parent and child spaces in sainsbury's car park

[Frankito]

My Sunday night continues to be entertaining, it seems like we have an unlikely trio of comedians here, all of whom are managing to make me larf..

[Huguenot]

Well I define Marketing as a strategy to communicate the benefits of your product or services to key customer demographics.

In this sense, sticking up signposts around Sainsbury carpark identifying priority parking for Mums with Kids is sending a clear message to a core audience that says 'we like you'.

I'm sure you can quibble, but my point is that Sainsbury aren't putting these parking spots up as an act of charity to a desperate group of oppresed victims. They're doing it because they want the money from these customers, and they understand that convenience will affect that expenditure.

All of these aghast Mums that feel their entitlements are threatened are really just victims of the strategy, and probably shouldn't get all hoity toity about it.

I'd consider feeder roads to be infrastucture projects.

[buggie]

Huguenot Wrote:

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> I don't quite get what you mean buggie - the fact

> that more companies than Sainsbury do it doesn't

> mean it's not a marketing exercise surely?

I meant that it isn't something that puts them at an advantage over the other big name stores as they all do it - surely marketing exercises are meant to offer a unique opportunity not seen elsewhere.

(cross posted with you explaining better what you meant Huguenot).

[bil]

Alan Medic Wrote:

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> Having watched women try to park I always thought

> the larger spaces were to give them a better

> chance of getting it right.

Nice

[Senor Chevalier]

Nah, sometimes in a competitive situation you have to run just to stay in the same place. But by the "huge" definition just about everything is included as marketing except perhaps the supply chain unless making eco claims about it. So anything that facilitates the customer experience (for example accepting credit cards, providing trolleys etc) is by definition marketing and thus an evil ruse to separate you from your cash.

[Loz]

Huguenot Wrote:

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> In this sense, sticking up signposts around Sainsbury carpark identifying priority parking for

> Mums with Kids is sending a clear message to a core audience that says 'we like you'.

I'm wondering if people would be so happy if they put parking spots aside for "people with cars worth over ?40K". You know, for marketing purposes.

[Earl Aelfheah]

Of course parents have a sense of entitlement when it comes to 'parent and child' spaces - they are entitled to use them. It's Sainsburys decision to designate the spaces such and it takes a special type of bitterness to look at a young Parent wrestling their shopping into the car whilst trying to hold on to their children and think 'that decadent barsteward with their slightly bigger parking space'. Get a grip.

[Huguenot]

That's the benefits fraudsters Loz, they've got disabled stickers.

[Damian H]

Indiana Wrote:

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> Damien H - you have made me laugh out loud.

>

> Not for the right reasons I may add

But of course you won't care to elaborate what the 'right' reaons would be and what the reasons are that you laugh for that are 'not right'. Therefore, your post is utterly pointless and makes no contribution whatsoever to this thread.

It is very obvious from the fact that these threads often come up on EDF (and the fact that this one has had the longevity it has and the number of contributors on both sides) that this is, whether the last dozen or so posters like it or not, an issue of considerable frustration to a great many people.

Most of the recent responses here simpky act to confirm exactly what I have pointed out - a complete inability to consider the perspective of anyone but those with children.

As for the plaintive and comparatively 'civil' appeal from civilservant, I think you have missed my point and misattributed an inaccurate position to me. I am not and never have suggested that children be banished anywhere. I have suggested that when parents take them out they should consider the needs and comfort of others as well as those of their children. There is a huge amount of clear evidence day in and day out in ED that a considerable number of parents just don't do so and seem to have no consideration whatsoever for others around them.

THAT is what I object to and then, on top of this routine selfishness and inconsideration, we have threads like this complaining of the fact that another priviledge (which is talked about as if it is a human right) is not always available on demand and that those who take a parking space are guilty of gross selfishness and inconsiderateness - pot, kettle, black!

I routinely act with considerable helpfulness and courtesy to those with prams, children etc and if I get even the slightest acknowledgment or word of thanks on even half those occasions I would be surprised. The usual response is for said buggie pusher to parade on through the door held open or disregard the decision to step into a doorway or look with indignant irritation at the polite request to be alllowed to get past a pram or to glare with fury at the slightest indication of frustration that their child is endlessly playing drums with a metal spoon on a table.

Courteous and responsible parenting and simple acknowledgment of help and courtesies from others, rather than behaviours that reflect an air of aloof, self-centred entitlement would go a long, long way.

[Damian H]

rahrahrah Wrote:

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> Of course parents have a sense of entitlement when

> it comes to 'parent and child' spaces - they are

> entitled to use them. It's Sainsburys decision to

> designate the spaces such and it takes a special

> type of bitterness to look at a young Parent

> wrestling their shopping into the car whilst

> trying to hold on to their children and think

> 'that decadent barsteward with their slightly

> bigger parking space'. Get a grip.

Straw man argument. Attacking something that wasn't even said or implied.

[srisky]

I routinely act with considerable helpfulness and courtesy to those with prams, children etc and if I get even the slightest acknowledgment or word of thanks on even half those occasions I would be surprised. The usual response is for said buggie pusher to parade on through the door held open

The fact that person is pushing a buggy/has a child is irrelevant. Acknowledgment for acts of courtesy is seen infrequently nowadays whether it be from those with children, without children, on foot, in a car etc.

[DaveR]

No-one who is such a complete git online could be anything other than an utter git in real life. Damian, I hope you get so outraged that you burst. I sense that you're nearly there.

btw, I'm not offended by your stance. Pointless indignation has never been so entertaining.

[Horsebox]

As has been pointed out already by Huguenot, Loz and, I believe, *Bob*, parent & child spaces are nothing more than a money-spinner, there to attract the valuable spend of ED parents.

The fact that Sainsburys saw fit to lease out 3 of the parking spaces to an Organix promotional stand should spell it out loud and clear.

Yes, they make life easier for the target audience and anybody that attempts to claim a genuine grievance re: the existence of said spaces is probably a bit of a nob, but by the same token, parents with a sense of entitlement should perhaps get used to the idea that they may, occasionally, have to park a bit further away from the store than they would like.

[Indiana]

Again Damien H - you have made me laugh out loud.

This time I won't even tell you whether for the right or the wrong reasons

I guess that's the beauty of a forum

[Frankito]

Or perhaps you just like laughing out loud! I wish there were more like u!!

[Damian H]

DaveR Wrote:

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> No-one who is such a complete git online could be

> anything other than an utter git in real life.

> Damian, I hope you get so outraged that you burst.

> I sense that you're nearly there.

>

> btw, I'm not offended by your stance. Pointless

> indignation has never been so entertaining.

Oh Dave, your attacks are so hurtful to me, particularly due to their eloquence and your ability to make a meaningful contribution to the discussion. One of these days we might even find out that you have an actual opinion. In the meantime we will have to just marvel at your wit and wisdom as conveyed through your ability to use juvenile insults.

Perhaps you could go onto some other threads as well and say things to other posters you disagree with like - "you stink", "ya boo" and the like. I am sure everyone else would find you incredibly clever and witty as well.

I think those like you lost this discussion quite a while ago the moment you resorted to insults.

[Damian H]

Indiana Wrote:

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> Again Damien H - you have made me laugh out loud.

>

> This time I won't even tell you whether for the

> right or the wrong reasons

>

> I guess that's the beauty of a forum

The beauty of a forum is you can mis-spell other people's names and post utterly pointless posts? Er, ok.

[Indiana]

Oh no? Did I misspell your name? Given you've got your knickers in such a twist about simple parent/child spaces I guess you might need some therapy about a wrong spelling.

And by the way, I was just expressing my opinion - the purpose of a forum apparently?

[Damian H]

Indiana Wrote:

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> Oh no? Did I misspell your name? Given you've

> got your knickers in such a twist about simple

> parent/child spaces I guess you might need some

> therapy about a wrong spelling.

>

> And by the way, I was just expressing my opinion -

> the purpose of a forum apparently?

Expressing an opinion? You were expressing an opinion? There was an opinion in your posts somewhere? Will I'm d***ed

[Damian H]

Your posts seemed to be nothing more than a statement that you routinely laugh out loud for reasons you are unable to explain or share with others. That type of inappropriate emotional response is a common symptom of mental illness.

[the-e-dealer]

How old can my special needs boy be before you all start moaning about us using the Parent Child Spaces?

[the-e-dealer]

.

[Loz]

the-e-dealer Wrote:

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> How old can my special needs boy be before you all

> start moaning about us using the Parent Child

> Spaces?

No different age than any other - eleven, I believe, for Sainsburys. But you'll probably get moaned at well before that anyway - aged five was mentioned at one stage I think.

[Damian H]

Quite so. I am sure there will be those utterly indignant at the very thought that someone not a babe in arms but with genuine needs should dare to usurp the sacred spaces.

[civilservant]

Damian H, I thought about replying

But frankly, your sad one-man crusade against pram pushers just isn't worth my time.