Originally Posted by
lhrsfo
I don't see that taking the keys and locking it makes it acceptable. In fact, it makes it worse, as then the car isn't available to others and the lot won't be restocked - yet everyone else will go up to the car to try to get in. IMHO, "reserving" one or more cars when not present at them puts people's own wishes ahead of the convenience of others (to put it politely).
I'm with you. If you're going to do this, turn it on with remote start and then lock it, or just leave it running. At least that shows people it's not available. But locking it while you go in to the bathroom is excessive, because you could've gone before going to the lot. And there aren't many lots big enough that you need more than a quick glance at the cars to figure out what you want.