Park n' Fly customer finds car impounded

Firm adamant reports of ‘donuts’ and racing not about its drivers.

A Park n' Fly customer says he came back from holiday to find his car impounded after police stopped a car valet on a speeding-related charge.

The man's complaint is among a spate from aggrieved customers following the Herald's reports on the privately owned parking company this week.

Others have alleged their possessions were stolen and their vehicles damaged. Park n' Fly has said it will overhaul its processes but says it is often unfairly accused when travellers rushing to catch flights fail to check cars before leaving.

A Tauranga man, who wants to remain nameless, said his Mazda 6 was impounded by police shortly after he left it at Park n' Fly Auckland before going on holiday last year.

"We dropped the car off at about 11 o'clock and they took us to the airport. That part was fine. Then we went to Australia and came back a couple of weeks later and ... they seemed to have trouble finding the keys."

He said a manager arrived and told him the car had been impounded.

Documents show the Mazda was seized after an 18-year-old who listed his occupation as "valet" was stopped. He has been charged with "operating a vehicle in a race or in an unnecessary exhibition of speed or acceleration on a road in contravention of section 22A/1 of the Land Transport Act".

The car owner said the courts released the car and Park n' Fly arranged to have it sent back to him. He said Park n' Fly paid the fees incurred when the car was impounded.

Park n' Fly director Mohammed Alim said the driver was not racing or speeding and the car was impounded due to a possible misunderstanding near a roundabout. A court hearing is imminent.

Meanwhile, Mt Eden resident Chris Booth and Tauranga resident Karen Bevan said their possessions went missing after leaving vehicles in the care of Park n' Fly.

Mr Booth said he stowed $80 in his glove box, along with his debit card, before he flew to Brisbane last year.

"We went away and came back late on Sunday night and I didn't notice until a few days later but I went to look in my glove box and the cash was gone and so was the Visa debit."

The debit card had not been used but Mr Booth complained to the company's management, who asked him to email head office. He is still waiting for a response.

Ms Bevan claimed her car was damaged and a Park n' Fly driver ridiculed her on the trip from the airport back to it in December.

"To add insult to injury, a week later, I went to use my hands-free earpiece and it was gone, as was the charger," Ms Bevan added.

Mr Alim said it was easy for people to blame Park n' Fly when they said possessions had gone missing.

He gave an example of a vehicle checking card he said customers should complete. It included details about mileage and contents.

"If they don't disclose it to us, then it's very hard to prove who was to blame for missing possessions."

He said most of his staff were honest but the firm would consider enhancing its CCTV system to monitor drivers inside cars.