Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:03/29/2025

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  This public parking payment system is relatively new, utilizing stalls marked with QR codes in front of each space. I scanned the code, completed the required forms correctly, and was charged $4.00 for two hours of parking. The payment process was straightforward. However, within four minutes of leaving my vehicle, I received a parking citation on my ************* primary concern is the dispute process. ParkSmart, Inc. requires individuals to complete an online form, print it, and physically mail it along with any supporting evidence. This process is both inefficient and unnecessarily burdensome. Given that the citation itself appears to have been issued in error, the requirement to submit a physical dispute seems like an intentional obstacle designed to discourage appeals.Notably, if I were to simply pay the fine, the process is entirely digital. This ***** contrast further suggests that the dispute system is structured to dissuade challenges rather than facilitate fair resolution.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 03/30/2025

  *****,
  
  We truly apologize for the error; it appears that our employee failed to refresh our payment page just before you parked.  Invoices can be reviewed over the phone vs having to dispute on our website.
  The Invoice has been dismissed and we will mail you a ********* gift card. 
  Again, we truly apologize.
  
  ***

  Customer Answer

  Date: 03/31/2025

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me. I did reach back out to the company and they stated they will be updating their website to allow for online disputes by next month.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***** *********

• Initial Complaint

  Date:03/18/2025

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I parked my car in parking lot in front of ************ shop at *******************************************. There were no operational pay machines or meters, just a sign instructing to pay online from phone at a website (***************************************). I immediately went to my phone to pay. The website was slow to operate. In the 5 minutes between parking my car, completing this transaction, i was ticketed. You can see the receipt I attached that I was able to complete the transaction on my phone at 6:09pm. However, when I returned to my car, I had a ticket, which was issued at 6:******* the 5 minutes between parking, pulling out phone and struggling to load a website in a poor cell reception area and make a payment, a parking attendant issued a ticket 2 minutes prior to payment. I paid the $2.00 fee, but was issued a $25 ticket. After that I followed ParkSmarts dispute process and mailed in a dispute form. The dispute form I sent in is attached. I received in mail back from Parksmart weeks later a form that told me they had denied my dispute because I didnt include any proof. Why was the responsibility on me to provide proof? They surely have in their system the receipts with my license plate, which was already on the ticket and in my dispute form. I do have a receipt for my payment, which I happened to screenshot on my phone after seeing the ticket on my car, which I have attached. However, In their reply they instruct that the only way to dispute further is to pay $25 deposit. I refuse to send this company anymore money. They setup a trap for paying customers, so that they have a system setup whereby you cannot make a payment faster than they ticket you. Then, they have an inadequate dispute system that is setup to make customer fail, give up hope, and pay them more money. Id appreciate if ******************** can degrade their rating as a business, and help get this waived.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 03/19/2025

  ****,

  It appears that your dispute was denied because you did not provide proof of payment or the last four digits of the credit card used in order for us to view your transaction. It also appears that you have had two prior Notices issued at this location. 

  
  It was also noted that other customers made payments at the ********************** pay station before and after your Invoice was issued.

  Please feel free to give us a call to discuss in more detail if like.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 03/19/2025

   
  Complaint: 23079614
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  A) your payment station screen showed nothing -- maybe you have to touch a button to light it up or turn it on, but the display was blank. In addition, to the left of your pay station was a big sign with a QR code to utilize your website to make payment. So the pay station aside, your advertised payment method via a sign was to pay via website. If the website is slow enough that it takes a customer several minutes to make a payment, but your attendants issue a ticket before they can complete the payment, in what world is that fair? This isn't a scenario where I parked, ate dinner, then went to make payment. I parked, pulled out my phone and followed your prompts to pay until I was complete several minutes later. 

  B) Why is the onus on me to show receipt? You have receipts in your system with my License plate on it, and your ticket you issued with my license plate on it. Take the time to look it up. This is just one of many examples where you do your best to frustrate the customer and make it not worth their time. Take some responsibility and initiative.

  That being said, I have attached a picture of both my receipt and your ticket, and you can reference the timestamp on both. 

  
  Sincerely,
  
  **** *****

  

  Business Response

  Date: 03/23/2025

  Hi ****,

  So sorry you had an issue; the decision to deny your dispute was based on other customers ********************** before and after you did not have issues with the pay machine or app.  The pay station and app health report did not how issues at that time as well.

  ***

   

   

  Customer Answer

  Date: 03/25/2025

   
  Complaint: 23079614
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  ***, 

  Not sure if you looked at what I have shared with you. I am not disputing your technology works. I PAID FOR THE PARKING SPOT. Your parking attendant gave me a ticket basically right after I got out of the car. What is your team not tracking here? Why do you run a hunger games operation, whereby the second I get out of my car I am in a dead race to pay before your attendants jump out of the bushes and gives me a ticket before I can make payment? 

  Look at my receipt, I paid 2 MINUTES after your attendant gave me a ticket, and within 5 minutes of parking. 

  You unwillingness to take into account the situation, look at the facts, and be flexible is super unfortunate, but not surprising for a parking business which operates like a local extortion operation. 

  Here's what I am asking --- I paid for the parking spot, drop the $25 fine.

  You're a local business based in ************, start acting like part of the community and less like a mafia operation. 

  Sincerely,
  
  ****

• Initial Complaint

  Date:03/05/2025

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  On 2/6/25 I parked at ********* parking lot at 6:49 PM. I took a photo of the meter, which was paid up to 7:52 PM, so I would remember how much time I had left on the meter. When I returned at 7:40 PM, the meter had been reset and I had been issued a ticket at 7:22 PM. I promptly mailed out the dispute form on 2/12/25, which can only be mailed with an envelope. With tracking, this envelope cost me about $4 to send out. I confirmed it was received at the *** mailbox they listed on 2/14/25. In this letter, I provided proof via photos of the parking meter time listed and Apple Geolocation to show my parking was paid for until 7:52 PM. However, despite the website stating that they would send a response out within a week, I have not received a single response by 3/5/25, and have been charged $10 extra for a whopping amount of $45. The phone number listed on the website and ticket is not a working phone number and it is impossible to reach anyone. This company is a huge scam, and will not honor any dispute even with all proof provided.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 03/05/2025

  Hi ********,
  We apologize you were not able to connect with us via phone,our phone system started having issues yesterday, ******* just repaired the issue.

  
  Our records show that your dispute is being reviewed today,you will be receiving a letter in the mail within a few days.  The $10 late fee does not kick in until 21 days after we mail a deny letter.  If denied, you will also have 21 days to request a Level II hearing.

  
  Feel free to call us if you have any questions.

  
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:01/20/2025

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I parked my car at **************** Parking out for customers after hours on Saturday, January 18th, 2025, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.There were no signs posted that it was a private, paid parking lot, no gate to enter and exit the lot, and no attendant on site to collect the parking fee. I drove home and discovered the next morning that a parking ticket demanding $35 for all-day parking was under my car's windshield wiper. I searched online, and many people are showing the same $35 ticket issued by the parking supervisor, RJ I.D Number 229. I am willing to pay the parking fee for two hours, but not the entire day rate of $35. It is unethical on the company's part to issue parking tickets for all-day parking.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 01/20/2025

  Signs are posted at each entrance and exit, and sixteen signs are posted throughout the parking lot. The signs are in full compliance with city and state laws. Based on the photographs taken, your vehicle was parked within feet of a well-lit parking pay station.   

  
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:01/09/2025

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  There is a 2.00 charge in my bank account labelled '********************** ************************ US' on 08Jan2024. I have know idea from where this came. How do I verify it is legitimate? I live in *******************.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 01/09/2025

  Hi *****,

  Per our conversation today, the $2.00 charge was for a parking meter payment at the Collection shopping center in ******, Ca

  
  Have a great day!
  ***
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 01/09/2025

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.

   

  The charge was a valid charge from someone in my family I did not know was using parking.

   

  and thanks a ton for the quick professional response!
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***** ********

• Initial Complaint

  Date:12/24/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I'm complaining about an experience at ParkSmart **** ************* in **********, ** *************).I parked in this company's parking garage while taking my young kids to a movie. There was ample signs about paying via app, kiosk etc in the garage, however no one of them mention needing to Pre-pay or pay in advance. I feel like this is done by intention in order for the company to mislead the customer and therefore charge them a full day rate. In my experience, I parked, I watched a movie with my kids, I paid for my time parking with my validated movie ticket, and then I walked back to my car to find that I, along with many, many cars in the garage had a ticket/notice saying I would need to pay the full day rate. This was highly irritating as this is a family retail ********* short, the company intentionally does not disclose or post any notice that parking must be paid in advance, in order to charge everyone a higher day rate (as opposed to reduced hourly)

  

  Business Response

  Date: 12/26/2024

   

  As a one-time courtesy, we have dismissed the All-Day parking charge. 
  
  Just in case customers may miss our large entrance signs (see attached), we have approximately 250 additional signs posted throughout the parking garage and loudspeaker announcements reminding customers to pre-pay before entering the shopping center entrance portal. 
  
  Paystation ID
  Paystation-bay-st ( Bay 09 )
  Property
  ***************** 0116
  Ride Date & Time
  21 Dec 2024 02:10 PM
  Expiration Date & Time
  21 Dec 2024 05:10 PM
  Selected Vehicle/Stall
  727
  Revenue
  $4.5
  Parking Location
  ********************************************
  Rate type
  Hourly
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:12/18/2024

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I sent disputation letter to Parksmart **** 2 times in past ***************************************** as of 12/17/2024, they have not received my letters and they does not offer other methods for submitting disputation letter.I have no choice. So, I attached my letter here, I hope ParkSmart will kindly consider my appeal.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 12/18/2024

  Hi Zhen,

  We did receive your dispute letter, it is still under review.  Our hearing examiner is just waiting for a report back from our inspector and maintenance team.  You should receive a letter and report from us by next week.

   

  Feel free to call our office if you have any questions.

   

  Thank you,

  ***

  Customer Answer

  Date: 12/18/2024

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  **** **

• Initial Complaint

  Date:12/12/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  The Business ParkSmart has implemented a parking ticket system that creates significant challenges for individuals attempting to dispute citations. The process is limited to mail-in disputes, an outdated and inconvenient method in todays digital era, which may pressure people into paying the fine simply to avoid the hassle. Furthermore, while they provide a phone number for assistance, it appears that calls to this number are rarely, if ever, answered. This raises serious concerns about accessibility and fairness in resolving ticket disputes. Despite following all the required procedures and paying for parking, I still received a ticket after completing my outing.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 12/13/2024

  We just left a voice message for ***** to call back with more information regarding his dispute. Our office hours are 9 am5 pm, Monday through Friday. We ALWAYS return after-hours voice messages. We are in the process of launching an online dispute system that will ensure customer privacy and the best cybersecurity safeguards possible. This new system is projected to launch in February 2025.
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 12/14/2024

   
  Complaint: 22678082
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  I recently received a phone call from ParkSmart, but I am not interested in speaking with them directly. Here is my experience:
  Upon arriving at the parking lot, I parked in a designated spot where a ** code was clearly visible on the wall in front of the vehicle. Using my phone, I accessed the ParkSmart system and paid for 4 hours of parking while still inside my car. After watching a movie, I decided to stay for dinner and scanned the ** code outside the theater to pay for an additional 2 hours.
  

  When I returned to my vehicle, I found a parking ticket. This is either an error in ParkSmart's system or an exploitative practice aimed at generating additional revenue.
  Additionally, I find the process to contest a ticket unnecessarily complicated and burdensome. The system requires access to a printer to produce documentation, yet ParkSmart does not provide a paper receipt for payments. While an envelope is provided for mailing disputes, there is no postage included, further adding to the inconvenience.
  This process is particularly discriminatory against individuals who may not have access to printers or stamps, such as college students like my daughters. For them, resolving an issue like this would require significant time and effort, such as traveling to campus to find a printer and purchasing stamps.
  As a retired tech professional, I find it hard to believe that developing a client-side submission form would take until February, as ParkSmart claims. This delay seems designed to capitalize on system errors during the busy holiday season, which is unacceptable.
  I hope ParkSmart will take immediate steps to improve its system, simplify the ticket dispute process, and provide transparency about how issues like mine are being addressed.
  
  ***** *****

  

  Business Response

  Date: 12/16/2024

  *****,
  We located your parking transactions via your cell number; we apologize for the error.  We are still investigating how the transmission on your first transaction occurred.  
  We are mailing you a ********* gift card as our apology and have obviously waived the all day parking charge.  If you every go back to BaySt, give us a call and we will comp your parking.
  

  Have a joyful Holiday,
  

  ***

  
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:11/21/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  The parking company parksmart *** is practicing predatory citation and towing practices. In their policy it states that after 3 or more citations vehicles can be towed at owners expense. They cited me once and i payed the ticket right away. on 11/20/24 they created 2 parking tickets one for $0 and one for $30 (regular amount) 9 minutes apart from each other and with no notice or wait period towed my vehicle. i have the image of their citations and this is a common problem where they cite very often, multiples times, and unconditionally many people and have over 54 one star complaints on ****** stating these problems.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 11/22/2024

  Mr. ******** vehicle was not towed due to outstanding parking charges, as he is claiming. His vehicle was towed from the ************************* parking garage because he had been creating counterfeit, fraudulent parking receipts to avoid paying for parking in the garage for over a month period.  See the attached photos. 
  
  
  His vehicle was put on a trespass list and is currently banned from parking at any facility that is operated by ParkSmart. 
  
  
  Mr. ****** has shown NO remorse for his actions, which include stealing from a church that uses the funds to help others in need.  
  
  
  In addition to his lack of remorse, Mr. ****** called me a "f***ing county hick" in a phone conversation with him on November 21st, and made several threats against our company. 
  
  
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 11/22/2024

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.

  *** the parking manager of first ******************* has demonstrated Predatory parking practices and made continuos threats of legal action and criminal offenses. That doesnt ***** with the churches values of helping those in need as he claims and says. He is part of a for profit company parksmart *** that has over 54 one star public reviews of predatorial parking practices of tows and wrongful citations. 
  
  He shows absolute no emotional empathy or care for others and has a very hostile authoritarian attitude as he continues to make threats of legal action and criminal claims after trying to confront me over the phone on 11/20 in the church as I was drinking my coffee and doing my school work.
  
  he also called me a criminal over the phone and multiple demonstrations of discrimination and derogatory remarks and even fabricated a story that I have been stealing parking for a long time and saying its grand theft; when I have only had a car for 1 month and have payment receipts on my credit card. He then lied and tried saying I must have been in a different car

  I get it *** maybe has encountered others stealing parking for grand theft and with multiple cars possibly but that doesnt mean everyone is.

  If *** would like to come to some sort of resolution we can talk but as of right now he has stated none and seems to be trying to make personal assaults and lieing to escalate things so consider this conversation over. 
  
  Even on official channels *** continues to lie as I never said he was a f****** hick and sounds more of how *** talks with his buddies than me which doesnt surprise me after he lied to me multiple times.
  
  S***erely,
  
  **** ******

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/04/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  On September 29, 2024 at 3:17 pm, I paid $3.50 at the meter with an end time of 4:09 pm of that same day. At 3:30 pm, on September 29, 2024, I was issued a parking ticket - EXPIRED METER. Invoice *********, by Parking Supervisor AJ, ID Number: 281. I called customer services a few times, the first call I was unable to reach anyone at the phone number provided on the back on the invoice, upon the second call, I was connected to a representative in whom I provided the invoice number, and the had informed them that I have a receipt from my credit card company displaying I paid the $3.50 and a receipt from the ParkSmart website with a date and time stamp that would refute the claim. I asked how I could dispute the invoice online as stated on the back on the invoice, and was told I am only able to do so by mail. However, I have seen through transactions on this platform via ParkSmart it is possible to dispute a claim by phone. Personal information is of high concern nowadays, providing, a non-government entity personal information via mail considering crime is unreasonable and alarming.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 10/04/2024

  We were unsuccessful in our attempts to reach out to ********* he did not provide an accurate phone number or mailing address.  We did send Mr. ***** an email to the address he provided, but we have not yet received a response.  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 10/06/2024

   
  Complaint: 22379298
  
  I am rejecting this response because: I received an email from ParkSmart on Friday, October 4, 2024 at 4:40pm, the business closed at 5pm. In that short amount of time I was unable to respond during business hours. Preferred method of contact is email, and I was unaware I would be reached via phone as I am out of the area for the next few weeks. I responded to the email from ParkSmart within 24 hours, and was informed that the company had questions regarding the complaint, though, failed to include those questions in the email for a response to be given. The form from BBB does not require a full address to submit a complaint. 
  
  
  I am not a *** please do not address me as so. 
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ******* *****

  

  Business Response

  Date: 10/07/2024

  Per our email today, the Invoice has been dismissed.  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 10/07/2024

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ******* *****