Found United Airport Parking online when I searched for parking at Port Everglades, Ft. Lauderdale. I was skeptical as the rate was really good. I called the United Airport Parking phone number and spoke with a woman named Paula. She told me the world was great, life is good and she is a reputable person who collects her parking money upfront to guarantee a space as Fort Lauderdale / Port Everglades is always busy and that spaces at any lot are hard to find.
OK, I bit and paid $80 for 10 days of parking.
The lot was difficult to find and her directions weren't very good. My GPS couldn't seem to find the lot either. I called United's number and no one answered and then tried to lot's number. The person who answered to me he was busy and to call back later. Now, here I am stuck in the middle of a strange city and lost. At a gas station, which I later find out is within a mile of two of this facility, I ask the clerk about United Airport Parking or Airport Seaport Parking and he tells me he has never heard of them. A Police deputy then comes in to the station and I inquire with him for directions. The police deputy told me he works at Port everglades and has never heard of either company.
About to give up, I make one last ditch effort to call Airport Seaport Parking. The same guy answers and try to tell me that he is still busy but I hear him laughing and people in the background yelling. I waited for a couple of minutes listing to people complainingg, yell and cursing and he then picks up the phone and quickly gives me directions. It seemed I was just around the corner.
When we got to the lot, if you an call it that, we find a fenced yard where the fence is falling down in places and tilting unnaturally far in others. The yard is enveloped in tall; knee high weeds with cars parked everywhere. There was no organization; some cars were parked touching each other and others so close together I couldn't imagine how someone could fit between them to open the doors if they had to move them.
There were people out front, angry and yelling about damages on their car while I would imagine an employee just stood there smoking a cigarette shaking his head. There was damage on this person's car. I saw it, whether it was there when they parked or not I can't say but the damage was very noticeable.
At this point another couple comes out of the office, the man yelling to I guess his wife that they were overcharged and why would she make reservations at this dump...
At this point as I went into the office I noticed two employees both laughing and exchanging not too flattering remarks about the last customers. I said good morning and then tried to explain that I have changed my mind and didn't wish to park here any longer. The man behind the counter said fine, we really don't need your business anyway. When I asked about my refund for the $80 I had prepaid the other employee that was smoking outside interrupts and tells me to "take it up with your credit card company because we don't issue credits or refunds". He then wishes me "Good Luck!"
After we departed heading towards the Port we found another parking facility called Park N Fly. A very clean parking lot with real parking spaces, nice landscaping, lights and friendly employees. We parked here and had no problems! Their rate was a little more but still considerably less than the port and well worth it. We were taken to the ship and picked up promptly.
I have since disputed the charges to my credit card because when I got home I called United Airport Parking and told the lady, Paula that I didn't park at her facility and wished a refund. She said she would have to research whether I parked or not and get back to me. Eight days later I called he back and she said I did in fact park and asked me what type of scam was I pulling. I tried to explain that I parked at Park N Fly and mailed he a copy of the receipt from them via certified mail. Two weeks go by and I call he again. She still claims that the lot documented my parking and would not even think about issuing a refund. I asked her if she looked at the Park N Fly receipt and she hung up on me. At this point I disputed the charges with my credit card company and have not heard back from "Paula".
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