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: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,
  
  ******* *****

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/30/2024

  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.

  Upon leaving the parking structure, my ticket was unreadable and I was unable to leave. Simple problem to fix right? Apparently not. When asking for assistance on the machine, communication was absolutely horrible and I spent 15 minutes trying to get a hold of someone so I can pay my way out of the parking structure. After being hung up on the first interaction, I finally got a hold of someone (who I could barely understand) and they requested personal info from me such as phone number and license plate number. All while other peoples tickets were perfectly readable and they were able to leave the parking structure with no problems.What if I had a legitimate emergency? I initially just wanted to pay for my ticket but apparently its too difficult to set up a reliable ticket system. Now I want a refund for this disrespect and inconvenience.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 09/02/2024

  Hi ******,

  We are not affiliated with Parking.com.  *********** is ParkSmart, we are based in ************, ********** and do not operate outside of the Bay Area.

  Can you please remove your BBB complaint ASAP.  

  Feel free to give us a call if you have any questions:  ******************

   

  Thank you,

  ***

  Customer Answer

  Date: 09/09/2024

  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:04/21/2024

  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.

  I park in the Bay St mall and used the ParkSmart app to pay for parking and used *** to get it validated today. I came back to my car and it showed a ticket on it. This is the second time this has happened where I payed and got a ticket. I ignored it the first time, because I had paid. The second time came with a warning that I had two outstanding tickets and I would get towed. Despite the ticket saying there are ways to dispute the ticket online, there are none. There is not even an email address on the website. I have pictures of the validations, but more importantly, ParkSmart has all this information because they charged me for these times, and it obviously conflicts with the time of the ticket. It's not OK to make it easy to pay the ticket using a thousand different methods, but be so incompetent that disputing the ticket requires mailing paper copies of all the evidence to them within 21 days.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 04/22/2024

  Sri,

  We received your parking payment and parking validation.  However, as you can see in the screen shots you sent, it appears that you accidently transposed two digits when entering your license plate number, you entered ******* however your correct plate number is 7ZQS809. 
  
  We do not use the BBB platform for parking charge disputes.  However, you can contact our office via phone and explained what happened, our dispute supervisor will be able to dismiss it for you.  

  Thank you,

  ***

  Customer Answer

  Date: 04/23/2024

  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. 
  I ended up connecting with the ParkSmart business. They noticed that the License plate receipt has a discrepancy (there was two letters that were transposed) that led to the ticket. They are refunding the ticket amount and we have now resolved the issue. I would like to rescind the complaint (or **** it satisfactorily resolved). Thanks for the help on this matter.
  
  
  Sincerely,
  
  Sri ******

• Initial Complaint

  Date:02/28/2024

  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 was ticketed with minutes left on the meter I paid with coins not a credit card they claim there's no way to check that I paid. The light was green when I got back to my car.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 02/28/2024

  In order for us to investigate your claim, we will need the Invoice or license plate number.  This will enable us to see the photograph taken of the parking meter your vehilce was parked at and run a report to see how much you paid and when the meter expired.

   

   

   

• Initial Complaint

  Date:01/04/2024

  Type:Customer Service 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 ticket was given to me after 6 pm and I had a handicapped placard. She herself was parked in a no parking handicapped spot while giving tickets to everyone.She went ahead and gave tickets to other cars unnecessarily as well even though they were parked in free parking spots after 6 pm.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 01/04/2024

  Per our conversation, the Invoice was voided. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 01/05/2024

  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:11/04/2023

  Type:Customer Service 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 parked in **************** parksmart area, paid for parking for 2 hours. After ~30 minutes, I came back to my car and found a ticket asserting that I had an expired meter. The machine still read 1:25 remaining.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 11/06/2023

  ******,

  In order to start our investigation regarding your complaint, please provide us with the Invoice number and last 4 digits of the credit card you used at the parking meter.

  Thank you,

  ***

  Customer Answer

  Date: 11/07/2023

   
  Complaint: 20825499
  

  The invoice number is 616270590

  Last 4 digits from card used are 0345

  
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *****************************

  

  Business Response

  Date: 11/09/2023

  Based on our investigation, you paid at the wrong parking meter, see the attached phographs and report.  Based on our dismissal guidelines, we would do a onetime dismissal, however, you will need to follow our dispute instuctions, click on the link below. 

  *********************************************

  Feel free to give us a call if you have any questions.

  Thank you,

  ***

   

  Customer Answer

  Date: 11/09/2023

   
  Complaint: 20825499
  
  I am rejecting this response because: 

  You have all the information already. I am attaching the requested doc with fields filled out as required. If this is acceptable I will close the case
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *****************************

• Initial Complaint

  Date:09/28/2023

  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.

  Received a parking invoice in the bay street park lot, invoice #*********.I couldn't get the kiosk to work and the ** codes have stickers / graffiti on them. I went to the movie theater to get my parking validated and that wouldn't work either.In order to dispute their tickets you must mail in (with your paid postage) a hand written letter. To pay them, they will gladly give you qr codes, websites, and phones numbers. They use the excuse that not everyone has access to the Internet so they *just have to* do it that way. This is obviously predatory. When I called, any issues that were brought made them aggressive and dismissive. They remind me of loan sharks or debt collectors.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 09/28/2023

  Per our conversation and based on our backend software report, all 16 parking pay stations were functioning appropriately.  You stated that the ** Code had graffiti and stickers on them so your phone was not able to read them.  In our investigation, we did not find this to be the case, you later said that the graffiti was throughout the parking garage,but we have not yet found the graffiti you are talking about.  We have over 250 signs with ** codes posted throughout the property, including a ** Code located directly in front of the movie theater.
  We instructed you to simply scan the ** that was given to you so you could pay for your parking and we would waive the ALL-DAY parking charge, but you stated that you dont have a card and became extremely angry and hung up on me.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 09/29/2023

   
  Complaint: 20671237
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  I should not have to contact the BBB to get the "privilege" to discuss my dispute with a rude, interrupting, debt collector. 

  My issue with the business is the fact that they can (a non government agency) ticket your car, and my only recourse is to write a hand written letter and pay for postage. This is when they have multiple ways you can pay using smart phones and the internet.

  The discrepancies between payment options and dispute options is highly predatory. People shouldn't have to contact the BBB to elicit a response from the company. Based on reviews and claims here I not alone in these feelings.

  Sincerely,
  
  *********************

  

  Business Response

  Date: 10/02/2023

  A dispute can be made over the phone, however, in rare cases like yours, you stated that the garage and one of our over two hundred ** code signs posted throughout the parking garage had graffiti on them preventing you from paying, in addition, you stated that our 1 of 16 parking pay stations were not functioning.  Based on our investigation, we found no evidence of the pay stations not functioning or graffiti the ** code signs. You can request an in-writing or in-person Level II hearing, for instructions, click on the attached link.

  
  *********************************************
  

  Feel free to contact our office during the hours of Monday-Friday, 9 am-4 pm if you would like to speak further with us about this.
  
  Thank you
  

   

  Customer Answer

  Date: 10/05/2023

   
  Complaint: 20671237
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  People shouldn't have to write a letter or contact the BBB in order to get a resolution, especially when you have so many ways to pay. You guys are predatory scumbags.
  Sincerely,
  
  *********************