Foodstuffs was sorry Rautela had endured a \u201cfrustrating\u201d experience in getting his ticket waived, spokesman Stefan Herrick said.<\/p>\n
Rautela was ticketed after spending more than two hours in the Pak\u2019nSave Manukau carpark on December 23.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt took a considerable amount of time just to find a park, and the shopping itself was lengthy because of the crowds. I was shocked to later receive an $85 fine,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He believed measuring use based on when vehicles entered and left the carpark was a \u201cfundamentally flawed\u201d system that didn\u2019t count time spent looking for a park.<\/p>\n
Unloading after a large shop also took time, said Rautela, who had only noticed parking limit warning signs after receiving his ticket.<\/p>\n
He then faced an \u201cabsolute nightmare\u201d to get the ticket waived.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo single person would own the problem and work to resolve it for me. Each visit meant explaining the situation from the beginning to new staff members.\u201d<\/p>\n
He didn\u2019t appeal directly to the parking compliance contractor Smart Compliance Management because he no longer had his shopping receipt when the fine arrived on January 14, Rautela said.<\/p>\n
He\u2019d also been told by a staff member, when he first challenged the fine in person at Pak\u2019nSave Manukau on January 15, that they\u2019d \u201ctry to get it waived\u201d.<\/p>\n
On two subsequent visits, he was told by separate staffers that his complaint was still being looked into, before a fourth visit a few days ago ended with the store manager confirming the fine had been waived.<\/p>\n
\u201c[Until then] I was never given any written confirmation that the fine had been cancelled, leaving me anxious that the issue might resurface.<\/p>\n
\u201cDespite the multiple visits and discussions, I received no follow-up communication from Pak\u2019nSave or any manager to confirm the resolution or apologise for the inconvenience.\u201d<\/p>\n
Some Kiwis on big shopping hauls have found themselves copping fines for parking too long in Pak’nSave supermarkets. Fines are waived if shoppers can show their breach was for genuine reasons. File photo \/ Richard Robinson<\/p>\n
Herrick said Pak\u2019nSave Manukau was \u201cvery busy\u201d, so parking was limited to two hours so all shoppers were catered for.<\/p>\n
Time of use was measured from when a vehicle entered the carpark to when it left, but Foodstuffs understood that shopping could sometimes take longer than expected.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf customers think they may need longer than two hours, we just ask them to drop into the service desk and let the team know, so a note can be made and no infringement is issued.\u201d<\/p>\n
The company was pleased Rautela\u2019s ticket had been waived, Herrick said. <\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, we\u2019re sorry to hear the customer had to speak with a couple of team members before that outcome was confirmed. We understand that would have been frustrating. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe thank the customer for their patience and apologise for the inconvenience.\u201d <\/p>\n
Customers who received an infringement notice should first follow the appeals process outlined on the ticket. <\/p>\n
They could also speak to staff at the store directly, he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf there\u2019s been a genuine situation … the team will work with the parking provider to review the case and put things right where appropriate.\u201d<\/p>\n
Renee Sciascia outside Pak’nSave Hastings with the breach notice she received after spending more than two hours in the store. The fine was later waived. Photo \/ Rafaella Melo<\/p>\n
Several other people contacted the Herald with parking fine woes, including some who\u2019d also fallen foul of time limits at Pak\u2019nSave carparks.<\/p>\n
A Northland woman\u2019s daughter-in-law was fined three times for parking at Pak\u2019nSave Whang\u0101rei, but all were waived after she provided store receipts and proof of health issues.<\/p>\n
\u201cHer weekly shop is usually $450-$500. She has three boys and likes to take her time \u2026 [but] she now clicks and collects.\u201d<\/p>\n
One woman was ticketed while spending $400 and filling her car at Pak\u2019nSave Westgate.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe parking company … did waive the ticket. [The] store manager said if the ticket wasn\u2019t waived, he\u2019d ensure it was,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n