Spent $160 on a parking spot rental without checking the fine print first

I signed up for a monthly parking spot near the Loop through one of those app services, thought I was getting a steal at $160 a month. Turned out the spot was in a lot that closes at 9pm on weekdays, which I never saw until the first night I came back from a show. I got locked out, had to park in a garage that charged me $38 for one night, and when I tried to cancel the next day they hit me with a 30 day notice fee. So that's $160 plus the extra parking and the cancel fee, basically threw $220 down the drain over a spot I used maybe 4 times. Has anyone else gotten burned by these rental apps not being clear about lot hours? I'm thinking of just doing street parking with a zone permit instead, but I want to know if that's actually easier or if I'll just trade one headache for another.

2 comments

2 Comments

jade38h ago

lot closes at 9pm on weekdays" that's wild, who even does that? I get commercial lots shutting down early on Sundays maybe, but 9pm on a random Tuesday? That's basically telling you the spot is useless for anyone with a life after work. And then they hit you with the 30 day notice fee on top, like they're punishing you for their own shady fine print. I'd be livid about that $38 garage night too, that's basically a third of your monthly rent just for one mistake. The permit street parking thing might have its own headaches with moving for street cleaning and whatnot, but at least you know what you're getting into. No way I'd hand over another $160 to those app people after that.

danielwhite8h ago

Man, that 9pm close is ridiculous. Who parks for work and gets home before nine? That's basically a daytime lot pretending to be for residents. And the $38 night fee feels like a trap, not a service. Street parking might mean dealing with the street sweeper, but at least you're not paying to get locked out. I'd rather move my car at 7am than give those app folks another dime.