surprise parking bill of $90 from trader joes lot in Bethesda

[Anonymous]

How do you know you have driven into once of these scam lots? Does anyone have photos or is it the lack of signage that should be a clue now that we are onto them!

[Anonymous]

Hi. I would love everyone's advice/thoughts on this.

I received a parking ticket in the mail today from that Trader Joes parking lot in Bethesda (above the Target on Wisconsin Avenue). It is for $58.30. It is form "Vanguard Parking Solutions"

I was at the Target from 6:50 a.m. until 7:08 a.m (according to the ticket). I sat in my car until 7 am. until the Target opened, purchased an item and left eight minutes later. I have no recollection of whether I scanned the parking App on my phone. Even if I did scan the App, I can't prove it because whenever I am there and scan the app it says it can't send me a confirmation. So, I screenshot the proof and save it for a couple of days and then delete it.

The letter says if I don't pay by x date in October the ticket will go up to $125. There is a website to dispute the charge but when I go to the link the only option is to pay the ticket. There is no dispute option. Should I just pay the ticket and never use that parking lot again? I don't want to ignore it and then hav the fine double. On the other hand most muniicipal parking lots do not even charge for parking until 8 a.m or 9 a.m.

This seems like a huge scam. It is also a bit creepy that they have photos of my car and the time I entered and left the parking lot. Would welcome people's thoughts on what to do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How do you know you have driven into once of these scam lots? Does anyone have photos or is it the lack of signage that should be a clue now that we are onto them!

I would like to know this too. It makes me not want to ever enter a parking lot or garage again.

[Anonymous]

All I know is that Trader Joes has the worst parking lots in the nation. No, probably the entire planet. Possibly the universe.

[Anonymous]

The owner of Vanguard Parking Solutions is a Mendy Goldman. And he seems to be be notorious for being awful.

I'm surprised Trader Joes is partnering with lowlifes like this. Parking issues absolutely kill business.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All I know is that Trader Joes has the worst parking lots in the nation. No, probably the entire planet. Possibly the universe.

The newer Trader Joe's in the other part of downtown Bethesda is GREAT. 7900 Wisconsin. They have street parking on Wisconsin, and a parking garage on Woodmont that is wide with space to turn and maneuver, but doesn't have a ton of spots. I have never gone back to the older TJs in Bethesda close to the Post Office - I've always hated that building and parking garage with the triangular road bumps. Ugh.

[Anonymous]

I'm sorry this happened to you. I stopped shopping at that Trader Joe's because the parking is so scammy.

I'd personally fight it. I fought scammy toll fines sent by American Traffic Solutions. There are a number of these scummy companies that make money by not offering a contact method to dispute the charge.

It's worth reaching you to your member of Congress and to people on the Bethesda city council, if there is one, or the Montgomery Council or Business Bureau. I'd also reach out to TJ. But, as you can see, I would go scorched earth and even contact local papers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: I spoke to one of the businesses today who informed me the first two hours are free once you "register" your car.

You should not have to register your car to go shopping. That's the fundamental problem. Them normalizing "registering" a car in order to spend money a business nearby??

People will take their business elsewhere with free parking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm sorry this happened to you. I stopped shopping at that Trader Joe's because the parking is so scammy.

I'd personally fight it. I fought scammy toll fines sent by American Traffic Solutions. There are a number of these scummy companies that make money by not offering a contact method to dispute the charge.

It's worth reaching you to your member of Congress and to people on the Bethesda city council, if there is one, or the Montgomery Council or Business Bureau. I'd also reach out to TJ. But, as you can see, I would go scorched earth and even contact local papers.

(This is the 12:58 poster about the $58 ticket). Thank you. These are excellent suggestions

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All I know is that Trader Joes has the worst parking lots in the nation. No, probably the entire planet. Possibly the universe.

Nope. Not ours

[Anonymous]

Represents greed on the part of Trader Joe’s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Represents greed on the part of Trader Joe’s.

Trader Joe's will likely say that it doesn't manage the parking lot nor profit from it. That said, I'd be curious to see the correspondence between the parking lot operator and Trader Joe's corporate....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Represents greed on the part of Trader Joe’s.

. Trader Joe’s doesn’t own the parking lot or the building.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All I know is that Trader Joes has the worst parking lots in the nation. No, probably the entire planet. Possibly the universe.

Nope. Not ours

Which one boo? They are all bad, really, just some worse than others.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn’t be surprised if Trader Joe’s isn’t involved at all, but people should still pressure them about it because that building is horrible and the Trader Joe’s is the only thing keeping it alive.