Government & Politics

Paying for parking at Westfield Shopping Centres

Government & Politics

Posted by: mistymae53

6th Nov 2011 12:19am

I live in S.A. Westfield Marion intends to start charging people for shopping in their car parks. Money is tight everywhere, S.A. included. It seems unfair to me that a shopping centre that has so many shops with extremely competative prices, and entertainment for all ages, should begin charging for parking. I wondered what other people's thoughts were on this, obviously not just on this particular shopping centre, but all Westfield Shopping Centres that may be included in the future, in other states also I assume!


Comments 5

jeanles_195
  • 5th Oct 2012 07:34pm

When I visit Westfields I always watch the clock and if I have to be there longer than the free parking allows I leave the car park and come back in which is a hassle but it saves me a fortune.
The only thing is you have to allow 20 minutes to get out because it is always such a gridlock.

I don't think that workes should have to pay to park there car. I know my hairdresser their boss gets them to park there at night and he pays for their parking. I think Westfields should at least give the workers cheaper parking.

seven_sylvia
  • 22nd Dec 2011 04:59pm

I agree with you. The shopping centres are to encourage shoppers to stay longer so that they will spend more. If they start charging for parking then they will find that the consumer will stay shorter and also spend less. They just can't have it all there way..they have to give alittle. FREE PARKING is really not alot to give. Wake up Westfield.

paradox
  • 15th Dec 2011 11:51am

mistymae53, yep money is tight everywhere and I for one, should this happen in my shopping centre, will not be shopping there and as sherri has suggested I will be writing to centre management about my displeasure. Further, I see usually on Wednesday and Thursday a whole lot of pensioners showing up every fortnight after pension-day. Most of my fellow pensioners would more likely than not boycott these centres as well as they come for the socialising AND the shopping. People power will win the day eventually!

sherri
  • 4th Dec 2011 03:43pm

Shopping centre managements generally are greedy and have no consideration either for customers or for the shop owners that rent space from them.

While they are, of course a commercial enterprise, there IS a limit! - and they forget that to their peril. (and it is the shop-owner who would have had NO input into the decision who will pay the price in decreased patronage!)

I can't imagine that this would happen in Tassie because distances are so small and people would just shop elsewhere (which is what happened when Officeworks charged for parking.)

But centre management generally are rude and inconsiderate - my local centre recently did some extensive remodeling that meant that the car-parking was reduced by 2/3 for many months, and also closed some of the entrances and exits - all without notice that they were going to do so. There EVENTUALLY was a sign explaining what was going on, and 'apologizing' for the disruption - but for me it was too little too late particularly as this was not the first time that they have done this.

I now shop elsewhere whenever possible - especially since I will not shop at Woolworths - any more - another greedy company (I recently learnt that they are a major owner of pokies. - TOTALLY inappropriate for a company that advertises itself as 'family friendly to invest in a business that is responsible for taking the food OUT of the mouths of children!)

It is a shame because I like to shop locally when i can - and of course my personal protest against the centre management affects the small shop owners too - not just the multinational centre owners and the unethical national company (woolies)

my suggestion mistymae? - Write to Westfield and tell them that you won't be shopping there if they introduce pay for park. Inform them of the amount that they will be losing for the sake of a few dollars as parking and encourage your friends to do the same. And if you can be bothered do the same with the shops that you regularly patronize. Each letter is considered to be the opinion of 100 people. - so maybe if enough people do this it will make a difference

mazzab2003
  • 17th Nov 2011 12:44pm

Westfield are the greediest people.. There has been a lot of media attention here in NSW about Westfield charging shoppers and staff for parking and the bottlenecks this has created in streets because staff just cannot afford to pay every day. My local Westfield has not started charging yet but then the centre is not worth paying to enter. There is no undercover parking, no multi storey parking, and the centre is not really the best anyway.. However, in saying that, I suppose that won't stop them for much longer. Westfield are just another company who don't give a damn about people, all they want is money. I say BLACKLIST ALL WESTFIELD CENTRES.

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