On Wed 01 Apr 2009 03:03:47a, Boron Elgar told us...

> On Wed, 01 Apr 2009 16:20:41 +1100, David
> > wrote:
>
>>In article >,
>> Kathleen > wrote:
>>
>> I have no problems
>>> > with that at all. I *do* have a problem for preferred parking for
just
>>> > "people with children" etc. It's not right IMO
>>
>>I wonder if you have ever had to try and hold tight to three
>>pre-schoolers, whilst pushing a shopping cart, holding on to your purse,
>>surounded by idiots who treat the parking lot like a F1 racetrack.
>>
>>
>>David
>
> You are correct, and it goes even further, of course...I am just
> tagging on here, David.
>
> And now, I am about to climb up on a very tall soap box, AND use a
> mike.....
>
> The spaces provided by groceries and other stores for the convenience
> of pregnant women or those with young children in tow are quite
> different from handicapped spaces. The former are provided on private
> property for the convenience of customers whom the store wishes to
> encourage to shop there, the latter are provided according to laws to
> enable the handicapped to shop most anywhere.
>
> Private facilities are entitled to offer customer incentives. Period.
> Their couponing, cash or discount rewards, special sales, additional
> hours to take advantage of sales, etc, are part of their business
> plans to encourage some segment of their customers and potential
> customers with convenience and benefits.
>
> This absolutely idiotic whining about a few special parking places is
> a poorly disguised, and yet typical these days, jab at those who
> decide to have families. "It's not right" is a perfect example of what
> I mean. Of course it's right. It's a company catering to its clientele
> and unless all this moaning and raised hackles are going to be
> equally instigated for every frequent flier program, discount, free
> shipping if you spend $100+or good customer privilege any and all
> companies offer, then I say stuff a sock in it. And stay out of the
> express line, too. You don't like it? Go shop someplace that caters to
> the child free. Can't find a place? Tough shift. Really.
>
> People are so ****ing jealous that anyone else - *especially* a parent
> or pregnant woman - gets *any* benefit or courtesy, however minor,
> even one that is so "no skin off my nose" as half dozen parking
> places, that it really shows how perfectly idiotic they are.
>
> Any company worth its salt knows that it is cheaper and easier to keep
> a current customer happy than it is to go out and drum up a new one.
> That is what marketing is all about. There isn't a company out there
> that doesn't do it in some way. Why single out a few parking spaces?
> These stores know who's spending the bucks and they want to encourage
> these spenders. This isn't the Big Government leaning over your
> shoulder, it's plain old Marketing 101. Suck it up.
>
> Boron

I find it interesting that the upscale markets in our area do not find it
necessary to cater to any subset groups, apart from the requisite
handicapped spaces. It's also refreshing to shop in these stores that are
free of running and screaming/crying children. Of course, they are
catering to those of us who are DINCs, and it is well appreciated by those
who shop there. Their marketing focus is on high quality and personal
service where, IMHO, they all should be.

--
Wayne Boatwright

"One man's meat is another man's poison"
- Oswald Dykes, English writer, 1709.