Shock at Costco: Walmart's drastic move with millions of customers in the USA

The frenetic pace of major cities in the United States forces many citizens to look for quick and affordable solutions. In this context, supermarket parking lots like Walmart or Costco have become an option for those who don't want to pay high fees. However, this strategy is generating controversy due to new policies that directly affect consumers.

Walmart, one of the retail giants, has decided to put a stop to this practice. The company will begin to apply financial penalties to those who exceed the allowed time in their parking lots. The measure is already being applied at one of its branches and could expand nationwide very soon.

New rules that bother consumers

The company has announced that it will set a maximum limit of three hours for the use of its parking lots. If a vehicle exceeds that time, an automatic fine will be applied starting at three dollars for every additional half hour. The charge can reach 48 dollars over the course of a single day.

To implement this policy, Walmart will install cameras that record the license plates of vehicles. With them, it will precisely control the entry and exit time of each vehicle. This system will operate automatically and will be linked to payment terminals that already exist in some stores.

Customers who accumulate debts greater than 50 dollars will have to face more severe consequences. If they don't pay the accumulated fines, Walmart reserves the right to tow the vehicles with tow truck services. This has caused concern, especially among those who tend to make extensive purchases or combine them with other personal errands.

Beginning in Hawaii, but with possible national reach

The first Walmart location to apply this measure is on the island of Hawaii. Specifically, at the store located in the Keeaumoku area in Honolulu, according to AS. There, problems caused by parking abuse led the American company to make this decision immediately.

Although it only affects one store for now, the system is expected to be gradually implemented in other cities in the United States. Walmart claims that many users aren't customers and simply use the space to avoid paying elsewhere. This situation harms those who do want to shop and can't find a place to park at the store.

The decision has been applauded by some sectors, but it has also received criticism. Some believe that three hours aren't always enough, especially on busy days or when making large purchases. Even so, the company remains firm in its new policy, which promises to generate more than one reaction in the coming months.