Your best bet is to try to find a secure parking garage in order to save yourself from expensive

parking tickets, the risk of towing, and harsh weather conditions. The problem that you may

come across is that there are countless parking options available in the city, so how do you pick

the right one for the best price? Before you do, you should beware of some parking garage

scams in NYC.

With a few tricks up your sleeve, you can defend yourself from being misguided by parking

garages and protect your car from being damaged. Here’s what you should know about parking

garages in NYC and tips on how to best protect your car.

Avoid These NYC Parking Garage Scams:

Parking in NYC is already difficult. You don’t need parking garage scams to add to that. By

educating yourself with confusing parking garage lingo, you have an advantage over others

when settling on a garage.

Deceiving NYC Garage Signs:

NYC law requires parking garages to have posted rates on all signs at every garage entrance.

However, this doesn’t mean that you’re not getting hoaxed.

When you’re on a time crunch and passing a garage, your eyes will typically focus on the

bolded price. It’s nearly impossible to drive and read quickly enough to see that there are

additional charges stated in the fine print, but you have to make a quick decision to turn in since

NYC one-way roads will send you on a 10-minute detour through town.

Additional charges may include garage taxes that were failed to be included in that bolded price.

According to the New York Department of Taxation and Finance, sales tax is included in

services like parking or storing your car in garages.

“4% state tax, the 6% New York City local tax, and the .375% Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District (MCTD) tax

In Manhattan, there’s an additional 8% to 21%, which adds up to an increased sales tax rate. Don’t let parking garage signs deceive you from the real cost. For this reason, you must also pay attention to event rates that are in effect.

Event Rate:

An event rate is a fixed flat rate price that you have to pay regardless of how long you’re parked

in the garage. If an event rate is in effect, it doesn’t necessarily have to be posted on the sign.

Some event rates apply when there are:

● Parades

● Concerts

● Conventions

● Sporting events

● Night clubs nearby

Depending on where you are in NYC, rates can be around $40 to $50. Areas near more notable

landmarks such as Madison Square Garden or the Rockefeller center can be as high as $60 to

$80, or more. Be wary as this is a chance for parking garages to charge more money in a

sneaky way.

Steer Clear of Garage Flag Wavers:

Don’t let garage flag wavers trap you into their high-priced garages. Garage staff members with

red flags wave people in and, for tourists or other new visitors to the city, this can seem like an

official system. Once in these tightly packed garages, it’s hard to escape. Therefore, people

often give in and pay the costly fee.

Here are some precautionary measures you can take to warrant the safety of your car in a parking garage.

Don’t Forget To Tip:

Not tipping your parking or valet attendants can result in your car being mistreated. Their jobs

are to fit as many cars in one lot as possible and they won’t care if they have to tap another car

bumper or the wall to do so. Even if it’s just a couple of bucks, make sure that you tip them for

their services and this may save you a trip to the body shop.

Invest in a Bumper Protector:

With that in mind, it might be worth it to invest in a bumper protector for your vehicle. Bumper

protectors are heavy-duty padded wraps or guards that you can place on the front or back

bumpers of your car to shelter it from dings and scratches that could happen when parking your

car.

Open Parking Lot vs. Parking Garage:

Whether you choose to park in an open lot or a parking garage, it’s up to your needs. Parking

garages tend to be safer for your car and person than open parking lots or spaces. Open lots

are more at risk of bad weather like snow, rain, heat, and strong winds. They may also lack

security.

Trust Centerpark to Care for Your Car:

Finding a reliable parking garage in NYC isn’t easy. Give thought to selecting Centerpark as

your affordable and trustworthy parking solution. At Centerpark, we take parking to a higher

level to certify that you and your car are cared for.

Centerpark has advanced parking garages in locations all over NYC. With just a swift search,

you can select one that is convenient for you and within your budget. With decades of

experience, Centerpark is altering traditional expensive NYC parking garages, into mixed-use

transportation centers.

If you are looking for a daily, overnight, or long-term parking garage in NYC, visit our website.