Would you do business at a truck stop that charged for parking ?

Discussion in 'Truck Stops' started by RickG, Jan 1, 2010.

How do you feel about truck stops charging for parking ?

  1. *

    Doesn't bother me .

    30 vote(s)
    20.0%
  2. *

    I will stop there for fuel only

    8 vote(s)
    5.3%
  3. *

    It's a ripoff . I'd never stop there

    56 vote(s)
    37.3%
  4. *

    I would park there if noplace else was available .

    61 vote(s)
    40.7%
  1. truckerdave1970

    truckerdave1970 On Probation

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    Rochester, NY
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    It's been awhile since I've been there so their policy may have changed, but there is only 1 place that I've been to that I wouldnt mind paying to park, The Petro in ?Wilkes-Barre? PA.
    You pay $8 to get INTO the parking lot, BUT they give you a voucher for $8 good on any purchase in the truckstop, shower, meal, junkfood, etc...
    Hell, almost anytime I stop for the nite, I could spend $25-$35 dollars between all that stuff. At least, the way this Petro does thier parking fees, you get your $8 back. Not like the T/A where you HAVE TO HAVE $25 in recipts to get"free" parking!
    I wouldnt mind it if all the pay to park places adopted this sort of policy.
     
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  3. MrMustard

    MrMustard Road Train Member

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    Dayton, Ohio
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    When I pull into a truck stop and see that they are charging for parking, I stay long enough to make a u turn in the parking lot and I head for the exit. In ten years, I've never paid for parking. I do not trash your parking lot, if I see trash I'll usually pick it up for you, unless it's a nasty urine bomb, then I come into your store, I'll buy your stuff being sold at 400% mark-up, that ought to be enough.
     
  4. 3.14

    3.14 Road Train Member

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    Arizona
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    doesn't the dump in jessup, md charge for parking? if so, it's still a dump. i've only been there once and haven't looked back ever again. the t/a east and west charge for parking. west is a dump for sure. east is somewhat better. i don't stick around long, though. i'm only there to get a shower and some "food" from either taco smell or burger king. in and out before the 2hrs of free parking expires.
     
  5. Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    May 28, 2009
    Rancho Mirage, Ca.
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    Paid parking is income for the truck stop. Don't kid yourself. In areas where truck parking is a premium, you'll find some truck stops charging to park. Do you think the cost of land is kinda pricey in Ontario, Ca.? 30 years ago, that area was empty fields. FYI, The Pilot in Hesperia, Ca. first charged to park when they first opened, and then quickly did an about face. Any businessman doesn't want to alienate their customers. So, it's a business decision. Me personally, I would not charge for parking, but I would charge $10 for a burger!
     
  6. groundpounder

    groundpounder Road Train Member

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    Nov 13, 2009
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    I forgot about that ghetto in Jessup, and yeah last I knew they did charge....they are on my boycott list as well..

    GP
     
  7. outerspacehillbilly

    outerspacehillbilly "Instigator of the Legend"

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    May 28, 2009
    The Who's Your State
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    The London Auto Truck Plaza in London, KY charges for overnight parking and it is a total dump! I won't even stop in their to take a dump.
     
  8. Ridgerunner665

    Ridgerunner665 Road Train Member

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    If we all agreed to pay....before long they will ALL be charging to park.

    I won't do it...even as a company driver I'll drive till I find a place that don't charge ro other suitable parking.
     
  9. mustang970

    mustang970 Road Train Member

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    I wonder if there was ever a study done to see how much on average every overnight truck parked spends at said truck stop. I know me personally, there are many times I park and have not spent a dime. I am pretty much self contained. So I take up space, use their utilities for toilets and hygiene, empty my trash in their dumpster. They pay taxes etc on the land I use. Other than fuel they typically don't make a dime off me. They are not charities, they are in business, so yes if they do it to offset there costs, more power to em. And look around, somebody needs to be paid to pick up the trash and trucker bombs left behind.
    I wonder if T/A's in Ontario didn't charge for parking, how many companies, or drivers would use the parking as their very own little terminal, drop yard, or place to park to go home.
    I would be curious to see what a typical Petro, T/A, Pilot, vs the very few reaming Mom & Pop truckstops actually make when it is all said and done, what their O/R's or Profit margins are.
     
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  10. mustang970

    mustang970 Road Train Member

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    I myself don't much worry about, my company reimburses for parking, and showers. I'm sure it is a write off for them, since they never deny parking or showers. Only exception is when on time off, then its the drivers chicken, but I'm sure many would expect their company to pay to park while on time off too. To many people think they are entitled to something. Just my thoughts. Plus if you ban them, that is more room for me.
    I think they could put in parking meters, that way the JackA$$ that drops his trailer in one spot them bobtails to the frontrow to park so he won't have to burn a calorie to walk inside, gets charged double. A couple bobtail trucks could share a spot, and split the cost. And a sliding fee for the special (entitled) drivers that make their own parking places.
     
  11. Scuby

    Scuby Heavy Load Member

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    While I understand the reasoning,I won't pay unless I don't have a choice. I don't think its right for me to have to pay for cleaning up someone else's mess. I also find it difficult to believe the T/S is paying for sercurity. The Lot Lizards and others of the unsavory sort will find a way around security.
     
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