GoGet Parking Fine Received for a Period I Wasn't Renting Vehicle

I rented a GoGet a few months back.

I recently received an email from them saying that a fine had been received from the relevant government body as the car had been parked incorrectly. The fine was issued a day after I had rented the car. They are nominating me as the driver at fault. I am adamant that I did not park illegally, so either somebody else had used the car in the interim, the parking officer made a mistake or the vehicle had the incorrect zone parking permit to begin with. The description of the offence is ambiguous so it's hard to say what exactly I am meant to have done wrong. It sounds like I may have merely parked outside of a carshare spot (that's the advice of GoGet when the pod is taken). Not 100% sure.

I do not want to get involved with the government body disputing it when I am confident I was not even to blame in the first place. GoGet hasn't provided any evidence that it was me.

How should I proceed?

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Comments

  • +6

    How should I proceed?

    Perhaps you could write back to GoGet and explain the situation?

    It sounds like I may have merely parked outside of a carshare spot

    Sounds like? How can you not know whether you parked in a carshare spot or not?

    • I rented the car two months ago. I vaguely recall there being another car in the pod, but I am not sure. The infringement description is ambiguous.

      • You are meant to report that at the time.

      • +5

        The infringement description is ambiguous.

        So copy and paste what it says. We can translate for you.

      • +4

        I was just trying to picture myself in your shoes - if I was using the GoGet cars and someone had taken the carshare spot, I'm pretty sure I'd remember thinking WTF? and then having to park in a different spot - even if it occurred months ago or if I was a frequent user.

        • It actually happens regularly. Most of the time, the car is not in the exactly correct spot to begin with, and then most of the time the allocated pod will be taken when you go to return the vehicle. I had always simply parked in an adjacent car share spot, or failing that an adjacent regular parking space. Because this is inner city, there are zones. Obviously within the matter of a few metres, the zones are the same. So that would only be an issue if the car's pod didn't correspond to the zone on its permit.

  • +6

    What did GoGet say when you told them you had returned the car the day before the fine was issued?

    • +6

      If no one else had rented the vehicle between OP and the fine, then from GoGets perspective it is OP at fault.

      • How do you arrive at that conclusion? If the OP returned the car the day before the fine was issued, it's GoGet's problem, not the OP's.

        • +3

          9.1. At or before the end of a Booking, you must:
          return the Vehicle to the pre-defined Pod as set out in your booking confirmation
          email;
          if you cannot return the Vehicle to its Pod:
          (i) you must park the Vehicle in the nearest legal and permanently un-timed
          car space, or if the Vehicle has a permit, according to signage in the
          nearest car space in the zone of the permit affixed to the windscreen of the
          Vehicle you can find; and
          (ii) you must immediately inform GoGet of the location of the Vehicle;

        • +1

          If OP did park outside the allocated space (which they can’t confirm they didn’t do this) and did not inform GoGet of this, GoGet had no opportunity to relocate the vehicle to the appropriate space or to inform the local authority of the reason.

        • @zeggie: May I ask where you got that from? I have found GoGet's documentation to be inconsistent at best.

        • +2

          @timbo1987:

          http://lmgtfy.com/?q=goget.com.au

          Scroll down to Terms of Use

          Click the blue Terms and Conditions link

        • WRONG! See my post for explanation.
          In sort the law applies as if you own the car until the next person renst it.

        • @jjjaar: And who is responsible I wonder after GoGet is informed.
          I think its up to the driver to ensure its parked legally and compliant with the parking signs.
          The GoGet parking bay is just a convenient parking space and nothing more.

      • -1

        @jjjaar
        That is absolutely correct.
        Liablity for parking fines does NOT end when the renter returns the car.
        The car must be legally parked and parking signs observed including any parking fees until such time as either the owner moves the car or it is rented again.
        Until such an event occurs the renter who parked the car remains liable for any parking fees and parking fines. Its no different if you own the car.
        Hence that means the renter (OP) cannot just dump the car in a time limited parking zone and just forget about it.

    • +4

      Probably nobody borrowed the car in the period after OP parked the car and the infringement being issued.

      • +3

        Ah, now I see. You've read the OP's post as saying that he had parked the car when he returned it, and the car was still in that place the next day, when the fine was issued. I didn't understand that.

        In that case, it's the OP's problem, as you say.

      • -2

        Yes - but how can I prove/disprove that?

        • +2
          1. You still haven't answered whether you parked in the designated carshare space, or in a general parking space. Which is it?
          2. Ask GoGet when the next subsequent booking for that vehicle was?
        • @zeggie: I did answer that - I cannot recall. It was months ago. I did ask them that naturally - they didn't specify, other than to say they 'went to great lengths' to figure out who is the responsible party.

      • Correct Id say. OP is definitely liable for the parking fine.
        Next time park the car in a legal, unlimited parking space.

  • +1

    If they have nominated you, you will receive the fine directly. If they rely on their T&Cs they will pay the infringement and charge your account (probably with an administration fee on top.)

    Did you leave the car in the carshare parking spot or not?

    How can you be confident you aren't to blame if you aren't sure what the infringement is for?

    • +1

      The plot twist is that OP was the last person to book the car, it just took a day for the parking inspector to get around to the car hence the delay in timing.

      • +9

        Not a plot twist. Likely that's what exactly happened.

  • +2

    It sounds like I may have merely parked outside of a carshare spot (that's the advice of GoGet when the pod is taken).

    The advice is also to inform GoGet immediately if you park outside the taken carshare spot. So if you did park outside the allocated space (even without noticing) and didn’t tell GoGet, they had no opportunity to relocate the car, or to contact the local authority.

    If this is what happened and if no one else rented the vehicle between your booking and the fine being issued, then of course from GoGet’s perspective it is your fault and you are liable.

    • +1

      So if you did park outside the allocated space (even without noticing) and didn’t tell GoGet, they had no opportunity to relocate the car, or to contact the local authority.

      My comment is slightly off topic, but that sounds pretty dodgey from the council's point of view - they get notified to fine the car that's in the Go-Get spot or, if they're not informed, they fine both the GoGet car AND the car in the carshare spot! Grubby Local Councils always win!

      • +11

        No, GoGet lease dedicated parking spaces "pods" from Council. They are allowed to park in them 24/7 365. No one else is. They pay for these spots, so it sounds fair to me that if they can't use them, they shouldn't (nor the app users paying for the car!) receive a fine parking nearby.

        My understanding is, if you return the car and you cannot park in the pod - 99% of the time due to some idiot parking their own car in the space - you can either:
        1. park the car nearby in an untimed spot, or
        2. park in a timed park and notify GoGet.

        GoGet notify council that the spot they are leasing is occupied, council go out and fine the car parked in the GoGet spot and ensure the GoGet car is not fined until the spot is available again.

        OP probably parked in a timed spot and didn't notify GoGet. OPs reluctance to confirm where and how they parked practically confirms this.

        Simples.

        • Yes, I understand how it works. What I meant was, the council could simply give the GoGet cars the benefit of the doubt and just not issue fines - Especially when they are doing their rounds on the street and see that a non-share car is parked in the spot.

        • -2

          @bobbified: I don't think the local residents would be too happy about this. Parking spots in the inner city are as rare as hen's teeth. The odds on the person who was illegally parked in the Goget spot being still there is not high. Much more likely to be someone who is stopping for a short time and couldn't find a legal spot and thought screw it I won't be long. Sounds like contacting Goget, if you can't park in their spots, is the way to go; but good luck finding a suitable spot to park if you can't park there.

        • I did confirm a few times that I simply don't recall the exact spot I parked a car in several months ago (I surely can't be the only one who doesn't recall such trivialities of life?). In terms of other cars parking in the pod, in my experience, it's almost always other car share vehicles there. They themselves may have been bumped from their own spot by another vehicle elsewhere, or logically, there may be more cars than spots. Anyway, my understanding of the rules were that I should notify GoGet if I park in a different spot to the extent that they need to tell other members where the car is (fair enough). I wouldn't do that if I parked literally next to the actual pod. Nor have I ever received notification from GoGet when the car is not in the correct spot to begin with (which happens at least 50% of the time), implying in practice no other users do this anyway. I had always thought, when the pod is taken, you should park as close as possible.

          This FAQ mentions nothing so draconian as receiving fines for parking in an adjacent car spot:

          https://gogetms.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/206442473-Retu…

          Anyway, I guess I'll wait for the fine to come in the post.

        • +1

          @timbo1987:

          So was the adjacent spot a timed spot? ie. 2P?

        • @timbo1987: You can park the car anywhere where its legal to park. Returning the car to its pod it merely a request from GoGet and the car cannot be fined by local authorities for NOT being parked in any such parking space allocated for "Share cars".
          And just like disabled parking spaces, no one share car owns any particular share parking space either. Its a shared parking space.
          Futhermore all these share-cars have GPS tracking so both the owner and the leasing company know exactly where the car is at all times. And they know exactly when and where you parked the car when you clocked off.
          The big question everyone keeps asking is what is the exact reason that the infringment notice was issued.
          Pls post up the notice so we can all see.
          But more importantly ALWAYs take a photo of the car where it is parked both before and after you lease it not only for parking purposes but also to prove the car was not damaged whilst under your car.

      • Somewhat dodgy, but there is a very high chance the vehicle meant to be in the GoGet spot had relocated when the fine was issued. Therefore the local authority probably saw an empty GoGet spot and a GoGet vehicle parked in a timed spot for more than the allowed duration.

    • -1

      Thats TOTALLY INCORRECT since one can park a GoGet car anywhere they please whilst renting the car AND also afterwards as long as it is legally parked.

      • +1

        What have I said that is totally incorrect?

  • +3

    Aaaaaand this is the part where OP realises they are wrong and is never heard from again.

    Happy to be proven wrong tho.

    • -2

      Proven wrong you are :)

      • +6

        Did you leave the car in the carshare parking spot or not?

        • He gave you his word. Must be the truth then.

        • And if not, did OP notify GoGet to allow them to resolve?

        • -1

          I'll answer this one just for a forth time if you like. I don't recall exactly.

        • +4

          @timbo1987:

          I don't recall exactly.

          You rented a car and cant remember where you parked it? It would have stuck out like dogs balls in your mind if it was outside the parking area pod or something wasn’t right about how/where you parked it.

          Either that, or you hire these cars on a daily basis and cant recall the exact day and that exact car due to the amount of rentals you make. Outside that, if you are an infrequent renter, you would remember.

          Hell, with all the bumps on the head I've had in my life, i can remember where i parked every rental car i have used in the last 5 years.

          "I don’t remember something from 2 months ago" is really the weakest defence, ever. It's like the people who lie on insurance when questioned about speeding tickets from 12 months ago.. "Oh, I cant really recall…" You dont recall because it seems to suit your agenda, possibly not because you cant actually remember.

  • What location was this OP?

    • Inner Sydney

  • Not a help to the OP but sounds like anyone who rents from these guys should take a picture of the car when they park it for the last time to prove where they parked it and the condition of the car.

    Part of the problem is how long it takes for a fine to catch up with people so the memory is faulty. Hope it works out for you. We did have a case, some time ago, where we received a fine notice which we thought was fishy because it was around the corner from where we lived so there was no way we would've parked there. In the end we wrangled enough information out of the lady at the infringement office to determine the car was a Ferrari - we said we would pay the fine if they gave us the Ferrari. It was a number plate stuff up, and we knew this because we saw the same car illegally parked in roughly the same spot sometime later and they had an "F" in the numberplate where we had a "P".

    From what I know the parking inspectors tend to take photos when they book cars nowdays, you could ask if you can see a copy of the picture.

    • +3

      So, don't leave us hanging…

      Did you get the Ferrari?

      • Unfortunately not, now that would've got us Ozbargain legend status. It was just so funny, it was a game of "go fish". Not sure why they couldn't confirm the number plates for a red Ferrari didn't match those for a grey Honda Civic before they bothered us, but, apparently not.

        • +1

          Inner city melbourne? They ALWAYS take photos. 80% chance have GPS location as well. CBD will in addition walk around and record a video of the car (so they won't accept blame if the towie damages it lol)

          If in doubt, always ask for evidence. If they stall - be firm, likely means you are free and clear.

    • You shouldn't need to when parked in a clearly marked Goget pod but if you park outside one, definitely call them to let them know and they ask you to park somewhere nearby that's unrestricted and take a picture and e-mail to [email protected] anyway. This eliminates any doubt or worrying what might come in 2 months time.

      Also, quite obvious, but when picking up a vehicle, take quick look around and photos of any dings, scratches or scrapes as well as the interior condition if it's dirty and quickly send the pics to [email protected] to cover yourself. Note: ALWAYS open the boot even if you'll never use it to make sure condition is OK and you don't get blamed for any damage, dirt or scratches in there.

      It's worked fine for me.

      • +4

        or any dumped bodies.

    • Yes asking for the photo is a great idea. Would help OP recall

  • -1

    Tell em go get stuffed.

    • Solid legal advice here.

      Do you indemnify OPs monetary losses if your legal tactics prove to be unsuccessful?

      • +8

        Don't look at me, I'm just here for the dramas. :p

        • Refreshingly honest comment!

  • +1

    What did GoGet say when you asked them

    • Answer: Nothing yet. Because he hasn't asked them. He has asked OzBargain first.

      • I thought OzB was everyones goto when it comes to asking about lifes problems/dilemma?

  • Sorry OP but it sounds like you parked outside a GoGet spot and forgot to tell them.

    I doubt the council would have made a mistake

  • +17

    Based on your replies so far:

    • You frequently use GoGet cars.
    • You frequently can't leave them where you're meant to.
    • You never tell them you can't leave it where you're meant to.
    • You think you shouldn't have to pay the fine because you don't want to pay the fine.
    • But it's not his fault. Can't you see that by putting the car back a day early they should telepathically know he has returned the vehicle and also where he parked it outside the predefined zones they have provided?

      • But their telstra was down on the day the OP parked, so their telepathy receptors weren't working.

    • Not exactly with the last one.
      OP thinks he doesnt have to pay the fine because he dumped the car somewhere convenient that he does not wish to recall and just clocked himself off.
      Something like, All care no responsibilty.
      Well it doesnt quite end there Im afraid according to the law.
      Its really no different if OP actually owned the car.

  • +3

    I'd love to see this contested with "I can't recall where i parked it"

  • +3

    It's time for the Chewbacca defence.

    • +2

      That does not make sense.

      • +3

        And if it does not make sense, you must acquit!

    • +1

      Aarrrrrh

  • Sounds like you failed to comply with their terms and conditions by parking the car in a different spot (not a problem), and not informing them about that immediately in written (that's a problem). So, they fined you.

    • Has nothing to do with Ts & Cs.

      The notice was issued by the local authority. Not GoGet.

      Ts & Cs simply clarify that the car renter remains responsible for any parking fines incurred by them both during and at the end of (and after) the rental period.
      i.e the car must be parked legally in an unrestricted space at the end of the rent period.

      • Actually no. GoGet cop the fine. The T&C's indemnify GoGet making OP responsible for repaying the fine amount to GoGet.

  • Why dont you try google maps timeline to see where you left the car the date you dropped it off?
    https://www.google.com.au/maps/timeline

  • I only use goget occasionally - but each time I take photo's of the car before I drive off and also afterwards. I understand if you are using it regularly that would be a pita.

  • GoGet is one of the most unhelpful companies. Even if you call them and explain, they are never going to help you out. I had extremely bad experience with them and always advise my friends to avoid using it. You will be forced to pay the money plus admin fees. In my case, they didn't honor the Insurance and I was forced to pay quite a big amount of money (I was not at fault at all, but I paid the money as started getting calls from debt collection). So writing this just to help fellow brothers and sisters in future. Stay away from GoGet to avoid situations like these. I have learnt it very hard way.

    • I've not had any issues with GoGet, so YMMV I suppose, like anything…

      • Hi John, I agree with you, as you wrote - YMMV. But still be careful (you never know)! and you can read the reviews about GoGet on ProductReview. There are near to 100 people commenting about terrible experience with GoGet and how Goget has cheated them. So I am not alone, there are atleast 100 other people who have had bad experience with them. So just asking everyone to be careful with them.

        • +2

          Yes, but people will always go out of their way to give negative reviews, not necessarily positive reviews and you also can't trust product review 100%.

          They obviously have a large customer base, with a good portion of satisfied/happy customers that likely outweigh the dissatisfied customers.

          But as you say, just takes one bad experience to put one off something…

        • Yes correct, but I am telling by my personal experience. & I felt cheated. That is why I do not wish any one to face same. Hope you understand my point of view. Cheers mate :)

    • Certainly more to the story here you aren't telling us. "Didn't honour the insurance" is very unlikely.

      Let me hazard a guess. Accident or damage and you couldn't name the other driver/person responsible? Welcome to the real world. If it was your car and insurance you pay an excess as well.

  • +1

    If OP left the car illegally parked (any many dont realize) then you are liable for the fine. Regardless if it was a day later as long as it had not been moved from where OP left it.

  • -1

    Thanks for the info OP. I had considered giving my car up but now I never will.

  • Some of the comments here make no sense. Goget is not the same as renting a car. Most users use a Goget on a regular basis and if you live somewhere where your designated spot gets taken all the time, you have to park it elsewhere. The reason why you have to alert Goget if you’ve parked it outside its spot is so they can help other users locate the car when they book it. Parking it just behind or in front of its own spot seems the logical thing to do if the pod is taken by someone else (illegally!). Why would you ring Goget in such a case? It’s not as if they are going to tow away the other car and come over to move the Goget back into its own pod, nor will they waive your responsibility to put it back into its designated spot. Council should be a bit more sensible in such scenarios - Goget and its users are doing the inner city a real favour when it comes to parking issues in general. I also had bad experiences with not being able to park the car in its own spot and the ‘service’ you then receive over the phone is rude at best where they basically tell you it’s your problem. In my opinion, Goget should accept that they get the odd fine from council (increase the membership price if needed) instead of being nasty to customers about it.

    • +2

      One can park a GoGet car anywhere it is legal to park any car.
      There is absolutely no legal requirement that it must be parked it its allocated POD.
      By example is the car registration number quoted on the sign? No!
      All such car share pods are all shared anyway and any share car can be leaglly parked there.

      What is illegal is to park the Goget car illegally or in a time restricted parking zone and just asssume it will be moved before the time restriction has expired.

      PS All share cars are GPS tracked so both the leasing company and the owner know exactly where they are at all times.

      • There is absolutely no legal requirement that it must be parked it its allocated POD

        Most streets in the inner-city have restricted parking though (eg 1P max, residents excluded). It’s utterly stupid if your Goget pod is taken by someone else for Goget to make it your problem if you then rerun the car just behind that pod, simply because that car doesn’t have a permit to park anywhere in that street for longer than 1 hour. Council and Goget need to step up here and not pass the buck (ie fine) to the last user of the car (please note that some councils do provide Goget with resident parking permits).

        • +1

          bozbargain Did you even read the other posts? It is not "made your problem"
          If you cannot park in the GoGet pod, you contact GoGet and notify them. GoGet notify council. Simples.

          OP did not notify GoGet and "can't recall" where he left the car.

        • +1

          @zeggie: Have you ever used Goget? Have you read my earlier post? If you ring Goget, they will tell you you wil have to find an unrestricted spot for the car. Happened to me twice.

        • +1

          @bozbargain:

          Yes I have. Yes I did. No they don't. Whatever you say.

          If you leave the car in a timed spot and don't notify anyone, the buck stops with you.

    • Sounds like someone finally gets my point. :)

  • +5

    Seems pretty clear cut. OP came back to the GoGet pod and there was another car parked there. OP parked the GoGet car nearby in a regular parking spot that had some sort of restriction. OP didn't (or forgot to) contact GoGet to let them no the car was parked in the restricted car park. Council fines the GoGet car for breaching the parking rules. GoGet passes on the fine to OP as there were no rentals of the GoGet car since the OP did.

    Am I missing anything?

    Pay the fine.

  • How should you proceed? I propose that you stop being dodgy and pay the fine.

  • +1

    Just say Teresa Brennan was driving

  • +2

    Top tips from the Skull Cave

    When you get it, take photos of the car and position.
    When you leave it, take photos of the car and position.

    That way you will know if you caused any damage, where you've parked, and you'll also have timing if your camera time is set correctly.

    TheGhostWhoWalks

  • pay the fine, because you're guilty

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