Wilson Parking rant - Wellington price rise due to the earthquake

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timmmay

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#208206 1-Feb-2017 08:12

Wilson Parking have emailed their contract customers about increased pricing of around 16%. Basically they're saying there are fewer buildings available in Wellington, more people want to park in their buildings, and they've realised they can put prices up. There's no increase in costs, they've realised they can charge more, so are. The "kept this increase as low as possible" is just rubbish. Increasing prices may reduce pressure slightly as some people will take a bus instead, but I doubt it will change much. It's just "we want more money and there's nothing you can do about it?".

Wilson also seem to have taken over operation of the majority of carparks in Wellington, so there's virtually no choice on where to park. Their "industry leading service" is really poor - repairs or cleanups in the parking buildings typically take days. They have to give customers a minimum of one month notice of change of terms - they emailed after the close of business, one month and about 6 hours notice. That gives people virtually no time to consider whether they want to continue the contract at the new price or cancel.

Sure, it's a private business and they can do anything they want, and people can choose to take public transport. Is there anyone wonder people don't like parking building companies?

-- Wilson Email --

Over the course of 2016, our business was affected by a number of external factors that resulted in market shifts within our industry. These shifts significantly impacted our overall operation and have placed increased pressure on our capacity.

Due to this pressure, we have been forced to undertake rate reviews across our portfolio and advise that after careful analysis, we need to make adjustments to our monthly parking rates in the (Wilson Carpark). Accordingly, please note that from (early) March 2017, your rate will be adjusted to (price) (including GST), per bay, per month.

Please note that we have kept this increase as low as possible.

As a business we pride ourselves in providing industry leading services and hope that you continue to see value in the services we provide.

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#1713682 1-Feb-2017 08:56

If you believe the rise is unwarranted have a chat to The Commerce Commission. Remember post quake business are facing increased costs for insurance and possible strengthening of their buildings. Increased costs is only to be expected after an event like the Kaikoura quake.

timmmay

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#1713697 1-Feb-2017 09:15

MikeB4:

If you believe the rise is unwarranted have a chat to The Commerce Commission. Remember post quake business are facing increased costs for insurance and possible strengthening of their buildings. Increased costs is only to be expected after an event like the Kaikoura quake.

Increased insurance costs would actually be an understandable and justifiable reason to increase parking costs. Their email doesn't say anything about that, it seems like they're profiteering based on lower parking capacity in the CBD.

antoniosk

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#1713712 1-Feb-2017 09:38

MikeB4:

If you believe the rise is unwarranted have a chat to The Commerce Commission. Remember post quake business are facing increased costs for insurance and possible strengthening of their buildings. Increased costs is only to be expected after an event like the Kaikoura quake.

So, if there is going to be genuine strengthening that is reasonable. The insurance rise would have had to been pretty epic if it's the driver for a 16% change.

Wellington has become the most unaffordable place to park in NZ. quite interesting.

________

Antoniosk

WyleECoyoteNZ

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#1713721 1-Feb-2017 09:52

Blame the WCC.

They sold a host of there car park buildings to either Tournament or Wilson years ago

MikeB4

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#1713725 1-Feb-2017 09:57

companies seldom go into specifics when announcing price changes for commercial reasons. I wouldn't be to quick to say if its for insurance it is excessive, a lot of folks are in for a shock when the cost of the quake begins to be passed on. However as I said earlier if the price increase appears to be excessive one can always have a chat with the Commerce Commission.

smooguy

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#1713744 1-Feb-2017 10:13

I'm yet to receive their email. 16% seems quite a hike - I wonder what the typical commercial building insurance increase is since the last round of earthquakes.

They're a cheeky bunch... a while back (Sept 2015) I emailed Wilson Parking inquiring about monthly parking at St Stout (whilst already being a customer there), I used my work email address (to be different from my existing on file one) and I was quoted a figure which was $100 dollars less per month than what I was currently paying at the time.

Around the same time I spoke with some people I work with who were parking in the same building, and they were paying $60-$80 per month less than was I was paying. Note, this was not for reserved parking, basically turn up and hope for a spot style.

When I raised this odd situation with Wilson Parking, they "sorted" it out via phone call and came to the party. They don't advertise their monthly parking costs anywhere - only casual, it's always POA (never seen that with rental properties).

Good luck, be interested to see how you get on.

timmmay

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#1713750 1-Feb-2017 10:18

I suspect they're deliberately emailing people one month plus a few hours before the renewal is due.

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dfnt

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#1713801 1-Feb-2017 11:01

Looked into Prime Parking https://www.primeparking.co.nz/?

I found their permanent parking options fairly reasonable (prior to the eq) compared to the extortionate Wilson's

timmmay

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#1713810 1-Feb-2017 11:07

nas:

Looked into Prime Parking https://www.primeparking.co.nz/?

I found their permanent parking options fairly reasonable (prior to the eq) compared to the extortionate Wilson's

Interesting option, but the number of parks they have is miniscule compared with Wilsons. Most in central Wellington look to be small parking lots in / under / near specific residential buildings. Prices are a little better than Wilsons.

MikeAqua

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#1713850 1-Feb-2017 11:51

Supply. Demand. They can. They don't have a monopoly.

Arguably there is pubic interest in car-parking being expensive to reduce vehicle trips.

Mike

timmmay

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#1908330 27-Nov-2017 10:44

I parked in a Wilson Carpark this weekend. I used their app to pay for parking, but I was driving a different car and chose a different license plate. I was given a ticket for $65, which is fair as they couldn't tell that I'd paid.

I appealed, and they cancelled the ticket. They also said the ticket was in accordance with their terms and conditions, and if the same thing comes up in future the ticket and fine will stand. Not sure how they can justify a $65 ticket for $3 worth of parking - can that be challenged if necessary in future?

So while they acted reasonably they found a way to put a negative spin on it in their email. No wonder people don't like parking companies.

In Wellington there's virtually no way to avoid parking with this company. They're a virtual monopoly, other than the few on-street parking spots.

KrazyKid

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#1908342 27-Nov-2017 10:58

Isn't private parking a contract law breach when you exceed time? And they can only legally charge the normal ticket price plus admin costs?

Though saying that if you can't prove when you came into the building then perhaps they can assume how long you were there.

Can't remember the details but this was discussed in detail a while ago here on geekzone people more legally qualified than me.

wellygary

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#1908344 27-Nov-2017 11:05

KrazyKid:

Isn't private parking a contract law breach when you exceed time? And they can only legally charge the normal ticket price plus admin costs?

Yes, but they set the "fee" they charge at a price they figure most people will just pay , rather than spending time to contest it through the DT.....

timmmay

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#1908353 27-Nov-2017 11:17

I guess if you figure in the cost of the person checking people have paid, their vehicle, admin person, probably adds up, but $65 is too high. I'd dispute out of bloody mindedness, even though it would cost me more for time off work than i'd gain.

Oblivian

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#1908357 27-Nov-2017 11:27

Yea as above. It's a sneaky they have always had an out with being private.

It's not an 'infringement' - they aren't authorized to issue them (as Local body councils a re)

It's not a 'fine' - similar to above, they can't enforce something thats not a legislation.

But they can charge whatever they please for 'administration' costs for not adhering to T&C and employing staff to deal with it. As you drive past their (often obscured) contract at the gate

https://www.pesnz.co.nz/go/overview

The notices are not a fine, nor a penalty or infringement, but a breach of contract fee to cover the cost of enforcing the terms and conditions of parking.

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