I was selected to be a volunteer usher at the National Mall on Inauguration Day, January 20, 2009. Realizing that all of the main bridges into Washington, DC were going to be closed that day, and that I would have to depend on the Washington Metro Subway System, I decided to board Metro early Tuesday morning.
When I arrived at the Franconia-Springfield Metro Station, I discovered that all parking places had been taken. I had heard from other commuters that the Virginia State Police website was advising people to park at the Springfield Mall parking garage (as overflow parking). I drove to the Springfield Mall parking garage and did not see any signs, designating overflow parking, so I thought that all of the parking spaces must be open to people who could not park at the Metro Station. I parked my car and departed on the Metro, into the city.
After a long, fun and tiring day, I returned to the Springfield Mall parking garage to pick up my car. I discovered that my car was not in the parking space that I had left it in. I was directed by Mall personnel to the Mall's customer service, where I was informed that my car may have been towed by one of four towing companies that the Mall does business with. One of the companies that I called, Dominion Towing, informed me that they had towed my car and that I would need to pay them $125.00 to get it back. I took a $15.00 cab ride to the towing company.
On the way, I was told by the cab driver that I was the fourth rider in the last 15 minutes whose car had been towed. All of us had parked at Springfield Mall to attend the Inauguration. The cab driver also told me that the Mall has some sort of an agreement with the towing company which allows them to get a kickback when so many cars are towed, making it really profitable for them. He told me also that the other riders did not notice signs designating overflow parking, either.
When I returned home (minus $140.00), I checked the Virginia State Police website and noticed that, in an obscure corner, was a small paragraph stating that "overflow parking is only on the sixth level of the parking garage." I had parked on the third level.
Until now, I was a frequent customer of the Springfield Mall stores. Due to the evident lack of concern for their customers and their unwillingness to post proper parking signs, I will NEVER do business with them again!
I also want to encourage others (especially those people who were towed) to cease doing business with them also!
Springfield Mall used to run a commercial called, "Under your nose." Well, it is obvious that they are "under our noses," because their way of doing business stinks!
Michael6076
Burke, Virginia
U.S.A.