Precise Parklink parking lot fines drivers who paid to park, warns Vancouver man
A Vancouver man is warning other drivers about the ticketing practices at a Precise Parklink parking lot downtown, after he and others paid for parking but were fined anyway.
James Davies was going out to a movie Sunday night, so he paid $8.75 to park under the Scotiabank theatre at 900 Burrard St. His payment was good until the next morning.
But when the show was over that night, Davies said he was "shocked" to find a violation notice for $100 on his dashboard.
"Especially when you receive a parking invoice for $100 when you paid for a valid parking ticket in the first place," he said.
The ticket read "failed to make payment" and instructed him that if he paid quickly — within seven days — the fine would be reduced to $50.
Davies took a closer look and realized the license plate on the ticket didn't match his.
It's possible the parking attendant made a mistake, says Davies, but he noticed five other cars that also had tickets.
"They had the same exact story I did, they had purchased a ticket from a supposedly valid ticket dispenser and the ticket was good to 6 a.m. in the morning," said Davies.
Davies does not plan to pay his ticket.
Parking company has 'F' rating: BBB
The lot is run by Precise Parklink, which declined an interview about Davies' complaint. In a statement, the company said drivers can dispute tickets they don't agree with.
"We would review the particular circumstances as well as the patroller's activity and determine if they require a training review," wrote Precise Parklink's director of communications Mary Sheridan.
Precise Parklink has an office in Burnaby with an "F" rating at the Better Business Bureau.
The rating is based on two complaints regarding "billing and collections" in 2013 that have not been dealt with, said Evan Kelly of the BBB.
Kelly encourages drivers with parking problems to file complaints — which may provide a warning for other motorists.
"Look at the complaints. If the company has complaints I guess your only recourse is to not park with these companies," said Kelly.
Map: 900 Burrard Street, Vancouver
