On June 7 at 9:26Am, I parked my car in the Laz Parking lot at 226 Courtland (corner of Courtland and Harris). I paid the $8 parking fee, placed the receipt on the dash of my vehicle and went to work.
I returned to my vehicle at 5:20PM and discovered the boots and the orange Immobilization Notice on my window. After 20 minutes of trying to speak to someone at the number indicated on the notice, a guy pulls up next to me and motions for me to roll down my window. He immediately asks me if I am ready to pay the $75. I asked why the vehicle was booted and he said for an in/out violation. At some point during the day, my vehicle left the parking lot and returned, and ironically the same parking spot! I explained to him that was impossible as I had not left the office all day and I could provide proof. He refused to listen, accused me of lying and said to call him when I was ready to pay the $75 and abruptly drove off. About 30 minutes later, after speaking with his manager, who took the employee's side and said I had no option but to pay the $75, the employee returns.
His manager had told me that my tire was not chalked and the employee had monitored my vehicle three times that day. I checked my tires and there was indeed a chalk mark. I told the employee this, but he argued that there was NOT a chalk mark. He finally got out of his after I insisted and when I pointed out the chalk mark, his story changed. Now he claimed that yes he did chalk my tire, but rubbed it off when he discovered that I had an in/out violation.
I also asked how he monitored the vehicles and he shows me a handwritten spreadsheet on which he had written the description of my vehicle and the three times he had monitored my vehicle, the first time being at 9:15AM. I explained that I was not even in the parking lot at 9:15AM - look at my receipt!
He replied that he was not going to waste time arguing with me, that he had things to do and to call him when I was ready to pay the $75.
Of course, what other option did I have? I had to get home.
So an hour after I discovered the erroneously placed boot, the boot was removed and I was free to go home.
The name of the booting company: Empire Parking Services, Atlanta, GA
The name of the rude EPS employee who booted my vehicle: Wes - Employee # 119 (he refused to give me his last name)
The name of the manager who allows this behaviour: Chris Aughtman
The name of the owner of EPS: Chip Schmeelk, who, by the way, also owns a towing company.
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