QuestionI went out on a friday night in downtown Orlando and paid $5 for parking in one of the garages downtown. Was givin a ticket to leave on teh dash and everything. We had a few drinks and decided to take a taxi home rather than risk driving drunk. I went back the next day to pick up my car only to find out it was towed at 5am. Nowhere on the outside of the building does it say how long I am limited to park in the lot. Is there any case since I paid to park in the lot and had proof sitting on my dashboard?
AnswerAh the joys of parking garages and the issues with them.
Well first of all since I am not there and have no real idea of any signs or policies of the business, I am going to cover a few general things here.
As a rule when you park in a garage such as what you did, that means that you are renting the space for a pre determined amount of time.
Most often there is a 4 to 6 hour time for that. Some places are more, some are less.
Now in some garages such as ones next to big office buildings, they will rent out the spaces at night after the business next door is closed and in the morning it goes back to either reserved for that business or rent for others to use.
Yes you did pay and do what you were told to do, but really how much time do you think that 5 dollars buys you. Is it for 4 hours, 3 days, 10 weeks, 4 years ????
The parking garage can only make money if the spaces "TURN OVER" and customers keep showing up and paying.
I would talk to the garage management and see what their policies are regarding parking and such. But I am going to bet that "SOMEWHERE - SOMEPLACE" there are rules posted, and they might even be on the ticket.
And if they do not have a specified policy, then you might have some standing in small claims court.
Good luck
