Wal-Mart supports parking ban

[Joe Bee]

As reported @ RV Business.com  (under "Breaking News Archives" left side of screen)  Wal-Mart is now supporting the parking ban on their lots in Canada.  This is a major story that has not been made available to the general RV public.

 

[CoachPotato]

To say that Wal-Mart is supporting the the ban is a bit overstated. The ban is law. Wal-Mart has no choice.

From RV Business.com:

"According to the Chronicle Herald, Halifax, the retailer has begun posting signs in parking lots informing RV owners about a provincial law that prohibits the practice and asking them not to park overnight, says Leanne Hachey of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.

..."One thing we want to make sure of is that we're in compliance with the law," Yanik Deschenes, a (Wal-Mart) company spokesman, said Wednesday (July 19). "

The fact that Wal-Mart is putting up signs certainly is not a change of policy on Wal-Mart's part. They have no choice, as is entirely too often the case when government continues to reduce the choices of free people.

That's one of several reasons I do not visit Canada. And when I run into the same nonsense here in the States, I drive on down the road to another city or county where one free person (the lot owner) has the freedom to invite another free person (me and other RVers) to spend the night on his lot. Such an invitation and acceptance should be the choice of free people. Period. It's private property and a RV parked overnight generally bothers no one except the RV park owners who think government ought to force RVers to do business with them.

Do they still refer to Canada as a free country? The USA? Every new law, every new regulation, is one less choice we are permitted to make on our own. How can we claim to be free when more and more choices are already made for us by government?!

 

[woodartist]

Yes, and it is only time before the US has a ban. It is already in some states and Clark County Nevada is banging out a new dry camp agreement ( law, ordinance). Sad to say, but a small number of Rvers are responsible for restrictions...not to mention greedy campgrounds. The trend seems to be clear and will only get worse :

 

[Joe Bee]

Coach Potato.... Amen.? Thank you for your post.? I agree with you and hope that more realize that we can't take our freedom for granted.

 

[John From Detroit]

==..."One thing we want to make sure of is that we're in compliance with the law," Yanik Deschenes, a (Wal-Mart) company spokesman, said Wednesday (July 19). "==

Dale, I thank you (And wall mart) for the best laugh I've had today.. Them in compliance with the law..  The company most sued for violations of labor laws in the US (and most likely to loose)  Now that is funny

That is also why I tend to shop across the street from my local Wall Mart (meijer's) better compliance with the laws

 

[Sven]

Ah yes, the call of the open road, the lure of the vast asphalt parking lot.  No better place to go on vacation than a Wal Mart parking lot.  Just another of those great outdoor experiences that are being usurped by that insidious conspiracy of RV park owners and the evil government.

I for one am packing my bags and heading someplace free and unregulated - Guatemala sounds nice don't you think.

 

[CoachPotato]

Well, here we don't go again, I hope...

I've taken part in many online debates about Wal-Mart and RVing. Ya just can't mention the two together without hearing these two schools of thought: 1.) Wal-Mart is a low-down dirty bunch of so-and-so's that don't pay enough to their employees and blah-blah-blah.  And 2.) If you park for the night in a Wal-Mart parking lot, you just might be a redneck! (Maybe this is where Jeff Foxworthy got his start?!)

Well...
1.) I don't really understand why a discussion about parking at Wal-Mart has to include one's political take on Wal-Mart's policies. But if it does, here's my take: I like Wal-Mart! They do a wonderful job of providing low prices for shoppers who want low prices. And it's Ok if others choose to hate 'em and think they're the scourge of the poor. They're free to spend their money elsewhere! Frankly, a lot of po' folks buy necessities at Wal-Mart that they likely might not be able to buy otherwise. Oh... and nobody is forced to work at Wal-Mart. That's a fact. And.. nobody is forced to shop there, either! (And, John, of course Wal-Mart has the most run-ins with the regulators, they're the biggest retailer - by far - in the USA and maybe the world. duh.)

I might point out that for me, spending thousands for a fully self-contained RV that can spend nights free of electric plugs, sewer connections and a water hose makes no sense if I'm going to pay to hook up to those conveniences every night I'm on the road.

2.) Parking in a Wal-Mart lot does not mean it's your destination. But we are generally welcome to spend the night there enroute to wherever we are heading. Wal-Mart is a good choice for me becasue they're well lit at night and usually have security 24 hours a day - more than can be said of many RV parks that want to charge me $30 or $40 per night for hook-ups I don't need. Another plus about parking at Wal-Mart is that just about anything you need is nearby in the store. And you can count on finding a Wal-Mart most anywhere you travel. I plan my trips to land nights at either a Wal-Mart or a Flying J and that usually gives me lots of choices - no matter where I go. And... if one thinks parking overnight at Wal-Mart is a redneck thing to do, that's fine! Again... you don't have to park there!

Freedom of choice is a wonderful thing. And the success of Wal-Mart is due to the fact that millions of people freely choose to shop there.

 

[Jim Johnson]

Guatemala sounds nice don't you think.

Sven

Where do we send our donations  for your travel expenses?

 

[woodartist]

insidious conspiracy of RV park owners and the evil government.

Well, if you think the government is so truthful and honest, I suggest you ask the older Native Anericans if they can "trust," the government. I was in the military and then later worked for them 5 years after college. Saw some ugly sides. The campgrounds have a business interest in getting as much traffic to them as possible. Just a fact, and often they object to any type of free overbight camping.  Just common sense and I would do the same thing if my business depended on Rv campers.
Yep, where do we send the money : No wonder this country is percieved as a bunch of arrogants by most of the world

 

[Ron]

Boy are you mis informed John.  Your favorite shopping place across the street from Wal-Mart makes Wal-mart look like an angel.  They are worse but much smaller so they don't get the publicity.

I for one will shop at Wal Mart in preference to Kmart/Sears Pamida, Target, or meijer's.

Just my opinion

 

[Smoky]

My picture below says it all!  ;D

 

[Wendy]

My picture below says it all!? ?;D

Somewhere over the rainbow??

I'm one of the ones who stays occasionally at Wal-Marts. It's never a 'destination', just a place to park for the night. And as for being a big asphalt parking lot....well, yeah, but so are some campgrounds I've stayed in and they charged me $25 or more (Circus Circus and Casino Queen come to mind).

As for it being the big bad wolf of employers, I live in a small town and I've got to tell you that Wal-Mart is one of the best employers we have....same holds true for most Wal-Marts in small towns. And the folks I know who work at WM LIKE working there.

 

[Shayne]

The people in small towns all blame WM for putting the little guy out of business.  I disagree,  they put themselves out of business by not progressing with the times.  If you are a good business man or woman you can compete but you have to change yuour ways.  Same as any business.  Everything changes, houses change, cars change, RVs change.  Mediicine changes, operations chnage, and etc.  Lie still and youj get passed.  All in HMO

 

[woodartist]

Well, Wal Mart does destroy small town businesses and for many reasons. One is the cost of goods. A small retailer can not compete on price and most people are price driven. The small town atmosphere is destroyed and along with it the charm. I suspect that is why there are towns that restrict the large box stores. I detest Wal Mart for many reasons, however I do shop there and they are sucessfull because of being a great business. Ole Sam started at the bottom and really was a great businessman. Yes, I do stay in the lots as a stop over......However, I do feel that the small towns are decaying because of WM......

 

[Betty Brewer]

My favorite towns to visit are those with a Wal-Mart on the outskirts of town but they also have a quaint shopping area "downtown."? As long as they have a bench out front for husbands to wait, Terry will go with me.
I like the? full service variety a Wal-Mart will offer as a one stop shop but I really enjoy the pride and? history and restoration of small towns and cities.?

Maybe it is leadership with vision in city planning that can keep all of us happy. Sandpoint, Idaho comes to my mind.? We go there often.? Downtown is charming? and offers many small store services while the outskirts support a Home Depot and Wal Mart.? Best of both worlds.

The "where to camp/park" discussion could go on forever.? I'm? just? glad I have the freedom? to make my own choice.? (Within laws and regulations)
I will? not try to tell anyone else where they should go.(Though it is tempting)?

Betty

 

[Jeff]

Wal-Mart does not put small stores out of business, we do. Wally World (and the other box stores) are simply providing a service or product profitably that we want to buy. If you want small stores to succeed, get all your friend to shop there.

Wal-Mart provides equal or better pay and benefits than any Mom & Pop store I ever saw. To legislate the level big business must provide is pure socialism.

NO THANKS!

 

[Smoky]

Wendy:

I agree with you completely.  And you too Shayne! 

The rainbow picture was taken at one of the prettiest Wal-Mart locales in the nation, at Laramie, Wyo.  Most WMs are a convenient one night stopover on a long haul run.  Laramie WM is a rare destination however.  <g>

I think Jeff expressed this debate concisely and in the best fashion.  WM is not the ones who put small businesses out of business.  We do.  I have never understood the reason so many people hate WM.  It is likely the best consumer and community oriented big business in the world.  Their employment practices are also superb. 

What people forget is that time does not stand still.  Business requires constant change.  Only the fleet of foot survive, whether big or small.  In fact smallness is an advantage if the business owner knows what they are doing.

After I retired,  I managed a Radio Shack for a friend of mine as a favor for a short stint until he found a permanent replacement.  He owned three Radio Shack dealerships.  He confided in me that while at one time he once feared the arrival of WM, he discovered that WM turned out to be a boon for his business.  While it is true that a few product lines were underpriced by WM, this was compensated by several factors.  First, the very presence of WM drew huge numbers of new customers into the area that had never shopped there before.  Also, many product lines of WM generated parts sales and accessory sales for him, that WM was unable to provide.  He discovered that by being nimble and flexible he could work effectively underneath the WM umbrella rather than go head to head against them.

I also witnessed the closing of some very poor small businesses, the expansion of some very good small businesses, and the creation of many excellent new small businesses after the arrival of WM in our community.

 

[BernieD]

Traveling from St. John's, Newfoundland to the Port Aux Basque ferry, we overnited at the Grand Falls-Windsor WM and on the way to the PEI ferry overnited at the Port Hawkesbury, NS WM. No signs, no problems, lots of comjpany.

 

[CoachPotato]

During  May and June of '05 I looped the country with my coach. From my home in California I went to Florida, up to Maine, across to Washington state and back home.

I spent half the nights in a Wal-Mart lot, the others at Flying Js. I came across only one Wal-Mart that would not permit overnight parking and that was due to a local ordinance that the city loved to enforce. That was the only night I spent in a Casino lot.

I made a point of traveling the US Highways and not Interstates as much as possible. That probably helped as I went through mostly small towns where they just seem more accomodating.

I've come across several Wal-Marts that have no overnight parking signs, but upon checking with the store was told I could spend the night. The signs were their way of complying with the local police to empower them to easily remove those who try to "live" in the lot.

I hope the Wally-Docking doesn't change in my lifetime. It sure makes RVing a lot more convenient.

 

[John From Detroit]

Regarding Wall mart putting smaller bussiness out of business.  Well, such is the nature of business  When a big hugh chain store comes in and charges 10 or 20 percent less than mom and pop can charge, mom and pop are going to loose business, Sometimes they can adapt and continue, othertimes it's sell out.

What bothers me about Wall Mart is that they are very abusive toward labor, True, if you stick it out and get permoted to management it's a good job, but at the entry level they pay as little as possible, and they don things like mandate overtime (Without overtime pay) and other things that quite rightly violate the rights of the workers.  They are often sued and labor often wins  EVEN WITHOUT A UNION (Unions are better at winning suits than indivigules)  Wallmart keeps loosing.

And then there is all that red, white and blue they hang around the store, and at one time they advertised about how "American" they were, all this while nearly none of their store's content is made in the USA, most is made in places like China where, to be honest, a worker treated the way wall-mart treates it's US workers would be in worker heaven (Where as here it's worker hadies)

NOTE: Yes, many other stores are no better as to US made content.. But Wall Mart BRAGGED how they were American, the others don't

By the way.. That was yet another (False advertising) suit, and Wall Mart lost