Rousted in Oklahoma!

[CoachOnTheRoad]

Called and got permission to overnight park in an Oklahoma City Walmart, was rousted by an unfriendly security guard after settling into bed. I told him I had permission, but he wasn't having it.

This is my first "big" trip, from NY to AZ, sleeping in Walmarts or Cracker Barrels, using the Allstays app, and this is the first time I've had a problem. Kind of glad it happened, now I know what it feels like!

He cleared out the entire area, there was a 5th wheel and some smaller trucks. There was an Office Depot right next door with vans already parked, spent a restless night there.

Not a big deal, except I'll be skipping this area on the way home. Lesson learned.

 

[UptownSport]

So, staying at Walmart's in Oklahoma is not OK, LoL

 

[user 423]

^
Yeah, many of the WMs in urban areas have security guards but not so in smaller cities where you should be OK. One Sunday night in Phoenix I was rousted by security but I told him I had to buy a new tire and needed to wait until the Tire & Express opened in the morning. He bought it and left me alone. Thing was, I really did need to buy a new tire before I continued on to the Slabs.

BTW: Not all WMs sell tires, so that ploy won't work everywhere...

 

[Trebor English]

If the Wal-Mart is in a shopping center with other stores their landlord owns and controls the parking lot.

 

[lenny flank]

Called and got permission to overnight park in an Oklahoma City Walmart, was rousted by an unfriendly security guard after settling into bed. 

The one on Reno? I got bounced out of there too a few months ago. They had just gotten a new manager and changed their policy to allow RVs to park overnight but not vans (I presume some idiot did something stupid to piss them off, like dump their pee bottle in the parking lot).

But my security dude was friendly, suggested I park at a Cracker Barrel nearby instead, and pointed out a science museum in a neighboring town that I should go see. 

 

[TMG51]

Some will disagree with me on this, but, this is one of many reasons I say never bother asking permission to park. Some places won't enforce even if it's not allowed, some will say it's okay only to enforce to the contrary later, it may be illegal and they don't know, etc.

Especially if it's a Wal-Mart. If it's a Wal-Mart and there are vehicles camping out then that's as much assurance as you're going to get.

I would still take street parking or a park n' ride over Wal-Mart though.

 

[lenny flank]

I never ask. In many Walmarts they don't actually own the lot and can't give legal permission anyway, so it's a waste of time.

Walmart's corporate policy is to allow overnight parking. If the store doesn't follow that policy, they are welcome to knock on my window and tell me so. I'll move promptly and cheerfully.

I prefer Walmart-camping for all the convenience----it's a reliable source of food, water, bathroom, wifi, and anything else I might need. All within walking distance.

 

[MrNoodly]

If it had been me, I might have reminded him of all the Okies who slept wherever they could as they fled the Dust Bowl and headed to California.

 

[rvpopeye]

Ok mr security !
I'll leave now.
But before I go.................
Would you be a nice guy and ask your manager where would be a good place to go for the $100-200 of groceries and other things I need ?

 

[TMG51]

The only time I've been asked to leave a parking lot of a store which did not overtly forbid overnight parking was at a Lowe's, where I had just spent around $350 hours earlier. I figured that entitled me to stay a bit. The highschool-looking girl in a vest who approached me evidently thought otherwise.

The conversation after her initial approach went like this:
"I just spent $350 on materials and I'm here working them into my van, but if you'd like me to leave I will."
"Yes, I would like you to leave."
"Okay, so tomorrow I can return these ladders and get my $350 back?"
"Sure just save your receipt!"
"Great, go **** yourself."

I don't know if you all know this about me, but I pride myself on my skills as a diplomat.

 

[Almost There]

I never ask.

BUT I do use the drivers section of Allstays.com to check (Not the phone app). I don't  just look for the color of the flag on the map, I go in to the reviews and actually read the reviews that people submit. I find that the reviews are more up to date than the flagging system.

So far I've never had a problem doing it that way.

Oh, and I also leave a review when I've used a W/M parking lot. It only takes a second!

 

[lenny flank]

BUT I do use the drivers section of Allstays.com to check (Not the phone app). I don't  just look for the color of the flag on the map, I go in to the reviews and actually read the reviews that people submit. I find that the reviews are more up to date than the flagging system.

I do the same, but I only avoid the Walmarts that reports say are actively kicking people out. Many of the signs that say "no parking" are just legal fictions to make the local town happy because they have an ordinance against it. If you're not a PITA, the Walmart won't enforce it. Probably half the Walmarts I stay in have signs saying "you can't stay here".

 

[ValerieP]

I've always called first. I use the Allstays app and start looking when I get tired. I've never had a problem from the employees. Once, it was loud because the parking lot was also the local teen hang-out, once someone parked near and was snooping around until my dogs growled; I stood up just in time to see them walk back to their truck and drive away. Another time, someone tried to sell me something, so I told security and they patrolled the area pretty regular through the night. The rest of my stays have been pretty good. It's convenient, but it can be a bit unnerving.

 

[Thirsty Boots Nomad]

The only time I've been asked to leave a parking lot of a store which did not overtly forbid overnight parking was at a Lowe's, where I had just spent around $350 hours earlier.  I figured that entitled me to stay a bit. The highschool-looking girl in a vest who approached me evidently thought otherwise.

The conversation after her initial approach went like this:
"I just spent $350 on materials and I'm here working them into my van, but if you'd like me to leave I will."
"Yes, I would like you to leave."
"Okay, so tomorrow I can return these ladders and get my $350 back?"
"Sure just save your receipt!"
"Great, go **** yourself."

I don't know if you all know this about me, but I pride myself on my skills as a diplomat.

I'm "vindictive" enough that I would actually take anything I had purchased, but not used/opened, back to the store for a refund the next day with the explanation, "I was storing/working with these when your security rudely told me to leave.  If that is the way your store's customers are treated/talked to, I will take my money and business elsewhere"

 

[SoulRaven]

"Great, go **** yourself."

I don't know if you all know this about me, but I pride myself on my skills as a diplomat.

Well,  you could have come up with a whole different group. .. NFL, Navy, cast of Annie....instead you suggested she "keep it to herself  "

That seems diplomatic to me.

Pat

 

[CoachOnTheRoad]

The one on Reno? I got bounced out of there too a few months ago. They had just gotten a new manager and changed their policy to allow RVs to park overnight but not vans (I presume some idiot did something stupid to piss them off, like dump their pee bottle in the parking lot).

But my security dude was friendly, suggested I park at a Cracker Barrel nearby instead, and pointed out a science museum in a neighboring town that I should go see. 

Yep that's the one. He chased off the one RV that was parked there also. It's a big city, probably lots of vagrants and they've had enough of it in their parking lot.

 

[BinDerSmokDat]

This is kind of where technique comes into play.
If you are "rigged for silent running" with no sounds or light emanating from the vehicle and you park in the parking lot of a 24 hour store or casino, nobody will know if you are inside or not.
They can't possibly know if that vehicle belongs to a customer shopping inside at first glance.
Now if they see it still there after 4 hours...that's a possibility.

I have a plain white E150 and one of the things I want to try is parking in an industrial park at a business with other vans and work trucks.
I know someone who Googles cable TV offices and then pulls in amongst the other plain white vans.
He says he never gets rousted. But I haven't been brave enough to try it yet.
The out of state tags are not always an immediate giveaway because it's not uncommon for large companies to send truck to other offices/areas as needed.
If your vehicle is plated in a state that requires a front tag, but are parking in a state that doesn't, removing your front tag and backing in is one option, but again haven't been brave enough to try it.

 

[BinDerSmokDat]

A plain white van would blend in nicely here...thought it would raise some questions if you do get noticed.

 

[GrayWhale]

It's pretty difficult and quite rare, to beat Walmart's prices for food and convenience of all that Chinese made stuff, all in one place; and they know this. And even if the manager did know, he wouldn't tell you.

 

[Technomad]

Oh that cable TV office tactic gives me an idea... find the local dealer of box trucks and park on the street outside his service area. (Eg exactly where they would put a truck if the customer was picking it up after hours.)

Or find the local Penske office and park across the street, etc.

These would work in the larger cities I bet.


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