Sign in convenience store bathroom-WWYD?

[OceanAnnie]

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!

Me too!

There are many, many times I have run into a convenience store for purchases and not used the restroom. I think the few times I have needed a restroom does not compare. I think at the very least it evens out.

ETA- I have only seen a sign like a very few times. I made a mental note not return and I haven't. That's the beauty of having stores to chose from. I like stores that recognize customers have different needs at different times.

 

[Toad_Passenger]

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

My bad. I thought the lady was ranting in a way so that the owners of the shop could hear her. You know how people will say something "to" someone else, but it is intended for someone else to hear. If it was just to her daughter, than maybe "rude" wasn't the correct word.

 

[Toad_Passenger]

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?

Potty Credit!

 

[lovesmurfs]

The sign wouldn't have bothered me. Generally we only stop for bathroom breaks when getting gas or food anyway.

However, if it was a bathroom emergency and we didn't need anything (although with 2 kids, there seems to nearly always be something we "need"), I would probably not buy anything.

I have a more New Age approach to it. In the universe of all of the station's customers, I'm sure there are many who buy products but don't use the bathroom. I'm just taking their turn!

 

[paintnolish]

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!

Me, too. If the sign said the restroom was for customers only, then I would have purchased something. For example, I once bought a pack of apple slices at a Subway so I could use a bathroom! Normally, though, if I need to buy something, I buy it. If not, I don't. More often than not, we do end up purchasing something, but I don't buy something because I feel obligated. Both my son and I have walnut sized bladders. I couldn't afford to go on a road trip if I bought at every restroom stop!

 

[kamik86]

The sign wouldn't have bothered me, I probably would have bought something but only because we don't stop often on road trips and usually by the time we do someone wants a drink or a snack or the car needs gas etc.

The only ones I have done this without anyone in the group buying something are the large stops on the NY thruway that have a gas station, convenience store, a fast food place or two, and bathrooms. I always assumed the state paid to clean those using part of the toll money. Maybe I'm wrong?

 

[cheermom1]

I do it all the time...sometimes you just have to go and I dont' feel under any obligation to spend money that I didn't intend to just because I needed to stop and go to the restroom. As long as it is a public restroom, then you aren't under any obligation to buy either. Maybe it just makes me a bad person for not feeling like I need to buy anything.

Same here I would NEVER feel i have to spend money I NEVER intended to spend JUST to use the bathroom. Sorry but I don't get this concept. I mean keeping the greediness out of this like this goes a VERY long way. I have not gone back and will used my mouth and made for sure that everyone I knew to tell them not to use a certain store or buy anything there just b/c they acted like I owed them just b/c I had to use the bathroom. If they didn't and they let me I recommended that store. See how that goes some will NOT get business and some will more. It pays to be nice and not be greedy!

 

[Darsa]

I do stop at local McDonald's and gas stations to use the facilities without buying things, but on the other hand, I also buy things at McDonald's and the gas station without using the toilets a lot more often. Sooo, I don't really feel obligated. But if I were to stop at a place I never frequent for things other than using their facilities, TP, water, soap, paper towel... I think I probably would end up leaving with a pack of gum (which I always need anyway) or a drink.

 

[NHdisneylover]

The sign would not offend me at all. I an another who buys something IF it is a store I do not frequent. If it is somewhere that I am a regular customer but just not shopping that day I feel it all evens out in the end and I do not buy something. I wouldn't expect a store to provide me (as a non customer who just happens to need to go when passing that store) with a bathroom any more than I would expect a private homeowner to.

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.

It took me a while to get in the habits of carrying 50 cent pieces with me at all times-but now I LOVE the pay toilets in Germany. They are always so clean--and I never have to feel guilty. Along the Autobahn in our area you pay 50 cents to use them and you get a voucher good for 50 cents towards purchases at any of the rest stops in the region (if you do not want to buy something that day you can save them and spend them later and at any one of a hundred or so stops). So basically they are free for customers or else cost 50 cents to use (which heps cover the costs of water, electric, paper, cleaning, etc).

 

[cheermom1]

This is a second part of my post sorry ladies, I do think the sign was an ok sign and I wouldn't have been offended my the sign and how it read. I might have went ahead and bought something. But the sign was nice and was just a reminder and not a scolding. It is the attitude that I have encountered before and around my own town that I was referring to. I do think it is wrong for people to be mean and have the attitude that I owe them just to use the bathroom.

I remember one time we were broke down and I had to use what was closest to me and we had to use the money we had to get our car fixed. I used the bathroom in the hotel lobby and he KNEW we were broke down but he HAD to say it away! I told him that I would he using my mouth to make sure everyone I knew would NOT be using his hotel!! I mean a little niceness would go a long way in that situation. I did tell him that too. I don't understand where the common curtsy or niceness went these days. I would have no problem helping someone out if they broke down and let them use my bathroom and I would have asked if they needed help!

 

[luvmy3]

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?

Potty Credit!

It could be like Stewart's milk club. You get a card and everytime you make a purchase you get a stamp and when you fill up your card you get a free potty visit.

 

[stevenpensacola]

A gas purchase counts

actually, from what I've heard, convenience stores make very little profit on selling gas...especially if the gas is purchased with a credit card. They make their money selling the (overpriced) stuff in the store...

but I always buy something, even if it's just a roll of Spree's and a pack of gum.

 

[MELSMICE]

I never thought about the fact that you should purchase something just because you have to use the restroom. If I didn't need something I wouldn't buy it.

I've seen those signs that say "for customers only" & I personally think that's kind of rude. If someone has to use the restroom, they have to use the restroom.

I own a business & I would never turn someone away that had to use the facilities just because they're not a customer. The amount of electric/water/heat/paper products someone is going to use to to use our restroom is not going to make or break me. It's part of the cost of business.

I'm sure with a small store they are losing more money from shoplifting than non-customers using their restroom.

 

[yoopermom]

OP here...

The lady was ranting to her DD, but rolled her eyes at me as if I should agree. I just smiled and looked the other way, since I'm nonconfrontational. I've been doing census work the past few months, so have stopped and used this bathroom quite a bit. First time I've heard any complaints, and I didn't think the sign was offensive at all, obviously. Nobody makes you use this place's bathroom, and nobody makes you buy anything in return, so it's all up to personal choice, the way I see it...

Good to hear everyone's opinions!
Terri

 

[OceanAnnie]

I never thought about the fact that you should purchase something just because you have to use the restroom. If I didn't need something I wouldn't buy it.

I've seen those signs that say "for customers only" & I personally think that's kind of rude. If someone has to use the restroom, they have to use the restroom.

I own a business & I would never turn someone away that had to use the facilities just because they're not a customer. The amount of electric/water/heat/paper products someone is going to use to to use our restroom is not going to make or break me. It's part of the cost of business.

I'm sure with a small store they are losing more money from shoplifting than non-customers using their restroom.

I totally agree. I'm not "offended", but it's still rude.

Everyone is a potential customer. You turn them off, you turn them away.

You want people to come into your store! Most people do come in to buy. The ones that don't will probably see the stuff in your store and return another time. But like me, they won't return if you turn them off.

 

[ginna74]

Wouldn't be offended but I wouldn't buy anything. I never do just to use the bathroom, never even crossed my mind to buy anything.