Bumpy,
Can you post a list of those $15 campgrounds? I haven't found any yet
I stayed in a parking lot for 2 nights late last fall. Wasn't my intent, but it was up north, late October, and campgrounds were closed, period. I ended up buy more******out of the store that I didn't need just out of feeling guilty. They had a Dunkin Donuts inside, so I patronized that frequently as well.
Long before we got our MH, I would travel to Colorado Springs on business. I always flew into Denver and drove down, as it's a beautiful drive. There's a Walmart along that highway, I think it's I25?, that sits up on a hill facing West, looking right out over the Rockies. I never went by that without there being several campers, awnings/chairs/tables out.
Personally, I don't have a problem with someone sitting outside of their camper in a chair, watching the sunset/sunrise while enjoying a cup of coffee or an adult beverage before hitting the sack. It's when people are there for extended periods of time that you cross a line for me.
Of course people abuse it, like pretty much everything. And of course Walmart knew that would happen when they adopted the policy, and I'd bet some dollars to donuts that they actually have a section in their management rules that spells out what the procedure is to ask someone to leave, and how much leeway the local manager has.
And I've seen Walmart parking lots that are posted "No Overnight Parking" on occasion.
Thankfully, most Supers are open 24X7, so not a problem there.
Jim
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Things aren't always the way they seem. I asked about a rig that was setup at a local Wal-Mart for several weeks and was told it was a person doing technical work on their computer system. I see motorhomes frequently at businesses but usually when they are working there for a temporary time they are hooked to the electricity. I have never stayed at a Wal-Mart. Couple of times at a Cracker Barrel overnight. I don't know why someone would spend a lot of time but I have seen folks use the Wal-Mart when attending out of town sporting events. That is kind of neat because often the Wal-mart is more accessible than any campgrounds.
We traveled to Homewood Al. to see our son and family. When we got there our little fur lady was in heart distress. The walmart people were gracious to let us park our rv there for 3 days while our little girl was in the pet emergency room. We were lucky and she survived. I could not thank the walmart people enough for the help they gave us.
It is easy to judge when we don't know the truth. As some posters have mentioned some folks park there with good intentions, with full permission and doing no harm at all while others may be abusing the graciousness of Wal*Mart leaving others to assume the worst.
Yes some are being cheap, maybe because they have to, maybe because they want to. No one appreciates the fact some abuse the situation, possibly ruining it for others who really need it, without a care. Yet as long as a store manager is willing to say "yes, please stay" this will continue.
I don't think we should report a long stay coach to the manager because we just don't know...they may indeed have permission and our pointing thier presense out like a tattling child is just plain durn petty! It is the manager staff's job to pay attention to every detail going on in and around thier store. If they allow longterm parking then it is thier fault and decision. If they are worried about it they should indeed take down descriptions and lic. plate numbers to confirm stays longer than one night then approach the offender and send them on thier way or call for a tow truck!
Here is a concept. When you see an RV abusing the system Block em in legally. I mean park your vehicle right in front of them in the next space. You will be legally parked and they will be in a pickle. Or just stop by while in the store and complain to management about that RV fully set up camping in the lot and tell them you are a loyal customer and it is not right. Yes some will say this is nasty but you will be using the lot as intended when they striped it.
Walmart is a parking lot if you use it as a campground you are abusing the system. I cannot tell you how many times I have seen abusers in Walmart lots. Give us a break. Rest for a few hours, this is not what I have seen. Yes I might stop at a Walmart late if I were really tired and leave early in the morning but the ones with slides out and jacks down are plain wrong, period. I do not care how un level the parking lot is.
No disrespect intended to the occasional user just to the frequent camper ruining it for all. I have seen BBQs out, tarps covering stuff, chairs set up and trash left. Also RVs parked taking up several parking spots. You can tell the ones shopping or there for a short stay from the ones camping.
You can never tell, these MH that have been in the parking lot for so long may be working on maintenance, instalation of new equipment.... Or not. I have stayed about twice in a Wal Mart lot, for about 4-6 hrs. Then got on my way. I had rather stop over at a road side rest area. Easier on and off. No permission required.And wife can not remember something she forgot that she just can not do with out, and I spent a large amount of my rest time shopping at wal mart.
Lots of assumptions mixed with a lot of condescending remarks about strangers.
I wonder how many of the critics have actually discussed the "issue" with a member of Wal Mart/Sam's Club management? I have, with one of our local Wal Marts. He said
a)Corporate Policy is extremely comprehensive; virtually every possible issue has been discussed and subjected to a form of cost/benefit analysis. My own observations suggest he's correct.
b)Corporate Management believes that the benefits of allowing RV parking outweigh any negatives. They believe that the RV'ers generally spend enough in the stores (where there are no municipal prohibitions) to add to the positive side of the balance sheet.
c) They recognize that there might be local store issues which need the attention of the store manager and give them the authority to modify the general policy as conditions may require.
I don't understand the heat that this topic generates among people who have no idea what Wal Mart policy is on RV parking, or have no idea of the character of any of the people they see parking an RV at Wal Mart.
Why so grumpy? Owning and using an RV should make you happy all the time.
jaswen69 wrote: What about cabelas , Anybody ever camp there?
I have. They actually have RV size parking spaces around the side of the store. (At least the ones I was at.) One of them we overnighted at in Wyoming even had a small corral in case you were traveling with livestock. I actually pulled in right next to the corral at first not thinking about what it was there for. As soon as I figured it out I moved my RV to the other side of the lot and about the time I did that a guy with a big horse trailer pulled in and put the horses in the corral for the night. He slept in his truck.
The one in Michigan, by Monroe....has a Semi parking Area....and a RV parking area.
They have a seperate Dump station, and Very much want you to overnight, shop , .....it is not cheap.............it is just off the expressway.
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Lots of assumptions mixed with a lot of condescending remarks about strangers.
I wonder how many of the critics have actually discussed the "issue" with a member of Wal Mart/Sam's Club management? I have, with one of our local Wal Marts. He said
a)Corporate Policy is extremely comprehensive; virtually every possible issue has been discussed and subjected to a form of cost/benefit analysis. My own observations suggest he's correct.
b)Corporate Management believes that the benefits of allowing RV parking outweigh any negatives. They believe that the RV'ers generally spend enough in the stores (where there are no municipal prohibitions) to add to the positive side of the balance sheet.
c) They recognize that there might be local store issues which need the attention of the store manager and give them the authority to modify the general policy as conditions may require.
I don't understand the heat that this topic generates among people who have no idea what Wal Mart policy is on RV parking, or have no idea of the character of any of the people they see parking an RV at Wal Mart.
Why so grumpy? Owning and using an RV should make you happy all the time.
Simple Ken.....people do "Other things" than what "Some people " want....in other words..... they do what they think is right for them
People with control issues, Don't like people doing something ..."they don't want done"....esp. if they do not do it.
Sam Walton ..... .I hope you know who he was...............went out of his way to be friendly, and WELCOMING ....Wal-Marts sell a atlas, with wal-mart locations in a handy listing.
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...it is just off the expressway.
...esp. if they do not do it.
