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:07/29/2025

  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.

  Invoice - Parking Fee Imposed ( ParkSmart ****** I have no problem when things are done fiarly. But getting ( an unenforceable ticket - BTW) meare minutes after an time ran out feels like they are just lot hawking for revenue. It was basically an empty garage on a Tue night and somehow they just happened to be sitting around counting seconds till time expired! Way to make the downtown ************ area feel like a real welcoming area.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 07/30/2025

  We hope you can understand and appreciate that ParkSmart and our employees are simply doing our jobs to ensure fairness and efficiency for all our customers. We respectfully ask that you reconsider your post, as it does not accurately reflect the situation and could be misleading to others.

  Were confident that youll do the right thing and remove this unjustified post. If youd like to discuss your experience further, were always open to constructive feedback and resolution.
  Thank you for your understanding.

  Thank you,

  ***

  
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 07/31/2025

   
  Complaint: 23670244
  
  Had this been a case where several hours had passed, I might understand the decision. But were talking about minutes. Consider this even with mortgage payments, theres typically a 15- to 30-day ***** period before its even considered late.
  This situation could easily involve someone stopping briefly to use the restroom before heading to their car possibly a senior or disabled individual living on a fixed income. To penalize someone in that position because they paused for a few minutes, while a parking or tow enforcement agent hovered nearby, feels unreasonable and unfair, ***. The downtown WC area has been in decline for a few years now and this doesn't help it feel like it on the right trajectory. So I do not feel my post is misleading the public, more like warning them not to heaven forbid be a few minutes late to their cars. What a catastrophe! Lame!
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *******

  

  Business Response

  Date: 07/31/2025

  If you're aware of a city that has implemented a parking program or procedures similar to what you've described in your post, please let us know. Wed be more than happy to review and consider such a program.
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:07/18/2025

  Type:Order 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 am filing a formal complaint against Park Smart, **** for issuing an illegal and unenforceable parking citation while I was legally parked at a metered green curb with a valid and properly displayed disabled person placardas explicitly permitted under California law.According to the California Vehicle Code, drivers with valid disabled placards are legally allowed to park in:Designated disabled parking spacesMetered zones without paymentGreen zones without time restrictionsResidential permit areasDespite complying fully with these legal protections, Park Smart issued me a citation. I promptly contested it and provided proof of the law as well as documentation of my placard. They refused to dismiss the citation or acknowledge the law.This does not appear to be an isolated incident. Park Smart seems to have a well-documented pattern of predatory behaviortargeting legally parked disabled drivers, particularly in the ************ area. They issue citations without legal authority and rely on fear, confusion, and lack of public awareness to extract payments. This conduct is not only unlawfulit is shameful, unethical, and exploitative.Key Concerns:Deliberate violation of state lawIssuance of unenforceable citationsTargeting vulnerable individuals, including those with disabilitiesRefusal to correct false citations even when presented with clear legal evidenceRequested Resolution:Immediate dismissal of this citation and removal from my recordFormal investigation into Park Smarts practicesEnforcement of accountability, including potential *** violationsA 2011 California Attorney General ruling (Opinion No. ******) confirms that private property owners and their agents have no legal authority to issue parking citations that carry monetary penalties. Park Smart is knowingly acting in bad faith, and I respectfully request the Better Business Bureau investigate this companys deceptive and illegal conduct.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 07/22/2025

  As of today, after several attempts, we have not been able to contact you by phone or have we received a written letter of dispute. Please visit **************************** and click on 'Dispute'. 
  
  Once we receive your dispute, we will initiate our investigation into your claim.  

  Thank you.

  
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 07/24/2025

   
  Complaint: 23621822
  
  I am formally rejecting ParkSmart, Inc.s response.
  
  This company continues to dodge accountability for its predatory and fraudulent practices. I was legally parked with a valid and properly displayed disabled placardfully in accordance with California law. I provided clear documentation, including photos of the placard and the citation number. Despite this, ParkSmart has refused to dismiss the citation. That refusal is not only unacceptableits telling.
  
  
  Let me be absolutely clear: ParkSmart is a private entity with no legal authority to issue or enforce citations. Yet, they continue to target and intimidate driversespecially those with disabilitiesthrough a deliberately rigged system. They make payment instant and effortless, but intentionally create barriers to disputing citations. You must mail a physical letter and pay for postage to challenge the citation, despite the process being digital otherwise. They even ignored the documentation I submitted via the BBBfurther proof that their goal is not fairness, but profit through manipulation.
  
  
  This isnt a one-off. There are countless reviews and complaints across Yelp, Nextdoor, the BBB, and moreall citing the same unlawful practices and abuse of power. The pattern is obvious. The strategy is simple: make it easy to pay and hard to fight back. That is the definition of a scam.
  
  
  I shouldnt be forced to file a BBB complaint just to be heard. I made a good faith attempt to resolve this directly, including a phone call that was dismissive and unhelpful. Im not alonemany others have reported the exact same experience, particularly in ************ and nearby areas. ParkSmart has built a business model around exploiting confusion and targeting people who may not know their rights.
  
  I demand this citation be fully dismissed. I also request that ParkSmart publicly address the following:
  
  What steps will be taken to stop issuing false and unlawful citationsespecially to disabled drivers?
  How will the dispute process be improved to ensure fairness and accessibility?
  How does the company track and respond to repeated complaints about its unlawful practices?
  
  Until those questions are answered and meaningful change occurs, I stand by my assessment: ParkSmart is running a high-friction scheme built to profit off fear, confusion, and legal gray areas. I was not in violation, and *** provided ample proof. Their refusal to acknowledge it speaks volumes.
  
  I will not play along with this scam.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ******* *********

  

  Business Response

  Date: 07/28/2025

  As of today, we have made several attempts to contact you.  We have not yet received your dispute letter, except for your posts on social media platforms.  

  Your accusations are fabricated and false.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/02/2025

  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.

  On 05/31/2025, I parked at *****************, **********, ** to watch a movie at the ****************************. I entered the parking stall number 409 and a screen came up that you get a parking discount for the theater. There were no instructions on how to get the discount so I went into the movie theater to see what they could tell me. The movie theater didn't know either. On coming out of the theater, I paid for parking $6, but my car was ticketed with a $30 ticket. I consider this a scam because you have to pay before parking without knowing how long you are going to park and a discount was advertised with no instructions on how to obtain the discount.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 06/04/2025

  Hi ****,
  
  As per our conversation today, it appears that you accidentally pressed the 'Cancel Transaction' button on the screen.   If your transaction was not canceled, you would have received a printed receipt or text message receipt with a QR code and instructions to validate at the theater (see attached).
  
  In the future, if you have an issue, you can call our office, you did not need to pay the All Day rate plus the hourly fee.
  
  We will mail you a refund of $34.50 today. 

   

  Thank you,

  ***

• 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,
  
  **** **