I go to Aberdeen quite often to buy grocery. Most of the time easy to find a parking spot on the main level. I usually go weekday lunch time. Weekend seems worse but I can usually find a spot easily.
Crystal mall...will avoid as much as I can...the parking there sucks. Also...metrotown area is kinda far away for me.
For parking spot, I usually park closer if I shop grocery ( don't want to carry heavy stuff for too far). But in general, won't park between two large cars like SUVs or Van...