Posted on 11/20/2018 8:56:23 AM PST by Responsibility2nd
App MyPark allows shoppers to reserve space
ORLANDO, Fla. - There's no need to fight over a parking spot on Black Friday. There's an app -- and robot -- for that.
The Miami startup MyPark has created parking space blockers that are used across Florida, including at several malls in Orlando.
By using the MyPark app, users can receive a code to lower the blocker and enter the parking space. The service costs about $3 to reserve a spot for two hours.
Geez. Have these people not heard of Amazon?
What about it FReepers? Anyone here going to the Mall on Black Friday?
The ‘zon is the only way I do Christmas shopping.
Lots of questions...
-The device looks rather flimsy. Just push it out of the way.
-Are there devices for every parking space? Or is this something you put in your trunk and leave in an open space?
-If it is wireless, it can be hacked.
-Are there explosives attached???
My wife and I have had a rule for at least 15 years - no shopping malls between thanksgiving and January 5th.
Anyone who lives in Orlando knows the men in the sticks lift their trucks at least 8 inches. I’m predicting a rash of broken robots and pissed off customers in the future for this company.
Geez. Have these people not heard of Amazon?
The same thought was going through my head as I was opening this thread. The last place on earth I want to be is stuffed into a mall with a bunch of zombie shoppers.
Probably too much. My business model would be much cheaper:
Hire homeless people to lay down in a parking space and pay them with their preferred drug of choice.
Well. I can’t imagine that ANYTHING could possibly go wrong with this.
I don’t do “Black Friday”. I am not a fan of crowds. But if I did, and had access to a tank, I would likely park closest to the store I wanted to patronize whether the spot was already occupied or not.
An impatient Prius driver is not going to politely acknowledge a flimsy device to protect an open parking spot on Black Friday.
I’ve evolved an easier solution: I drive up, drop the females off to do their shopping, go elsewhere for a while, drive back to pick up the females and their bags. No parking headaches.
Now see that. You have opened yourself up to a negative derivative possibility by including “drug of choice” in your business plan. I recommend you limit the cost of the drug you intend to finance the parking space holder with.
Please PM me the name of your insurance company. I am thinking about a homeless relocation business with free trips to Honduras. I still have open investor positions available if you are interested.
I appreciate your post. I had never heard of this App before, or the legal ability to block parking spaces. Now I know if I drive into a parking garage and see that little raised gate, it has been reserved. To me, that seems sort of selfish, but many will say, all is fair in time management and parking.
I can see some frustrated drivers get tired of circling the parking lot looking for an opening. So they just park there anyway, with that metal gate raised up high, and the tail end of their car stuck out in the driving lane.
Logic being: “It would only be for one quick minute, while I run to the ATM.”
I lost interest in being anywhere near a retail conflagration of any kind for Christmas shopping years ago, what I can’t buy online I try very hard to find out in the burbs or country, everything else is bought online. There was a time when I enjoyed the crowds, the decorations, all the festive rush. It doesn’t do anything for me anymore. Just get it over with, that’s where I am now sad to say. I think when Christmas started being promoted the day after Halloween is when I began losing interest. So hyper-commercial.
25 years ago, I made the decision to never leave the house on Black Friday. And I’m proud to say that is one promise I have kept.
No mall for me on Friday.
For one thing, the remaining family I have are not big on gift giving. Another, is I have heel problems, so long walks aren’t as fun as they used to be.
A lot of parked cars get broken into during holiday season.
I ignore the holidays...very relaxing.
I am guessing these robots are not used anywhere in the general vicinity of New York City.
Like the guy in Manhattan who had the fake fire hydrant? He'd set it at the curb and drive away; when he returned he'd park and put it back in the trunk.
(Urban legend?)
Is there a law against robocide?
I always go out on Black Friday. In the last few years parking has been crowded but possible so I don't spend a half hour trolling the lot for a spot. And it will be faster than usual because two of the stores I used to hit are now closed.
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