shopping = Dent :(

[Mercy1]

QUOTES: "A good rule of thumb is always park next to a motor thats more expensive than yours"

"Parking as far from the door as possible helps too, the spaces nearest the entrance have the bigger turnover of cars so more chance of getting hit."

"Avoid parking next to MPVs, anything with a child seat in the back and coupes with long doors "


I am glad it's not just me that drives around car parks looking for the perfect parking place. It drives SWMBO mad! We can all try to lessen the risks, but the trouble is it is what happens after you have left the car that is beyond your control (ie, that ultra-expensive you car you put yourself next to is replaced by a Transit van five minutes later!)
But if we're honest, it's the cars WE choose to drive ourselves that is 90% of the problem.
In my ML, I could only take about 1 in 10 available car parking spaces in the average car park - most meant I would not be able to open my doors when parked up, and a side dink was inevitable. This is one of the main reasons (not the only one) I swapped it for a C350 - same engine, same extras, much more compact so it parks dead easily.
Mind you, I do thnk it would help if car makers would always incorporate a side rubbing strip in their designs. The ML did have one in bright chrome - the C350 does not.

 

[219]

Avoid parking next to MPVs, anything with a child seat in the back and coupes with long doors (sorry CL owners but it's all your fault).

My S Class has a child seat in the back , and I NEVER 'door' other cars ( The back doors of my SEL are probably as long/longer than most coupe doors too ) .

I either legitimately use the extra wide 'parent & child' spaces when I have my son with me , or else adopt the policy of parking further from the entrance / next to a 'decent' car and/or in an end space if at all possible since then only one side of my car is exposed to risk .

Sorry , but I don't agree with using up two spaces in a busy car park - if I see a 'precious' car so parked I always leave my trolley millimetres from , but not touching , it .

 

[crockers]

Although annoying - I can accept that accidents to happen. What I can't accept is people just clearing off with no cares.
My wife the other week - backed back and didn't see someone had parked "illegally" behind her. She brushed his door. She waited until he came back and phoned me. I spoke with him. He was nice about it and I agreed if he got an estimate I would send him a cheque. All done now in a civilised manner and now all paid and sorted. (£150....) - but we both felt it was the right thing to do.

 

[DJM]

Although annoying - I can accept that accidents to happen. What I can't accept is people just clearing off with no cares.
My wife the other week - backed back and didn't see someone had parked "illegally" behind her. She brushed his door. She waited until he came back and phoned me. I spoke with him. He was nice about it and I agreed if he got an estimate I would send him a cheque. All done now in a civilised manner and now all paid and sorted. (£150....) - but we both felt it was the right thing to do.

Thank god there are still decent people in the world! Well done Mrs Crockers

 

[bogcaster]

I know the feeling too. Like others, I now park at the furthest point away from the main entrance or when I take my daughter shopping we park in the wide Parent and Child spaces. Although it does annoy me when these dedicated spaces are misused by people with no kids! Where has all the honesty gone in this world eh ? (Apart from Mrs Crockers obviosuly - Yes - well done!)

 

[steve333]

I know the feeling too. Like others, I now park at the furthest point away from the main entrance or when I take my daughter shopping we park in the wide Parent and Child spaces. Although it does annoy me when these dedicated spaces are misused by people with no kids! Where has all the honesty gone in this world eh ? (Apart from Mrs Crockers obviosuly - Yes - well done!)

The reason why people with no kids park in wide spaces reserved for parent & child is so to avoid the aforementioned backing into/opening doors into/pushing trolleys into there cars

 

[Mr E]

The reason why people with no kids park in wide spaces reserved for parent & child is so to avoid the aforementioned backing into/opening doors into/pushing trolleys into there cars

... and so forcing those with a need for a little more space into a smaller standard space where they may inadvertantly damage another vehicle.

But what the heck, I'm all right Jack... (not saying that you do this, of course...)

 

[tagnut]

... and so forcing those with a need for a little more space into a smaller standard space where they may inadvertantly damage another vehicle.

But what the heck, I'm all right Jack... (not saying that you do this, of course...)

Well this is understandable if you've had a number of such incidents isn't it? I don't park in the parent and child places but having had my doors banged twice and three of the four corners of my car marked in supermarket car parks I can completely the actions of others that do this when not entitled to do so.

The problem isn't with people who don't need them taking all of the parent and child places, it's with the inconsiderate b*st*rds who don't treat other peoples cars with respect and do a runner when they cause any damage.

 

[steve333]

... and so forcing those with a need for a little more space into a smaller standard space where they may inadvertantly damage another vehicle.

But what the heck, I'm all right Jack... (not saying that you do this, of course...)

Not saying it's the correct thing to do but having been a victim of supermarket car parks(dented rear door on a mondeo about 12 years ago,needed new skin/respray culprit never waited/left a note so cost me about £500,plus other dinks/scratches on other cars that i've owned)i'm afraid it's dog eat dog.

 

[219]

when I take my daughter shopping we park in the wide Parent and Child spaces. Although it does annoy me when these dedicated spaces are misused by people with no kids!

I 'got' one a few months ago : arriving in my local Tesco's with two year old son in the back of the car , I was just in time to see Mr. Vectra taking the last Parent & child space - on seeing him get out , lock the car , and start to walk away I blasted the horn and shouted across the car park in a very loud voice that caused several people to look round - something like 'those are parent & child spaces - those of us with kids need them' - to my astonishment , he looked embarrassed , since several people were now looking disapprovingly at him , and he meekly got back in his car and moved - RESULT

 

[sib4897]

Although annoying - I can accept that accidents to happen. What I can't accept is people just clearing off with no cares.
My wife the other week - backed back and didn't see someone had parked "illegally" behind her. She brushed his door. She waited until he came back and phoned me. I spoke with him. He was nice about it and I agreed if he got an estimate I would send him a cheque. All done now in a civilised manner and now all paid and sorted. (£150....) - but we both felt it was the right thing to do.

My wife caught a car when entering the space in a supermarket car park , she waited for the driver to return and they exchanged details. She left it with the insurance company to sort out, that's what they're there for, isn't it.

 

[steve333]

My wife caught a car when entering the space in a supermarket car park , she waited for the driver to return and they exchanged details. She left it with the insurance company to sort out, that's what they're there for, isn't it.

Absolutely but lets not forget how many uninsured cars are on our roads despite modern technology catching more than ever(anpr),perhaps thats one of the reasons why people just drive off after hitting our cars when they are parked

 

[markjay]

A good rule of thumb is always park next to a motor thats more expensive than yours, though that is easier to do for some than others, with my old '03 I'm happy next to a Fiat

That doesn't always work - the guy with the Panamera next to you may have his kids going into the back seat swinging the door open full force...

Anyway, dog68, sorry to hear about this. I suggest you try one of them smart-repair firms?

 

[recoil]

If I park in a multistory I will look for the space next to the pillar, then get as close to the pillar as I can, it cuts down the chance of someone hitting your car

 

[G.O'Rilla]

I blasted the horn and shouted across the car park in a very loud voice that caused several people to look round - something like 'those are parent & child spaces - those of us with kids need them'

Do that in Tesco's Thurrock and you would end up with a baseball bat around the head...... I had the unfortunate temerity to actually consider entering a parking space (by indicating) that some low life had decided was his and was subjected to obscene verbal abuse and threats. Most of the disabled spaces there are occupied by old Corsas and ancient Beemers all with alloys and stereos worth more than the rest of the car. I like ASDA Colchester - they have a robust enforcement policy on their disabled spaces to encourage people to park properly, so that my mother in law can hobble the short distance to the store. Not going to argue if it is legal or not, but it "discourages les autres"

 

[G.O'Rilla]

If I park in a multistory I will look for the space next to the pillar, then get as close to the pillar as I can, it cuts down the chance of someone hitting your car

Yep - me too....... just makes sure that the other half can get out before you do it or alternatively, you park so that you CAN actually open the drivers door to get out of the car......!!



Done it before

 

[markjay]

Always listen to SWMBO....

While driving out of a cinema car park, she said 'watch that pole', I said 'no worries I got it covered'.

Only... the one I had covered wasn't the one she was warning me about, there were two poles....

It ended-up with nice deep dent on the passenger-side rear door.

That was the car I had before the Merc, so it's gone now, dent and all... phew.

 

[dog68]

That doesn't always work - the guy with the Panamera next to you may have his kids going into the back seat swinging the door open full force...

Anyway, dog68, sorry to hear about this. I suggest you try one of them smart-repair firms?

Thanks, Luckily (or otherwise) bodywork is my trade If i get around to doing my own,

 

[FunkMasterJay]

Problem is Supermarkets etc are greedy, so they cram as many cars as possible. Car sizes and population have increased...remember the first Corsa? The new one now is the size of the old Astra.

Also, I NEVER park near 'family cars' likely to be driven by Soccer Moms. I know this sounds crazy, but it works for me. Funny enough, my local Tesco is Lakeside / Thurrock off the M25 J30. I always park right at the end of the wow, with a few inches of the car outside the bay...or if I can, I park about 2 inches away from the trolley hut.

This leads me to my next problem....I had to confront a MORON fifty something year old 'decent looking' gentleman who just left his trolley to roll towards my Celica Turbo. It drew attention, and I asked him if he ever wondered why insurance 'suddenly' rises year on year...or if he would like to walk a few yards, saving him £200 to respray a panel. I asked him how he felt, being taight manners by someone 20 odd years younger.

He apologised, and i got a few claps.

J

 

[cazyp]

People should park in disabled spaces at diy stores.
If you're disabled enough to need a badge do you need to shop at a diy store...?