I was required to attending a very important meeting this morning. Of course, due to traffic on the constantly congested Gowanus/BQE Expressway, I was a running a tad late. A friend had mentioned a parking garage in the area and rather than drive endlessly looking for a parking spot and risk showing up late, I figured I’d park in the garage and save myself the aggravation. I pulled in and the guy asked me how long I would be. I told him that I would be about three to four hours. He takes my keys and as I am walking out mentions that it will cost me an additional ten dollars since I have a jeep (Cherokee Sport). I turned and asked why. He said because it is a larger vehicle. I glanced at my watch and decided that I would be screwed in the ass just this one time so that I would not be late. It eventually occurred to me, that yes, I own a “large” vehicle, but that large vehicle does not take up more than an average parking spot, so why am I being charge extra to house it. I recently purchased the big guy and since the purchase I have not parked in a garage. Have I been had? Or is this a legitimate fee?
Sounds like a $10 screwin’.
Also, while a Jeep Cherokee is a larger car/truck/SUV it’s still not HUGE. Like you said, it won’t take up more then one spot, and it’s not all that tall (I could see height being a problem in a garage/parking structure where it won’t be able to get under some parts and it would be restricted to only parking in certain areas). Maybe he just noticed that you were in a hurry and decided to take a gamble. If it’s a full garage he’s not gonna miss you if you decide against it.
Many parking garages have spaces only suitable for very small cars. Quite possibly, the rate you thought you were to pay was for such a space, and the rate for larger spaces was greater.
You’ve only told us that the guy said it would be an extra ten bucks. Did you mean, he gave you a rate that was ten dollars higher than you expected? Did you see a sign with the rates? Did he quote you one price when you parked, then hit you up for the cash?
Without context, there’s no way to know if you were rooked, or were just in too big of a hurry to pay attention.
Unless the vehicle was so large it couldn’t fit inside the garage, the jeep takes just as much work to park as a small car.
They gouged ya, man.
In NYC parking rates have to be clearly posted. Some lots do charge extra for SUV’s, vans, limos or “exotic” vehicles. The rationale is that they have a limited number of spaces where these vehicles can be parked due to low clearances, tight corners, shallow spaces, etc.
Usually a Jeep Cherokee Sport won’t be hit with the surcharge because they can be parked just about where any standard car can be parked. (Not like say, a Lincoln Navagator.)
If the surcharge rate was posted, the guy was being an ass. If the surcharge rate was not posted they guy was ripping you off.
Did the guy at least take you out for dinner? :eek:
If everyone else nearby has parked properly (it’s just like coloring! Stay within the lines!) I can fit my Jeep Grand Cherokee into spots labeled “compact” Granted, it’s taller than a typical compact, but its “footprint” is not large.
OTOH: Yes, someone showing up in a full limo, Hummer, Ford/Lincoln Exploiter or Cadillac Escalator should expect to be hit up for needing a special extra-wide, extra-long, extra-high parking spot.
Is it possible that the parking garages have higher insurance costs for SUVs and exotics?