not a CG. Never was and is not now.

I am an RV'er I full time and I will NOT even shop at a Walmart that have a lot full of 'destination' campers in the parking lot. They set up the scenario for the drug set to nestle in within the same area.

This is the sign I look for. :W

Your statement is not true. Doug, a long time friend is a regional manager for Walmart and he told me most times it is a city ordinance that restricts rv's. However the store managers have a say if it causes problems.

[toedtoes]

2oldman wrote:

toedtoes wrote:
Wonder how many folks parking in a Walmart for free will change to a $10 parking lot set up specifically for a "quick overnight sleep"?.

When folks will sit in line at Flying J to save $3.50 on a 100 gallons of gas, I have no doubt even $2 would be too much.

That's my suspicion also. Not that RVers are cheap or anything...

[vic46]

Wal*Mart 2014 US annual sales were $473.1 billion. RV sales portion not likely any leverage!