https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 19 May 2026 22:51:12 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/using-the-play-area-and-not-buying-anything#post-2526838 Sat, 16 Apr 2016 18:41:00 +0000 lady baltimore 2526838@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I feel like it is incumbent upon the business to enforce a "for paying customers only" policy if they judge that it is prudent to do so. I would not take advantage of the facilities provided by an establishment that I NEVER patronize, but I do not feel obligated to make a purchase just because I have availed myself of their premises. In the situation you describe, I would not regularly want any of those foods offered, so I could easily see visiting the play area more often than making a purchase.</p> <p>I was actually thinking about this today. I went into a small children's shop with my mother and daughter, and while we were there, decided that I should feed the baby before we started the 45 minute drive home. Mom and I sat in the (only) chairs in their play area for about half an hour, and then left without purchasing anything. While I didn't go there just with the intention of using the seats and then leaving (we wanted to browse), I regularly do just that at Nordstrom when I visit the mall. I don't feel at all in the wrong for using their facilities in this way. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/using-the-play-area-and-not-buying-anything#post-2526777 Sat, 16 Apr 2016 14:59:25 +0000 caterw 2526777@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think that is uncool, even if the place doesn't say the play area is for paying customers only. I usually do the pick your own at places like this because I would be buying fresh fruit anyway. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/using-the-play-area-and-not-buying-anything#post-2526496 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 20:37:40 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2526496@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't see the problem with enjoying the playground and making a day of it even if a family can't afford the snacks and produce or even if they can just not doing it that day. The business benefits from the place always looking busy and being a community destination point. They never know when when a visitor to the playground will also become a customer. Keeping it open to all increases the likelihood of attracting eventual customers. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/using-the-play-area-and-not-buying-anything#post-2526483 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 20:22:04 +0000 yellowbird 2526483@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't think this is a big deal at all. They have the play area, I'm sure it's to attract customers and I'm sure it does the trick with a lot of people, but some people don't have the money to buy things all the time. If they don't have a sign, I don't see what the big deal is. I'm sure they would say "for customers only" if they cared. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/using-the-play-area-and-not-buying-anything#post-2526454 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 19:33:57 +0000 Maysprout 2526454@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So I had to come back and say this thread bothered me more than it should. There's a lot worse things that a parent can do than take their kid to the playground. And there's a lot more ineffective, superficial ways a business could give back instead of having a community space. It really bothers me that parents are standing around judging other parents, whose means are probably well below their own, for taking their kid to the playground.</p> <p>Honestly that's part of the reason I try and get most of my fruits and veg from these places, they have fresh products and add to the community in a tangible way. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/using-the-play-area-and-not-buying-anything#post-2526416 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 18:33:45 +0000 FannyMae 2526416@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think its rude to do that, most places which are outdoor businesses with a children's play area have a $1 entry for adults ("gold coin donation" as we have gold coins for $1 and $2 instead of notes), like children's farms or fruit picking farms, not restaurants of shopping centers. I'm sure in the grand scheme of things in bringing your own food and drinks it would cost you close enough if you bought a bottle of water/drink at the location. I think its taking advantage a litle bit. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/using-the-play-area-and-not-buying-anything#post-2526381 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 17:32:32 +0000 BSB 2526381@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I try to buy something when I go to these types of places (pre-baby). Now, with the babies, we usually buy something wherever we go. </p> <p>I do think overall, businesses are trying to get any amount of traffic to their business... whether it's through contests, paid and free events and just regular advertising. I'm sure they know people are going to come and might not buy anything. Similar to going the mall, we go to browse and sometimes we don't buy anything. </p> <p>It doesn't bother me or do I notice that some people don't buy anything. I don't got time for that. Also, how do you know they didn't buy something earlier in the day. Or bought something online. What if you come with other family members and they buy something. </p> <p>Yeah, I personally wouldn't worry about it. Next year, they might charge a per person fee. I'm sure they would lose more business if they did that. They know the risks and they can do something about it if it really bothers them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/using-the-play-area-and-not-buying-anything#post-2526369 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 17:16:52 +0000 Maysprout 2526369@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My parents have a place like this near them. I don't think its that big of a deal. We get tons of stuff from them all through out the year, though it's usually in big batches or fruit/veg groceries when the kids aren't there. If they want to play there then that's where we go even if I'm not going to buy a token slushy. I'm sure they get a lot of business this way. I know even when I haven't planned on it we often walk out with something. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/using-the-play-area-and-not-buying-anything#post-2526360 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 17:04:31 +0000 youboots 2526360@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't thinks it's in good taste and it's certainly not something I would do- but I would not be 'mad' at someone else for it. It's not my hill to die on. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/using-the-play-area-and-not-buying-anything#post-2526355 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 17:00:31 +0000 Finfan 2526355@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was shocked when we went to the local pumpkin patch how many people (everyone else but us, probably a dozen people) just walked up and took pictures at the patch and then got back in their cars and left without buying a pumpkin! Just a photo op!<br /> I always buy something, however small from a local business. I don't really care about McDonald's or the mall because I shop there plenty often that I don't feel bad if I sometimes use the play place without buying anything that one day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/using-the-play-area-and-not-buying-anything#post-2526226 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 14:54:22 +0000 catomd00 2526226@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Happygal: Not always. We have some that are built and maintained by foundations, or even private schools that allow you to use them before/after hours. Also, mall plays laces....Regardless, it's up to the business to establish what they're okay with. If there's no stated policy, I don't really know why anyone but the business owner would care or think twice about what other people do. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/using-the-play-area-and-not-buying-anything#post-2525995 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 11:32:49 +0000 Pumpkin Pie 2525995@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Its hard to have to entertain kids all the time, and provide new and fun experiences. I think supporting business is great, but perhaps they don't have the means to spend the extra money? Do they NEVER buy anything? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/using-the-play-area-and-not-buying-anything#post-2525904 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 10:00:54 +0000 meganmp 2525904@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What about going to the mall play space and not buying anything at the mall? I know this is a bit different because it's a smaller company, but the principal is the same. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/using-the-play-area-and-not-buying-anything#post-2525899 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 09:54:54 +0000 MaryM 2525899@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I run a meetup group at a Panera and I always feel bad if people come and don't even buy a drink (or bring a drink from another restaurant). But management doesn't say anything, so is it really that big of a deal?</p> <p>But I was taught to always buy something if I'm going to use someone's services (even if it's just a bathroom or whatnot). We have a farm that has a popular play area, and I'm not sure how anyone could NOT buy something! They have amazing baked goods </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/using-the-play-area-and-not-buying-anything#post-2525888 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 09:48:54 +0000 Happygal 2525888@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@catomd00: like free public playgrounds? Those are different b/c you are paying for those through your tax dollars.</p> <p>I think it mainly depends on the business and the owners. For a seasonal spot like this one, it's not like they're preventing people from picking strawberries. And I imagine it's more laid back being outside. I still wouldn't feel right doing it though and would buy a slushie at the least. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/using-the-play-area-and-not-buying-anything#post-2525827 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 09:15:03 +0000 catomd00 2525827@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If there's no stars policy, I don't think it's that big of a deal. We have certain places like this that require a $5 minimum order and others that don't. I usually always buy something because I want to, but I don't feel bad if one time I don't. I mean, there are lots of free playgrounds, I don't see how it's much different? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/using-the-play-area-and-not-buying-anything#post-2525740 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 08:15:42 +0000 snowjewelz 2525740@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yeah, these things are such murky waters. </p> <p>I mean, I think everyone KNOWS what the proper thing to do is. If you are going to stay at a coffee shop all day, buy more than 1 drink! If you go to a playspace like that, obviously a small local operation, buy something, however small, each time! But b/c there are no explicit rules, there will always be people that take advantage.</p> <p>I've seen a local place having to set up stringent rules b/c people abuse them! There is this huge lavender field 2 hrs away that my friend &amp; I went to a long time ago... Lovely place. They don't charge, and just have a small giftshop. I didn't need anything but after frolicking in their beautiful field I bought some mementos as support. But I guess people stay there all day, picnic there, use it as a photo shoot location, etc... The next time I went a few years later you have to pay admission!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/using-the-play-area-and-not-buying-anything#post-2525689 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 07:39:54 +0000 Happygal 2525689@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This reminds me of the challenge coffee shops face where people pay a few bucks for a coffee and then set up their home office and stay there alllllll dayyyyy lonnnnnng. I think it's rude. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/using-the-play-area-and-not-buying-anything#post-2525688 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 07:39:08 +0000 looch 2525688@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I guess as long as there is nothing outwardly prohibiting it, I would have scoped it out the first time to see what everyone else is doing (which doesn't make it right, I realize) and then made a decision. In this instance, if there is nothing that I want to purchase, I don't spend the money...but chances are I would have gotten sucked into picking the fruit. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/using-the-play-area-and-not-buying-anything#post-2525681 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 07:34:37 +0000 brownepiano 2525681@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I always feel bad about taking my kid to a restaurant play place and not buying anything. So I tend to bring snacks for him and buy a cheap drink for myself. If I went to the farm often enough (to pick) that I felt I was already supporting them, then maybe I would go other times to just play and not pick, but not likely. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/using-the-play-area-and-not-buying-anything#post-2525641 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 06:54:18 +0000 lamariniere 2525641@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That sounds like a really fun place! I personally always buy something in places like that, even if it's just a coffee or bottle of water. However, if they don't have any "no outside food" signs, I guess people are free to do as they want. :bummed: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/using-the-play-area-and-not-buying-anything#post-2525639 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 06:53:55 +0000 MrsSRS 2525639@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yeah, it's it's not that hard to buy a slushie. And I say this as a person who, based on the conversations I see here, I'm going to guess is on a much smaller budget with less wiggle room than the average bee. I would feel uncomfortable (it's not a public park!) But wouldn't do anything about it. Maaaaaybe I'd say something to my kids in earshot about how we're going to buy our snack because we are using their play area and we want to support local businesses and make sure they have enough money to keep the slides nice because isn't this a lovely place to play, blah blah. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/using-the-play-area-and-not-buying-anything#post-2525637 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 06:53:23 +0000 Foodnerd81 2525637@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's kind of like using the bathroom at a coffee shop without buying a drink, right? I guess if there is nothing saying the play area is for customers only, they are not technically wrong, but yeah, I would make a point to buy something every time, even if not strawberry picking or whatever. </p> <p>However I'm guessing most people do buy and on average it works out on the favor of the place. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/using-the-play-area-and-not-buying-anything#post-2525632 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 06:50:32 +0000 cat620 2525632@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There is a local farm near my house that is currently having their strawberry season. People can pick their own strawberries from the garden, and there is also a little shop with slushies, popcorn, donuts and homemade baked goods for sale. Parents love this place, because they have a large play area for kids with a sandbox, a slide, a fire truck, and a bunch of balls and outdoor toys for them to play with. When they are open, I know people who will take their kids a couple times a week or more. The problem is, I've gone with these people before, and some of them don't actually purchase anything. They don't pick strawberries or buy anything from the shop. They pack their own drinks and snacks, let the kids play, and then go home. This rubs me the wrong way. To me, it's the equivalent of taking your kid to McDonald's to play in the play area and not buying anything. Am I overreacting, or should people feel obligated to buy something if they are using the play area? </p>