Comments on: Victoria, B.C. Parking Woes http://www.psyc3d.com/victoria-parking-woes/ The inner chaos of a web guy's mind. Tue, 23 Aug 2011 16:51:02 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Joe http://www.psyc3d.com/victoria-parking-woes/comment-page-1/#comment-3085 Joe Mon, 20 Jun 2011 22:15:14 +0000 http://www.psyc3d.com/content/victoria-parking-woes#comment-3085 If you've purchased a ticket and it's blown onto the floor, where you have proof of the purchase and Robbins has accepted your money, don't admit that it was on the floor. Tell them it was on the dash. They'll say it wasn't and perhaps provide photographs to try to prove their point. When it comes down to it, in court, there is a possibility that the photos can be of the wrong vehicle dash, doctored, or taken at an non-Robbins location (fraud by Robbins to try to win the case). The only true chunk of evidence is that you DID purchase a ticket, Robbins accepted your payment (at a specific time), and the parking ticket was issued at a time which your car should have been legally parked in their lot. You claim it was in the vehicle, they claim it was not... the ticket did exist, you purchased the right to park in their lot, they acknowledge this purchase. As long as you stick to your guns about it being in the vehicle at that time, they'll have a tough time actually proving that it wasn't... it's not logical for a person to have gone to the trouble of purchasing a ticket and then not display it. If you’ve purchased a ticket and it’s blown onto the floor, where you have proof of the purchase and Robbins has accepted your money, don’t admit that it was on the floor. Tell them it was on the dash. They’ll say it wasn’t and perhaps provide photographs to try to prove their point. When it comes down to it, in court, there is a possibility that the photos can be of the wrong vehicle dash, doctored, or taken at an non-Robbins location (fraud by Robbins to try to win the case). The only true chunk of evidence is that you DID purchase a ticket, Robbins accepted your payment (at a specific time), and the parking ticket was issued at a time which your car should have been legally parked in their lot. You claim it was in the vehicle, they claim it was not… the ticket did exist, you purchased the right to park in their lot, they acknowledge this purchase. As long as you stick to your guns about it being in the vehicle at that time, they’ll have a tough time actually proving that it wasn’t… it’s not logical for a person to have gone to the trouble of purchasing a ticket and then not display it.

]]> By: scott http://www.psyc3d.com/victoria-parking-woes/comment-page-1/#comment-3018 scott Mon, 25 Apr 2011 14:04:31 +0000 http://www.psyc3d.com/content/victoria-parking-woes#comment-3018 dont pay the ticket, there only a private company with a contract. theres nothing they can do if you dont pay write them a ticket (see if they pay it) not ...so niether should you! dont pay the ticket, there only a private company with a contract. theres nothing they can do if you dont pay
write them a ticket (see if they pay it) not …so niether should you!

]]> By: Joey Carboni http://www.psyc3d.com/victoria-parking-woes/comment-page-1/#comment-3014 Joey Carboni Mon, 18 Apr 2011 23:30:31 +0000 http://www.psyc3d.com/content/victoria-parking-woes#comment-3014 Sqeeze crazy glue into the meters. Works like a charm. Sqeeze crazy glue into the meters. Works like a charm.

]]> By: Unhappy Tourist http://www.psyc3d.com/victoria-parking-woes/comment-page-1/#comment-3013 Unhappy Tourist Thu, 14 Apr 2011 16:20:30 +0000 http://www.psyc3d.com/content/victoria-parking-woes#comment-3013 As I read all the posts, I realize that our "parking woe" last night will remain unresolved. However, venting is therapeutic. As visitors from Alberta, we decided to go for a late dinner in Chinatown. There was no parking on the street, but plenty in a lot down Fisgard Street (Go Figure!). It was dark. It was raining. Both of our husbands went to the pay booth to pay for a parking pass. The signage is very misleading. At the top, in big bold letters was the sign indicating "park all day $2.75/hour or portion/$7.50 all day till 6:00 p.m." Instructions followed regarding payment, etc. As it is common for no-charge parking after certain hours in our neck of the woods, the guys determined this meant exactly that. Off we went to dinner (which by the way was great!) Well, we have never seen an "IMMOBILIZER", and that was what greeted us on our return. There were exactly 3 cars in the lot. We had the "out-of-province" plates, and we were stranded. The VI Parking Patrol fellow must have been lying in wait for us, as he burned into the lot as the guys were examining the device. He stated that the parking rates (i.e. 24 hour ) were clearly stated. We went back to check...they were in small print BEHIND THE LARGE PAYMENT UNIT. It was visible if you checked the back wall and around and behind the unit. It definitely was not "clearly visible" as were the other instructions I copied. The result? We had to pay $80 to get our vehicle released. As review of the ticket indicates the Immobilizer was placed on our vehicle with two minutes of our arrival. I believe this meant the fellow watched the guys walk over to pay, and return to the car before he acted. Why would he not have advised them of their error? I know there is little recourse...and no, our husbands are not idiots (although at times we wonder...) I also know that this situation smacks of collusion, and we feel we were set up. Definitely, we feel we were targeted as we are from another province. A final word...tourists beware! As I read all the posts, I realize that our “parking woe” last night will remain unresolved. However, venting is therapeutic. As visitors from Alberta, we decided to go for a late dinner in Chinatown. There was no parking on the street, but plenty in a lot down Fisgard Street (Go Figure!). It was dark. It was raining. Both of our husbands went to the pay booth to pay for a parking pass.

The signage is very misleading. At the top, in big bold letters was the sign indicating “park all day $2.75/hour or portion/$7.50 all day till 6:00 p.m.” Instructions followed regarding payment, etc. As it is common for no-charge parking after certain hours in our neck of the woods, the guys determined this meant exactly that. Off we went to dinner (which by the way was great!)

Well, we have never seen an “IMMOBILIZER”, and that was what greeted us on our return. There were exactly 3 cars in the lot. We had the “out-of-province” plates, and we were stranded. The VI Parking Patrol fellow must have been lying in wait for us, as he burned into the lot as the guys were examining the device.

He stated that the parking rates (i.e. 24 hour ) were clearly stated. We went back to check…they were in small print BEHIND THE LARGE PAYMENT UNIT. It was visible if you checked the back wall and around and behind the unit. It definitely was not “clearly visible” as were the other instructions I copied.

The result? We had to pay $80 to get our vehicle released. As review of the ticket indicates the Immobilizer was placed on our vehicle with two minutes of our arrival. I believe this meant the fellow watched the guys walk over to pay, and return to the car before he acted. Why would he not have advised them of their error?

I know there is little recourse…and no, our husbands are not idiots (although at times we wonder…) I also know that this situation smacks of collusion, and we feel we were set up. Definitely, we feel we were targeted as we are from another province.

A final word…tourists beware!

]]> By: Soulmann http://www.psyc3d.com/victoria-parking-woes/comment-page-1/#comment-3004 Soulmann Wed, 23 Mar 2011 00:29:15 +0000 http://www.psyc3d.com/content/victoria-parking-woes#comment-3004 I get to play parking tag every day as I can't afford the rediculous parking rates they want here.. it costs me less than 20$ per month to move my car 3 times a day 6 days a week... so the stupid amounts they want me to pay is not gonna happen. I am disabled and live downtown.. now get this.. I can get a Monthly parking permit from the city for 60$ if I work or go to school in the city.. but because I LIVE downtown and support downtown businesses, I get to pay 120$ per month.. the reason that was given to me was, that if they gave me a 60$ one then every disabled person downtown would want one... ya so? We aren't rich and most of us cannot afford a car to start with... So that has absolutely no legs to stand on IMO... but said I could get the 4$ per day passes as I do qualify for that as a disabled person.. it is on thier website and VERY misleadingly worded... I only keep the car, so I can drive to VAncouver and take care of my elderly mother's needs.. without it, she would be alone, 1/2 paralysed, in a home with no one she knows... I get a ticket nearly every week from the city, and is always because the Parking attendant din't see the handicapped hangar... My car is blue inside and out and so are the disability hangars, so I can see how it might not be that easy to spot right away... I just email a copy of the ticket along with a copy of my disability hangar and they wipe the ticket every time.. so for that I commend them, the Tickets dispute people have treated me fabulous... I did mess up once... I left my car parked on a main road, where it is no parking from 7-9am ... cost me 152$ in towing from All Way towing, and they were great to deal with... I was a little pissed because it was when we had that snow that turned to ice, and my street was a sheet of ice that I barely got out of, and was not about to try to park on any of the other un-salted and un-plowed sheets of ice we had for sideroads downtown . So I kinda blame the city for that one.. but truth be known I din't see the sign or I wouldn't have parked there.. As a ex-professional driver, I know that was my fault in spite of th circumstances... And I used to deal with Robbins on a monthly parking spot, I never had any issues accept how much the initial outlay was.. but ya gotta pay what ya gotta pay... once my Mother had her stroke, (over 2 years ago now) I had to use that money to pay for the high-priced (for me anyways) BC Ferry, to get over to the mainland to care for her needs, since VIHA is helpless in helping get her over here, where she has alot of her still surviving brothers and sisters as well as me her oldest Son that has POA . So I can say for the most part, I make sure I have change before I go to a parking lot, just like I would taking the bus.. since busses dont make change either.. so that IS my responsibility to have it WHEN I park there, not wander about looking for change after I park in thier lot.. it is thiers, not mine, so I have to play by thier rules... dont like it, stay away from downtown or do us all a favour and take the bus. And as for anyone esle driving my car? I am still responsible for that car... and if my decision to allow someone else to use my car ends in a fine.. it is still my responsibility... it was my decision so I AM responsible.. so I would pay for my decision...then I would take it out of my buddy's hide that did it ... no prob... So all in all, I think they are all doin a good job considering how emotional people are about a car... Yes I have no doubt that Robbins and the city work together, since Robbins is a big player and pays alot of $$$ on city taxes to run thier business here... so they have rights too. Wish it was better, but it works out for most everyone if they use some common sense. I get to play parking tag every day as I can’t afford the rediculous parking rates they want here.. it costs me less than 20$ per month to move my car 3 times a day 6 days a week… so the stupid amounts they want me to pay is not gonna happen.

I am disabled and live downtown.. now get this.. I can get a Monthly parking permit from the city for 60$ if I work or go to school in the city.. but because I LIVE downtown and support downtown businesses, I get to pay 120$ per month.. the reason that was given to me was, that if they gave me a 60$ one then every disabled person downtown would want one… ya so? We aren’t rich and most of us cannot afford a car to start with… So that has absolutely no legs to stand on IMO… but said I could get the 4$ per day passes as I do qualify for that as a disabled person.. it is on thier website and VERY misleadingly worded…

I only keep the car, so I can drive to VAncouver and take care of my elderly mother’s needs.. without it, she would be alone, 1/2 paralysed, in a home with no one she knows…
I get a ticket nearly every week from the city, and is always because the Parking attendant din’t see the handicapped hangar… My car is blue inside and out and so are the disability hangars, so I can see how it might not be that easy to spot right away… I just email a copy of the ticket along with a copy of my disability hangar and they wipe the ticket every time.. so for that I commend them, the Tickets dispute people have treated me fabulous…

I did mess up once… I left my car parked on a main road, where it is no parking from 7-9am … cost me 152$ in towing from All Way towing, and they were great to deal with… I was a little pissed because it was when we had that snow that turned to ice, and my street was a sheet of ice that I barely got out of, and was not about to try to park on any of the other un-salted and un-plowed sheets of ice we had for sideroads downtown . So I kinda blame the city for that one.. but truth be known I din’t see the sign or I wouldn’t have parked there.. As a ex-professional driver, I know that was my fault in spite of th circumstances…

And I used to deal with Robbins on a monthly parking spot, I never had any issues accept how much the initial outlay was.. but ya gotta pay what ya gotta pay… once my Mother had her stroke, (over 2 years ago now) I had to use that money to pay for the high-priced (for me anyways) BC Ferry, to get over to the mainland to care for her needs, since VIHA is helpless in helping get her over here, where she has alot of her still surviving brothers and sisters as well as me her oldest Son that has POA .

So I can say for the most part, I make sure I have change before I go to a parking lot, just like I would taking the bus.. since busses dont make change either.. so that IS my responsibility to have it WHEN I park there, not wander about looking for change after I park in thier lot.. it is thiers, not mine, so I have to play by thier rules… dont like it, stay away from downtown or do us all a favour and take the bus.

And as for anyone esle driving my car? I am still responsible for that car… and if my decision to allow someone else to use my car ends in a fine.. it is still my responsibility… it was my decision so I AM responsible.. so I would pay for my decision…then I would take it out of my buddy’s hide that did it … no prob…

So all in all, I think they are all doin a good job considering how emotional people are about a car…

Yes I have no doubt that Robbins and the city work together, since Robbins is a big player and pays alot of $$$ on city taxes to run thier business here… so they have rights too. Wish it was better, but it works out for most everyone if they use some common sense.

]]> By: Done with Robbins http://www.psyc3d.com/victoria-parking-woes/comment-page-1/#comment-2989 Done with Robbins Fri, 11 Mar 2011 21:19:59 +0000 http://www.psyc3d.com/content/victoria-parking-woes#comment-2989 After 10 years of using Robbins parking lots 3-5 times a week I am done using their services. My ticket blew off the dash and I am being offerred a reduction to $10.00 for something I paid for. Perhaps they are in their right to demand it be shown on the dash but they must realize they are a service company. It will be difficult to avoid using their parking but I will. I will likely stop going to the downtown area and local business will suffer. The best way to protest their lack of customer service is simply stop using their parking lots. This will get their attention. After 10 years of using Robbins parking lots 3-5 times a week I am done using their services. My ticket blew off the dash and I am being offerred a reduction to $10.00 for something I paid for. Perhaps they are in their right to demand it be shown on the dash but they must realize they are a service company. It will be difficult to avoid using their parking but I will. I will likely stop going to the downtown area and local business will suffer. The best way to protest their lack of customer service is simply stop using their parking lots. This will get their attention.

]]> By: SHAKE YOUR HEADS http://www.psyc3d.com/victoria-parking-woes/comment-page-1/#comment-2958 SHAKE YOUR HEADS Mon, 24 Jan 2011 01:13:20 +0000 http://www.psyc3d.com/content/victoria-parking-woes#comment-2958 If parking was free at the emergency then every employee at hospital would fill those spots and when you came to emergency you would not find a parking spot. Now think about how you would feel if there was no parking available when you came in with your sick child or parent. Pay Parking is a way of ensuring that when you need a spot it will be available. If you get a ticket at emergency, call the hospital Parking office or call Robbins. I can guarantee you that it will be canceled if you are polite. If parking was free at the emergency then every employee at hospital would fill those spots and when you came to emergency you would not find a parking spot. Now think about how you would feel if there was no parking available when you came in with your sick child or parent. Pay Parking is a way of ensuring that when you need a spot it will be available. If you get a ticket at emergency, call the hospital Parking office or call Robbins. I can guarantee you that it will be canceled if you are polite.

]]> By: smuggler http://www.psyc3d.com/victoria-parking-woes/comment-page-1/#comment-2863 smuggler Wed, 05 Jan 2011 09:12:25 +0000 http://www.psyc3d.com/content/victoria-parking-woes#comment-2863 Take the ticket to the Robbings (spelling deliberate), politely explain the situation and equally politely, inform them that you have absolutely no intention of paying. leave the ticket on the counter and walk out. Some years ago, I had a hospital out-patient appointment. I parked and dutifully went to the ticket dispenser, which was "dead". I went to the other unit at the opposite end of the car park. Sure enough, by the time I got back to the car, it had a ticket. I used the tactic outlined above. Women behind the counter stated that she she needed my name. address etc. I politely declined and left. Never heard another thing about it. Take the ticket to the Robbings (spelling deliberate), politely explain the situation and equally politely, inform them that you have absolutely no intention of paying. leave the ticket on the counter and walk out.

Some years ago, I had a hospital out-patient appointment. I parked and dutifully went to the ticket dispenser, which was “dead”. I went to the other unit at the opposite end of the car park. Sure enough, by the time I got back to the car, it had a ticket. I used the tactic outlined above. Women behind the counter stated that she she needed my name. address etc. I politely declined and left. Never heard another thing about it.

]]> By: concerned father http://www.psyc3d.com/victoria-parking-woes/comment-page-1/#comment-2836 concerned father Wed, 22 Dec 2010 03:05:27 +0000 http://www.psyc3d.com/content/victoria-parking-woes#comment-2836 I had to rush my 2 year old into emergency after she got into a bottle of hand sanitizer, back when all the H1N1 scare was around. all was fine...she was a little drunk maybe and all was oky...except...we parked in a very poorly marked parking lot right next to the emerge entrance, the only place to park!!! and rushed her in...when we came out sure enough...right outside emergency...our car has a ticket from your good and carrying people at Robbins Parking. Really a good place for entrapping the frantic folks rushing into emerge...we met another couple scratching their heads at this same situation as we came out... Can you imagine working for these guys...what do they tell themselves to get to sleep at night? I had to rush my 2 year old into emergency after she got into a bottle of hand sanitizer, back when all the H1N1 scare was around. all was fine…she was a little drunk maybe and all was oky…except…we parked in a very poorly marked parking lot right next to the emerge entrance, the only place to park!!! and rushed her in…when we came out sure enough…right outside emergency…our car has a ticket from your good and carrying people at Robbins Parking.
Really a good place for entrapping the frantic folks rushing into emerge…we met another couple scratching their heads at this same situation as we came out…
Can you imagine working for these guys…what do they tell themselves to get to sleep at night?

]]> By: LocalBusinessMan75 http://www.psyc3d.com/victoria-parking-woes/comment-page-1/#comment-2832 LocalBusinessMan75 Mon, 06 Dec 2010 00:56:02 +0000 http://www.psyc3d.com/content/victoria-parking-woes#comment-2832 <blockquote> <a href="#comment-2429" rel="nofollow"> <strong><em>BJG:</em></strong> </a> My solution for the tire clamp they use. I bought a portable cutting torch and I dream of the day I get to use it! If all else fails, I feel it would be only fair to throw the Ba#t@rd in my trunk and demand a $1000 for his release. Too bad we are not above the law. Otherwise, I say Game On!</blockquote> I'm gonna laugh my ass off when I see the article in the paper about this nimrod setting his car on fire trying to cut the boot off!


BJG:

My solution for the tire clamp they use. I bought a portable cutting torch and I dream of the day I get to use it! If all else fails, I feel it would be only fair to throw the Ba#t@rd in my trunk and demand a $1000 for his release. Too bad we are not above the law. Otherwise, I say Game On!

I’m gonna laugh my ass off when I see the article in the paper about this nimrod setting his car on fire trying to cut the boot off!

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