I usually shop at Waitrose, plus the occasional top up in Sainsbury’s, both of which have free parking. Our local seaside town has recently doubled their car parking charges, and we hardly visit at all now. Luckily they have preserved the parking machines that take cash or cards, no smart phones required. Very fortunate, as I don’t own one, and refuse to get one. I did recently investigate making a journey by train, but the station car park I would have used only takes payment via an app. No way would I consider putting my credit card details on a phone, even if I had one. So we drove instead.
I don't have a car and I never go to supermarkets. The big ones are hellscapes. I shop online which is probably the biggest boon that the internet has given to my quality of life.
I don't have any issue with paying using contactless cards, but I will not sign up for any app which requires me to provide them with all my card details. I haven't experienced a car park with only that system so far but I would move on if I did.
I now go in town once every two years to upgrade my phone. This being said, I do live in ipshit... Or Ipswich, which only has nail bars, barbers, pawn shops and pound shops nowadays. Not to mention the cost of living is so high there is no "spare cash" for anything other than essentials, this being food, the parking was the final nail to hammer home the, it's not worth it message to me.
The 'pay by app only' locations aren't restricted to town centres. I read something quite recently about a small number of National Trust car parks having them.
I noticed Dulwich Park has an app thing but there's plenty of free parking behind the picture gallery. It helps to have a little local knowledge to avoid the apps but it's very restrictive if you visit unknown territory.
Supermarkets and town centres nearby are free parking. But totally pi**ed of at the local open wild space which has recently introduced parking by app. First time we used it we couldn't work it out and ended up paying twice!! What a rip off; haven't been back since. Sad because we like the place but there is no reasoning with these people....I kind of feel like the world is passing me by with smartphone technology.
Based in Sussex, I garden to encourage as many birds to my garden as possible.
That was my feeling @Redwing but I didn't want to get left behind with technology. I'm forcing myself to try to keep up to date. Bought my smart phone about two years ago and apart from its weight in my handbag, I find it quite useful.
I rarely have to pay for car parking where I live in France. When I'm with OH at his home in Norfolk supermarket car parks are free. Some car parks are free in local towns and some you pay for, mostly with cash, often 1st 30 - 60 minutes is free. I have been to car parks in the UK, not Norfolk, that want your number plate. That can be awkward as my car has a French number plate so they don't accept it. I can never remember OH's number plate on his English car.
I love shopping in the supermarket, always take a list so I don't overspend though. I love my Smartphone, mini-marvel. I often use it when I post on here, especially in bed in the morning, though I prefer my laptop.
Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
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I love shopping in the supermarket, always take a list so I don't overspend though.
I love my Smartphone, mini-marvel. I often use it when I post on here, especially in bed in the morning, though I prefer my laptop.