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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What happens if you don’t pay it?

Collections and ruined credit. Enjoy that.

Challenging the debt would be easy and they have no proof

Sorry you don't value your time and credit score. But enjoy wasting your time for however many days, weeks and months it takes to clean up. Or just pay the $50-100 and never go there again.

[Anonymous]

Every person I talk to says just ignore it, it's a scam. That anyone can say they're collections. Still super stressful and honestly afraid to give any financial data which seems like more of a risk.

[Anonymous]

I also got a $90 ticket. At that location and I wasn't there on that date

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think this is the most relevant forum for this but pls correct if wrong. Hope to make people aware of this to prevent harm.

I got a surprise bill in the mail from Vanguard Parking Solutions in Hollywood Florida, with photos of my license plate, for $58+ (more if not paid now, with threat of collections) for parking there for 2 hours on the day of a tornado and failing to see a barcode to scan. This is new there. Warning ppl--I'm not sure how folks will deal with this who are don't see the sign, don't scan barcodes (I asked around and many ppl I know esp elderly ones who shop there don't even do this) etc.

fwiw I called them and left a message explaining, with my phone # listed 3 times, no response and today got another bill for $90 with same threat.

It's a thread on reddit, mostly in Florida but new to Bethesda.

Any insights--should I just pay this, do my civic duty with MD Atty General's office, and never park there again?

Ignore, and ignore when it goes to collections and file a dispute. You are not going to jail for this nor will your credit report be negatively impacted by this small amount (I've had far worse with no consequence). Let Trader Joe's know what a shitty operation they are to support something like this and threaten to stop shopping there.

[Anonymous]

Why is our government giving private companies our name, address, and car details based on our plate #? That is deeply creepy and invasive, especially when we pay astronomical plate fees.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think this is the most relevant forum for this but pls correct if wrong. Hope to make people aware of this to prevent harm.

I got a surprise bill in the mail from Vanguard Parking Solutions in Hollywood Florida, with photos of my license plate, for $58+ (more if not paid now, with threat of collections) for parking there for 2 hours on the day of a tornado and failing to see a barcode to scan. This is new there. Warning ppl--I'm not sure how folks will deal with this who are don't see the sign, don't scan barcodes (I asked around and many ppl I know esp elderly ones who shop there don't even do this) etc.

fwiw I called them and left a message explaining, with my phone # listed 3 times, no response and today got another bill for $90 with same threat.

It's a thread on reddit, mostly in Florida but new to Bethesda.

Any insights--should I just pay this, do my civic duty with MD Atty General's office, and never park there again?

Was this the TJs on Stanford or Woodmont? Were you parked on their parking lot or the street? Thanks

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Silly question, how do these companies get access to license plates databases with citizens addresses? I thought that was police business.

It’s police and certain entities. My guess would be that there’s a provision for parking enforcement companies, and this is legit enough to pass that test (since it’s authorized by the (distressed and/or malicious) property owner). They’re kind of threading the needle here and presumably they’re just sucking up as much cash as they can before local government catches up to them with better rules against this stuff. Or enforces the laws they already have.

At first glance it doesn’t make sense that a Trader Joe’s would want to bring this negativity/scam to its parking lot but I suspect this one is a zombie in some way anyway. It must be doomed and so the manager or operator or whoever just doesn’t care. That shopping center has always been cursed honestly.

If only we have California data laws because a CCPA request would be the perfect response to the ticket

In English, please?

[Anonymous]

I just got one of these while parking for a birthday party at the little gym. Absolutely outrageous, there was NO signage if you enter through target. Did anyone have luck getting through to the company?

[Anonymous]

I received one of these letters in the mail today.

Any of the OPs — what happened after you ignored the letter?

Thanks

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Same thing happed to us at Chevy Chase Lake. We were there for 20 min getting ice cream at the Charmery and we and just about every car there had a ticket. I walked around to see if there was a no parking sign anywhere and saw a small sign behind my car with a thing to scan to park. We’re never going there again.

What happens if you don't have a smart phone or it's run out of charge? You can't park anymore?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why is our government giving private companies our name, address, and car details based on our plate #? That is deeply creepy and invasive, especially when we pay astronomical plate fees.

I asked this a few pages back. It's egregious.

[Anonymous]

I also have experienced the "surprise parking ticket" of $58.30. Funny how it is the exact same amount as others who have received the "surprise ticket". Vanguard is demanding ridiculous parking fees and their system is flawed. When I called to discuss the parking notice, despite of giving the the correct notice number over the phone and the system confirming it had the correct notice number, it was matching it to the wrong vehicle. I finally gave up. Fast forward a few weeks later, I called again today and now their system says I did not leave until 6:20pm instead of 2:20pm reflected in the written notice and my bill is now close to $100. Ridiculous! I spoke to one of the businesses today who informed me the first two hours are free once you "register" your car. Ok great, but unfortunately I did not see any notice about doing that. Today, I was finally able to get in touch with a human being at Vanguard over email and I offered to pay what I owed over the 2hrs I would have received free which equates to 30 mins. They are not open to that. I feel like I am being blackmailed here and have not intention on paying more than what I owe for the 30 mins. Needless to say I will not visit these restaurants and stores again. This is the thanks for trying to support your local businesses and restaurants.

[Anonymous]

One of these companies took over a parking lot near John’s Hopkins. I drove in looking for a spot. Drove around for 15 minutes trying to find a spot and then left because it was full. They still sent me a bill saying I owed them and that I was late. Emailed them and sent a BBY complaint.

No contact since then.

If they do send to collections I’ll ask for notice of debt and other required documents. Obvious scam.

[Anonymous]

The parking lot set up at that TJs just north of Bradley feels like a scam. People now avoid the lot making street parking the premium and a mess.

Parking in that lot is annoying and to add this ticket mess is nasty. Maybe owner trying to apply pressure to get TJs to move?

Wondering what will break the situation - TJs losing/chasing carts down the street, TJ’s customers opting for the other stores with less ridiculous parking, other business loss of street parking?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The parking lot set up at that TJs just north of Bradley feels like a scam. People now avoid the lot making street parking the premium and a mess.

Parking in that lot is annoying and to add this ticket mess is nasty. Maybe owner trying to apply pressure to get TJs to move?

Wondering what will break the situation - TJs losing/chasing carts down the street, TJ’s customers opting for the other stores with less ridiculous parking, other business loss of street parking?

Some think this TJ's will close when the new one opens in Chevy Chase Pavilion.