Sign in convenience store bathroom-WWYD?

[yoopermom]

The sign could have said "customers only".

I know the owners slightly, and they would never do that, because some people might find *that* offensive. I think they're just trying to remind users that they're paying for the heat/electric/worker to clean it, and it would be appreciated if something was bought in return. It's truly a "mom and pop" type place, not a big corporation...

Terri

 

[bekkiz]

A Starbucks in Santa Barbara, CA has this policy. I was in the attached Barnes and Noble buying a book and wanted to use the restroom. They directed me to Starbucks. Not only was I going to have to buy something at Starbucks, there was a "bouncer" and a line 10 people long! I decided it wasn't worth waiting for

 

[Aisling]

The sign could have said "customers only".

Great point! The store owners were really being nice about it.

I also always buy something when I use those bathrooms. Even if it's just something small like a soda. I just feel like it's the right thing to do, especially when it's a nice clean bathroom.

 

[SandrA9810]

I try to buy something if it's a small store. But i won't if it's just a mcD's, unless I'm in the mood for something.

Thankfully the rest stops along I-95 are all fairly clean and well kept up. One of the older ones isn't the greatest, but I'll still use it.

I work on the other side of the parking lot from an IHOP. And some mornings, that place can get packed in, filling up the entire parking lot. We open at 10:30am and during the week days we can have the occasional customer come in on their way to work. But some mornings, it's one person after the next coming in to use the restroom. Of course that early, they're they only ones there, and we also greet every one that walks in. They always get that shifty eyes and make a mad dash to the door.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

If the restroom is at a store I don't usually stop at - say I'm on my way to Disney and need to make a pit stop - then yes, I always buy something.

If the restroom is at a store I frequent - like the gas station halfway to work-then I've been guilty of not buying something that particular gas station the particular time I can't hold it anymore. But I will be by and I will buy something plenty of times that I don't use the restroom! (And I buy fountain sodas, which are one of the highest profit items at any little store.)

 

[FireDancer]

I don't see how people can do that. Come in to a place and expect to use there facilites for free.

It depends on the facility. Many times while driving I will pull into a gas station or convenience store and use a restroom, especially if you are on a stretch of freeway through farm country which we have plenty of here. I wouldn't walk into a high end restaurant but if you have to go and it is the only place around, as it sounds in the OP, I would have no qualms about using the restroom and leaving in such a situation.

I'd be more then happy to just stop and use a tree but in some places that gets you labeled a sex offender and I'll take the scolding of a store clerk over that any day.

All that being said I wouldn't be offended by the sign. It is merely giving the patron some information and perhaps, if the person feels inclined to do so, they can purchase some gum or a candy bar on the way out in appreciation.

 

[disneymarie]

I have bladder problems too and travel for work, sometimes I am buying too, sometimes I just relly have to go.
I would not make a "stink" about it, but I would feel really guilty. I had to tinkle real bad, I was soooo guilty that I used the public restroom, and did not have a reason to spend anything.

 

[pixiewings71]

It wouldn't bother me, the sign anyway. The lady's attitude might have. As to whether or not I would buy something, it depends, we usually get gas and we might get a snack or water or something like that but if we don't need anything I don't buy anything.

 

[Planogirl]

I always buy something whether I stop at a store or fast food place or whatever. It's usually a bottle of water which I just save or maybe gum or mints.

 

[LunchladyDoris]

If this station was far away from the city and I really had to go then I would use it. When I was pregnant, I had to pee a lot and for me to go 10 miles down would have killed me. Did someone force me to buy something, no. I probably would have bought some gum or something if I needed it.

 

[mickaholic4077]

I don't see how people can do that. Come in to a place and expect to use there facilites for free.

I can do that very happily,thank you.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

In a little mom and pop place, that I wouldn't be visiting regularly, then yes, I'd buy something (after). The places that say "customers only" and then stop you before you go in annoy me because I'd like to wash my hands before I shop, and not ending up taking my purchases, especially food, into the bathroom. Silly me.

Someplace like McDonald's or Starbucks or Barnes and Noble that gets tons of money from me over time? No, I don't have feel an obligation to buy something each time I go.

Actually, if it were a mom and pop type store where I spent money frequently I probably wouldn't feel obligated to buy either. There's a little toy store near me where I have spent a fortune, both things related to my child, and for things I use at work. In the fall when the school year starts I will stop in and spend hundreds of dollars at a pop. If I'm out and need to use the bathroom, I use theirs. They recognize me, and know I'm a good customer, and I don't think it bothers them if I don't buy something that exact time.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

I always buy a bottle of water. I'll use the bathroom first and then come out and pick up a bottle of water from the case. I figured that they are paying for the facilities and the least I can do is pay a $1.00 for it even if the whole family is using it.

Heck, they could have installed pay toilets. Anyone remember those? I certainly do. I'm glad their gone because we never had a quarter when we needed it.

 

[mjkacmom]

but they are public restroom unless otherwise noted(some places have signs that state you must be a customer in order to use the facilities, and that's fine, but if it doesn't then I'm still not gonna purchase something just to go.) I genuinely have no issue with businesses not having public restrooms(you must be a customer to use), but if you don't state that then businesses shouldn't expect you to purchase something just to use the restroom. If they want you to, then they should make the bathrooms for customers only.

But the point is, that sign states you have to be a customer to use the bathrooms (a customer is someone who makes a purchase). Many, many stores here have similar signs, but not as nicely worded - "restrooms are for customers only." Since this particular store is isolated, I'm guessing they get a lot of people stopping in to use the bathroom. Try walking into an establishment in NYC and expect to use the bathroom without buying something.

 

[Toad_Passenger]

I think it was pretty rude of the mother in the OP to have a "rant" about the sign. I have no problem with buying something if someone wants to post a sign saying "Customers Only" or whatever. If there is no sign, then I believe they are providing their services for the general public.

When we're on the road, though, we like to keep stops very short. All of the McDonald's we pass on our normal "vacation" routes have doors right at the bathrooms. You can pop in, and pop right back out. I don't feel guilty about it, I figure that's why those doors are there, since they have 100 other doors near the front of the restaurant.

Honestly, if I'm at the Mall and I have to go while I'm in Macy's, do I need to buy a shirt since I used their bathroom, instead of the "public" restrooms in the Food Court?

 

[ICF]

No, but I wouldn't have bought anything.

agreed

 

[luvmy3]

I think it was pretty rude of the mother in the OP to have a "rant" about the sign. I have no problem with buying something if someone wants to post a sign saying "Customers Only" or whatever.

When we're on the road, though, we like to keep stops very short. All of the McDonald's we pass on our normal "vacation" routes have doors right at the bathrooms. You can pop in, and pop right back out. I don't feel guilty about it.

Honestly, if I'm at the Mall and I have to go while I'm in Macy's, do I need to buy a shirt since I used their bathroom, instead of the "public" restrooms in the Food Court?

Whats rude about someone ranting to their own child? It would have been rude if the woman went up to the store owner and ranted. If complaining to a person you are having a conversation with makes you rude, then we are all rude


I will purchase something if I have to run into a small convenience store of gas station but if I'm in a big box dept store, and I need to use the restroom I don't feel I need to make a purchase to pay for my visit. I try not to use public facilities so it doesn't happen often but sometimes when I'm in Macy's and I have to go, I'm not trucking all the way to the oppsoite end of the mall to use the mall bathrooms when there is a perfectly good ladies room upstairs in the bedding dept

 

[cepmom]

the sign wouldn't have offended me at all, but I am shocked at how many people feel the need to buy something when using a public restroom like that! It has never occured to me that I should buy something when we have to run into a store like that to use the restroom. When traveling I usually pack drinks and snacks so we rarely need to buy something....I need to go to the bathroom often and if I gotta go I gotta go!

 

[jazzielady]

At first read, I thought you meant that you had to sign in to use the restroom! Oh well.

After reading your post, no I would not be offended and would try to buy something.

However, there have been times when I (or more likely one of the girls) had to go so bad we didn't care and didn't buy anything.

 

[wvjules]

Say I stop at that convenience store regularly for gas, soda, small things and NEVER used the restrooms. Today I'm driving along and dang I gotta pee something awful. I stop and use the restroom without buying anything beceause I don't need/want anything. Shouldn't the dozen or so times I've purchased and NOT used the restroom count?