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A furious mum has vowed she’ll never return to McDonald’s after her son’s birthday party turned into an expensive nightmare.
Oliver Maia celebrated his eighth birthday during a party with family and friends at McDonald’s Indooroopilly in Brisbane on January 20.
However, several weeks later his mum Leisa was shocked to receive a $135 parking fine in the mail for overstaying a 90-minute parking limit she didn’t know existed.
Other relatives who attended the party also received a fine from third party company Smart Compliance Management.
Ms Maia’s appeal to have the fine overturned fell on deaf ears and says she was threatened with debt collectors if she didn’t pay up.
Leisa Maia has no idea her son Oliver’s eighth birthday party (pictured) at McDonald’s would end with a parking fine in the mail
‘We were there for a couple of hours, purchased multiple rounds of food and desserts, sung happy birthday, had a lovely time, left thinking that was the easiest birthday party ever, what a great time,’ Ms Maia told Seven News.
She said there were no signs warning of the parking limits and tried to appeal the fine but was shocked by the parking company’s response.
‘They said “well tough, you overstayed the parking limit. This is the end of the appeal process. Pay up or we’re sending your details to debt collectors”,’ Ms Maia said.
‘I feel like I’m also representing our family members who were fined as well.
‘Some of them were visiting from overseas [and] didn’t speak English, so McDonald’s was a perfect location. It’s food that they’re familiar with.’
Ms Maia also turned to a local community group for advice, claiming McDonald’s staff couldn’t assist when she returned to the store to address the ‘unpleasant situation’.
‘I have contacted the third party with photos to prove we were in the restaurant the entire time, with proof that we made multiple purchases of food over the time we were there. McDonald’s staff were aware that we were hosting a child’s birthday party,’ she posted.
‘Despite all of this, the third party company is insisting that we pay the fine; if not, it will be sent to debt collectors (cue bad credit rating).
‘I am outraged that my son’s birthday has turned into a nightmare for us and our party guests!!! Never again will we have a kid’s birthday party at McDonald’s!’
Leisa Maia (pictured) claims the parking company threatened to get debt collectors involded if she didn’t pay up
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Ms Maia was inundated with advice with many urging her to ignore the fine.
‘Ignore the parking fine, they can’t legally charge you,’ one wrote.
‘I would go to court… let’s see what the judge say. This is outrageous.’
The uproar sparked Queensland Transport Minister Mark Bailey to weigh in on the saga and slam the ‘appalling behaviour’ of private parking companies.
He has vowed to close a loophole which allows private companies to access drivers’ details through the government department.
‘I advise people to not pay it because they’re not fines,’ Mr Bailey said.
‘You’re not allowed to issue fines unless you’re an authorised by the council or state government.
‘I expect to announce something every soon and to stamp out this appalling behaviour.’
The family was unaware of the 90 minute parking limit at McDonald’s Indooroopilly (pictured)
McDonald’s has agreed to waive Ms Maia’s fine in the wake of the public backlash.
‘Like many businesses, some McDonald’s restaurants engage a third party operator to manage their car park, a spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia.
‘This ensures customers have a convenient place to park when they visit our restaurants and is part of our commitment to providing a great customer experience.
‘Where parking limits apply, customers who intend to dine-in longer than the parking limit allows should speak to the shift manager on duty.’
Smart Compliance Management claimed it’s legally able to issue parking breach notices as ‘clients are located on private land.’
Queensland transport minister Mark Bailey has vowed to close loopholes which allow private parking companies to issue fines
Source: | This article originally belongs to Dailymail.co.uk
