Conflicting claims have broken out over the legality of extra payments being imposed by Wilson Parking on drivers who overstay what they paid for.
The most recent case was of Dunedin woman Emmeline Kendrick, who was given a $65 parking breach notice just 11 minutes after her ticket had expired at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, which she thinks is ridiculous.
"You expect businesses and people to operate fairly and with a conscience, and I think it just seems like a really nasty way to operate really."
Ms Kendrick tried to dispute the parking breach but was unsuccessful.
The fee is clearly displayed at the carpark's entrance and although Wilson Parking wouldn't be interviewed, they said in a statement the breach notice fee is an agreed term of the parking contract.
"It is a much more acceptable alternative to clamping or towing, which can cause considerable cost, inconvenience and difficulty for customers."
Another parking provider Tournament told 3 News it also charges $65 for an expired ticket, $40 of which is for an administration fee and $25 is for the late parking. It says it has absolutely no doubt of its legal right to do so.
A number of lawyers did tell 3 News it could perhaps be argued at the Disputes Tribunal that the size of the breach fee was excessive.
But law professor Bill Hodge says it's really just tough luck.
"It seems steep, it seems outrageous, it seems excessive but on the other hand she would have agreed to it at least implicitly when she brought her car there."
3 News
source: newshub archive
