Frequently Asked Questions
ParkWhiz Explained
- So what exactly is ParkWhiz?
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We help you find, reserve, and sell parking! For tired parkers, we'll reserve you a parking place! For lot operators, we'll help you fill that empty space! And driveway owners, wouldn't some extra cash be great?
To learn more, please check out our blog posting on the ParkWhiz Marketplace.
- Do I have to become a member to use ParkWhiz?
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No way! Anyone can search for parking without creating an account. If you'd like to sell parking or rate a place you've parked at, registering only takes a minute.
- What cities does ParkWhiz work in?
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Anyone in the US can post parking information on ParkWhiz. You can see a list of all the cities that have ParkWhiz listings on the homepage, under "ParkWhiz Cities"; the bigger the city name, the more listings that city has.
Find Parking
- How come my search returns 0 results? The city I'm searching is listed under "ParkWhiz Cities."
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Searches for hourly parking on ParkWhiz are time-sensitive. A search will only show parking that is available on the day and time that you will be parking.
- Why does the search results page only show 20 results, even though it says it found more? How can I see the rest of the results?
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The results page shows the top 20 results based on what you're looking for. Use the search filter controls to tell ParkWhiz what matters -- price, distance from destination, or a mixture of the two -- and anything that doesn't match your criteria will be filtered out. You can also click "Distance", "Rating", and "Price" to change how the results are sorted.
- Does a parking lot offer any amenities or auxiliary services?
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Many of the parking operators in our network offer car care services including a car wash, wax and detail, oil change and lube, and some minor repairs. You will have to contact the parking facility directly to inquire of these services.
- Why are some parking options priced differently within the same section?
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ParkWhiz is not the parking seller; you are purchasing parking from a third party. When you reserve parking to a ballgame, on your way downtown, or otherwise at ParkWhiz, you're buying from other individuals, just like you, or from a parking facility owner. Our unique marketplace allows you to see all of the parking at once, giving you the power to easily find the parking you want, when you want, and at the best price available.
If you don't find what you're looking for, check back often! Our listings are constantly updated, and sellers regularly adjust prices based upon supply and demand, and a variety of other circumstances.
- Are the parking facilities on ParkWhiz open 24 hours per day?
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Every facility is unique, with different policies and hours of operation. A lot of parking facilities are 24/7/365. However, there are many that are not as well. Please check on the ParkWhiz for operating hours and plan your trip accordingly. If you reserve parking for a space that closes at 8 PM, make sure you leave their premises by then. If you do not, it is at the facility's discretion to tow your car.
Buy Parking
- What are the fees for reserving a parking space and what do they cover?
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We will show you your order total before you purchase your parking reservation. The total amount of your ParkWhiz parking purchase equals:
- The full price of the parking space, plus
- A commission equal to 10% of the full parking price
You can be confident that ParkWhiz is a safe, secure place to buy and sell parking. The ParkWhiz Guarantee ensures a convenient, reliable service you can trust. The 10% commission allows us to provide the following unique benefits:
- An open marketplace, so we can offer you the widest possible selection of parking at the best prices available
- National marketing programs and partnerships that attract a large pool of potential sellers
- Our ParkWhiz Guarantee that your parking needs will be met and guaranteed.
For more information, read about our ParkWhiz Guarantee.
- Where do these parking reservations come from?
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ParkWhiz does not own or operate any parking facilities and we don't own the parking reservation you purchase on our site. We started ParkWhiz to provide an active marketplace where individuals can gather to buy and sell parking. The price of parking in a listing is determined by each individual seller. We're an open marketplace, which means that anyone can sell parking on ParkWhiz.
Who are the sellers?
Among the sellers offering parking reservations on ParkWhiz are: – individuals who live and own a convenient parking spot near or around a venue, – individuals who work 9 to 5 and have an unused parking space at their residence, – parking lot and garage owners who manage anywhere from one to numerous parking facilities on a daily basis.
As a buyer, this allows you to select from the widest possible selection of parking that meets your needs. Sellers may be individuals, businesses or for that matter anyone with an unused parking asset and wishes to see their space utilized.
Are there any guarantees?
Yes! When you purchase parking at ParkWhiz, we guarantee your space. To learn more, read about our ParkWhiz Guarantee.
- Is the reservation I book on ParkWhiz really 'Guaranteed'?
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Heck yes it is!
The parking facilities in the ParkWhiz network agree to honor all reservations made through ParkWhiz. You must remember to present your valid reservation receipt to the parking lot.
If a parking lot displays a "Lot Full" sign, present your reservation receipt and they should accommodate you. The receipt is required to verify your reservation and allow the facility to honor your parking rate.
If for some reason the facility is oversold and they can not accommodate you, please contact us immediately as we will refund the amount you paid and work to find you alternative parking near your destination. Please keep your receipt for reimbursement.
With the ParkWhiz Guarantee, you no longer have to stress about finding parking!
- I received an error while purchasing parking. What should I do?
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If you get an error while purchasing parking, double-check the order details to ensure that all the information you provided is accurate. If you still receive an error, please email us help@parkwhiz.com for assistance. Be sure to tell us what error you're receiving and the best way to contact you.
- Is the ParkWhiz site secure?
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Absolutely. Your privacy is important to us. We employ sophisticated encryption technology to ensure the protection of your personal information and your records. For more information on our commitment to security and privacy, read our Privacy Policy.
- How do I pay? What credit cards can I use?
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You can buy your parking on ParkWhiz with your Visa or MasterCard debit card or Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express credit card. To process your purchase, we also require your card's 3-digit (or, for American Express, 4-digit) security (CSC) code.
- Where is the CSC code on my credit card?
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On Visa, MasterCard, and Discover cards, the CSC code is a three-digit number located on the right-hand side of the signature strip on the back of the card. Usually it is preceded by either the full credit card number or the last four digits of the credit card number.
On an American Express card, the CSC code is a four-digit number located on the face of the card in the upper-right.
- If an event is cancelled or my plans change, will I get a refund?
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All sales are final and non-refundable, except in the rare circumstance that a parking facility cannot honor your reservation.
- What if I arrive earlier or park longer than my reservation receipt indicates?
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The parking facilities in the ParkWhiz network agree to allow a 15 minute grace period before and after the stated reservation period. It is at the parking lot's discretion to charge you the daily or hourly rate if you arrive earlier or stay longer than the reservation and 15 minute grace period.
- What is the cancellation and refund policy?
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All sales are final and non-refundable, except in the rare circumstance that a parking facility cannot honor your reservation.
- What should I do if I cannot print my reservation confirmation?
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If you are unable to print your reservation confirmation, please notify us by email at help@parkwhiz.com. We will arrange to email your confirmation to an alternate email address, fax, or mail you a copy. To receive a copy by mail, your reservation date must be a minimum of 5 business days from the purchase date.
You must present your receipt to receive your quoted price and credit for your online payment. If you do not present your receipt to the parking lot, you will not get credit for your online payment and this online payment will not be refunded at a later date.
- Do the listed prices differ from the price if I go directly to the parking lot?
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Most likely, yes. Because the seller determines the price of parking in each listing, the listed price may differ from the price printed at the actual parking facility. Keep in mind, to decide on a sale price, the seller must consider a variety of expenses.
When you purchase parking at ParkWhiz, you may be paying more than the price listed at the actual parking facility – or you may be paying less. Ultimately, supply and demand dictate successful sale prices. In the case of popular events, with many potential buyers and few sellers, demand will drive prices up. On the other hand, parking during off-peak times with many sellers and few buyers will often sell below listed parking rates.
We expect sellers to abide by the ParkWhiz User Agreement and list parking at fair market value in accordance with all applicable local, state, federal, and international laws, statutes, and regulations. However, sellers are free to ask any price for their parking. For more information, please read our User Agreement.
Sell Parking
- What is ParkWhiz's commission and what does it cover?
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Listing parking is free. When your parking space sells, we collect a commission equal to 15% of the total amount of the sale. We deduct the 15% commission automatically before we send your payment. Be sure to keep this in mind when deciding on the sale price of your parking.
For example, if you list parking at $30 for an event, ParkWhiz's commission will equal $4.50 and your payment will equal $25.50.
The 15% commission helps us maintain a safe, secure place for consumers to buy and sell parking. Our ParkWhiz Guarantee ensures a convenient, reliable service you can trust. When you sell parking at ParkWhiz, you get the following unique benefits:
- An open marketplace to accommodate the greatest number of potential sellers, which, in turn, attracts more buyers.
- No listing fees.
- The ability to choose your parking price and change it any time, twenty-four hours a day.
- National marketing programs and partnerships to help market your parking and attract more buyers.
- Guaranteed payment when you fulfill your orders.
For more information, read about our ParkWhiz Guarantee.
- When will I get paid?
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Whether you choose to be paid by check or through your bank account, we will process your payment at the end of the month.
- I sold my parking space, but I can't fulfill it. What should I do?
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If your parking space sold and you cannot fulfill it, you must contact us immediately at help@parkwhiz.com.
Very Important: Do not post a parking space for reservation if you believe you cannot fulfill this space. Our system is setup to guarantee all ParkWhiz reservations. If you cannot fulfill your space, ParkWhiz can hold you liable to reimburse the buyer for their expense.
- How should I set prices for my parking?
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It's up to you to decide on the sale price of your parking space. Enter your desired price per space for each listing. Remember, when your parking sells, we collect a 15% commission from each sale, which we deduct prior to sending your payment. Be sure to keep this in mind when deciding on a price.
To help you decide on a price, you might look at the sale price of other comparable listings. This can give you an idea of what the market value of your space may be. Remember, we cannot guarantee that your parking space will sell.
When setting the sale price of your parking space, it is your responsibility to comply with all applicable local, state, and federal laws, statutes and regulations. We don't collect a commission if your parking does not sell.
- I no longer have the parking space I listed for sale. What should I do?
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If you no longer can fulfill the parking space you listed, deactivate or delete the listing immediately.
- Why do I need to provide a credit card or bank info to sell parking?
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We ask for a valid credit card or bank account to verify your name and address. As part of our ParkWhiz Guarantee, this security measure helps protect against fraudulent charges and parking listings. By providing this information, you are helping make the ParkWhiz marketplace more secure. Thank you!
Verification costs nothing, however $1.00 "pending" charge may appear on your statement; this will disappear in a few days.
- I just listed some parking for rent. How come it doesn't show up when I do a search?
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Searches for hourly parking on ParkWhiz are time-sensitive. A search will only show parking that is available on the day and time that you will be parking. Be sure to set the arrival and departure times of your search to match your listing.
Technical
- What browser should I use to view this site?
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ParkWhiz.com is optimized for use with certain browsers. For Windows, we suggest Firefox (1.5 or higher) and Internet Explorer (6 or 7). For Mac users, we recommend using Firefox (1.5 or higher) and Safari (2 or higher).
- How do I turn on cookies?
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The ParkWhiz website requires that your browser accept cookies. (A cookie is a small amount of information that is sent to your browser from a Web server and stored on your computer's hard drive.)
Please use the appropriate directions below to take full advantage of our website functionality.
Mozilla Firefox (1.5 final release and earlier)
- Go to the "Tools" menu.
- Select "Options".
- Select the "Privacy" icon in the left panel.
- Check the box corresponding to "Allow sites to set cookies".
- Click "OK" to save changes.
Netscape 7.1/Mozilla 5.0
- Select "Preferences" from the Edit menu.
- Click on the arrow next to "Privacy & Security" in the scrolling window to expand.
- Under "Privacy & Security", select "Cookies."
- Select "Enable all cookies".
- Click "OK".
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0+
- Select "Internet Options" from the Tools menu.
- Click on the "Privacy" tab.
- Click the "Default" button (or manually slide the bar down to "Medium") under "Settings".
- Click "OK".
Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.x
- Select "Internet Options" from the Tools menu.
- Click on the "Security" tab.
- Click the "Custom Level" button.
- Scroll down to the "Cookies" section.
- To enable:
- Set "Allow cookies that are stored on your computer" to "Enable".
- Set "Allow per-session cookies" to "Enable".
- Click "OK".
Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.x
- Select "Internet Options" from the View menu.
- Click on the "Advanced" tab.
- Scroll down to find "Cookies" within the "Security" section.
- To enable:
- Select "Always accept cookies".
- Click "OK".
Netscape Communicator 4.x
- Select "Preferences" from the Edit menu.
- Find the "Cookies" section in the "Advanced" category.
- To enable:
- Select "Accept all cookies" (or "Enable all cookies").
- Click "OK".
Please be aware that a cookie cannot spread computer viruses, retrieve any other data from your hard drive, or capture your email address. ParkWhiz respects your privacy, and does not authorize any 3rd party use of your confidential information.
- Why I am not receiving confirmations and other emails?
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Many Internet Service Providers and private e-mail accounts use aggressive spam filters that may inadvertently block some of our e-mails before they reach your inbox. In addition, many free email services (such as Hotmail or Yahoo) may send our messages to your bulk or junk mail folder unless you add our address to your Address Book. Please take the time now to add parkwhiz.com to your personal address book in your e-mail program.
