How To Know If I'm Being Scammed For Paid Parking

I haven't been driving all that long (about a year) so I still have a lot to experience that is commonplace for others.

I parked overnight at the 32 Mile PitStop near Richmond, MI. I asked the cashier to be sure overnight parking was allowed and it was confirmed. There were no signs saying there is a fee and the cashier said nothing of a fee. The next day I received a knock on the door by the manager. He tells me there is a fee for overnight parking. It has to be cash. He can't give me a reciept, either, because he doesn't have parking in the system.

This all seems sketchy to me. I point out that I wasn't told, there isn't postings about it, and I am apprehensive that I can't even get a receipt for my cash only parking. I did pay against my better judgement. I wasn't nasty about it, but I am a bit angry to think that he may have just pocketed my cash.

Was I just swindled or is this common practice?

Reputable truck stops do not deal in cash only, no receipts. That is when I would say, I'm sorry but I don't carry cash with me... Just credit cards. My feeling is that it was a scam. I hope it wasn't very much.

Laura

I would say you probably got scammed. Every business truckstop I have ever stayed at was willing to provide a receipt. I had one mom and pop in NC give me a register receipt and the clerk handcwrote parking on it. If that ever occurs again just tell the person, ok lets go into the register. If its a scam they won’t go to the register with you.

Reputable truck stops do not deal in cash only, no receipts. That is when I would say, I'm sorry but I don't carry cash with me... Just credit cards. My feeling is that it was a scam. I hope it wasn't very much.

Laura

Thank you. I'll keep this in mind if it happens again. It was $10. Not expensive for parking at least. Just if it's supposed to be free.

I would say you probably got scammed. Every business truckstop I have ever stayed at was willing to provide a receipt. I had one mom and pop in NC give me a register receipt and the clerk handcwrote parking on it. If that ever occurs again just tell the person, ok lets go into the register. If its a scam they won’t go to the register with you.

I did tell him I would meet him inside and pay. He stood by his car and this is when he said it was cash only, no receipt. I told him I didn't like that I wasn't getting a receipt and so we went inside. He wrote out a note and signed it. He only put "Gas station" at the bottom with his signature. So, he did go inside with me to write it. It still seemed a bit flimsy to me...

The 'night clerk's' buddy...making some extra coin for them BOTH. I would CALL the t/s and report this, at your EARLIEST convenience, and provide date, time, and a cellphone pic of that hand written receipt.

Just me, but .. I would. I am a 'caller outer' type of person, and it's paid me well, doing (being) so.

Sorry this happened to you.

Safe travels~!

~ Anne ~

There are 2 like this in Texas. I think tge one is in Denton. Both are foreign owned and even after I bought items inside, I was never told of the cost to park. There was a small shed with "$10 parking" sprayed painted at the one. Same thing happened to me. I was woken by the man with an accent. I went inside and the clerk said "yeah thats the owner." It was obvious the clerk was scared of him.

I told him that for tax deduction reasons I needed a full name, phone, address and amount on the receipt. They dont want to give a receipt cause they arent claiming the income. I need to park when I need to park.

If you feel scammed go and ask for a manager inside. You will find out real fast who is right.

Law is very specific. Any transaction must provide a receipt upon request for any item good or service if payment is rendered.

Receipts will always have amount paid, item paid for(or service rendered). They will also have a physical address of that location and name of company. They also require dates. If the name of the business and the address do not match then you do not have to pay regardless.

They cannot kick you off the property either for nonpayment if they fail to provide a real receipt with the above requirements. If the police to show up you tell them that they did not provide a receipt, and ask them if they are empowered by the property owner or if this needs to be reported to the IRS. Scammers will not call the police. Stupid people may call the police not realizing they are shooting themselves in the foot.