Trinity Lot

*** AVOID TRINITY LOT IN BERKELEY ***
If I could give a negative rating I would. Douglas Parking practices inconsistent rules for those interested in using the Trinity Lot (aka Trinity United Methodist Church’s parking lot) at 2362 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, CA. The church hired Douglas Parking to manage their church lot as a public parking lot.
Douglas Parking’s official reason as to why my car got towed on 10÷1÷2014 was because I parked in the spot for the director of the church. I was told by two different Douglas Parking employees that if I had parked in the other 3 spots with white signs (not designated for the «Pastor») I would not have been towed on 10÷1÷2014.
I have used this public parking lot several times when I needed to be at work before the City’s parking garage opened. I have seen others park there and I, myself, have parked in one of the «other» white-​signed spots and not been towed. If I had been informed/​aware of this unlisted rule, I would have parked one spot to the left that morning! What is frustrating is that the lot personnel there encourages parkers to use the «reserved» spots. I verified this with the lot attendant the next day!
SKETCHY!!! DISHONEST!!!
Douglas Parking’s Director of Operations responded to me by basically telling me they can do whatever they want because it was up to their personnel’s discretion to tow or not or allow people to park in reserved spots or not. Hhhmmm — discriminatory treatment, anyone?
Under CVC 22 568, there are laws protecting consumers. The Director of Operations refused to let me speak to his boss because he said I would waste his time. He also refused to give me the name of the person I should send my small claims summons to. In a snarky voice, he told me to look it up.
After some research on a CA State website, I found out that one of the company’s partners, Leland Douglas, is the person to send summons to. So send your letters and summons to Leland Douglas at the Oakland headquarters since the Director of Operations doesn’t know jack about customer service.
Heck, don’t just take my words — read the other reviews about dealing with this company and the Director of Operations under their corporate address and other parking locations.
Avoid this drama — use the City of Berkeley’s garage between Durant and Channing, cross-​street Telegraph. You don’t need to be a mind reader to use this public parking garage. There are clearly stated parking rules that are not subject to the whims of employees. Day parking is also $ 1 cheaper than Trinity Lot if you can get in before 9 am and out by 6 pm — it’s the Early Bird rate of $ 9.
AGAIN, watch out for the «Pastor» parking spot closest to driveway at Trinity Lot! Douglas Parking will tow you for that one spot but (from the mouths of Douglas Parking personnel) they won’t for the other church-​reserved spots noted with white placards.
Avoid the tow fee I paid, $ 270 (or $ 365 if I picked up after hours). Use the City’s parking garage.
FYI — I haven’t use this lot or a lot serviced by Douglas Parking since this incident.