Parking Rorts at Westfields

Windows7forever on 18/10/2015 - 11:52

Went to Chatswood Westfields yesterday. Watched a lengthy movie at the cinemas. Validated 2 hr ticket to get extra 'free' hour, total 3 hours of free parking. Tried to hussle up and get out as quickly as possible from shopping centre. Get into car to leave carpark but get stuck at boomgate and cannot exit without paying. Apparently I am in the 3 hrs - 3.5hrs range. Call on intercom. Parking guy takes $7 and lets me leave. Wow, $7 just for exceeding the free parking limit probably only by a few minutes.
This has never happened to me before. I normally use a timer or leave well before the free parking expires because I don't believe in paying to park my car, especially in a commercial environment that I am spending money within as a customer. Made all the more difficult with companions who are not as steadfast as I am and need to use the toilets and stop and look at things on the way out which took us longer.

It's bad enough that at Chatswood(& Burwood too, I believe) you need to physically 'validate' your ticket to get that extra free hour, whereas at most other Westfields it is a standard 3 hour free rate.
On a side note, if you are unfortunate enough to lose your ticket, it's a full day's rate or $40. Exorbitant prices just to park the car.

General Discussion

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Comments

  • Settero on 18/10/2015 - 11:56
    +10

    this wouldn't be a issue if people didn't abuse free parking in the past!. just saying.

    • Diji1 on 18/10/2015 - 14:18

      There are more people requiring parking space than there is space available. Using the parking if it's free isn't abuse.

      • eatwell365 on 18/10/2015 - 15:16
        +12

        workers used to park all day, got out and moved cars back to Westfield, hence now has number plate recognition. Should thank council that we still have free first 2 hours parking.

        • kobrien456 on 19/10/2015 - 17:51

          indooroopilly has number plate recognition. Garden City and Carindale do not.

        • antler on 20/10/2015 - 10:36

          @kobrien456:
          Indooroopilly isn't a Westfield.

        • kobrien456 on 20/10/2015 - 21:05

          @antler: that's true.

        • Ahan on 21/10/2015 - 22:36

          @antler:
          I heard it is now. The management right was sold to Westfield.

    • Scrooge McDuck on 20/10/2015 - 00:21
      -2

      this wouldn't be a issue

      *an

      • Jackson on 20/10/2015 - 13:43

        Thanks Sir

    • blackfalcon53 on 21/10/2015 - 10:28
      +5

      I wouldn't feel too sorry for Westfield. They pay almost no tax in Australia (shorted the government $2.6 billion last year) and treat their shops owners fairly unconscionably.

      http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/westfi…

      http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/06/17/1087245042519.html

  • stralya on 18/10/2015 - 12:01
    +102

    Here's a tip - If you are running close to the 3 hour mark, get to a ticket payment machine asap and insert your ticket. As long as you get to the machine before the 3 hours are up, you are safe. Then, you get an additional 20-30 minutes to get to your car, wait in queues etc and get out without having to pay. Works at the airport as well, where the jumps between each parking rate is massive.

    • Windows7forever on 18/10/2015 - 12:03
      +5

      Thanks. This is great advice.

    • paul11 on 18/10/2015 - 13:33

      This is what I do always. You get a couple of mins extra, without paying anything extra.

    • Deridas on 19/10/2015 - 10:02
      -1

      Stralya, that's exactly what I do as well :)

      • tomsco on 19/10/2015 - 15:03
        +8

        There are validation machines that you can pay at prior to returning to your vehicle.

      • gimli on 20/10/2015 - 16:02
        +2

        lol your imagination is hilarious

        • UFO on 20/10/2015 - 16:36
          +3

          Tyler, take some time off.. too many hits to the head in 'the club that shall not be named'.

    • kobrien456 on 19/10/2015 - 17:51

      This works.

    • ronnknee on 20/10/2015 - 10:54

      Works at the airport as well

      When you say airport, do you mean Sydney airport? Can you actually validate the ticket for the free 15 minutes and overstay by potentially another 10 minutes?

      • stralya on 20/10/2015 - 13:49
        +2

        Yes, it is one of the secret hacks of Sydney airport's parking. You can convert the 15 minute free parking to 25+ minutes by validating the ticket before your first 15 min period is up. I'm not sure exactly how much extra time it gives you, but is at least another 10 minutes.

        • ronnknee on 20/10/2015 - 14:25

          Wow, that's amazing. Will try that next time.

        • whoopdeedoo on 20/10/2015 - 20:41

          do you know if sydney airport has the licence plate recognition cameras yet?

        • bozbargain on 21/10/2015 - 10:43
          +1

          Would love to know if it's exactly 10 mins or more. Same for the 20-30 mins mentioned for Westfield. Does anyone actually know?

    • newozbargainermelb on 21/10/2015 - 11:55
      +1

      Me and my mate entered Tullamarine airport at the same time and exited at the same time but he had his parking ticket in his pocket and paid at the machine before he got into his car but mine was in my car and headed to the boomgate to pay. And you know what happened next. I paid close to twice than what he paid. Lesson learned.

    • wlz2000 on 23/10/2015 - 11:29

      thank you sir. but 20-30 mins seems very graceful. has it been validated?

  • djmatt24 on 18/10/2015 - 12:20
    +6

    Also, depending on the system, they don't accept coins at the boom but do have a paywave machine next to the intercom. Just say you don't have any cards that do it, they should (begrudgingly) allow you through.

    • Scrooge McDuck on 20/10/2015 - 00:25
      +3

      More generally, if you act like a recalcitrant miser who will hold everyone up if not let out for free, the operator will indulge you to appease the paying suckerscustomers behind.

      Sorry to the people behind me that one time. ><

      • Jackson on 20/10/2015 - 13:46

        Yeah this works, you just have to go all Jerry Springer and insist it's their fault when it's really your own and eventually you will be too much work for the no commission paid attendant. Being nice sometimes works too

      • stralya on 20/10/2015 - 13:54

        Have to say that this works. Last weekend, my wife got into a debate with the person at the other end of the intercom trying to explain that the reason she was over 3 hours was because of the poor design of the parking lot (go figure). After less than a minute of arguing, the person on the intercom just gave up and opened the boom gate.

        • gimme on 20/10/2015 - 15:34
          +2

          Yeah this… I just started crapping on in my native language and they let me out.

        • Jackson on 20/10/2015 - 16:23
          +1

          @gimme: assuming your native language is not 'Stralyan

  • macrocephalic on 18/10/2015 - 12:46
    +23

    I stopped going to centres that have paid parking. Problem solved.

    • ATangk on 19/10/2015 - 22:32

      Castle Towers…
      Err…
      Can people help list some more places with free parking? They're a rarity now aren't they?

      • uggugg on 19/10/2015 - 23:35
        +3

        Think Towers will move to paid parking when the NW rail link opens.

        • bs0 on 20/10/2015 - 03:12
          +1

          Think it has to, otherwise the car park will be full from commuters before 9

        • wlz2000 on 23/10/2015 - 11:30

          @bs0: lol, you mean before 8 :)

      • windrc on 20/10/2015 - 08:16

        there are lots of places with full day free parking if you do your searches.

        24 Hay St, West Ryde, NSW 2114

      • r3volt on 20/10/2015 - 18:23
        +2

        The internet has free parking :p

      • onetwothreefour on 21/10/2015 - 07:39

        Eastgardens

  • colbus123 on 18/10/2015 - 13:14
    +6

    I really enjoy the Westfield controlled parking, mostly because all the centres which have it are really easy to find parking in, though I am never more than 3 hours (or 4 for a movie) so I never have paid. However, I can vouch for the method by @stralya. This works!

    Even better is the ticketless parking, sign up (parkwestfield.com.au) and then you get a text sent to you when you arrive. So easy to know when to get out of there!

    • PVA on 18/10/2015 - 22:14

      try westfield indooroopilly then, horrendous, it takes ages to find a park and spaces/roadway is so tight it takes forever to be able to reverse out the space as well.

      • eatwell365 on 19/10/2015 - 03:07
        +2

        try this car park in Parramatta near the ferry wharf along the riverside. At first, thought my skill was bad, I moved my car back and forward many times to try to park within the box without success, finally got out of the car and had a look. My Territory was bigger than the space, so as the other cars around.
        Car park may have re- marked the lines once council approved to increase the number of car park spaces. You can see the grey paint to cover the original lines, 6 car spaces become 7…and so forth throughout the whole car park.

        • PVA on 19/10/2015 - 19:54

          man , thats bad. i guess they want 18-25 year old in a yarris spending all their money..

        • windrc on 20/10/2015 - 08:08
          +2

          that car park's for bikies

        • xyron on 21/10/2015 - 15:33

          I can't imagine owning a large car anywhere in Sydney would be an enjoyable experience, based on my limited experiences of renting cars over there.

      • Nuggets on 20/10/2015 - 00:44
        +4

        Indro hasn't been a Westfield for about fifteen years mate.

        • PVA on 20/10/2015 - 16:27

          I thought it was, with all the new additions and terrible parking. well who ever has it, its pretty poor.

          (its now owned by Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation)

  • [Deactivated] on 18/10/2015 - 14:50
    +6

    It is a bit of a scam really. Unless you spend over $200 in a day you have to pay for parking. 3 hours usually is enough to get everything done, but that is only when I'm alone. If I was with other people and they wanted to browse longer, and maybe get a meal then it could easily go over.

    If you were to see a film though, that 3 hours would become pretty tight. I hate having to pay for parking, and I also hate being rushed, so the only time I will ever see a film at a Westfield is after 6pm when the parking becomes totally free. Helps that the later sessions on weeknights are usually very empty too!

  • retiredfeline on 18/10/2015 - 14:50
    +2

    Don't you get an extra hour for a long movie at Hoyts? BTW, when you get your statement, there'll be an extra few cents CC charge. Anyway this happens to all of us sometime, just move on. I got caught when they lowered the free period to 2 hours. Later they raised it to 3 with validation.

    • Windows7forever on 18/10/2015 - 16:23

      I paid cash.

      • retiredfeline on 18/10/2015 - 19:30

        Good move, saved 14c. How did you do that? I thought only cards were accepted at the exit gate.

        • Windows7forever on 20/10/2015 - 07:15

          Parking officer came over and took my cash.

        • hawkers8905 on 20/10/2015 - 07:48
          +9

          @wolfenator87: And I bet he treated himself to coffee and swiped his pass to let you out. Bet he does this all day long and westfield doesn't get a cent of the money from him.

        • Windows7forever on 20/10/2015 - 19:47

          @Firey1989: Exactly.

  • eatwell365 on 18/10/2015 - 15:15
    +1

    Westfield went Council and proposed market value for parking per hour was $8.
    If you think $7 is too much, park in Macqarie Street in city, 0-30 min $8, 31min to 1hr $20. Max when 3hrs up $68. Often out by 1 hr 2 mins $40. Macquarie Bank Building Cockle Bay - think it is $36 half an hour.
    If it was not of Willoughby Council, you will be paying for each visit from first minute like other cities eg Melbourne, Gold Coast.

    • Windows7forever on 18/10/2015 - 16:25

      Just crazy. I'm a poor Westie from Parramatta. I can't afford to park my car in these areas!

      • eatwell365 on 19/10/2015 - 09:21

        Agreed with you. Absolutely crazy if normal people has to pay this sort of rates. unfortunately, this is the only way to have enough car spots anytime for the exclusive club -politicians, bankers and lawyers who had it tax-deductible. Paying fines would be cheaper for long run but no rebate.

    • zeomega on 19/10/2015 - 15:19
      +2

      PFFT. $8 for 0-30 minutes? That's for peasants.

      Ref: http://www.secureparking.com.au/car-parks/australia/nsw/sydn…

    • gimli on 20/10/2015 - 16:04

      proposed with some bribes…

  • holdenmg on 18/10/2015 - 16:08
    +4

    DISABLED PATRONS get FREE parking with presentation of disabled permit upon registering at the Concierge desks located on Level 3 opp. the Coffee Club and Level 4 near Myer.

    • Windows7forever on 18/10/2015 - 16:24

      Good for some.

      • QW3RTY on 19/10/2015 - 13:35
        +10

        Yeah, curse those disabled people! With their impaired function and their fancy convenient car park spaces. They've got it so good.

    • [Deactivated] on 18/10/2015 - 18:10
      +11

      Of course the concierge desks are up on level 3/4, super convenient for those disabled patrons.

      • holdenmg on 18/10/2015 - 19:48
        +11

        "Free* Movie to over 75's"
        *when accompanied by their parents.

        • windrc on 20/10/2015 - 08:03
          +1

          do they allocate space for the urns?

    • eatwell365 on 20/10/2015 - 19:14

      Or shop $200 in one single transaction in some ?all Westfield.

    • azshade on 20/10/2015 - 23:01
      +1

      Only disabled people with mobility issues.

      I've got a disability pension (terminal cancer) but NOOO my damn brain tumor allows me to walk just fine. Bloody wheel chair people have all the luck!

      (slabs of gallows humor and sarcasm if you didn't get it)

  • nubzy on 18/10/2015 - 17:56
    +1

    Could have said you don't have a credit card and that you were holding up the exit. Usually people on the intercom don't care and will let you through even if you are over time. At least that's been my experience the few times that I have been to the movies and still gone over by a few mins, even with validation.

  • YTW on 18/10/2015 - 20:31
    +4

    We got caught like this, unexpectedly had to change a nappy at the car before we left - went over by a minute and got charged a fortune for it. Haven't bothered going back to that shopping centre again as it's just too stressful trying to get in an out within the timeframe with kids. I just go to the places that continue to offer free parking.

  • kev98 on 18/10/2015 - 22:02
    +2

    Just tail gate out!

    • eatwell365 on 19/10/2015 - 03:09
      +1

      Cameras with plate recognition and police station around the corner.

      • terrys on 19/10/2015 - 09:05
        +3

        That would be a whole new can of worms, given that you haven't "stolen" anything as the car park place is still there. I suspect the police could only become involved in the otherwise civil matter if you damaged the boom…

      • kev98 on 19/10/2015 - 09:08
        +2

        I've done it at least 5 times (I am hopeless with remembering where I put my ticket). Never had anything happen

        • sagrules on 19/10/2015 - 18:37

          Would be interesting to see what would happen after they installed the license plate recognition if they follow it up

        • DarkOz on 19/10/2015 - 21:55
          -2

          That's fare evasion in which I believe is a criminal offense. No difference to shoplifting because you don't want to pay. The car park operator could report it to the police and the police could charge you if there is sufficient evidence.

          The thing is most car park operators wouldn't waste a few hours reports it to the police and a day in court.

        • kev98 on 19/10/2015 - 22:01
          +1

          @DarkOz: Yeah I know I shouldn't do it, and in all honesty I don't think I've ever been over their free period. I prefer the ones where they scan your number plate - one less thing for me to worry about.

        • Scrooge McDuck on 20/10/2015 - 00:12
          +1

          @DarkOz:

          That's fare evasion in which I believe is a criminal offense.

          1. No it isn't fare evasion. If anything it's a breach of contract by not following the conditions of entry (the tiny print on the enormous sign which you have laughably inadequate time to read before entering the car park). Fare evasion is when you use public (state) transport without paying the correct fare. Westfield is a private (non-state-owned) company.

          2. Even real fare evasion isn't a criminal offence, AFAIK IANAL.

          No difference to shoplifting because you don't want to pay.

          Here's an important difference: Shoplifting deprives the store of stock whereas non-payment of a parking fee does not.

          The car park operator could report it to the police and the police could charge you if there is sufficient evidence.

          No they couldn't, it's a civil matter, AFAIK IANAL,

        • Scrooge McDuck on 20/10/2015 - 00:13

          (I am hopeless with remembering where I put my ticket)

          Despite what the ticket tells you, just leave it on your dashboard. Unless you're a numpty who can't find their car, you're all good. :)

        • DarkOz on 20/10/2015 - 06:23
          -1

          @Scrooge McDuck:

          I know as a fact and from experience. It happened and the police followed through and took the fare evader to court and prosecuted him. The police wouldn't let the fare evader simply pay to close the case. It's a civil case if the car is still in the car park and there was a payment dispute. Once the car leaves without payment by tailgating or other illegal means it becomes a criminal offence and police have to respond to the matter once called.

          Shoplifting deprives the store of stock whereas non-payment of a parking fee deprives the store of payment from the service already used. They are the same thing. You took something in which you didn't pay for. That's stealing.

        • hawkers8905 on 20/10/2015 - 07:52

          @DarkOz: But he had "paid" or validated his ticket for a FREE parking period. You can't steal what is free.

        • eatwell365 on 20/10/2015 - 08:19

          @Scrooge McDuck: Like the dashboard idea. Car thief does not bother to validate the ticket or pay the expensive car park fees anyway,

        • DarkOz on 20/10/2015 - 08:29

          @Firey1989:

          The OVERSTAY is NOT FREE. That's what is stolen if he had left without paying.

        • gimli on 20/10/2015 - 16:06

          @DarkOz:

          this is parking not bit torrent…

        • UFO on 20/10/2015 - 16:43

          @DarkOz:

          Dont know why you are getting negs, because you are 100% correct. I know of someone who not only had the police come knocking, but had to waste a lot of time at the police station for an interview, then when he got the Summons a WHOLE day in Court… just to plead guilty.

          Once a car park operator sees someone not paying, they'll go through the footage and look to see if you are a repeat offender. If they see a few, they will DEFINITELY go to the police with it.

          Good luck to Kev who's gotten away with it so far, but dont push it mate. Not worth the few bucks you are saving.

        • UFO on 20/10/2015 - 16:48
          +1

          @Scrooge McDuck:

          What you said above is wrong mate. Very wrong.

          It IS a criminal offence, and its exactly like shop lifting…. you are making off without payment (Theft).
          If your intent is to permanently deprive another, its Theft plain and simple.

          It most certainly is not a civil matter. I can 100% promise you on that.

        • DarkOz on 20/10/2015 - 20:44

          @UFO:
          Thanks for the comment mate. I really appreciate it. I kinda expected the negs for some reason as what I've said doesn't sound too nice even when it's the truth.

        • Scrooge McDuck on 20/10/2015 - 22:19

          @UFO:

          I know of someone who…

          I can 100% promise you on that.

          What convincing arguments, random person on the internet.

        • Serapis on 21/10/2015 - 09:10

          @Scrooge McDuck: people were pulling the wrong analogy… while not paying the fee is a civil matter, the car park operator could pursue criminal proceedings as well for trespass. It's not theft… =_=

          For instance the owner of a car park in NSW can invoke the INCLOSED LANDS PROTECTION ACT 1901 - SECT 4

        • blackfalcon53 on 21/10/2015 - 10:21

          @Scrooge McDuck: Yeah your correct.

          I mean you could simply say you didn't accept the conditions of entry but were forced in by the car behind.

          Or say you re-negotiated the contract with the ticket machine, to say you didn't have to pay, which would be amusing.

          Tailgating may be a little different, but they don't actually have the right to keep your car in the center over a debt of $7.

        • Scrooge McDuck on 21/10/2015 - 11:10

          @Serapis:

          the car park operator could pursue criminal proceedings as well for trespass.

          Only upon you returning to the car park. I'm pretty sure trespassing can't be applied retroactively…

          Like if you have someone over and you hope they'll stay to cuddle you all night, but they jump out of bed and catch an Uber home, you can't then accuse them of trespassing.

        • Serapis on 21/10/2015 - 14:07

          @Scrooge McDuck:

          Can be applied retroactively provided they can prove you entered the premises without permission provided they take action within 2 months:

          9 Limitation of civil action
          Any civil action against any person for anything done in pursuance of this Act shall be commenced within two months after the fact was committed, and notice in writing of such action and of the cause thereof shall be given to the defendant one month at least before the commencement of the action.

          For your example they can but if they detain you then it may be false imprisonment.

        • UFO on 21/10/2015 - 14:08

          @Serapis:

          It's not Trespass. You have already been given permission to enter, you have to be explicitly told to leave premises by the owner (or their representative) and not return. On return after that, it's trespass.

          If you go into Coles, you can be told to leave and not return by a security guard or sales assistant. If you come back its trespass.

          Not complying with the conditions of entry (to Coles or a car park) means you have to leave. You leaving without paying in a car park means you've broken the terms of entry, but you've already 'left'.

          It's failing to pay for the services rendered (the service being the car parking provisions provided for fee). Theft.

        • Serapis on 21/10/2015 - 14:48

          @UFO:

          Zomg facepalm…

          Omission to pay the entry cost is NOT theft

          I know people hate to be wrong but are you going off knowledge or assumptions?

          It’s been a while since I’ve looked at criminal law but for theft you need both an ‘actus reus’ (the physical element to the crime) as well as the ‘mens rea’ (the mental element – intention).

          This is a short extract from Halsbury’s Laws of Australia, reference [130-5015]:

          The offence of simple larceny is both an offence at common law and under statute. >(Larceny = Theft)

          At common law, larceny is committed by a person who, without the consent of the owner, fraudulently and without claim of right made in good faith, takes and carries away anything capable of being stolen with the intent, at the time of the taking, to deprive the owner.

          To establish the offence of simple larceny, the prosecution must prove that:

          ·(1)  the property was capable of being stolen;

          ·(2)  the accused took and carried away the property;

          (there are 8 elements which ALL need to be satisfied)

          How can you even state it is theft if omission to pay a fine does not even meet the first 2 requirements of the first part???

          And it definitely won’t find it under theft in statute, for instance the Crimes Act (NSW) 1900 under Part 4, which deals with stealing and similar offences.

          Hence an omission in this case does not constitute theft as defined by common law / statute.

        • UFO on 21/10/2015 - 14:55

          @Serapis:

          Google "nsw obtain property by deception"

          3rd link down. Austlii wont let me link direct to the Act for some reason.

          • Causing financial disadvantage.
          • Deception (click on it within the Act to see the following)

          "conduct by a person that causes a computer, a machine or any electronic device to make a response that the person is not authorised to cause it to make. "

          You're right it's not Theft, but you're wrong… it's definitely Criminal (not Civil as you've stated), and definitely not Trespass.

        • Serapis on 21/10/2015 - 15:02

          @UFO:

          But you said theft. What you're quoting now is Part 4AA which addresses fraud.

          This is why i don't rely on Google for law.

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