After the Herald made inquiries, the supermarket\u2019s parking enforcement contractor Smart Compliance Management said it had waived the fine, while the supermarket confirmed the time customers could use the carpark had increased from 90 minutes to two hours as of Tuesday last week \u2013 a day after Gu was ticketed.<\/p>\n
Gu earlier told the Herald she wasn\u2019t initially sure how long was too long, as the Smart Compliance Management ticket sent to her didn\u2019t say what the carpark time limit was.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve never seen any [warning] signs there. If there are, it\u2019s not obvious … as a loyal, weekly customer, I am extremely frustrated to have received [this].\u201d<\/p>\n
Smart Compliance Management told the Herald via its website\u2019s contact portal messenger that it was contracted to manage the Pak\u2019nSave Papakura carpark to \u201caddress ongoing misuse and ensure fair and equal access\u201d for customers.<\/p>\n
\u201cA 90-minute maximum stay applies to prevent long-term or non-customer parking. The carpark has more than 50 clearly displayed signs advising customers of the 90-minute limit.\u201d<\/p>\n
Groceries are already a financial pain point for many Kiwis \u2013 now some are complaining of fines for staying in a supermarket carpark too long. Photo \/ 123RF<\/p>\n
Gu had submitted an appeal at 9pm on Monday \u2013 the day she told the Herald she received the ticket \u2013 and included proof of purchase from the supermarket.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe appeal has now been reviewed by our compliance team, and the breach notice has been waived as Ms Gu was confirmed to be a genuine customer,\u201d Smart Compliance Management said.<\/p>\n
This fine waiver was part of the agreement the supermarket had with the parking compliance contractor when customers could verify they\u2019d been in the store longer than the parking limit, Foodstuffs spokesman Stefan Herrick said.<\/p>\n