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:12/22/2024

  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 am filing a complaint regarding an unjust parking charge issued by Professional Parking Management (PPM) on behalf of Universal Parking. The charge is for $85, claiming I failed to pay for parking at a lot near the ***************************Upon entering the lot, it was advertised as "Public Parking." However, upon realizing it was not the correct lot for my purpose, I exited promptly, spending no more than 1520 minutes on the premises. At no point did I see any clear signage indicating fees, terms, or penalties.Despite this, I received a notice from *** claiming a violation, including a photo of my license plate. This raises significant concerns about how PPM accessed my personal information, potentially violating the Drivers Privacy Protection Act (DPPA).This charge appears predatory, especially considering the deceptive signage and lack of transparency in terms. Online research shows that both Universal Parking and PPM have a history of similar complaints. I am requesting the immediate cancellation of this charge and confirmation that the matter is resolved.I expect a prompt resolution. If this issue is not addressed satisfactorily, I will escalate the matter to the ************************** and the *************************Desired Resolution:Cancellation of the $85 parking charge.Confirmation in writing that the matter is closed.Thank you for addressing this issue promptly.

  Business Response

  Date: 12/22/2024

  On behalf of Universal Parking we apologize for any incenvenience you have experienced. ********, we do not do business with any entity named PPM nor do we operate in ***********. We are located in the *****************. Please do your research before making unwarranted threats to a business and trying to diminish them online. Merry Christmas!

  Customer Answer

  Date: 12/22/2024

   
  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.  
  
  Rukshan Thantirige

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/29/2023

  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.

  I received a call from a debt collector today attempting to collect a past due balance, including multiple late charges related to a parking violation that occurred in 2019. This is my first time hearing about this ticket/parking violation but I am willing to pay the original amount, as I was not provided with an opportunity to be made aware of the due balance or with an opportunity to pay. I have been unable to reach anyone at the business location and from 30 other ****** reviews, i can see this is a trend in how they treat others in their community. I am hoping to not follow the same suit of poor treatment provided to those individuals and would like some resolve. Any assistance that could be provided would be greatly appreciated. The company name is Universal Parking Services Address: ******************************************************************************************* Phone: ************** Per the debt collector, the original parking fee was $40.00. It is now exceeding $140.00

  Business Response

  Date: 06/29/2023

  Good day,

  If you received a parking violation in ******** the notice would have been affixed to your vehicle. Since we do not accept appeals or complaints past 30 days and your notice is from 2019, it woud be best to contact the debt collection agency and ask for documentation. Also, you may want to see where your mailed notices were going with the address you have on file with your state dmv. We're sorry we can't be much help, but this notice is too delinquent to provide further assistance to you. 

• Initial Complaint

  Date:03/20/2023

  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.

  I received a $71 parking ticket on 3-6-23 from a newly opened parking lot in downtown *********, **. This parking lot, named SKYY Parking, is owned by Universal Parking LLC in ********. I parked in an unmarked parking space in the 25 space lot just north of the downtown ********* ************ ( see Photo 1) The only signage entering the parking lot (photo 2) said "Parking for ********************," which is adjacent to the ************ I was in the *********** for a total of 8 minutes.I made sure I did not park in the spaces clearly marked for the Archery store, a dental office and Saffire Tix. Of the ********* in the lot, only 9 are unmarked and apparently subject to ticketing. After I saw the ticket, which is more than double what the ***************** charges for a parking ticket, I did notice an UNLIT sign 30 FEET from the entrance. The sign is not in the visual sight line of the 9 unmarked paid parking spaces. In order to pay the parking fee, you must have a cell phone to scan the sign that directs you to pay with a credit card. It's obvious that this is a parking trap with scant signage, illegal in ********, which requires pay to park signs posted within 10 feet of the entrance and pay stations. This tiny parking lot is unique to *********, which does not have commercial parking lot regulations because it has never had one before.Please notice on the ticket that it says "Failing to see the posted signs is not an acceptable reason for a dispute." I did file a dispute that was rejected only 2 hours after I filed it. The charge for parking is $7 in an area surrounded by dozens of free parking spaces on the street. The $71 ticket is $60 for "non payment", $5 for "parking fee" and $6 for "administrative fee." The ticket also says "cash and walk-in payments not accepted." If I must pay for this scam, I want to pay $60 in cash without the absurd additional fees. This operation runs out of an office (Saffire Tix) adjacent to the parking lot.

  Business Response

  Date: 03/20/2023

  Good day, Parking Violations at this location are issued by Skyy Parking. Universal Parking operates the pay by phone feature. This location has been inspected and approved by The ***************** for compliance as a commercial parking location. The posted signs state that parking is PAY TO PARK ALL HOURS. If there are parking stalls marked as reserved for tenant parking, then these stalls are designated spcifically for that tenant. The complainant parked in an unmarked stall which is subject to paid parking or violation. The complainant clearly thought he would get away without payment since he was parked for 8 minutes, which we cannot verify. Either way, payment would have been required at this stall even while visiting off site businesses such as the post office. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 03/21/2023

   
  Complaint: 19625058
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  It does not address the lack of reasonable, clear signage that the 9 spaces in a 25 parking place lot are PAY TO Park spaces. It also does not address the excessive fine and the administrative fees. This area was historically free parking until 2023. Business respondent was dodgy when he wrote that the parking lot has been inspected by the City of Milwaukie. Business licenses in the ***************** do not require on site inspections.The respondent or his agent wrote the ticket just one minute after I left the car. Likely the person could have told me that I was parking in a paid space before I walked a few feet to the ************ I was not trying to "get away" with anything. I though I was in free parking like the vast majority of the area that is free parking.

   

  I am enclosing a copy of the ticket. It is clear that respondent knows the signage is deceptive. Why else would it include failure to read the signs is not a cause for appeal? The business model of this parking lot is clearly to write $71 dollar fines.
  

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

  Business Response

  Date: 03/27/2023

  This entirety of the parking lot is pay to park all hours. This is posted and approved by the city. Any specifically reseerved parking stalls are marked with appropriate signage that they are reserved. There need not be signage at each pay parking stalls as this is a pay to park lot. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 04/05/2023

   
  Complaint: 19625058
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  

  It does not address the inadequate, deliberately discrete signage, nor the outrageous fine, double what the ***************** charges for a parking violation and the add on fees for ******************* the original charge. I am willing to pay $5 for the parking fee, no more. I was in the space for 8 minutes so $5 amounts to $37.50 an hour. That is more than adequate.

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

  Business Response

  Date: 04/13/2023

  The Fines are mirrored with The ***************** Bail Schedule: ****************************************************** Parking in a permit space without a permit. The complainant did not obey postings, does not respect private property rights, and is NOT entitled to a dismissal. Any request by the complainant is denied. The full amount is due within 30 days of issuance subject to additional Fine. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 04/18/2023

   
  Complaint: 19625058
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  In complete disrespect for this process, parking lot manager has doubled the purported violation including an additional $22 that includes an illegitimate administrative fee that the city does not charge for a parking violation and $10 for a daily permit. Furthermore the city does not increase parking fines fine until the violator has accumulated 4 more such tickets within a 365 day period. Even then the fine is increased by 50%, not doubled. (See attachment) This mediation should be about the original $60 fine with no increases or add-ons.

  Lot signage is deliberately vague, unlit, invisible on a rainy day and does not appear until a customer is 30 feet into the ********************** lot and the signs are not in the sight line of the parking spaces. I have spoken with City officials about this and they are considering new regulations for private paid parking lots. This 9 space paid lot is the first and only one of its kind in the *****************.
  

  The comment about me not respecting private property rights is almost funny because the lot manager does not own the property. It is owned by *********************************************. I'll repeat that I would have parked on the street for free if the signage had informed me that this was a paid parking lot. As it stands, the lot manager is asking me to pay $18 a minute for the 8 minutes I was in the parking space. The 8 minutes did not deprive him of income.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***************************