Ok I know we all hating parking bylaws and the extortion that following having to park in paid parking lots but seriously, is there any regulations to govern how much these ganetts can extort from you. Robbins parking are the worst kind of criminal out there because the government allows them to extort money from the general public. They buy up prime real estate and then have unkempt parking areas where you can pay into a meter to park your car.
If for some reason you don’t make it back to the meter in time you are hammered with what seems to be a randomly increasing fine depending on which lot you are parked. WHERE IS THE REGULATION HERE! I parked in a Robbins lot where I have a pass but I parked in a spot that un-benounced to me was not for people like me that pay Robbins $50.00 per month for the privilege of parking my car in a parking lot with no guarantee to the safety of my vehicle. I reveive a ticket for $32.50 but if I pay them within 7 days its only $16.50. Well DUH ill pay the damn ticket.
I’m at a client meeting downtown Victoria and of course the only place to park is in a robbins lot seeing as they own ALL the downtown property of Victoria that does not currently have a building on it. I pay my meter fee and pop in for the meeting. I was a few mins late coming out of the meeting to of course find a parking ticket on my window. Now having had a ticket before I expect the 32.50 with early pay option. This idiotic peice of paper has a fine for $50.00 and a $27.00 early pay option, are you F***ing kidding me does anyone manage these crooks.
As residents we have no recourse against these assholes, “pay us or you will regret it.” Did the governments not ban racketeering and extortion to rid us of the “Mafia”. But its ok because for Robbins Parking to do it. At least the Mafia extorted money in return for protection. Robbins parking extorts money from us and we get nothing in return other than an unsafe place to park our vehicle for a short period of time.
Ok so here is where the defenders will say, “its their property they have the right to charge for parking your car there”. “if you don’t want to pay park elsewhere”, if you live in Victoria you will know that there is no other option of where to park ROBBINS OWNS EVERY PIECE OF LAND WITHOUT A BUILDING ON IT. They have a monopoly on parking in this community. Again, did Bill Gates not get investigated for trying to get a monopoly in his industry. Why then are Robbins allowed a monopoly? Hmm I wonder.
So if private property allows you to break all law then I would like Robbins parking to pay me $250.00 for the privilege of touching my car. If you pay me in cash tomorrow I will knock that down to $130.00. Sounds like a great plan. Chances of any court allowing this or me claiming my money NIL. Do I have ANY sympathy for these crooks when bad things happen to them. ABSOLUTELY NOT!!! Rack it up to Karma folks.
That’s it for my rant.
This is therapeutic to read…. just received the $50 but we’ll cut you a deal for $27 at the tax-payer funded BC Ferries parking lot for leaving my car for 5 mins to help a friend who’s going travelling for a year with her enormous bags.
It makes me sick to know there is no recourse for these jerks… I mean Robbins AND BC Ferries…
I’m glad this was somewhat therapeutic for you, not as much as seeing one of the ticket writers slip and fall while trying to give out a ticket and the vehicle owner jumping into their car and driving away laughing at their good luck. I guess we can dream eh.
Something really needs to be done about it!
Just read the last line of your comment. Don’t even get me started on the BC ferries and the crap they get away with.
I paid for a 2 hour parking pass in a Robbins lot in downtown Victoria across from Chintz & Co. I used my credit card to pay for the ticket. It was May 23, 2009 and the hottest day this year. I left my windows cracked to not cook the interior of my car.
I came back to my car with time to spare and it was tire clamped. I was in awe. I called the number on the 8 X 11 WARNING! notice. The woman said she would send the driver over soon. I waited 30 minutes in one of the most terrifying areas of the city with the drug addicts and street people sticking needles in their arms not 15 feet from my car. I had to leave the windows open that crack and lock the doors with me inside sweltering and frightened.
I provided proof I paid for the ticket since the attendant checked my card against their records. Then he proceeding to retract the $75.00 ticket and give me a ticket for $30 since my ticket was not properly displayed. It was on the floor of my car. I placed it on the dash directly in front of my steering wheel. If the fact that my windows were cracked open allowing the wind to blow it on the floor or even the rush of air when you close the door to lock it caused it to happen is unfortunate. If the boy that had checked my car in the first place looked 6 inches into the car he’d have seen it there.
I will not pay this extortion to Robbins Ltd. I paid $4 for the right to park there and I am not paying an additional $30 in extortion fees.
You should fight that ticket to the end. That is totally disgusting they have no right to wheel lock your car. I would take it to the limit and contact the newspapers.
I called Robbins today and they said it was my fault the parking pass blew on the floor and the ticket is valid for not having the pass properly displayed. I am going to try and fight it but the “pleasant” woman I spoke said if I did not pay it they would send it to collections. OMG
Go get em!
I was looking for a web and multi-media development company. Not exactly the info I was seeking, and aloud is spelled allowed, not aloud. I dislike parking tickets as much as the next guy, but a business should be careful where they post their rantings and especially misspelled rantings from a communications company. I’ll keep looking.
If you had looked deeper into this site you would have found the beliefs that I run my company under, Honesty Integrity and making sure the customer is happy first and formost. This is not my company site but a place for me to post reviews and rants. The company site is located at http://www.mk2solutions.com.
Thank you for pointing out the spelling error.
I parked in a Robbins parking lot on Yates on Tuesday night (lot #75, next to Hollywood Tonight). I was gone 20-30 minutes or so trying to get change to pay for my spot. When I returned, there was a boot (immobilization device) on my car. I had to call a 1-800 number, wait for an attendant, and pay $75.00 plus tax on the spot to get the boot removed from my car.
I have researched the Victoria bylaws and there is nothing that specifically pertains to boots (immobilization devices). I have made several phonecalls and sent a few emails to City Hall asking for clarification – and if these companies must follow the same regulations when immobilizing a vehicle as they would if they were to tow and/or impund them. So far nobody can answer my question.
I have also filed a formal complaint with Robbins. I have been very clear that I am not disputing that I failed to properly display a ticket for the spot. I am disputing the practice of immobilizing my car and demanding a $75.00 penalty for what would have cost me $2.50 if I had found shange in time.
If the regulations in the Towing and Parking bylaws apply, this exceeds the maximum allowable charge for such an ‘offence’, and also flaunts several other regulations, inclusing signage and options for getting the car released. If these regulations do not apply, then we are allowing an unregulated business to operate in Victoria.
I will continue to pursue this matter with Robbins Parking, No Go No Tow, the City of Victoria, the CRD, the Better Business Bureau, and the Chamber of Commerce.
I sent a letter to Robbins stating I was not going to pay $30.00 for a spot I paid for. I sent them a copy of the ticket. They took their time and sent me a notice that the ticket would be reduced to $15.00. I sent a letter back saying I paid $4.00 for the right to park there so I only owed them $11.00. Plus, I told them that because I had to wait 30 minutes on a Sunday afternoon feeling very fearful of my personal safety that I would only charge them my regular daily rate of pay for my time as special consideration to them. The total I owed them was 4 cents. I sent it to them.
Some time later I got a letter from them, form letter that is, that I now states owe them $60.00.
I have taken the time to put $14.96 in pennies, nickels, and dimes in a jar but have yet to deliver it. I can’t wait. They will probably sent some outrageous bill after that.
Please, please keep me posted. If Robbins can do this to “us” that anyone can get a license to screw the descent citizen. They are thieves with a business license to print money. NOT THIS TIME, not at my expense.
You go Maureen, the more people that do this kind of think to them the more they will realize that they cannot get away with their shady business tactics.
I just parked down there in town and tried paying at the meter. When I realized I selected the wrong time I tried to cancel and get my money back. The stupid machine wouldn’t give it back and I had no more change with me. So I left my car hoping to dispute a ticket in the future. I came back shortly after an hour to find that there was an immobiliser attached to my car (I should have had bolt cutters). When the guy pulled up I told him what happened. He said it isn’t his fault, I don’t have proof of ever paying and if I want my car than I have to pay….I gave him $75 not realizing that he charged me an extra $3 taxes…..he then had the nerve to argue with me over the extra $3.
I tell you people, always carry bolt cutters with you and cut the immobilizer. They warn you that they’ll charge a $400 fine but it’s their own damn fault for putting it on there….besides, that car is private property, they shouldn’t be aloud to do that.
If the parking attendants actually use their heads they would take $15 and use the key that they have to take the boot off and not let the head office know about it….they would just be able to pocket the money and make more per hour that way. But I think robbins has a habbit of hiring no good sleeze bag bums.
Has anyone looked into the possibility that Robbins is owned by the city or someone from the city council?
where do you go to fight a ticket anyway? I am new here and have three such tickets. One from Robbins lot and two parking meter tickets.
I fought my ticket online at http://www.robbinsparking.com/disputes.html
My solution for the tire clamp they use. I bought a portable cutting torch and I dream of the day I get to use it! If all else fails, I feel it would be only fair to throw the Ba#t@rd in my trunk and demand a $1000 for his release. Too bad we are not above the law. Otherwise, I say Game On!
It’s EXTORTION. There’s an easy way to fight it:
See Fight The Boot dot com
Friends,
Do not worry about parking tickets. The city of victoria does not have the ability to damage ones credit or hurt them in any way for unpaid fines. Robbins, on the other hand, does. They are an old wealthy company that has long monopolized parking in victoria, and yes, they are colluding with the city.
Best regards to all. Fight the corporate and public tyrants.
I have a gas cut off saw that would cut thru the boot in about 30 seconds. A little loud and may draw attention (it sounds like a chainsaw), but their boot would be lieing in their lot in 2 pieces in my rear view mirror.
Now there is a solution 🙂
Ha robbins decided to put a boot on my buddies car……. 100 feet of extension cord and a grinder fixed that problem
c’ya later robbins
Bolt Cutters work just as well. See FightTHeBoot.com
From what I have been led to understand, Robbins does noit hace access to the Motor Vehicle Licence Numbers database.
As lobg as you dob;t give them either your name or address, there’s not too much they can do to collect your ticket
As an employee of the company that does the booting, let me offer a freindly word of advice, all the emotional and political opinions aside folks, be careful. Under the Canadian Criminal Code, tampering with or otherwise damageing a lawfully apllied wheel boot, is a criminal offence. They take a photograph of your plate, the dashboard/windshield showing the lack of a Parking Stub, and they document the hell out of it. I have seen the paperwork and Police Files of several people who were arrested and charged by both Victoria and Saanich Police for forcibly removing a boot. The laws allowing them to boot are the exact same laws that allow them to tow and impound. Everytime someone has sued, the booting company has won, every time. 5 Provinces in Canada have active booting now.
I’m just a clerical worker, but I get to see all the paperwork and listen to the boot guy’s stories – the boot guys who are hired for Robbins are outside contractors, the Robbins ticket dude calls them for a boot application, so these guys dont have a key to the ticket manchines, and they really don’t have the ability to “let you off”. Only Robbins can do that. Hope this gives you all a little more info on the legal aspects. Happy Parking!
Yes, they can access ICBC info, Legally registered parking Management comanies can pay a subscription at $6 per licence plate to access registered owner information. However, even if they don’t access for a particular plate, they also list offenders with outstanding tickets in the Database in the scanning cars, if they catch you on a Robbins lot with unpaid tickets, you get booted, you pay $75 to get the boot off, AND you still have to pay the tickets.
If you damage or steal a boot, the Parking Agent simply gives the photo of your plate and a copy of the summons to the Police, they look you up and come arrest you!
I’m telling you people, don’t screw with these guys, its a multi-million dollar business, they have done thier homework, you WILL lose everytime!
I have parked my car with payment receipt displayed onto the dash board but accidentally upside down. Of course, I get a violation ticket of $30.00. After I dispute to Robin Parking and explain the situation, they said that violation is valid as my receipt was face down and not clearly displayed at the time the violation was issued. But grant me a one-time courtesy reduction to $10.00 if I pay within 7-day. Can anyone tell me that is it a valid violation even I have paid the parking fee and do I have any chance to cancel the said ticket. And what kind of explanation is appropriate to convince them to cancel the revised ticket.
The burden of proof is still with Robbins Parking and I am 110% positive the Police aren’t going to do an investigation and arrest someone for removing a boot.
You know what Robbins, ticket me. Then proceed to Small Claims Court, get before a judge and as well as serving me either via registered mail or process server. After the court date is set, its still up to Robbins to prove their case, not me, thats the law.
As far as booting, fine. Robbins will have to prove who the person is who destroyed the boot, its not automatically the registered owner. Don’t you know I lent my car to my fifth cousins sisters friends uncle from California that day, talk to him. His name is John something. Good luck. After Robbins gets their case together, they present it to the police who complete their investigation and then forward it on to the provincial prosecutors who decide to press charges. Ya, they will do something about it.
Friends, cut off the boot, you have nothing to be scared of.
Oh, and don’t forget, any damage that happens to your vehicle while on Robbins Parking is their responsibility. It doesn’t matter how many signs they put up, they are legally responsible. Talk to a lawyer, they will tell you the same thing.
The damage to car is a really touchy one. If they are really on the hook for damage to cars parked in their lots then I can get them to repair the REALLY bad scrap and dent that a big truck door did to my car while parked in a Robbins lot that I pay a monthly rate for.
If what you say JOHN is really true then they should be responsible for the damage on my car. IF this is really the case great I will get my car fixed.
The guy daring you to cut the boot off is an idiot – A guy was just investigated and charged for attempting to remove a boot attached to another person’s vehicle in a residential lot in saanich, and at the end of it, he paid $900 in damages before the parking enforcement company dropped the charges against him. There is no way around this – dont mess with the boots, you will get busted!
I cut one off citing my right to “self defense against coercion.”
Booting on private lots is a deceptive practice designed to extort money.
CUT IT OFF. Just call the media first to get the public to support your side.
I am interested in speaking with anyone who has paid a Robbins parking ticket believing it was a city issued ticket or one issued pursuant to a bylaw or regulation. Please contact Sean Hern (Farris, Vaughan, Wills & Murphy LLP) at shern@farris.com. Thanks.
What’s it like being an asshole for a living? Just curious.
This is what happened to me last night! I wasnt even aware Robbins parking was using boots on vehicles. Even though it was quite some time ago and you are unlikely to see this, if by chance you do, can you please let me know what the results were of your inquiries.
PS: Has anyone had luck fighting the charges of the immobilizer/boot? I’d like to hear how.
Its amusing to read all these posts about people’s idiot parking experiences.
For those of you who got booted, keep in mind that at most of these private lots, before the booting services started, you would have been towed. If you have ever been towed before, which I have, about 6 times in my life to date, you will know just how damned annoying that is – initial panic that your car was stolen – standing around on your cell wasting time reporting the theft to the fuzz, only to find out it was just towed – calling a cab or calling a friend to drive your stranded ass over to impound – waiting in line longer than you do to get your prostate checked by your doctor, pay a half days wages to some big nasty sweaty fat chick behind bulletproof glass – get your car back only to find out they damaged it during towing (Tough shit – they will only deny it) and by the time its all over with, I WOULD RATHER HAVE SAT PEACEFULLY IN MY OWN CAR, LISTENING TO MY TUNES, WAITING THE REASONABLE 30 MINUTES for the boot kid to come and let me go. Keep in mind, u cant even get a pizza in Victoria in under 45 minutes!
So for those of you who get booted for being idiots and trying to rip off Robbins or whoever, SUCK IT UP NANCY! You tried to pull a fast one – u got busted – deal with it! Quit pissing and moaning like a bunch of impotent jerks!
Oh yeah, one other thing, about those booting guys at nogo No Tow, my friends kid, a young female UVIC student, recently got booted at a non-Robbins lot for illegally parking outside of posted hours, my friend called them on behalf of his tearful daughter, explained the situation about her car broke down and she couldnt get it out before she had to be at work.
The Boot guy came and met her after she got off work, took off the boot for free, opened her car hood, fixed her car battery terminals (which were loose), jumpstarted her car, shook her hand and sent her on her way with a smile – tells me that these guys do have a heart, and are just trying to earn a living like the rest of us.
I’m gonna laugh my ass off when I see the article in the paper about this nimrod setting his car on fire trying to cut the boot off!
I had to rush my 2 year old into emergency after she got into a bottle of hand sanitizer, back when all the H1N1 scare was around. all was fine…she was a little drunk maybe and all was oky…except…we parked in a very poorly marked parking lot right next to the emerge entrance, the only place to park!!! and rushed her in…when we came out sure enough…right outside emergency…our car has a ticket from your good and carrying people at Robbins Parking.
Really a good place for entrapping the frantic folks rushing into emerge…we met another couple scratching their heads at this same situation as we came out…
Can you imagine working for these guys…what do they tell themselves to get to sleep at night?
Take the ticket to the Robbings (spelling deliberate), politely explain the situation and equally politely, inform them that you have absolutely no intention of paying. leave the ticket on the counter and walk out.
Some years ago, I had a hospital out-patient appointment. I parked and dutifully went to the ticket dispenser, which was “dead”. I went to the other unit at the opposite end of the car park. Sure enough, by the time I got back to the car, it had a ticket. I used the tactic outlined above. Women behind the counter stated that she she needed my name. address etc. I politely declined and left. Never heard another thing about it.
If parking was free at the emergency then every employee at hospital would fill those spots and when you came to emergency you would not find a parking spot. Now think about how you would feel if there was no parking available when you came in with your sick child or parent. Pay Parking is a way of ensuring that when you need a spot it will be available. If you get a ticket at emergency, call the hospital Parking office or call Robbins. I can guarantee you that it will be canceled if you are polite.
After 10 years of using Robbins parking lots 3-5 times a week I am done using their services. My ticket blew off the dash and I am being offerred a reduction to $10.00 for something I paid for. Perhaps they are in their right to demand it be shown on the dash but they must realize they are a service company. It will be difficult to avoid using their parking but I will. I will likely stop going to the downtown area and local business will suffer. The best way to protest their lack of customer service is simply stop using their parking lots. This will get their attention.
I get to play parking tag every day as I can’t afford the rediculous parking rates they want here.. it costs me less than 20$ per month to move my car 3 times a day 6 days a week… so the stupid amounts they want me to pay is not gonna happen.
I am disabled and live downtown.. now get this.. I can get a Monthly parking permit from the city for 60$ if I work or go to school in the city.. but because I LIVE downtown and support downtown businesses, I get to pay 120$ per month.. the reason that was given to me was, that if they gave me a 60$ one then every disabled person downtown would want one… ya so? We aren’t rich and most of us cannot afford a car to start with… So that has absolutely no legs to stand on IMO… but said I could get the 4$ per day passes as I do qualify for that as a disabled person.. it is on thier website and VERY misleadingly worded…
I only keep the car, so I can drive to VAncouver and take care of my elderly mother’s needs.. without it, she would be alone, 1/2 paralysed, in a home with no one she knows…
I get a ticket nearly every week from the city, and is always because the Parking attendant din’t see the handicapped hangar… My car is blue inside and out and so are the disability hangars, so I can see how it might not be that easy to spot right away… I just email a copy of the ticket along with a copy of my disability hangar and they wipe the ticket every time.. so for that I commend them, the Tickets dispute people have treated me fabulous…
I did mess up once… I left my car parked on a main road, where it is no parking from 7-9am … cost me 152$ in towing from All Way towing, and they were great to deal with… I was a little pissed because it was when we had that snow that turned to ice, and my street was a sheet of ice that I barely got out of, and was not about to try to park on any of the other un-salted and un-plowed sheets of ice we had for sideroads downtown . So I kinda blame the city for that one.. but truth be known I din’t see the sign or I wouldn’t have parked there.. As a ex-professional driver, I know that was my fault in spite of th circumstances…
And I used to deal with Robbins on a monthly parking spot, I never had any issues accept how much the initial outlay was.. but ya gotta pay what ya gotta pay… once my Mother had her stroke, (over 2 years ago now) I had to use that money to pay for the high-priced (for me anyways) BC Ferry, to get over to the mainland to care for her needs, since VIHA is helpless in helping get her over here, where she has alot of her still surviving brothers and sisters as well as me her oldest Son that has POA .
So I can say for the most part, I make sure I have change before I go to a parking lot, just like I would taking the bus.. since busses dont make change either.. so that IS my responsibility to have it WHEN I park there, not wander about looking for change after I park in thier lot.. it is thiers, not mine, so I have to play by thier rules… dont like it, stay away from downtown or do us all a favour and take the bus.
And as for anyone esle driving my car? I am still responsible for that car… and if my decision to allow someone else to use my car ends in a fine.. it is still my responsibility… it was my decision so I AM responsible.. so I would pay for my decision…then I would take it out of my buddy’s hide that did it … no prob…
So all in all, I think they are all doin a good job considering how emotional people are about a car…
Yes I have no doubt that Robbins and the city work together, since Robbins is a big player and pays alot of $$$ on city taxes to run thier business here… so they have rights too. Wish it was better, but it works out for most everyone if they use some common sense.
As I read all the posts, I realize that our “parking woe” last night will remain unresolved. However, venting is therapeutic. As visitors from Alberta, we decided to go for a late dinner in Chinatown. There was no parking on the street, but plenty in a lot down Fisgard Street (Go Figure!). It was dark. It was raining. Both of our husbands went to the pay booth to pay for a parking pass.
The signage is very misleading. At the top, in big bold letters was the sign indicating “park all day $2.75/hour or portion/$7.50 all day till 6:00 p.m.” Instructions followed regarding payment, etc. As it is common for no-charge parking after certain hours in our neck of the woods, the guys determined this meant exactly that. Off we went to dinner (which by the way was great!)
Well, we have never seen an “IMMOBILIZER”, and that was what greeted us on our return. There were exactly 3 cars in the lot. We had the “out-of-province” plates, and we were stranded. The VI Parking Patrol fellow must have been lying in wait for us, as he burned into the lot as the guys were examining the device.
He stated that the parking rates (i.e. 24 hour ) were clearly stated. We went back to check…they were in small print BEHIND THE LARGE PAYMENT UNIT. It was visible if you checked the back wall and around and behind the unit. It definitely was not “clearly visible” as were the other instructions I copied.
The result? We had to pay $80 to get our vehicle released. As review of the ticket indicates the Immobilizer was placed on our vehicle with two minutes of our arrival. I believe this meant the fellow watched the guys walk over to pay, and return to the car before he acted. Why would he not have advised them of their error?
I know there is little recourse…and no, our husbands are not idiots (although at times we wonder…) I also know that this situation smacks of collusion, and we feel we were set up. Definitely, we feel we were targeted as we are from another province.
A final word…tourists beware!
Sqeeze crazy glue into the meters. Works like a charm.
dont pay the ticket, there only a private company with a contract. theres nothing they can do if you dont pay
write them a ticket (see if they pay it) not …so niether should you!
If you’ve purchased a ticket and it’s blown onto the floor, where you have proof of the purchase and Robbins has accepted your money, don’t admit that it was on the floor. Tell them it was on the dash. They’ll say it wasn’t and perhaps provide photographs to try to prove their point. When it comes down to it, in court, there is a possibility that the photos can be of the wrong vehicle dash, doctored, or taken at an non-Robbins location (fraud by Robbins to try to win the case). The only true chunk of evidence is that you DID purchase a ticket, Robbins accepted your payment (at a specific time), and the parking ticket was issued at a time which your car should have been legally parked in their lot. You claim it was in the vehicle, they claim it was not… the ticket did exist, you purchased the right to park in their lot, they acknowledge this purchase. As long as you stick to your guns about it being in the vehicle at that time, they’ll have a tough time actually proving that it wasn’t… it’s not logical for a person to have gone to the trouble of purchasing a ticket and then not display it.
Extortion is legal when it come to parking. There is nothing we can do.
Scumbags.. Out with these criminals..
Does the City of Victoria ever send thier parking tickets to collections?
I don’t think so… but it would be nice to know for sure!?
You probably go on file, and if you haven’t payed or have a few outstanding tickets, then they probably tow you.
I work as a nurse for VIHA I have accumulated several tickets over the years for ridiculous reasons ex, once I worked 18 hours straight and when I came out I had a ticket b/c I forgot to mark am/pm…well technically I was there am and pm! Robbins rep on the phone was an ass!! Hope he doesn’t get sick anytime soon! I have not pAaid the ticket and they have gone to collections. I want to make a stand here but they really have me in a corner!
yes they do!
Robbins doesn’t own any property, they manage parking for landlords who dictate how much money they want from their land being used as parking every month.
Caveat Emptor. Read the signs, use the contact information provided and stop expecting to use someone else’s property at no cost. You wouldn’t give away the use of YOUR land for free would you?
There is no recourse ‘against’ Robbins because they are operating completely legally. If you think these rules and rates aren’t run past at least 30 lawyers you don’t give them enough credit for knowing what they are doing. Robbins Parking has been doing worldwide business for 70 yrs, if ANYTHING about their operation were illegal they would have been shut down long ago. If you don’t want to be charged by them don’t use their lots, the paint is bright yellow with a giant black ‘R’ at every location, and the city controlled lots are sky blue.