A shopper who'd spent more than $500 found he'd been fined $85 after parking at Pak’nSave Manukau for two hours and 16 minutes.
A shopper who'd spent more than $500 found he'd been fined $85 after parking at Pak’nSave Manukau for two hours and 16 minutes.
An Auckland father has been pinged with a “painful” parking fine after taking too long on his monthly grocery shop.
Nav Sandhu was slapped with an $85 ticket after he parked at Pak’nSave Manukau for two hours and 16 minutes on April 18, despite spending more than $500.
The Manurewaresident said his family had recently switched to Pak’nSave to save money amid rising costs.
“We have been doing grocery shopping monthly because it saves time, it saves fuel, and we don’t have to make multiple trips with the two children.”
Sandhu admitted the trip took longer than expected, but he spent $522.97.
Nav Sandhu and his family buy groceries at Pak'nSave once a month. Photo / Supplied
“We might save $10 or $20 on a $500 shop, now we’re hit with an $85 fine, which would be quite painful for us to pay.”
He said he understands time limits may be necessary to prevent people “abusing the carpark” but believed there should be flexibility for larger shops.
“If I’m going to a supermarket, I’m not worrying about how long I’ve been there.
“That’s why it took so long, we’re comparing prices, making sure every cent counts.”
A Foodstuffs spokesperson said a two-hour time limit was enforced at the store, from when the car enters the carpark to when it leaves, to “make sure there’s a space available for everyone when they need one, particularly during peak shopping periods”.
The parking system is intended to prevent misuse of the carpark by non-customers.
They acknowledged some shopping visits can take longer, especially larger grocery runs, and advised customers to let staff know so a note could be made.
For those who receive an infringement, Foodstuffs said customers should follow the appeals process on the ticket.
The spokesperson said genuine cases, such as longer shopping visits or other circumstances, can be reviewed with the parking provider and resolved where appropriate.
“We want customers to feel comfortable taking the time they need to do their shop, and the team is always happy to help if someone expects they may be longer than the standard limit.”
Sandhu has lodged an appeal with Smart Compliance Management, which issued the ticket.
Pak'nSave Papakura on Great South Rd in Auckland. Rachel Gu has complained after being ticketed $85 for parking in the supermarket carpark for 100 minutes while doing her grocery shopping on February 23. Photo / Google Streetview
Last month, the Herald reported Auckland mother Rachel Gu was fined $85 after parking for one hour and 40 minutes at Pak’nSave Papakura, where she had spent more than $200.
Smart Compliance Management waived her ticket upon appeal after deeming her a “genuine customer”.
