Sainbury's parking ticket

[pommie]

it does annoy me when I try to park in a child and parent space and there are none available especially when you see people who clearly do not have children with them

[the-e-dealer]

Good well done sainsburys.

[cazfay]

OP obviously never had to get a heavy baby + car seat out of a car in a very confined parking space. Ignorance seems to be bliss for budog.

[KalamityKel]

Ah the day when people walked to places, did small regular shopping trips, planned their lives better... *sighs*

;-)

[the-e-dealer]

must have missed that day was it a tuesday in 1945?

[singalto]

I'm curious to know how the parking attendant is supposed to kn ow that you are a long standing customer who spends thousands of pounds in the shop. You were warned. you ignored the warning. You should pay up. If you don't want a parking faff, shop online. My daughter has a toddler and a baby and has, before now, not been able to find a parent and baby space which is ridiculous. I don't think the manager should have cancelled your ticket. What is the point of notices and warnings if drivers can ignore them?

[PokerTime]

Ah KalamityKel, I remember up to the age of 11, every Saturday morning, walking the mile and half each way with my Mother to the weekly market, and then walking back carrying a bag of spuds or something. There's no doubting the rise of the big supermarket has followed the rise of the car, and that the rise of the car has made us lazy. On the other hand, life is far busier too.

On parking. In Rye Lane on any Saturday, Morrison's car park is full. And you have to wait for spaces. I have never seen Sainsburrys car park full. There is always space at the back of the car park on busy days and even if it were full, I can't see why the OP couldn't wait for a space to become free.

[bubbachumps]

I find it impossible to believe that there were no other spaces free yet miraculously there was a parent and child space free right by the front door. As a mum with a small toddler I only manage to bag one of those about 20% of the time I visit. It really makes me cross to think that people are just parking there with no small children in tow while I have to negotiate the length of the car park with a 2-year-old. I really can't understand how the OP can come on the forum to complain about this after having been warned of the consequences by a member of staff! Totally deserved IMO. I wish they gave out tickets every time, or clamped wheels.

[DaveR]

"I'm just extremely anti-authoritarian ..."

I think you're flattering yourself there.

[the-e-dealer]

Yeah bugger the rich should be exempt just fine the poor.

[singalto]

I had heard about the avocado and egg debacle a while ago. Dare I suggest that you learn how to pick an avocado and check the dates on the things you buy. Sainsbury's was not to blame for the eggs as you say they were still in date. I can't belive anyone would drive to a shop just for an avocado anyway!!

[Alex K]

An extraordinary thread. The self-possession of the OP both inspires and alarms me.

[Robert Poste's Child]

For a while I did wonder if it was an idea for a comedy sketch.

[the-e-dealer]

Egg and Avocado D'bacle sounds delicious.

[buddug]

I'll take that as a compliment Alex K! I think.

And Robert Poste's Child: No, not a comedy sketch. I have no gifts in that direction, sadly.

the-e-dealer: It was delicious, believe me - I could send you the recipe. There's also my salmon and rhubarb D'bacle, but you don't want to hear about that...

Well, I think I've been caught bang to rights. I will be more considerate in future. Many of you have made good points. But I still feel Sainsbury's and other supermarkets shouldn't be fining their customers! Especially via this evil private parking company.

[worldwiser]

Amazed they cancelled it in those circumstances. Parking there is basically sticking two fingers up at mothers and fathers who greatly appreciate the extra space while trying to turn car seats into buggies in preparation for dragging their little darlings around the supermarket. No none takes their child to a supermarket by choice so, next time, perhaps you'll be a little less unfeeling. These spaces are there in a spirit of community of which you clearly seem to have very little.

[PokerTime]

I think that's a really good point about car seats. Gone are the days where children can just climb in and babies can be kept on a lap. Putting seatbelts on children and putting babies into car seats all require room to do so. And the spaces elsewhere are barely wide enough to get a vehicle in. I've often have to 'squeeze' out of my vehicle. I can absolutely understand why wider parking spaces exist for those with small children. We can debate where they should be located, but fundamentally they exist for good reason.

[uncleglen]

There is no reason for parent and child spaces to be near the entrance- most people at that time of life are fit and healthy. When I had mine it was baby under the arm whilst folding the buggy to get on the bus and keeping hold of the toddler. And coming back there was the shopping to deal with as well. I know that parents these days are older but they do not need to be on a par with disabled people and given spaces near the entrance -stick them at the back- the walk will do you good!

[buddug]

I agree, PokerTime about baby car seats and the need for wider spaces. I hadn't thought about that previously until someone pointed it out. In fact, I hadn't even realised the parent and child spaces were wider! You live and learn.

[Help-Ma-Boab]

Seems Buddug has seen the light, an avocado debacle then the parking fiasco. Small steps but a degree of understanding prevails.

ETA: cats and bags.

[Muley]

buddug Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Well, I think I've been caught bang to rights. I

> will be more considerate in future. Many of you

> have made good points.

Buddug, it's so refreshing to see someone on the Forum admit others have a valid point of view and that they've been caught bang to rights, rather than egotistically refuting any opinion that differs from their own. Seems it takes a girl to be man enough to take it on the chin!

[buddug]

Wow, Muley! I think I'm in love!

[JohnL]

I thought the avocado thing felt like it was a story I'm afaid.

I'd never have time to do that - I'd just bin anything I brought which was rotten or past use by and check next time.

I forgot Ice today (and I really wanted some) - couldn't go back - so trying small Tesco tonight.

[Bluerevolution]

You are a first class WUM I must admit

[mako]

uncleglen. The spaces aren't near the entrance because parents are unfit you numpty. its to avoid the need for children to be walking through a busy car park where singletons reverse at high speed in a hurry to get back to their interesting lives.