breetheflea
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,917
Location: PNW
Jul 20, 2014 21:57:23 GMT
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Post by breetheflea on Apr 5, 2024 14:20:42 GMT
DH and I went to a new-to-us business yesterday. It’s only open on Thursdays and DH usually works on Thursdays…
We get there and there is very limited parking in a tiny parking lot, no empty spaces, and no street parking on a busy road. Around the corner and across train tracks is an industrial business park with several empty spaces.
DH did not want to park there convinced we would be towed the second we got out of the car. The businesses were an autobody shop and a dog groomer so not something we could go in and buy something.
Would you have parked in the industrial park or left and gone home?
Just curious what the peas think…
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Post by myshelly on Apr 5, 2024 14:23:59 GMT
Since there were two of you, I would have had the passenger jump out, go into the business you were trying to visit, and ask where to park.
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smartypants71
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,710
Location: Houston, TX
Jun 25, 2014 22:47:49 GMT
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Post by smartypants71 on Apr 5, 2024 14:26:15 GMT
I would have left and gone home. No way would I have parked in a parking lot that didn't belong to the business I was patronizing.
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Post by jenb72 on Apr 5, 2024 14:26:23 GMT
I might have called the business to ask them if they had an overflow parking area or to find out if they knew if the lot across the street was acceptable. Where I live it wouldn't be a problem, but if I were to drive into the downtown metro area, parking can be sketchy.
Jen
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Post by littlemama on Apr 5, 2024 14:29:44 GMT
If it had ample parking, I might have parked there But more likely, I would just go home and not try to go again.
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Post by workingclassdog on Apr 5, 2024 14:34:13 GMT
I wouldn't park in another parking lot of a business usually. I am too in fear of getting towed. The only exception is if it is at night and the business is closed and there are not any signs that say don't park here, I would do it. Next door to a restaurant we go to frequently there is a vet and a couple of other businesses that share a building. There are no signs not to park there. We do park there when the restaurant parking is full. Or it is a perfect place to park when I met my girlfriends for a day to shop (when the businesses are closed on the weekend)
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River
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,514
Location: Alabama
Jun 26, 2014 15:26:04 GMT
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Post by River on Apr 5, 2024 14:34:39 GMT
My small town is starting to have this problem as we've grown in population. Most businesses are putting signs up that cars will be towed and they are sticking to that. After what I've been seeing here, I would have gone home or went in to ask if they had additional parking elsewhere.
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GiantsFan
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,294
Site Supporter
Jun 27, 2014 14:44:56 GMT
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Post by GiantsFan on Apr 5, 2024 14:37:03 GMT
I would've just drove on and either come back at a different time or not gone back at all. I don't take up parking for a business I don't go to.
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Post by monklady123 on Apr 5, 2024 15:00:54 GMT
Around here you'd get towed before you could blink so no, I wouldn't ever park in another business's parking lot.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Apr 5, 2024 15:12:13 GMT
It would really depend on a couple things, one how badly I wanted or needed to go to the intended business and two, how much extra parking the other lot had. If the other lot is huge and there’s no chance that I’m going to be infringing on a spot one of their clients will need, I’d probably take the chance if there wasn’t a sign about getting towed. If the other lot is also tiny and it looks like I’d be taking a parking space their clients might need, I wouldn’t do it.
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Apr 5, 2024 15:24:24 GMT
Since there were two of you, I would have had the passenger jump out, go into the business you were trying to visit, and ask where to park. . I'm curious what type of business is only open one day a week.
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Post by airforcemomof1 on Apr 5, 2024 15:28:52 GMT
Since there were two of you, I would have had the passenger jump out, go into the business you were trying to visit, and ask where to park. . I'm curious what type of business is only open one day a week. My question also.
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Post by katlady on Apr 5, 2024 15:30:41 GMT
Since there were two of you, I would have had the passenger jump out, go into the business you were trying to visit, and ask where to park. . I'm curious what type of business is only open one day a week. I am thinking it is probably a wholesale business that opens it’s doors to the public only on Thursday. As for parking, I wouldn’t park in another lot unless the business was closed. When we used to go to the coast area for breakfast, parking was very limited. But there was a closed up grocery store behind the restaurant. Everyone used that lot to park in. But now new owners took over the store so we can’t park there anymore.
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Post by compeateropeator on Apr 5, 2024 15:38:35 GMT
Well for me it would depend. Coming from small towns and often limited street parking and/or places without much onsite parking there are often places you know you can park and walk. Many times there are public lots or places where there are often a ton of spaces open. If in the industrial park they had a lot of spaces and you were not taking spaces close to the business there…I would, especially if it wasn’t a long visit. If there were only a couple of spaces in that lot then No I wouldn’t park there.
ETA - but I agree with myshelly and would ask about parking when I get inside.
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breetheflea
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,917
Location: PNW
Jul 20, 2014 21:57:23 GMT
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Post by breetheflea on Apr 5, 2024 15:48:23 GMT
Since there were two of you, I would have had the passenger jump out, go into the business you were trying to visit, and ask where to park. . I'm curious what type of business is only open one day a week. A thrift store/ warehouse.
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Kerri W
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,769
Location: Kentucky
Jun 25, 2014 20:31:44 GMT
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Post by Kerri W on Apr 5, 2024 15:54:01 GMT
If the other lot is huge and there’s no chance that I’m going to be infringing on a spot one of their clients will need, I’d probably take the chance if there wasn’t a sign about getting towed. If the other lot is also tiny and it looks like I’d be taking a parking space their clients might need, I wouldn’t do it. I agree with this. There is a popular restaurant in our town that has a smallish parking lot. Across a small access road (easily crossable on foot) is a Wal-Mart. If the restaurant lot is full, I wouldn't think twice about parking in the Wal-Mart parking lot to patronize the restaurant. The spots closest to the road are never full. Conversely, we own a small assisted living facility that is adjacent to our city dog park. *Most* of the time we only need 3-4 parking spots out of the 15 or so that are available in our parking lot. BUT we need access to our handicap spots and ramp in case somebody has to go out to the hospital. EVERY.SINGLE.FREAKING.DAY our lot fills up from 5:00 until dark with dog park patrons who pay absolutely no heed to the handicap marked spots. They also park all willy nilly, blocking the ramp, not in the lines but double parked etc. It drives me up a wall! If I see people entering/exiting their cars I nicely ask them not to park there...to which they respond "well the dog park lot is full" I mean....ok. That really isn't my problem. I'm trying not to be bitchy and want to be a good neighbor, but for crying out loud.
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Post by cmpeter on Apr 5, 2024 16:16:51 GMT
If there weren’t any no parking or restricted parking signs at the industrial lot, I would have parked there. Then I would mention it when I got inside the business.
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Post by ScrapbookMyLife on Apr 5, 2024 16:56:21 GMT
I wouldn't park there. If I didn't "need" to go there, I would go on my way. If I needed to go there, I would circle around waiting for a spot to open up.
There are too many "self appointed tattletales or waiting for an infraction to happen" type people.... to risk getting towed. Those type of people think it is their responsibility to report offenders. The worst is HOA tattletales. There is a restaurant in my city, that a next door neighbor business constantly calls the towing company if any restaurant customers park on their property. The tow company will send all their trucks and tow multiple cars at a time.
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Post by chaosisapony on Apr 5, 2024 17:02:39 GMT
I would have gone into the other lot and looked for any "no parking" signs or signs stating that parking is only for those businesses. Absent any signs, I would have parked there and gone about my day.
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Post by Darcy Collins on Apr 5, 2024 17:18:37 GMT
If one person could stay with car I’d park and have other person run in so they could move if needed. I wouldn’t leave car unattended for any length of time in another lot if parking is that tight
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Post by mikklynn on Apr 5, 2024 17:24:00 GMT
If the other lot is huge and there’s no chance that I’m going to be infringing on a spot one of their clients will need, I’d probably take the chance if there wasn’t a sign about getting towed. If the other lot is also tiny and it looks like I’d be taking a parking space their clients might need, I wouldn’t do it. I agree with this. There is a popular restaurant in our town that has a smallish parking lot. Across a small access road (easily crossable on foot) is a Wal-Mart. If the restaurant lot is full, I wouldn't think twice about parking in the Wal-Mart parking lot to patronize the restaurant. The spots closest to the road are never full. Conversely, we own a small assisted living facility that is adjacent to our city dog park. *Most* of the time we only need 3-4 parking spots out of the 15 or so that are available in our parking lot. BUT we need access to our handicap spots and ramp in case somebody has to go out to the hospital. EVERY.SINGLE.FREAKING.DAY our lot fills up from 5:00 until dark with dog park patrons who pay absolutely no heed to the handicap marked spots. They also park all willy nilly, blocking the ramp, not in the lines but double parked etc. It drives me up a wall! If I see people entering/exiting their cars I nicely ask them not to park there...to which they respond "well the dog park lot is full" I mean....ok. That really isn't my problem. I'm trying not to be bitchy and want to be a good neighbor, but for crying out loud. I'd post signs warning them they will be towed. Then I'd tow them. I have zero sympathy for those parking in or blocking handicapped parking spots. As for the original question, no, I would not have parked in another business' parking area. I'd have waited for a spot to open up or left.
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Post by monklady123 on Apr 5, 2024 17:56:52 GMT
If the other lot is huge and there’s no chance that I’m going to be infringing on a spot one of their clients will need, I’d probably take the chance if there wasn’t a sign about getting towed. If the other lot is also tiny and it looks like I’d be taking a parking space their clients might need, I wouldn’t do it. I agree with this. There is a popular restaurant in our town that has a smallish parking lot. Across a small access road (easily crossable on foot) is a Wal-Mart. If the restaurant lot is full, I wouldn't think twice about parking in the Wal-Mart parking lot to patronize the restaurant. The spots closest to the road are never full. Conversely, we own a small assisted living facility that is adjacent to our city dog park. *Most* of the time we only need 3-4 parking spots out of the 15 or so that are available in our parking lot. BUT we need access to our handicap spots and ramp in case somebody has to go out to the hospital. EVERY.SINGLE.FREAKING.DAY our lot fills up from 5:00 until dark with dog park patrons who pay absolutely no heed to the handicap marked spots. They also park all willy nilly, blocking the ramp, not in the lines but double parked etc. It drives me up a wall! If I see people entering/exiting their cars I nicely ask them not to park there...to which they respond "well the dog park lot is full" I mean....ok. That really isn't my problem. I'm trying not to be bitchy and want to be a good neighbor, but for crying out loud. sheesh... "the dog park lot is full". -- My regular grocery store has a fairly small parking lot considering how busy it is. The county just put in one of those satellite office of the DMV, in a building *right* next door to the grocery store. The store used to have signs that said "For Giant customers only, all others will be towed". Then it got to be a bigger problem after the DMV went in so now they have signs that say "For Giant customers only, NO DMV or retail parking, you will be towed". So of course people are getting towed left and right, by a local company that has a very bad reputation for "predatory towing". And it's true, they have wrongly towed people from other places, and they drive too fast through our neighborhoods. But that's a parallel issue to the fact that you cannot park in the Giant parking lot and go somewhere else. So in one of the regular threads in our FB group ("our" meaning anyone who wants to join the "neighbors" group) someone said "well it isn't always clear where you can park for the DMV." I replied "it may not be clear where you can park for the DMV, but it is VERY clear that you cannot park in the Giant parking lot." I mean, what part of "NO DMV parking" isn't clear?
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Post by katlady on Apr 5, 2024 18:38:46 GMT
Do *you* (generic you) think it would be wrong if you park in a neighboring businesses parking lot, with the intention of going to both businesses, or should you move the car? For instance, say a restaurant is next door to Target. They have separate parking. Is it ok to park in the Target lot and go eat first before shopping? Does it matter if it is a smaller store that Target?
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Post by monklady123 on Apr 5, 2024 19:47:07 GMT
Do *you* (generic you) think it would be wrong if you park in a neighboring businesses parking lot, with the intention of going to both businesses, or should you move the car? For instance, say a restaurant is next door to Target. They have separate parking. Is it ok to park in the Target lot and go eat first before shopping? Does it matter if it is a smaller store that Target? I think it matters if the business has a sign that says no parking except for customers. They've put that there for a reason, most likely because too many non-customers were taking up all the parking spaces so there weren't any for legitimate shoppers. To use the Target example, my Target is in one of those large outdoor mall type areas... Petsmart next to it, other stores down a bit, a grocery store at the other end. You can park anywhere you want and just walk from one store to the other. But at the grocery store I was talking about earlier there is a great bbq place just across the street. But if you go into the Giant, buy something, put it in your car, then walk across to the bbq place you are no longer a Giant customer and you're taking a parking spot from someone else who might need to park there in order to go into Giant. Same if you did it in reverse...park at Giant, go across to the bbq to eat, then back to Giant to shop. But meanwhile your car is taking up a spot that someone else could be in. Maybe my outlook is colored by the fact of where I live (Northern Virginia near Washington, DC) where traffic is awful and parking is a nightmare. We all know which stores, doctors, etc. have good parking and I will drive out of my way to go to the one where I can easily park. lol
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Post by epeanymous on Apr 5, 2024 19:49:51 GMT
Do *you* (generic you) think it would be wrong if you park in a neighboring businesses parking lot, with the intention of going to both businesses, or should you move the car? For instance, say a restaurant is next door to Target. They have separate parking. Is it ok to park in the Target lot and go eat first before shopping? Does it matter if it is a smaller store that Target? This issue gives me such a stomach ache!
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Post by Zee on Apr 5, 2024 20:20:18 GMT
How can Giant possibly determine who is in their store shopping vs in the DMV? That's insane. I would never shop there just on principle.
The DMV used to be in the same huge lot as HyVee and there was never any threat of towing vehicles by either. That's ridiculous.
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Post by KiwiJo on Apr 5, 2024 20:58:30 GMT
How can Giant possibly determine who is in their store shopping vs in the DMV? That's insane. I would never shop there just on principle. The DMV used to be in the same huge lot as HyVee and there was never any threat of towing vehicles by either. That's ridiculous. I don’t think it matters whether the stores would actually know whether the car-owner is currently in their store - to me, it’s the intent that matters more. If a store has signs that say only their customers may park in the lot outside their store (and which they, presumably, pay rent/tax etc for, it’s not a general carpark open to all), then I will patronise that store. They are doing the best they can for their customers, trying to make it easy for their customers. I try to think of it from the customer’s point of view - if I want to go to a store where there is limited parking, I want to know that store is looking out for their customers. That also means, of course, that if I could probably park contrary to such a sign but with reasonable assurance I wont be fined or towed, I won’t do it. I can’t have it both ways.
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Post by Zee on Apr 5, 2024 21:23:30 GMT
How can Giant possibly determine who is in their store shopping vs in the DMV? That's insane. I would never shop there just on principle. The DMV used to be in the same huge lot as HyVee and there was never any threat of towing vehicles by either. That's ridiculous. I don’t think it matters whether the stores would actually know whether the car-owner is currently in their store - to me, it’s the intent that matters more. If a store has signs that say only their customers may park in the lot outside their store (and which they, presumably, pay rent/tax etc for, it’s not a general carpark open to all), then I will patronise that store. They are doing the best they can for their customers, trying to make it easy for their customers. I try to think of it from the customer’s point of view - if I want to go to a store where there is limited parking, I want to know that store is looking out for their customers. That also means, of course, that if I could probably park contrary to such a sign but with reasonable assurance I wont be fined or towed, I won’t do it. I can’t have it both ways. It matters to me, because if my vehicle was wrongly towed it would still be my hundreds of dollars to get it back. And the threat is just ridiculous if you share a space with the DMV. What if you need to do both? You're telling me I need to get in my car and drive to a different spot, when I could walk over? I'm not going to patronize any (optional) business that threatens towing a vehicle, to be honest. Lots of other options.
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Post by monklady123 on Apr 5, 2024 21:26:33 GMT
How can Giant possibly determine who is in their store shopping vs in the DMV? That's insane. I would never shop there just on principle. The DMV used to be in the same huge lot as HyVee and there was never any threat of towing vehicles by either. That's ridiculous. Because the towing company has people who watch. Or sometimes the store has en employee out there. This is what some people here object to, that someone is watching and will alert the towing company right away. But as I said earlier, if someone is parking RIGHT under the sign that says "parking for Giant customers only" and then they walk off to another business... well I feel like they get what they deserve. It's not like Giant is trying to trick them. Our library had to resort to something similar for their parking lot because you could arrive at 10:10 (they open at 10:00) and fine the parking lot full. So they cracked down. People tried to argue about that also (the ones who got towed) by saying "well my tax dollars pay for that library so I should be able to park there when I want to!" (and yes, there are signs that say "library patrons only".)
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Post by monklady123 on Apr 5, 2024 21:29:17 GMT
I don’t think it matters whether the stores would actually know whether the car-owner is currently in their store - to me, it’s the intent that matters more. If a store has signs that say only their customers may park in the lot outside their store (and which they, presumably, pay rent/tax etc for, it’s not a general carpark open to all), then I will patronise that store. They are doing the best they can for their customers, trying to make it easy for their customers. I try to think of it from the customer’s point of view - if I want to go to a store where there is limited parking, I want to know that store is looking out for their customers. That also means, of course, that if I could probably park contrary to such a sign but with reasonable assurance I wont be fined or towed, I won’t do it. I can’t have it both ways. It matters to me, because if my vehicle was wrongly towed it would still be my hundreds of dollars to get it back. And the threat is just ridiculous if you share a space with the DMV. What if you need to do both? You're telling me I need to get in my car and drive to a different spot, when I could walk over? I'm not going to patronize any (optional) business that threatens towing a vehicle, to be honest. Lots of other options. It's not ridiculous because the grocery store does NOT share a space with the DMV. They are in two entirely separate places. And around here there aren't a lot of options unless you drive out a bit to one of the outdoor mall-type places that might have a grocery store. All the grocery stores that are along the subway line or near other business have parking signs up that say "for customers only". I think it's their right as a business owner to restrict parking in their parking lot to their customers.
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