Imperial Parking (US), INC
Parking Violation dispute

I used this parking lot for a concert event. They increased the price over parking rates to a "Special Event" set price and you were not required to enter the space number.

When I pulled into the lot, I parked near the end of the row, facing the exit drive, in line will about 20 other vehicles, who parked in a similar fashion (for quick exit). Upon return to my car after the concert, I had been issued a parking violation for occupying two stalls (I had only paid for one).

What I didn't notice, was that I parked in the 1st of about 4 or 5 stalls that were shifted about 1/2 a car length forward from the other 20 or so stalls in the same row. The impact was that my car occupied ~1/4 of the stall behind me (I drive a surburban). Even though the nose of my car was aligned with the fronts of the other cars on the exit row, the rear of my car also occupied a portion of the stall behind where I parked.

I ask the parking attendant to explain the ticket, and once he showed how the lanes on the pavement, I understood what I had done. I explained how I aligned on the other cars and pointed out how the lot was not full e.G., no one was deprived a parking space. He agreed the stall markings could be confusing, but stated he could not revoke the ticket once it had been issued.

I called the "enquiry" line, stayed on a wait queue for ~30 minutes, and was then ask to call another number. Again was on hold for ~15 minutes. This person was very direct... E.G., you chose the place to park, made a bad choice in the way your parked, so pay the violation at the rates we pre-determined. End of story.

The fees for the violation are $60.00, but if paid within 7 days, $35.00. The violation clearly states "No written disputes", and your only recourse is the "enquiry" line. The parking lot attendant also carries a camera to photgraph your "violation".

I feel I'm being ripped-off because I did indeed pay for the parking; they lost no revenue by the way I parked as the lot was not sold out or full (plenty of open spaces at the concert end), and the amount of the fine is excessive given they suffered no loss.

Before I left the lot, I also notice multiple vechicles also had violations on their windows. Once car was partially parked on a white stripe.

My advice: MAKE SURE YOU PARK CLEARLY PARK WITHIN THE MARKED STALLS. This company does not have any signage indicating this is a violation or what the fines are... And they are on the hunt for people like me who didn't pay enough attention to the placement of their vehicles within their paint lines.

My guess is it doesn't matter what the circumstance, these violations are a good source of additional revenue, and the individuals are somehow compensated directly on the amounts collected.

Company: Imperial Parking (US), INC
Country: USA
State: Washington
City: Seattle
Address: P.O. Box 435
Phone: 2063811789

  <     >