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

[Anonymous]

Better laws around good faith/neccessary+sufficient signage and informed consent would be great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is this just if you park longer than 2 hours or do you now have to do something to validate there? I go regularly and don’t remember any signs!

The guy who has longterm watched the lot on the ground floor said that you now have to scan a square barcode when parking, no matter the length of time. He showed me the not obvious sign with barcodes that is visible if you look up when exiting the ground floor by the elevators and walk directly into the R part of the garage, while crossing the little road to the roof of the garage that is often busy with cars. It's still unclear to me but I'm afraid to go back with my car.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this just if you park longer than 2 hours or do you now have to do something to validate there? I go regularly and don’t remember any signs!

The guy who has longterm watched the lot on the ground floor said that you now have to scan a square barcode when parking, no matter the length of time. He showed me the not obvious sign with barcodes that is visible if you look up when exiting the ground floor by the elevators and walk directly into the R part of the garage, while crossing the little road to the roof of the garage that is often busy with cars. It's still unclear to me but I'm afraid to go back with my car.

Eh? Don't get it either.

[Anonymous]

That’s also the shopping center where a low level weed dealer was killed by some teens in the staircase….so I definitely won’t be wandering around looking for a barcode!

I can’t believe that TJ is still open. That whole setup is trash. I thought they would close it when they opened the new one up the street.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would just not pay it, personally. It sounds like a scam and I don’t see any way a private parking company could possibly legally impose late fees like that. They are just doing it as long as they can to suck money out of as many people as possible.

This is the answer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm honestly scared of the collections issue. Bc it seems legit. One of the BBB complaint says this:
07/13/2024

Complaint Type:
Billing Issues
Status:
Unanswered

I paid an attendant $15 for Special Event Parking in *********, ** to park in a lot with a sign stating $15 for parking. I receive a bill **** Vanguard parking solutions for $59.4 saying I had not paid for the parking with photos of our license plate which I disputed. I was told that while it was under dispute not other charges would occur. I received a second bill for $91.80 and then was told the owner of the lot would have to give permission to resolve the issue. There has been no other correspondence with them so I thought the issue was resolved until I received a bill from Penn Credit collections. I have already paid for this parking and shouldn't have to be blackmailed to pay again.

Let them send it to collections. I would not pay them either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this just if you park longer than 2 hours or do you now have to do something to validate there? I go regularly and don’t remember any signs!

The guy who has longterm watched the lot on the ground floor said that you now have to scan a square barcode when parking, no matter the length of time. He showed me the not obvious sign with barcodes that is visible if you look up when exiting the ground floor by the elevators and walk directly into the R part of the garage, while crossing the little road to the roof of the garage that is often busy with cars. It's still unclear to me but I'm afraid to go back with my car.

Ridiculous! Thanks for the warning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm honestly scared of the collections issue. Bc it seems legit. One of the BBB complaint says this:
07/13/2024

Complaint Type:
Billing Issues
Status:
Unanswered

I paid an attendant $15 for Special Event Parking in *********, ** to park in a lot with a sign stating $15 for parking. I receive a bill **** Vanguard parking solutions for $59.4 saying I had not paid for the parking with photos of our license plate which I disputed. I was told that while it was under dispute not other charges would occur. I received a second bill for $91.80 and then was told the owner of the lot would have to give permission to resolve the issue. There has been no other correspondence with them so I thought the issue was resolved until I received a bill from Penn Credit collections. I have already paid for this parking and shouldn't have to be blackmailed to pay again.

Let them send it to collections. I would not pay them either.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That’s also the shopping center where a low level weed dealer was killed by some teens in the staircase….so I definitely won’t be wandering around looking for a barcode!

I can’t believe that TJ is still open. That whole setup is trash. I thought they would close it when they opened the new one up the street.

Omg. I didn’t realize that. Horrifying.

[Anonymous]

Collections can impact your credit rating, right? The notice says that it goes up to $125.

"This is a parking payment notice for failure to pay for parking at 6831 Wisconsin Avenue Bethesda, Maryland 20815 monitored by Vanguard Parking Solutions. By parking at this facility, you have agreed to the Parking Agreement and the terms and conditions clearly displayed at the parking facility. You have an outstanding balance of $85.00, this amount is due 15 days from the parking payment notice date. If you pay within 15 days of the parking payment notice date, you get a discounted Parking Charge in the amount of $55.00, plus any applicable state sales tax and/or parking surcharges. If you failed to pay within the 15 days, then you are responsible to pay the full amount of the Parking Charge up to a maximum amount of $125. [this last sentence is underlined]

THIS NOTICE IS PRIVATELY ISSUED BY VANGUARD ON BEHALF OF THE OWNER. IT IS NOT ISSUED BY A GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY, AND IS NOT SUBJECT TO CIVIL OR CRIMINAL PENALTIES. HOWEVER, FAILURE TO MAKE THE PAYMENT MAY RESULT IN REFERRING TO COLLECTIONS, ARBITRATION, OR FURTHER LEGAL ACTION."

[Anonymous]

Because it’s a non moving violation and not linked to a specific person I’m not sure it could go to collections.
Maybe a lawyer can chime in.
I’d be pissed, you should not have to pay to park to go shop.

[Anonymous]

When the guy at the lot showed me the sign/barcode thing (had to walk around to see it...) the following week, there was something about an overnight charge of $10.50. Nothing like this anywhere.

[Anonymous]

When I contacted this company to kindly explain that I saw no signs, it was during a tornado watch/storm, etc., I offered to pay the $10.50 full daily fee listed even though I didn't see anything and was only there for 2 hours. However, did not hear back, so thought it might be resolved.... Ha.

[Anonymous]

Was there last weekend and saw no signs at all. So you need to pay to park there now to go to trader’s or target?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, I always thought it was the other way around, large property owners/developers are the ones who hold the sway with council members.

Glad sharing abt this helped.

I’m sure it’s a little of both.