A whole 'lot' of money

I paid $92 to Vanguard Parking for less than two hours parking at the lot at 528 Main Ave. after trying for days to resolve this issue and the anonymous person in the “fair adjudication department” threatened me with legal action.

On June 6, 2024, I parked there in the late afternoon/early evening, and for the first time, noticed a new sign with a QR code from Vanguard Parking. I used the code, registered my information and email, and paid to park for two hours. I received email confirmation and a paid receipt.

I met friends for dinner and the dinner went over. I’m used to not paying to park downtown after 6 p.m., so didn’t think about it. Four days later, on June 10, I left town for 2½ weeks. Before leaving town, I checked my P.O. box. I returned the evening of June 28 and picked up my mail on June 29.

I had a “notice of violation” from Vanguard Parking dated June 7 (the day after I parked) stating that I owed about $58 for the one hour and 38 minute overage. I called the number on the notice immediately, twice, and left a message. I never received a call back.

I then emailed where indicated regarding disputes and stated that this is an error, and I’d like to correct this. Their first response stated, “THIS IS NOT AN ERROR.” I emailed back and gave all the pertinent information and was told that it’s not an error, that I overparked and there’s nothing they can do. I responded stating that I was not saying that I didn’t overpark, but that I was charged $58 for less than two hours and I had no notice of this since I was out of town, until June 29.

I asked repeatedly for help in resolving the matter in a mutually agreeable manner. I tried for five days through email to resolve this issue and in that time, the fee went to $92. When I asked how this is “fair” adjudication and said I was extremely frustrated, the anonymous person started accusing me of lying, harassment, etc. – gaslighting. I asked why, since they had my email information, that I wasn’t immediately notified by email. No response. I would have immediately paid if I’d received the notice by email, as I did the initial payment.

Regretfully, I paid the $92. I also went online and found a CBS news piece from 2023 where the Colorado Attorney General sued and won against another company using identical tactics defrauded innocent people of thousands of dollars. I filed a fraud complaint. I told the anonymous person I was doing so, and they escalated their hostility, threatening me with legal action, accusing me of “revenge” tactics, harassment and lying and told me to never contact them again. 

The communication from them was, imho, extremely childish and evasive.

 

I recently went back to the lot and saw that there is signage with off-white, very small lettering, on a black background, turned sideways, i.e., not obviously noticeable, with their “rules.” Most legitimate parking garages, etc. have large-lettered signs, including rates with an “all-day” cap – generally $10/day.

At the very least, these are deceptive practices. At worst, it is a scam, intended to defraud innocent people. This lot is across from the train, and so many tourists will be using this lot and getting ripped off. Not a good look for our town.

I went to the City of Durango and they knew immediately what I was talking about due to so many complaints. They suggested I write to you and to the Herald. I also tried to dispute the charges with my credit card company and ultimately was told there’s nothing they could do.

There is a thread happening now on NextDoor, where I’m learning that many have had this same experience in this same lot and have not received assistance after asking for help, as I did.

I don’t begrudge paying to park or the owner of the lot making a reasonable profit, but this is egregious.
Here’s the link to the CBS article: tinyurl.com/ 2hfy8emx. If you believe you have been a victim of fraud, the Colorado Attorney General’s Office has a complaint: stopfraudcolorado.gov.

– Julie Gentry, Durango