SecureParking Secure-a-Spot - Watch for The Terms!

Lhotphil on 29/02/2016 - 20:23

Just a heads-up that may stop some people copping an unwelcome cost.
If you use SecureParking's Secure-a-spot online booking service, they really mean it when they say there's fees for not sticking exactly with booking times - in my case, $39 for leaving 20 minutes EARLY.

I'd have been OK with it if I was leaving late, but $39 for leaving less than 30mins earlier than my best-guess departure time seems excessive.

They also have a silly policy at the other end - if you arrive early they'll not let you in. At all, not even with their additional fees. You just get told the PIN is incorrect (which it isn't - it's just 1 minute too early and they've not put any thought into their error handling). Which is annoying when there's a queue of cars behind you.

They clearly haven't put much thought into their policies. And even less into the website and entrance/exit machine usability - but that's a different issue.

Anyway, watch for those issues if giving them a go.

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closed Comments

  • pyramid on 29/02/2016 - 20:39
    +8

    I don't get this. You book car park online so they charge you while booking then how did they charge you additional for leaving early? I used them few time n always left place before time and was never charged extra.

      • tomclancy on 29/02/2016 - 21:07
        +5

        If you're a minute early (by their clock)

        Who's clock do you want them to work off?

        • hotphil on 29/02/2016 - 21:10
          -5

          Omg you are antsy aren't you? But hey, if it matters, how about au pool 2 for ntp? One of my faves!

        • tomclancy on 29/02/2016 - 21:11

          @hotphil: My fave too :)

    • hotphil on 29/02/2016 - 20:54
      -3

      That's the thing - their terms don't specify early or late, just "outside" the booking conditions.
      I didn't honestly think think they'd charge for leaving early. But they did. Which I understand, but wanted to share so that others don't make the same mistake.
      Contrary to PBG's useless comment, I'm not looking to say it's someone else's fault. Some people just like to type rather than think I guess.

  • redforever on 29/02/2016 - 20:57
    +4

    I always leave before my booking ends and never had to pay extra. Did you take a ticket or insert your credit card because you were early and the code didn't work?

    • hotphil on 29/02/2016 - 21:00
      +1

      They were actually two different occasions in the last week or so. On the first, I took a normal ticket, went about my business, came back after 56 minutes, paid, exited, went back in, PIN worked.
      Second was today, when I finished my business early. Figured it wasn't stupidly out of my booking conditions, left, got charged an additional $39.
      If I'd have known that, I'd have gone and had a big (edited) before leaving.

  • hotphil on 29/02/2016 - 20:57
    +1

    Oh and just to clarify - that's $39 EXTRA

  • redforever on 29/02/2016 - 21:04
    +9

    From the website.
    WHAT HAPPENS IF I ARRIVE EARLIER THAN MY BOOKING ENTRY TIME?
    For all Secure-a-Spot Bookings, you will have a 15-minute grace period prior to the entry time of your Secure-a-Spot Reservation Period. If you exit the car park outside of your Reservation Period, you may incur fees in addition to your Secure-a-Spot Booking Fee.

    WHAT HAPPENS IF I PARK FOR LESS THAN MY INTENDED BOOKING PERIOD?
    If you do not park for your entire Secure-a-Spot Reservation Period, you will not be entitled to any refund amount for your Secure-a-Spot Booking.
    If you have booked an Early Bird Parking product and leave prior to the Early Bird Parking departure conditons, you will not longer be eligable for Early Bird Parking and will be charged the appropriate fees for Casual Hourly Parking.

    • tomclancy on 29/02/2016 - 21:10
      +8

      I kind of assumed it was early bird parking for the penalty for leaving early. Guess this makes sense.

        • tomclancy on 29/02/2016 - 21:17
          +14

          You haven't provided the full facts. We can only work off what you provide. You didn't even state in the OP that you booked "early bird" parking - that makes a big difference to why they penalise you for leaving early.

        • Olokun on 29/02/2016 - 21:21
          +7

          It's not a 6am booking.. It's enter between eg. 6pm and 9.30am and leave between 3pm to 11.45pm….BIG difference

        • tomclancy on 29/02/2016 - 21:23
          +7

          @Olokun: I don't think OP fully understands early bird bookings

        • hotphil on 29/02/2016 - 21:24
          -7

          @Olokun:it's what it says on my booking confirmation. Which,yes, gives a window.
          Geez. People are slow today.

        • hotphil on 29/02/2016 - 21:25
          -6

          @PBG: I fully understand what they tell me on the booking confirmation.
          But others may not. Hence the share. But sadly it's only being seen by people with superiority complexes.

        • tomclancy on 29/02/2016 - 21:25
          +12

          @hotphil: Then your OP should mention "you booked an early bird spot and didn't meet the windows given on the confirmation, so you were charged casual rates. Just a heads up"

  • Olokun on 29/02/2016 - 21:04

    So which parking product was it… Not early bird?

  • onetwothreefour on 29/02/2016 - 22:29
    +4

    It's too early for April fools. This has got to be a "joke" post.

  • spackbace on 29/02/2016 - 22:57
    +3

    Given this member created their account in 2012 it must be someone's ghost account…

  • kyttiekat on 01/03/2016 - 00:07
    +4

    Thanks for bringing this to light. At the least, it's good to hear about others' experiences if only to make sure I take extra care with specific things like early bird parking vs regular rates. Sorry you got caught out by it! And thanks for sharing. :)

  • Moderatorneil on 01/03/2016 - 00:22

    OK, OP has now disabled his account and I think the lesson is to read parking signs & conditions prior to parking. Thread closed.

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