I've parked in the same row of spaces at the local mall since I worked there in high school.Way back then (89-92) I worked at what were called "carts" not kiosks. You see,these wagon looking mobile stores could be wheeled from a prime location to a low "foot traffic" spot in just one late rental space payments' time.My cart jobs were near what is now the GAP and back then used to be the Jolly Roger restaurant.Anyway,I'm getting off track....
I realized last week that I had some soon to be expired mall gift cards I needed to spend before the "credit Grinch" ate the entire amount. Usually I take about 2 to 4 weeks off this time of year to "get through" Christmas.However with the crazy economy I'm one of many employees who are now wearing several different hats. Nobody actually said I could not take my vacation but let's just say that I was encouraged to only take 2 DAYS!!
Being that I want to continue wearing as many hats as I am asked (especially the one that reads "Count your blessings that you have a job when others in your home and life do not"!!) I fake- smiled in agreement and told myself 2 DAYS is the "NEW" 2-4 weeks!
Anyway,back to the parking lot. My first vacation day was yesterday. I got to the mall at 10:30am and proceeded to "my" parking area.Although it was a Thursday the place was already getting packed.Nonetheless,I spotted a vacant space about 8 cars down and snuggled in like a sardine.Everything seemed great. I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to get at least a few gifts for Kylee to lose interest in before the week is over.Then,a realization punches me right in the gut.I nearly scream towards the teenagers parked next to me ..."Oh,for the love of Pete!!! I left the certificates in the stack of bills to be mailed by the front door of the house!!
Aghhh!
I don't even attempt to maintain what resembles normal breathing because I am clearly not normal. Nearly hyperventilating and so angry at myself I want to cry,I calmly turn around and walk out of the mall.I ask an employee what time the mall opens the next day and they say 9am. I calmly(kind of) drive home and begin planning for the next day....today.
This time I make sure I have the gift certificates gripped tightly in hand for another gas guzzlin' trip across town. Everything seems to be going great when I round the corner near the GAP to "my" parking spaces.Then I see them.
Ropes and men with faux trooper/cowboy lookin' hats. MY PARKING AREA IS SUDDENLY A MAKE-SHIFT $5 PER CAR VALET PARKING AREA!!
WTH?
I couldn't believe it. It's hard enough finding a parking space during the busiest time of the year but what were they thinking?
Sure the company that owns the mall is having a tough time right now but we all are...and if the shoppers wanted VALET parking we would probably shop out of town.
There were rows and rows of spaces roped off and in true mall fashion,even at that early hour people were "cruising" the lot.
One of the many reasons the mall opens early during the holidays is to alleviate the sheer volume of so many people coming in at one time.Early birds like me plan for a reason,one of which is to get a GOOD PARKING SPOT. Up until today the area I have used for over 15 years was FREE.
$5 is like a brick of gold at my house right now and even if it wasn't I would never pay $5 today for something that was free yesterday.
I wondered how many people would shell out the so-called VALET FIVER after getting caught up in the mall "cruise-a-thon".
After finding a decent spot I finally went in to peruse the stores and forgot about my parking rage. 3 hours later...yes 3 hours...if you have lived here your whole life like I have,you know it is impossible to go to the mall at Christmas time without running into everyone you ever knew and their 17 relatives that must be introduced to you.
So anyway,3 hours later I escape and start the journey to my new parking area.
This is when the anger I had earlier turns into pure hilarity to me as well as a sense of "community".
There were a total of 4 cars in the VALET area. 4!! That's it.
Now I don't know how many cars came and went in the lifetime I was inside but I have hope that most people are like me and just say "No to VALET"!
Maybe by tomorrow the free parking spaces will be open again and the $5 people were encouraged to use on parking could be used towards the present that a gift card would no longer cover!
WTH?
I couldn't believe it. It's hard enough finding a parking space during the busiest time of the year but what were they thinking?
Sure the company that owns the mall is having a tough time right now but we all are...and if the shoppers wanted VALET parking we would probably shop out of town.
There were rows and rows of spaces roped off and in true mall fashion,even at that early hour people were "cruising" the lot.
One of the many reasons the mall opens early during the holidays is to alleviate the sheer volume of so many people coming in at one time.Early birds like me plan for a reason,one of which is to get a GOOD PARKING SPOT. Up until today the area I have used for over 15 years was FREE.
$5 is like a brick of gold at my house right now and even if it wasn't I would never pay $5 today for something that was free yesterday.
I wondered how many people would shell out the so-called VALET FIVER after getting caught up in the mall "cruise-a-thon".
After finding a decent spot I finally went in to peruse the stores and forgot about my parking rage. 3 hours later...yes 3 hours...if you have lived here your whole life like I have,you know it is impossible to go to the mall at Christmas time without running into everyone you ever knew and their 17 relatives that must be introduced to you.
So anyway,3 hours later I escape and start the journey to my new parking area.
This is when the anger I had earlier turns into pure hilarity to me as well as a sense of "community".
There were a total of 4 cars in the VALET area. 4!! That's it.
Now I don't know how many cars came and went in the lifetime I was inside but I have hope that most people are like me and just say "No to VALET"!
Maybe by tomorrow the free parking spaces will be open again and the $5 people were encouraged to use on parking could be used towards the present that a gift card would no longer cover!
2 comments:
That valey area has been there since Thanksgiving I believe. I don't know if its everyday, but its been there. I can only hope its temporary for the holidays, but I had the same sentiments. When I looked there were very few cars---probably because the guys taking your keys don't look very trustworthy.
Hey--I am just speaking the truth!
If we aren't good enough for a Nordstrom's or a Pottery Barn, we aren't good enough for Valet parking at Valley Plaza. In my husband's words, "Its like putting a cherry and whipped cream on a turd."
Isn't that ridiculous! My favorite part was hearing they wear "cowboy-looking hats", like they're going to round up your car or something!
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