At Stores. Park Close or Further Away From the Store?

[Remy]

This isn't meant for people with mobility issues or those that need to use handicapped parking. Though of course anyone can respond.

I'm thinking of it from a convenience to park and leave. I find I like to park further away. If I'm at the grocery store like WINCO Foods and have bought several bags worth, cat food for the ferals, 20lb cat litter, its so much easier to load the car if parked further away and no one is parked next to me. Plus easier to exit the parking lot without as many people walking behind the car.

If I'm just going into a store for a few things, I've been unable to resist close parking a time or two, I admit. Also the post office has horrible parking. It's easier to park at a lot next door and walk a few extra steps.

 

[Beezer]

I agree on all counts.

I drive a large mini van which doesn't fit so well into tight spaces so I usually park further away from the store entrances.

The funny ones are the guys going to the gym for a workout, but will fight for the parking spot nearest to the facility....kinda defeats the purpose.

 

[Blessed]

It always makes me laugh when people will stop and wait for a car to leave a parking space, they waste more time waiting than they would if they just parked in the next available spot. You also get the advantage of getting some steps in.

 

[Remy]

It always makes me laugh when people will stop and wait for a car to leave a parking space, they waste more time waiting than they would if they just parked in the next available spot. You also get the advantage of getting some steps in.

Yes! It's so ridiculous. And they may be holding up several cars behind them.

 

[NorthernLight]

Far away. It's just easier (the parking that is, not the walking). I look for a section that has lots of empty spots.

I used to be crippled. I considered getting a handicapped parking permit that would allow me to park closer. But I was told that getting the permit was expensive and a hassle.

 

[Remy]

@NorthernLight I would think that would be free.

 

[hollydolly]

It doesn't matter where I park. I could park in an empty 1000 space car park, but guaranteed when I return to my car the only other person parked there will be right up against me...

 

[NorthernLight]

@NorthernLight I would think that would be free.

I just checked, and the permit is $25, $26, or $40 (confusing). Plus you need a letter from the doctor, and doctors usually charge for those.

For me, the problem would be the doctor appointments, standing in line to get the permit, etc. Especially if someone makes a mistake and I have to go back. I don't/didn't go out much. So I figured it was easier to walk across a parking lot a couple of times a month (with my canes).

Now I live in an underpopulated town, so parking is never a problem. I still tend to park farther rather than closer though. There's always someone in the plum spots!

 

[Disgustedman]

Well, at times I'd be parking close if I could, but I chose to shop at 6-8 am as it was more workers than customers. So that was helpful to me and hip. Otherwise I rarely will go midday.

 

[Llynn]

(implement Andy Rooney voice) Did you ever notice that when you park way out by yourself in a lot where there are no other cars, when you come back to your vehicle someone will have parked right beside you.

 

[OneEyedDiva]

When my husband used to take me to the store, he used to want to drop me off right at the door. If he could've driven into the store he would have. I told him park wherever you find a spot and we'll walk...I need the exercise anyway. It doesn't matter to me except for if it's a rainy or snowy day, which these days would cause me to just stay home.

 

[NorthernLight]

What a gentleman!

 

[Knight]

When my wife is with me depending on the weather I'll drop her off at the entrance. We both like to walk whenever we have a choice. Always look for a parking spot that I can pull out of. Close or at the far end it makes no difference. Being able to pull out NOT BACK OUT is always what dictates where to park.

Putting a shopping cart mine or someone else's in the corral set up for that purpose is another thing I always do. Really irks me to see carts left where people are to lazy to do that.

I think I've mentioned this before about the employees I supervised adapting to the practice when parking to always pull out. With 240 employees doing that as a practice it was noticed by corporate safety because other departments were having backing accidents. Noticing & implementing as a safety rule along with changing corporate safety to all employees doing that as a safety practice showed up in a salary increase for me.

 

[hearlady]

I park far away so I can walk, and so that no one parks too close.

 

[hollydolly]

(implement Andy Rooney voice) Did you ever notice that when you park way out by yourself in a lot where there are no other cars, when you come back to your vehicle someone will have parked right beside you.

did you see my post above ?

 

[Don M.]

I usually park halfway out in the lot, where I won't have to contend with big pickups or, SUV's parking next to me...making it hard to back up with limited visuals when leaving.

 

[Knight]

I usually park halfway out in the lot, where I won't have to contend with big pickups or, SUV's parking next to me...making it hard to back up with limited visuals when leaving.

Always parking facing out so no backing is necessary eliminates that problem. Backing out means turning your head back & forth & hoping nothing came your way while your head was turned the other way. Or as I've seen so often people backing out at the same time then backing into each other.

Pulling out unless you have tunnel vision your peripheral vision will alert you to movement coming from either direction. Or if someone is backing out across from you.

 

[Don M.]

Always parking facing out so no backing is necessary eliminates that problem.

Yes, that works, but around here most of the lots have "angled, one way" lanes, where driving directly out puts the driver going against the flow of traffic....usually causing problems for other drivers going the "correct" way.

 

[Jules]

Being able to pull out NOT BACK OUT is always what dictates where to park.

That’s a priority for me too. I do have good back up cameras and warning alerts. Still, I prefer being able to see.

I need all the exercise I can get, so distance is important too.

 

[Remy]

It doesn't matter where I park. I could park in an empty 1000 space car park, but guaranteed when I return to my car the only other person parked there will be right up against me...

A couple of times, I've had a car so close to my drivers side, I had to get into the passenger side and make my way over.

 

[Knight]

Yes, that works, but around here most of the lots have "angled, one way" lanes, where driving directly out puts the driver going against the flow of traffic....usually causing problems for other drivers going the "correct" way.

When I come across that parking situation I signal my intention to back in & then back in. If there are other drivers they have to wait because they will be at fault if they hit you. For me far easier to back in & pull forward when exiting a parking space.

The key to that is signaling, showing your intention.

 

[Remy]

I usually park halfway out in the lot, where I won't have to contend with big pickups or, SUV's parking next to me...making it hard to back up with limited visuals when leaving.

I've had some huge, and I mean huge pickups park next to me. Usually at the one Safeway grocery store parking lot. That's one grocery store that does not have a real big parking lot. Plus a lot of other businesses on either side of the grocery store. Always busy there.

 

[Remy]

Well, at times I'd be parking close if I could, but I chose to shop at 6-8 am as it was more workers than customers. So that was helpful to me and hip. Otherwise I rarely will go midday.

I've gone early too. I think there is a demographic that does. Just likes the quieter store in the morning. When I go early, it's usually after feeding the feral cats. But it's not my favorite way to shop for some reason.

 

[Gary O']

Being able to pull out NOT BACK OUT is always what dictates where to park.

Yup

 

[EmptyCup]

I agree on all counts.

I drive a large mini van which doesn't fit so well into tight spaces so I usually park further away from the store entrances.

The funny ones are the guys going to the gym for a workout, but will fight for the parking spot nearest to the facility....kinda defeats the purpose.

I noticed that too! Also, I see the same behavior at the hiking trailhead. Duh, aren’t you people here to “hike?” But still need to park right up to the closest spot to the trail!?!?