Should Truckstops Charge For Parking?

Pay lots can have their advantage when parking is at a premium. I don't care to pay for parking but hate when I get fuel and can't find a parking spot to go take a shower either. Like in Tampa Florida.
If your not in some truck stops by dark, you can't get a spot but if they required you to be a paying customer it would elimate the free loaders.
I'm an owner operator myself and have to count my pennies but it depends on the area too. Like southern Texas, one can park about anywhere.

 

Good idea... so long as the food is worth eating and the merchandise isn't marked up too much. But it is a good way to both give the driver (perceived) value and drive traffic into their premises.

The Ontario, CA, T/As and the 49er in Sacramento both let you in for two hours (or did). If you want to stay after that you have to make a qualifying purchase (I forget the amounts) or pay for parking.

Truckers and truck stops is a symbiotic relationship; they need us and we need them. Margins on fuel are very, very thin... moreso if it's an independent rather than a chain like Petro/Flying J or Chevron that is vertically integrated. Regardless of their affiliation, independent or part of a chain, very few, if any, truck stops are profitable enough on fuel alone.

Someone mentioned O/O bragging about parking for "free". Perhaps that's true, but I expect a lot more think like I do; truck stops are in business just like me, and if I don't support their business they might not be there next week/month/year when I need them to be. Do I spend money in every truck stop I pull into? No, but I generally make a point of making a purchase if I am parking for my 10.

 

If they can't make a $$, they will sell the land, nuild a mall or shopping center.
To have folks buy fuel at tiny places, no parking with lower overhead, then expect free services at a for profit business...go figure why we have a parking issue....

 

All because I don't spend a dollar at Truckstops? Come back to earth now.


Conservative to the Bone.

 

They are businesses, they have the right to charge for whatever they want and you have the right to not patronize them.

 

This makes sense.

Every one of you knows exactly how I feel.

It feels like your in a car in a parking lot at walmart looking for a place to park. You eye your spot after ten minutes of looking, then someone cuts in front of you and grabs the spot. I know these are two separate things, but they make you feel the same way.....FRUSTRATED!

 

I'd like to see a TS have premium parking spots for their premium customers.

 

There ya go an area that is for pay parking easy spots to get in, clean maybe a trash can handy and then no pay where you walk a mile no trash cans and all the pee bottles you want !

 

T/A's in Ontario Ca charging $20 dollars now, thats a bit much, but the got you over a barrel there.

 

Yes, $5 to $10 bucks is reasonable.
What bugs me, is the companies that use the lots as their personal terminals or drop lots.
Look in south Texas, all the mud bugs, you can't find a spot at night to save your life.
Maybe the big 3 could set it up on their cards, just like showers, you get free parking if you buy 50 gallons.
Or free after inside purchases.
I'm a bit biased, as my company reimburses me for parking.
Also, if wide load, and your taking up 2 spots, have to pay for those spots.