On Jul 16, 1:22*pm, "John" wrote:
Clive George wrote:
On 16/07/2010 11:59, John wrote:

The point that you (and everyone else it would seem) are missing is
that it is not a _public_ car park, it is _Lidl's_ car park. I
assume that when Lidl were spending the time, money and effort to
build a car park outside their shop, they were intending it to be
for their own customers. The fact that they didn't explicitly state
this on a sign somewhere, or barrier it off to all except Lidl
customers should not matter. The car park is on their land, outside
their store, so by implication the car park is for their customers.

The OP is a customer of Lidl. So where's the problem?

And so we come full circle.

The problem is that the OP was a customer of Lidl for a few minutes and then
went off doing general shopping, leaving his car occupying a Lidl parking
space when he wasn't a customer of Lidl. If the car park is/was full he is
effectively blocking a _potential_ customer of Lidl from _becoming_ a
customer of Lidl - ergo, potential customer doesn't get the shopping they
want, Lidl lose money and decide that they need some company like UKPC to
look after the car park - and before some pedant says it'll take more than
the OPs car to make that situation a reality, I know. Maybe there's plenty
more inconsiderate *******s around to make it a reality.

Seems amazing that 'any' commercial company trying to sell to the
retail market would not ensure there is adequate and/or 'more than
sufficient' parking'? Reminds one that many years ago a well known
down-town company put 'free parking' on their roof because customers
were objecting to then recently introduced parking meters. Suppose the
customer decides to buy at Lidl's then go next door (or within the
store) for a cuppa/coffee and then next door again to look at some
shoes?

Any super market here with inadequate parking would lose business to
one of their competitors; in fact there is one where parking is more
congested so we don't go there! Except to occasionally compare prices
or if it's early morning and the lot is relatively empty. The problem
seems to be that there are several resident businesses in the same
buildings whose employees are there all day, including a 24 hour call-
centre!

I have no connection with Wal mart except as an occasional
customer ................. but go to our local WM, for example; their
parking lot is huge. Probably some 30 to 50 times the size of the
store itself?

The only problem have had with WM was; one Saturday night needing an
auto battery I called up their 'Store opening Hours' number (a free
local call) which said "Open till 9.30 PM," or summat. Arriving there
found auto dept. unstaffed. (Something to do with auto-mechanics union
hours!). So grabbed a battery off the rack, having confirmed the type
number for vehicle, and checked it out. Small overnight top-up charge
and then installed it in the driveway the following morning. Had more
trouble with hooking the hold down bolts more than anything else. And
the vehicle started right up .......... checked the charging voltage
at a bit over 14 volts, about 2.3 to 2.4 volts per cell, and it's
worked fine ever since.

I must take back the old battery and get my $10 incentive/rebate
sometime. Total cost around $100 Canadian or roughly 70 quid? Since
the last battery lasted through eight winters and summers do not
foresee too many problems. Also has up to three roadside assists
included in price, for several years anywhere in North America and
Mexico!

But back to parking. Not only do WM always have more than sufficient
space, they encourage (apparently the founder was an RV enthusiast)
passing RVers (Recreational vehicles/caravans etc.) to park over
night. It is the custom for RVs to park well away from the entrances
and are also welcome to use the facilities inside the store (this
mainly during the summer/tourism season of course).

Since Wal Mart carries various food items, has auto supplies and
camping gear depts. and often have 'fast-food' franchises within their
store, the mutual arrangement makes sense.

The only places here that even deign to impose a parking fee or any
restrictions etc. are those not engaged in commerce ....... the main
hospital Health Centre, on the pretext that the university next door
would monopolize the parking, some down-town city buildings who have
underground parking, always insufficient for the number of employees
in the building of course!

BTW one notices that in some Gulf countries they do not charge for the
underground parking, to do so might discourage people from shopping in
the buildings above and the retail commercial enterprises from making
a profit! And their gasoline costs somewhere around 20 cents (about 15
pence?) per litre.

Lidl's approach seems almost backwards and counter productive? Surely
a few acres of parking even at today's inflated land prices and pro-
customer parking approach would be a profitable investment?

Another example maybe; there is a gas (petrol) station here who
although they charge the 'fill it yourself prices' have a crew of
young men who fill your vehicle; the moment you stop they are there to
serve. And boy, they do a lot of business, constantly busy!

002 cents from here.