Would you pay more for a bigger parking space?
Discussion
Just an idea...feel free to laugh and take the p!ss if you like. Having read all the comments about people’s pride and joy getting scratched/dented in car parks, thanks to thoughtless folk in other cars, it struck me that a solution would be to have bigger spaces.
How about a certain number of larger spaces in town car parks for accommodating vehicles whose owners prefer not to get scratched/chipped by others’ car doors. The price, well… for a space 1.5 times larger than a regular space, 1.5 times the price. I for one would be happy to pay a premium to park in a town centre car park more confident that I won’t return to dents and chips.
I’m sure I’m not the only one who chooses to take either a different form of transport or not go at all to a town where I don’t know where its safe to park my pride and joy. What do you think? Marketable idea or complete rubbish?
Steve
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I'd be happier if the space was the regular size (or slightly wider) with a 'fence' between parking bays, rather than just a dividing line. It'd solve the problem of spaces being 'lost' due to parking incompetence too!
Good call but you have to consider that there are a vast number of talentless drivers out there who simply would not be able to park between two fences without damaging them. :joeydeacon:
The car park owner would spend all their revenue repairing the fences. Even if the spaces where 1.5 times the current size!
Interesting idea, but I think it'd make your car a target for the key brigade - "stuck up bleeder, I'll key his fancy mota". I'll stick to cruising round to find a 'safe' spot on the end of a row.
Off topic a touch, I was amused to see a variant of the 'parent and toddler' space invented by M&S in Leicester when I visited Fosse Park a while back. Regular size spaces (tiny) but covered in yellow paint. Admittedly they were near the door, but I can't help thinking they are missing the point somewhat. Their disabled spots are the same (no extra room for access). They ought to think about the message that conveys - "we want your business and we'll pretend to care about you, but we don't care that much really" - ie cynical.
I noticed this because I was about to have a go at a disabled bloke for parking in a parent and toddler space that I was going for, but decided not to bother when he couldn't get out of his car anyway.
Off topic a touch, I was amused to see a variant of the 'parent and toddler' space invented by M&S in Leicester when I visited Fosse Park a while back. Regular size spaces (tiny) but covered in yellow paint. Admittedly they were near the door, but I can't help thinking they are missing the point somewhat. Their disabled spots are the same (no extra room for access). They ought to think about the message that conveys - "we want your business and we'll pretend to care about you, but we don't care that much really" - ie cynical.
I noticed this because I was about to have a go at a disabled bloke for parking in a parent and toddler space that I was going for, but decided not to bother when he couldn't get out of his car anyway.
The fences idea won't work, in most car parks I couldn't get my A8 into a space without crossing an adjacent one, unless I practiced my handbrake turns a bit. Even then I suspect the sight of 2 tons of Audi sideways in Tescos might cause a little concern. I'd like to think the problem is a combination of car length, turning circle, and size of overhangs (rather than a lack of talent 
) - despite what the government would like we don't all drive Micra 1.4's yet.
Oh, and the A8 fills most bays width wise so I'd have to exit through the sunroof.
>> Edited by philshort on Monday 10th June 12:19
) - despite what the government would like we don't all drive Micra 1.4's yet. Oh, and the A8 fills most bays width wise so I'd have to exit through the sunroof.
>> Edited by philshort on Monday 10th June 12:19
quote:Doh!
Errrm, reverse into the space?
Maybe your Tesco is more generous than mine, it'd still take a few stabs in reverse - you do know what an overhang is? And I'd still be climbing out of the sunroof.
Not sure reversing in a crowded (with pedestrians) car park is a smart move either. Especially in a white van.
Good to see the demonstration of effective reverse parking in your profile though - stones and glass houses come to mind.
>> Edited by philshort on Monday 10th June 12:52
No problem here in supermarkets - I just use one of the so called Family Spaces. More often than not they are right near the supermarket and are larger than usual, predominantly because most of the time are fraternised by women driving unfeasibly large SUVs and such like. Never not found a space. Loads of room. Job done. You get an odd look every now and then when you and the breadknife hop out and no ankle biters, but hey, we're made of bigger stuff than that.
I would never use a disabled space. Those people have my sympathy as most did not have a choice in their predicament. Families do/did.
I would never use a disabled space. Those people have my sympathy as most did not have a choice in their predicament. Families do/did.
Yup, I adopted a son just so I could use those spaces. You better hope you are made of better stuff if its MY family space you're taking, I need that space due to my inappropriately huge car/lack of driving talent/inability to find reverse. Use the disabled bays - even if they are 16st and 6ft its a fair bet they don't work out as often as me. 
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The fences idea won't work, in most car parks I couldn't get my A8 into a space without crossing an adjacent one, unless I practiced my handbrake turns a bit.
Rats - thought I was on to something for a few minutes there, but you're right... Mind you, the thought of A8s sliding into spaces almost makes me like my idea more.
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No problem here in supermarkets - I just use one of the so called Family Spaces.
Don't get me started on this one again. I wondered how long it would be before someone on this thread piped up with it. I end up having to park the trolley out in the road in the path of bloody idiots in their SUVs while I load the children into it thanks to people like you.
And before you all start banging on about f**king "lifestyle" decisions again let me remind you that even if you never owned an SUV or a people carrier in your life every one of you was a child once.
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Not sure reversing in a crowded (with pedestrians) car park is a smart move either. Especially in a white van.
Probably safer in a white van as all but the dappiest shoppers know to get the F*ck out of your way
Oh and Carzee - another good thing about the montego - they stppoed making it
I always use the 'parent and child' spaces when I take my dad out anywhere (he's a bit unsteady on his feet and needs a hand out of the car hence need a wide space to open the passenger door fully), and the number of times I've had dappy tarts in their off-roaders give me evils, or have a go at me for it is ridiculous - He's a parent, and I'm his kid - what's your problem? Always stumps them
Always stumps them Back to the original point of the thread - many of the spaces in USA parking lots have small boxes painted between the parking spaces indicating that one should park in the space and leave the boxes in between for door opening space.
Obviously this reduces the number of spaces by about 25%, but our local superstores' carparks are never full. Mind you, if they were full I'd avoid the shop anyway because of the melee inside.
Obviously this reduces the number of spaces by about 25%, but our local superstores' carparks are never full. Mind you, if they were full I'd avoid the shop anyway because of the melee inside.
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....I end up having to park the trolley out in the road in the path of bloody idiots in their SUVs while I load the children into it thanks to people like you.
Like the rest of us have to do then ? My pleasure Steve...don't mention it.
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And before you all start banging on about f**king "lifestyle" decisions again let me remind you that even if you never owned an SUV or a people carrier in your life every one of you was a child once.
Yes, when equality of parking spaces was king and the idea of spaces especially for the likes of you was the stuff of madmans dreams. That's progress. Still, as I stated Steve, there's always one of these spaces free and - tell you what - if I ever see you in a supermarket, I promise I'll park somewhere else if there aren't any free for you and the kids. Okay ?
Anyone mind if I stoke this fire?
Good...
Why do people actually take their offspring to the supermarket? I mean it doesn't make *ANY* sense.. you've got to unload them from the car if they're small, and put them in a seat thing.. or if they're bigger then either they're running around, pissing other shoppers off and creating danger, or they're making your life a misery whilst you try to stop them doing the above, knowing they're making you look like an inconsiderate breeding moron (whether you are or not) if you don't.
They grab stuff off shelves as you go along, and if they want something you won't let them have then they bawl and yell - that pisses off people like me who would put hot needles in me eyes if it would make children stop screaming... OTOH, if you repremand the little buggers to shut them up, then the child cruelty nazis all think you're Pol Pot. You cannot win! It must make shopping trips into a living nightmare...
Supermarkets are open all hours of the day and night.. for gods' sake, why don't you leave them at home? it'd surely be better for you and it's better for the rest of us too...
Good...
Why do people actually take their offspring to the supermarket? I mean it doesn't make *ANY* sense.. you've got to unload them from the car if they're small, and put them in a seat thing.. or if they're bigger then either they're running around, pissing other shoppers off and creating danger, or they're making your life a misery whilst you try to stop them doing the above, knowing they're making you look like an inconsiderate breeding moron (whether you are or not) if you don't.
They grab stuff off shelves as you go along, and if they want something you won't let them have then they bawl and yell - that pisses off people like me who would put hot needles in me eyes if it would make children stop screaming... OTOH, if you repremand the little buggers to shut them up, then the child cruelty nazis all think you're Pol Pot. You cannot win! It must make shopping trips into a living nightmare...
Supermarkets are open all hours of the day and night.. for gods' sake, why don't you leave them at home? it'd surely be better for you and it's better for the rest of us too...
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Like the rest of us have to do then ? My pleasure Steve...don't mention it.
If my shopping gets snotted by a f**kwit in a truck I don't care much. My children, that's different.
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Yes, when equality of parking spaces was king and the idea of spaces especially for the likes of you was the stuff of madmans dreams. That's progress.
Yes it is progress. Just a few spaces to make it easier for "the likes of me" to get their children out of the car safely in a world where people think it's a good idea to bolt child murdering bars on the front of their f**king silly wagons just because they look "cool"
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Still, as I stated Steve, there's always one of these spaces free and - tell you what - if I ever see you in a supermarket, I promise I'll park somewhere else if there aren't any free for you and the kids. Okay ?
Well I'm glad there are such spaces free where you shop because they're like rocking horse s**t where I do. You're really lucky if you can find one.
Maybe I should shop somewhere else
Seriously, apologies for winding you up but I've had a couple of near misses thanks to "supermarket amnesia", a strange affliction that makes people forget the most basic principles of driving once they get into a supermarket car park. You know, REALLY basic stuff like - drive on the left. It scares me s**tless sometimes and I really do appreciate being able to keep the children out of the way of these loonies.
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Why do people actually take their offspring to the supermarket? I mean it doesn't make *ANY* sense..
Often you have no choice, you can't always leave them with someone else. You may also be getting some shopping on the way home from somewhere with the kids.
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They grab stuff off shelves as you go along, and if they want something you won't let them have then they bawl and yell
You may have done when you were a kid (I assume you were born small and not engineered full size) but mine didn't do this even when very young.
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that pisses off people like me who would put hot needles in me eyes if it would make children stop screaming...
Great idea, let me know when and where you shop and I'll set it up. We can sell tickets and all the kids will be laughing to see the 'funny man with the needles' - or will laughing kids piss you off too?
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Supermarkets are open all hours of the day and night.. for gods' sake, why don't you leave them at home? it'd surely be better for you and it's better for the rest of us too...
Why don't you go shopping at 2.30 in the morning, I'm sure you'll find it peaceful then.
Reading some of the cobblers posted about kids on this site by a few members I've come to realise it's a shame that your parents didn't have the same views on not reproducing a generation ago.
Hows that for stoking the fire
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