So to avoid door dings completely, I've been parking in the boonies of my parking lot. But when coming back from lunch, I can usually take a closer spot from people going on lunch, but risk getting door dings. Anyone think of putting up a piece of paper against the windows saying something like 'Please watch where you open your doors.'?

I would think this would actually cause more door dings.

 

I am in the exact same boat as you. I have thought about it, but like you said i think it would cause more trouble than good. I do my best to get a spot with one side that is "protected" and then i do my best to hug that side. If all else fails i do my best to park next to freshly washed/clean cars because in my mind it seems more likely those people might have the same mindset as me. Still at the end of the day I daily my car and i have accepted the fact that my car will see some wear and tear whether it be a small ding or two or bumper chips.

 

Maybe one of these would be more effective?

http://www.doordefender.com/con_features.html

I got that link from the SADD Coalition thread (see signature).

 

Haha! Back when I cared more, I made something similar from Home Depot pipe insulator, tape and magnets.

You could do something similar with magnetic door trim as removable ding protection that wouldn't scream out, "Hit Me!!"

 

Those are some pretty good ideas. It's too bad there's so many inconsiderate people on this planet.

 

Id leave a note back on your car. "sorry I hit your door, I was reading your sign"

 

that sounds like a good idea but id rather just park where one side is like someone said "protected". at work if i have to park next to someone ill park to someone that i know that doesnt have a passenger.

 

Stuff like this will never help. The people who ding doors don't look anyway and any A-hole is just going to take it as in invitation to mess with your car...just like parking in two parking spots makes people want to key your car!

 

People definitely don't even look. I don't think they even know that they leave the ding. I mostly see people getting out of their car "one-handed" while obliviously yakin' away on the cell phone. Such people would never even see a sign.

 

The thing to do is park by the guys who care about they're cars as much as you. I like to park close to the building I work @ so I park next to the guy w/the cherry '66 SS big block (he's also a bud), then one of my other mates parks his 987s next to mine and we're all good. The Malibu comes in early and takes a spot at the edge of the lot, he can crowd the side no one parks by, those are the coveted spots and go early.

I think a sign of any kind will just atract the wrong kind of attention.