The Consumer Council has urged shopping malls and car park operators to clearly display the terms and conditions of parking discounts after receiving complaints about misleading promotions, unclear eligibility requirements and disputes over what qualifies as “electronic payment.”
In one case, a complainant saw a large banner outside a car park advertising “24-hour unlimited parking” for HK$145 for private cars. He parked at around 9pm and left at about 7pm the next day, totaling approximately 22 hours.
However, he was charged HK$1,210 instead. Staff explained that the discount applied only to an “inner zone” of the car park, and the space he used was not within that area. As a result, the fee was calculated at HK$55 per hour.
The complainant said the banner did not specify this condition and noted that access to the “inner zone” required entering through a separate gate, with no clear signage at the entrance or inside the car park indicating the concession area. He subsequently filed a complaint with the Council.
The car park operator responded that the banner stated “terms and conditions apply” and that detailed information was posted next to the gate. The Council pointed out that it is difficult for drivers to stop at a gate to read lengthy, small-print terms and urged the operator to review the case. The car park later refunded the HK$1,065 difference.
In another case, a dispute arose over a mall’s free parking offer for spending HK$500 via “electronic payment,” upon presentation of a receipt and proof of payment.
The complainant dined at a restaurant in the mall and paid HK$1,200 using a credit card stored in an e-wallet but was denied the concession. The mall claimed that the e-wallet did not qualify as an accepted form of “electronic payment.”
The complainant reviewed the terms and found that credit cards were listed as examples of “electronic payment,” with no exclusion of e-wallets, leading him to believe he was eligible. After mediation by the Consumer Council, the mall provided him with a two-hour free parking coupon for future use.
A third complaint involved a promotion in which staff failed to mention time restrictions. The complainant arrived at the mall at around 7.45am for breakfast and was informed by parking staff about a two-hour free parking offer for spending over HK$400.
After paying HK$590, he attempted to register for free parking but was rejected because the concession system only opened at 10am. He later noticed that the registration hours were stated on the parking poster. Dissatisfied with the lack of information from staff, he lodged a complaint with the Council.
The mall responded that promotional posters displayed in various locations clearly stated the registration hours. Following mediation, it provided the complainant with a two-hour free parking voucher for future use.
The Consumer Council recommended that businesses clearly list all terms — including spending thresholds, applicable time slots, payment methods and designated parking areas — in large, easy-to-read wording on promotional materials before drivers enter car parks.
