ComplaintsforAustin Parking Company
Parking Facilities
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Complaint Details
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Initial Complaint
08/27/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Service or Repair Issues
- Status:
- Unanswered
On August 24, 2024, we accessed a PUBLIC PARKING garage located at ******************* in downtown Austin with the gate in the open position, and assumed that there was free parking there on the weekend, otherwise the gate would have been in a closed position as is normally the case during the work week. The attached photos clearly show the Public Parking signage and the entrance gate in the open position. When we returned to our car in less than an hour, there was a boot attached to our front wheel and a sticker on the window, "Immobilization Notice". We also noticed several other cars parked in the same area had the boots attached. We had NO IDEA WHATSOEVER that there was restricted parking for the public in this garage, otherwise we would have never parked there! We are requesting a full refund of $120 based on the following facts: 1) There was NO clear signage warning visitors that the parking was for private individuals only and others would be towed or fined for parking there without a parking pass or entry code. When there is an open gate and no signage, anyone would assume free weekend parking AS DID THE SEVERAL OTHERS WHO PARKED THERE AND WERE BOOTED ALSO!! I am sure they would have not parked there, and neither would we, had there been clear warning signage. Clearly, this is a money-making opportunity for the city to charge UNSUSPECTING VISITORS a huge fee and REQUIRE PAYMENT IMMEDIATELY without any opportunity to explain our reason for parking there! We, and the other victims were unfairly treated without having any immediate recourse but to pay it. 2) We are senior citizens and are very familiar with parking in downtown parking garages, having visited many other establishments on weekends over the years. When there is clear proper signage displayed that says, "Contract Parking Only", or "Parking Pass Required", or similar warnings, we do not decide to park there anyway, knowing we will be fined or towed.Initial Complaint
07/02/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Service or Repair Issues
- Status:
- Unanswered
My car was booted on 5/31/2024 at approximately 9:19 pm in a garage off the corner of ************************************************ is Austin Booting Company. I was charged a total of $130. I paid the required amount to have the boot removed & contacted Austin Parking to explain myself, the situation & request a refund less the parking fee of $30. They refused. I have lived in Austin for 9 yrs & never parked in a garage that requires scanning to pay to park. When I pulled into the garage WITH THE ENTRANCE GATE OPEN, I was excited I found free parking because I did not see signage to pay to park there. When I parked, I noticed signage for the next level of the garage for paid parking in this area, so did not think this applied to me as I was not on that level. When I returned to my car & found the boot, I noticed other cars (at least 3) next to me that were also booted. Since the incident, I have also spoken w/ a friend who was booted in the same garage on the corner of 2nd & San Antonio (the day after me- June 1st) & we discussed the lack of sufficient signage. Any signage is blocked by cars already parked.I believe this high of frequency of booting is indicative of unclear expectations for residents. Since the signage is not clear, there are frequent violations & unnecessary charges occurring. This isnt right. Even w/the feedback I kindly provided to Austin Parking, they didn't want to discuss it & only want to collect their money. I cannot help but see this situation as a bait & switch, or even disparate treatment of the community who wants to do the right thing but cant because it isnt clear what they are to do. It gives the perception that parking is free only to return to your car w/ a boot and huge fine. In the mean time Austin Parking isnt fixing the problem that would result in LESS BOOTING & less fines. This is trickery at the very least & must be stopped. Thank you for your assistance in resolving this matter. *********************** **************Initial Complaint
06/24/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Service or Repair Issues
- Status:
- Unanswered
I went to grab something with my boss across the street from the parking garage. We both attempted to extend our time since 1 hour wasn't enough. we both pulled up the app on our phones to pay and there was no way to extend. We were 2 of the 3 total cars parked in this garage. We finished up and within SEVEN MINUTES of our time being up there was a boot on our cars. I am fully convinced the guy who put the boot on our cars was just sitting there waiting. While my time did expire, how am I supposed to pay to extend when there is no link to extend? Getting a boot on my car within SEVEN MINUTES is way to extreme. In most cities you get one of those tickets that are super adhesive. a ticket and a boot is wayyy too much... This felt like a set up, scam and I ATTEMPTED TO PAY TO EXTEND! This is outrageous and a good way to keep patrons from coming to visit Austin. I sure won't be back to Austin unless I get a full refund.Initial Complaint
06/10/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Service or Repair Issues
- Status:
- Resolved
On June 8th I utilized a public parking garage. Upon entrance, the only open lane was labeled for residents and the arm was fixed in the upright position. There was no signage upon entering the garage on how to submit a payment. Only a sign at the front that said scan/text to pay with no QR code or number to make said payment. There were also no signs posted about what would happen if payment wasnt made. We assumed, as with all previous experiences with parking garages, that we would pay a flat fee upon our exit. To our surprise within an hour of parking the car was immobilized with a boot that would cost $130 to remove. What a racketeering scheme!!! Terrible experience that we will be taking to court to fight! This company prays on first time users with their unclear/ hidden signage and astronomical rates. We would have had no issue with a ticket/minor fine similar to the city of Austin of $20-$50 but $130!!! Absolutely outrageous!!! DO NOT PARK AT THE *******************! THEY ARE CROOKS!!!!Initial Complaint
06/10/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Billing Issues
- Status:
- Unanswered
I am submitting a formal complaint against the Austin Parking Company, due to deceptive advertising and predatory practices within their parking garage located in downtown Austin on the corner of W *************************On June 8, 2024, I parked my vehicle in this garage for a mere 30 minutes, only to return and find my car booted. To my dismay, I was then coerced into paying a hefty sum of $130 to have the boot removed. Upon entering the parking garage, I observed the gates to be open, giving the impression that parking was readily available. While there were signs indicating payment for parking, there were no prominent notices stipulating the necessity of payment upon entry, nor were there any clear warnings of the severe penalty of booting for non-payment. I was prepared to pay for parking upon exiting the garage as the gate to exit was closed. Upon discovering my booted vehicle, I promptly contacted the provided number on the windshield ticket. While I was on the phone, an individual arrived and demanded payment of $130, which I reluctantly paid using my credit card. When challenged about the lack of clear signage regarding payment obligations and penalties, the individual evaded responsibility, claiming he would relay the information to the relevant authorities.I am formally requesting a full refund of the $130 charged, as this sum was extracted under misleading circumstances and constitutes a clear case of deceptive advertising and predatory behavior.Initial Complaint
05/29/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Service or Repair Issues
- Status:
- Unanswered
Car was booted on 3/10/24 Cowboy Lot Austin Texas I was booted and should not have been. When I got back to my car before the time had expired, I had a ticket. The gentleman that came to remove the boot even arrived before my time had expired. He informed me that I had to still pay to get the boot removed and then call them back Monday (the next day) so he can discuss the issue with his supervisor. I had called him 3 different times as well as sending them the time stamps with dates as to when I purchased, when I was ticketed, etc. I am now no longer getting an answer when I call nor a call back. This is absolutely ridiculous as this is going on 3 months and I have not been refunded.Initial Complaint
05/20/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Billing Issues
- Status:
- Unanswered
The company booted my car even tho I paid online and was told by the attendant that checked my confirmation I could park there. Then they double charged me.Initial Complaint
05/13/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Service or Repair Issues
- Status:
- Unanswered
I paid for 3 hours of parking, and went back to renew for 3 more hours of parking. This scam company booted my car even though I had the receipts to prove purchase of parking. They refused to admit their mistake and forced me to pay for the removal of the boot and told me the car would be towed the next day if I didnt pay. This company is a scam, employed by narcissists and will boot people who rightfully pay for parking.Initial Complaint
05/08/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Service or Repair Issues
- Status:
- Unanswered
My vehicle was booted on 5/3 for non-payment in a parking lot at ****** and 6th. I paid what I believed to be the fee for the lot, but due to the signage appearing similar to that for the City of Austin, I actually paid for the street parking which I have proof of. The signage for their lot includes an website address that's generic and doesn't give an option to pay. They claim there's a sign in the street that says it's specifically for street parking, but you do not see that if you enter the lot from **********. It's a scam. I've already filed a complaint with the city.Initial Complaint
04/26/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Service or Repair Issues
- Status:
- Unanswered
I am writing to formally dispute an erroneous boot placed on my vehicle, a ****** Sentra with the license plate TYZ 4950, on April 25th. I had a valid parking permit for the period from 5:30 PM to 5:30 AM. Despite this, my car was booted, and a violation notice was affixed at 9:30 PM, clearly indicating a misunderstanding or error on the part of the enforcement team.I paid for my parking through the Flowbird app, confirmation #*********, which clearly states my vehicle was covered during the hours in question. The boot was unjustly applied during a time my vehicle was authorized to be parked in the specified location.Additionally, the personnel who executed the booting procedure displayed unprofessional and rude behavior, which exacerbated the distress and inconvenience caused by the wrongful booting of my vehicle. This kind of conduct is unacceptable and unbecoming of Austin Parking Company staff.I request that you promptly:1.Remove the boot from my vehicle.2.Refund any fines or fees incurred due to this incident.3.Provide a formal apology for the inconvenience and distress caused by both the error and the behavior of the staff member.4.Take appropriate actions to prevent such incidents and ensure all staff conduct themselves professionally.Please find attached evidence including a copy of my parking permit, the violation notice, and other relevant documentation. I trust you will address this matter with the urgency it requires and look forward to your swift response to resolve these issues.Thank you for your attention to this serious matter.Sincerely,********************* ****** ********** ************************ This version specifies the Flowbird app for clarity and includes the name of the parking authority as requested. Make sure to attach all relevant documents when you submit your complaint.??
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Customer Complaints Summary
56 total complaints in the last 3 years.
23 complaints closed in the last 12 months.