NY PARKING TICKET TIPS

So I got a parking ticket in front of Sugar Sweet Sunshine bakery 2 weeks ago. I was initially SO happy, felt SO lucky I got a spot right in front of the bakery. Literally parked my car at 1:15pm. Walked into to the bakery for quarters (didn't realize the machines now take credit cards), looked out the window at 1:16pm, and saw Officer R Lee scanning my car. I walked out and explained the situation.

"I already scanned it. Can't cancel it. I didn't see you in the car. I didn't see you at the ticket booth," he says. No mercy (Time 1:17pm). "You should buy a ticket in the machine as proof and then fight the ticket." (Ugh! What a pain, I'm thinking). I tell him I don't have quarters and he says the machine takes credit cards. So I reluctantly walk over to the machine and buy a ticket for $1.50 to cover the time it was going to take me to pick up my cupcake order. Ticket stamped at 1:18pm. *FURIOUS*

The cost of my cupcake order - $72 for 48 cupcakes for sister's birthday + $1.50 for parking + $65 parking ticket + $1.50 Pistachio cupcake for the drive up to make me happier.

The back of the ticket explains how you can request a hearing. You can either mail your request with a note and copies of proof, or you can go online at www.nyc.gov/finance to request a hearing without showing proof. Or you can pay the fine: just mail a check, bring a check yourself, or pay the ticket online. I tried to look up the ticket online, but it wasn't available yet. I went back in today to the system and instead of paying for the ticket online, I press "Request a hearing for: Parking Tickets."

Apparently, my ticket had the option of a Settlement for a reduced fine of $43. After thinking about it for bit, I agreed to the settlement. I really wanted to argue the ticket, but the city of NYC made me weigh the pros and cons of settling. It's smart of them because they know most people won't think it's worth the fight. It just isn't worth $43 to go through the trouble of requesting a hearing and showing up to court to just testify and prove myself. Parking tickets don't even affect your points for insurance. Then, I thought about it and realized that I didn't even have to buy a parking ticket through the machine - the "proof" doesn't even matter!! Thank goodness, I only spent $1.50.

(I wish I had tried this for my last parking ticket. Parked in night regulation zone. That's $115!!!)

ANYWAYS, if you didn't know...
1. THOSE TICKET MACHINES TAKE CREDIT CARDS. YES, NYC HAS JOINED THE 21ST CENTURY.
2. TRY TO REQUEST A HEARING AND MAYBE YOU'LL BE ABLE TO SETTLE AND SAVE $22 (That's 11 Ninth Street Espresso Large Coffees!)

Hope this info helps you one day save a little money for delicious coffee.