On Friday, February 8, I parked in Ampco's lot at 18th and Lincoln. I paid by debit card, placed my ticket on the dash (per the instructions printed on the ticket) and went to work. When I returned to my car that evening, there was a ticket for $67.50 ($7.50 for the original parking charge, which I had paid, and $60 in fines for non-payment) on my windshield.
Ironically enough, it was right over my parking receipt.
I went immediately back to the office and called the number on the back of the ticket (303-573-8121) and was put through to someone's voice mail. I left a message explaining that not only was the ticket in error, but I had the receipt with the date, time, stall number, authorisation code and the last four digits of my debit card on it. I also explained that I was going out of town on business Tuesday, February 12th and would therefore appreciate a call back Monday. As the voicemail message clearly stated they would get back to me within 24 hours, that shouldn't have been necessary.
Of course, nobody called. Monday at 4:50 pm, I called back and spoke to the receptionist. I said, "I left a message Friday, but nobody has returned my call. I'm leaving tomorrow for the rest of the week. Is there anybody there who can actually talk to me and tell me what I need to do to get this cleared up?"
She said, "You'll have to hold."
And hold I did. After ten minutes, I decided to call back, and got a message saying they had closed for the day. The receptionist PUT ME ON HOLD and LEFT FOR THE WEEKEND. There was an option to dial an extension and leave a message (someone named "Eric") so I did. I told him I was trying to clear up their mistake, I had called more than once, I had been ditched by their receptionist and I was furious.
I returned to the office this morning, Monday, February 18, and... No reply from Ampco Parking.
Ampco is not answering their phones today. It's President's Day, but I doubt that means they aren't checking their lots to be sure they're getting their money.
I have all the proof I need — receipt, bank statement, etc. — what do I have to do to get this cleared up? Ampco, apparently, will never tell me. If this goes to collections, Ampco will find themselves in a world of hurt because I will go off the deep end and I will fight them to the death over the issue.
0 comments