So, have you ever been someplace, say Downtown in the evening and you park in a seemingly unattended lot with ambiguous signage?
And then you get out of your car, you get hassled by some guy who supposedly "works" in the lot asking for $6 for flat fee parking. And you look at him like he's crazy because he's not wearing a uniform, just a flannel shirt and jeans, but you give him the $6 becuase you're afraid if you don't give him some protection money for your car he's going to let the air out of your tires and scratch the heck out of the paint job on your car?
So yeah.
Should you pay these guys? How can you tell if they're really supposed to be there or not? Aside from handing these guys your hard earned cash, how can you deal with this? Where does the law stand on this?
Posted by jozjozjoz at November 10, 2005 06:22 PMHe should at least wear an official looking hat, right?
Posted by: BillH at November 10, 2005 09:00 PMI usually avoid those spots--at least here in SF, they have signs warning people to not pay imposters. Those people who are directing people to parking spaces usually end up trying to steal stuff from your car, no matter how much money you give them. I just end up parking somewhere more reputable myself.
Posted by: stkyrice at November 11, 2005 09:28 AMI wouldn't park there at all...shady!
I thought it was weird enough parking in the lot across from the Japanese American National Museum for Trivia Bowl...no attendant, you put your money in a slot matching your parking space number. It's the dumbest thing I've ever heard.
Posted by: Michael Doss at November 11, 2005 12:56 PM
I would have asked to see identification. I would have asked for the name of his supervisor. I would have asked why the hell he didn't have a uniform, or wasn't in a booth at the entrance to the lot.
Or, you know, call the cops and tell him they'll be here in a few, at which time you'll get the whole matter cleared up.
Posted by: Deltus at November 10, 2005 08:52 PM