City Center Ridiculous Fee Strategy!

mystuff
By mystuff

Yesterday i went to city center and i clocked my watch for 45 minutes so i won't pay the QR 5 (i feel it's a rip off).

Finished what i was doing and wanted to exit the center, to my shock there was a huge line of cars waiting to pay, all exits were closed and they only kept TWO exits open!!

15 minutes i waited in line, then when i wanted to pay she told me QR 5! I asked why would that be? She said well you stayed ONE HOUR AND TWO MINUTES!!

I was furious! It's not my fault if they have only 2 exits open! plus why would they charge me 3 riyals for the extra 2 minutes!

They should do like the airport, first 15 minutes free just to find a parking spot.

If it was not urgent for me to go to city center, i would have stayed boycotting them!

I wish they would read this and do something about their rates and timings!

By azilana7037• 24 Apr 2012 22:28
azilana7037

It didn't happened to be but to the couple in front of me. They did held up a queu for 10 minutes and when everyone behind me tooting their car horns, the driver (of the car in front of me) parked at the side and got me through.

As I passed, I gestured to the lady companion what's going on, she said "lost ticket, we need to pay QAR100"...I said "WTH????",.. and moved on.

Now I remember where I put my ticket where I could easily find it...QAR100???? Can you believe it???

By great.angelina• 24 Apr 2012 18:42
great.angelina

And if i tell my husband i guess it's better to park outside... He will stare blankly at me hehe.

So bit the bullet, count the blessings of this country, hate city centre and go there anyway, my 2 cents

By RiffiRaffi• 19 Apr 2012 09:46
RiffiRaffi

aha interesting image

By timebandit• 19 Apr 2012 09:39
timebandit

http://www.qatarliving.com/node/2085125

It's all explained in this thread.

By HelenMS• 19 Apr 2012 03:51
HelenMS

Of course I didn't even think about the poor people behind me having to pay extra because of my stupidity - lesson learned!

By HelenMS• 19 Apr 2012 03:47
HelenMS

Late last year I visited the City Centre - stayed 1 hour but unfortunately misplaced my ticket. After rummaging around in my handbag panic stricken for what seemed ages, I finally bit the bullet and got in the queue to get out!

You can imagine what happened?!! LOL... apart from holding up at least 12 cars behind me.. the young Qatari woman in the booth was perplexed not knowing what to do.

After a few minutes she decided that I could pay her 100 riyals!!!! I was so shocked. Yeah right.. and where was that money going huh? I had a look in my purse and only had one 50 riyal note so I said that was all I had - she argued for a few minutes but the cars behind me became really impatient (by now this hold up was at least 15 minutes! LOL) tooting so she hurriedly lectured me about not losing my ticket again, made me vow and declare I would tell no-one that she was doing me this "favour" and bobs your uncle - I was at last free to be on my way outa there!

I would be very interested to know if there is a policy on lost tickets and just how much you officially have to pay if anyone knows?

I only go there now if I really have to and avoid inside parking at all costs! Has anyone else had this experience?

By flor1212• 18 Apr 2012 21:18
flor1212

VERY GOOD, it means you learn your lesson. It means more parking slots for those who really needs it.

By flor1212• 18 Apr 2012 21:16
flor1212

You use it (I mean the parking facilities), pay for it. As the OP stated, he needed to go there. The three riyal he lost, was it really worth to even discuss it?

Maybe the heat is really coming to some people here already.

By Molten Metal• 18 Apr 2012 20:47
Molten Metal

?

By spybot• 18 Apr 2012 13:36
spybot

U will pay there as well hahaha

By Baburao-Ganpatrao-Apte• 18 Apr 2012 12:53
Baburao-Ganpatrao-Apte

1 kg of atlas jewelry

By Rizks• 18 Apr 2012 12:29
Rizks

25 bucks + a 1Kg Gold bar......:)

By Baburao-Ganpatrao-Apte• 18 Apr 2012 11:48
Baburao-Ganpatrao-Apte

lulu shld charge 25 qr

By fubar• 18 Apr 2012 11:46
fubar

Is that the reason? I just stopped going because of all the hassle.

I had hoped that the parking would be expensive enough to keep people away, making it easier to find a spot, but unfortunately it's much more stressful finding a park than it used to be a few years ago.

City Center could easily double the price of parking and people will still go there.

It's only a matter of time before Lulu and Villagio etc start charging for parking.

By hassan1024• 18 Apr 2012 11:11
hassan1024

The parking lot over there seems busier than ever because the upper level parking has been completely shut off, and on the ground floor, most of the parking spaces have been blockaded for construction.

By nomad_08• 17 Apr 2012 19:28
nomad_08

FlyingJD - Thats exactly what I mean, CC should not overcharge true blue customers like me.

By fubar• 17 Apr 2012 17:27
fubar

The prices are mentioned on a big board as you drive in, or at least you they used to be.

Despite all the complaints, the parking there is busier than ever!

By FlyingJD• 17 Apr 2012 17:21
FlyingJD

I am guessing she means not a big deal for some one who has spent

6 hours there, saw a movie, ate at Nando's, shop at C4/ bhs/ macs/ sun&sand/ pharmacy and ordered a takeaway at burger king.

By nomad_08• 17 Apr 2012 17:14
nomad_08

Not a big deal?

By Ruby23• 17 Apr 2012 16:16
Ruby23

c'mon that's not a big deal.

By nomad_08• 17 Apr 2012 16:05
nomad_08

We spent about 6 hours there, saw a movie, ate at Nando's, shop at C4/ bhs/ macs/ sun&sand/ pharmacy and ordered a takeaway at burger king. I think paying QR33 for parking at the end of it all doesnt make sense. The guy at the parking counter was telling me 'mahal pare mahal' (expensive my friend) and i thought he was just kidding. But when I saw the digital disply I was like WTH...!

By Baburao-Ganpatrao-Apte• 17 Apr 2012 14:01
Baburao-Ganpatrao-Apte

lol n pay more qr 1500 for the parking + finger fine

By hassan1024• 17 Apr 2012 14:00
hassan1024

The parking situation over there has been deteriorating for months now, what with all the endless digging and construction etc. I only go there because of the gym, and once my membership expires end of this month, I will gladly wave goodbye to that joke of a mall, and just buy some powerlifting equipment to set up in my home.

By Rizks• 17 Apr 2012 14:00
Rizks

hassan, while coming at the ticket counter for paying and if they over charge you, do as shown in ur DP pic....:)

By Baburao-Ganpatrao-Apte• 17 Apr 2012 13:57
Baburao-Ganpatrao-Apte

stay till u can pay qr 5

By Rizks• 17 Apr 2012 13:56
Rizks

Paying 5/- is ok, but Qrs.33/- ?

By Keidoupe• 17 Apr 2012 13:36
Keidoupe

LOL, im kinda sick of people nagging about that 5 qr they pay at the city centre parkings, i mean, you go there, spend your money on mindless shopping, then you come back home angry at the parking fees ? LOL think about it

By FlyingJD• 17 Apr 2012 13:27
FlyingJD

Mystuff .Its auto billing I guess.they would charge 3 riyal for even 1 min extra .

May be the long que is made by people who argue about been charged for extra 1-5 mins . Making the people waiting behind pay too who could have got away otherwise.

By azilana7037• 17 Apr 2012 13:13
Rating: 4/5
azilana7037

Go park there.

You will have to walk to and from City Centre and you wont have to pay 5 riyals.

By mohamed_ian• 17 Apr 2012 13:11
mohamed_ian

The minimum purchase from Carrefour is 100 QR.. :( they should reduce this or else they will lose their customer.. :(

By Paul R• 17 Apr 2012 13:06
Paul R

I think the minimum spend in Carrefour is QR100 or maybe QR200.

By GodFather.• 17 Apr 2012 12:55
GodFather.

I am not sure about the minimum purchase thing. I only spent QR28..:)

By t_coffee_or_me• 17 Apr 2012 12:54
t_coffee_or_me

A new way to earn extra money.

By cherukkan• 17 Apr 2012 12:53
cherukkan

UkEng, I think there should be a minimum purchase from Carrefour?

By fubar• 17 Apr 2012 12:47
fubar

Buying a cinema ticket will get you discounted parking too.

As far as I am aware, it is only the cinema and carrefour that offer this benefit.

By GodFather.• 17 Apr 2012 12:40
GodFather.

Rizks I am afraid its only C4..:(

By GodFather.• 17 Apr 2012 12:39
GodFather.

I spent over two and hour hours at CC last Friday and did the shopping and only paid QR3 since the first 2 hours it was free courtesy of Carrefour. If you cant beat them join them!

By Rizks• 17 Apr 2012 12:38
Rizks

UkEng, is it C4 or any shop in CC ?

By Rizks• 17 Apr 2012 12:37
Rizks

Qrs.33/- for the damn parking ? :(

We can get a full supply of Karak Chai along with Hot Porotas for a week with tat amount....:)

By GodFather.• 17 Apr 2012 12:37
Rating: 5/5
GodFather.

First two hours in City Centre are free if you buy anything from carrefour, take your receipt and ticket to customer services help desk and they will stamp it so you don't have to pay anything for the first two hours..

By nomad_08• 17 Apr 2012 12:36
Rating: 2/5
nomad_08

Yup we made a mistake of going there for shopping and watching movie & ended up paying QR33 for parking. Never again.

By britexpat• 17 Apr 2012 12:29
britexpat

You have to vote with your feet. They know that they have a captive market.

By Molten Metal• 17 Apr 2012 12:23
Molten Metal

Morning Barber , evening milkman, inflation, you know !

By Baburao-Ganpatrao-Apte• 17 Apr 2012 12:18
Baburao-Ganpatrao-Apte

bet wakra hositpal manager was ex barber or milkman :(

By BlueBull• 17 Apr 2012 12:14
BlueBull

Stop Cribbing and enjoy the gifts of this country - Spelling mistake.

By Chairboy• 17 Apr 2012 12:14
Chairboy

Mohd29 - before you can "...support to execute all projects fast", authorities and companies are required to exercise JOINED UP THINKING and we are a long way away from that as any "ex Barber/Milkman" Professional Project Managers - who are worth their salt, will tell you.

Wakra Hospital is still NOT OPEN!!!!!!!

By Chairboy• 17 Apr 2012 12:11
Chairboy

Forget it - park across the road and walk if it causes you THAT much frustration. Just accept that in some areas of our life in Qatar, things simply are not going to get resolved!! You will just get from the authorities what I daresay you got from the attendant in his booth - a blank stare!!!

By Mohd_29• 17 Apr 2012 11:56
Rating: 4/5
Mohd_29

Not only in city centre..i can give n number of examples.Qatar whether it is pub or pvt; in gen is very slow in taking decision and executing it.The infra Vs the input in general if u see is having a big gap.the number of people coming to country with respect to the infrastructure like roads,malls,transport etc etc...It is high time and govt should support to execute all the projects fast

By anonymous• 17 Apr 2012 11:54
Rating: 4/5
anonymous

Last week when I visited City Center, I found most of the entries marked FULL, but since we were already in the Que, we couldn't get out. Later after entering we found lots of parking available, well thats not the main point. After spending 3 hours, when we retured we were asked to pay Qr.17 as parking fee while exiting. My wife was shocked, Qr.17 for parking the car for 3 hours. We were in hurry, so we had to pay and move ahead. I guess, best solution is either avoid CC or park you car else where or if you plan to spend too much of time, then park your car on cornice and take a bus or taxi, it will work out lot cheaper.

By fubar• 17 Apr 2012 11:54
Rating: 4/5
fubar

There's plenty of parking across the road. Just park on the street and walk.

And the 15 minutes at the airport isn't actually free. It's free if you leave within 15 minutes. If you stay longer, the charge is calculated from when you enter.

By alee298• 17 Apr 2012 11:53
Rating: 4/5
alee298

well..I think they have a payment machine on the 1st floor when you exit from door beside Qtel shop. You can pay your parking fee to that machine and just show them the payment receipt when exiting the parking.

By Molten Metal• 17 Apr 2012 11:50
Rating: 2/5
Molten Metal

Are you going to stop new comer from UK and around the world who are landing day & night here....

By Molten Metal• 17 Apr 2012 11:46
Molten Metal

People are loosing bicycles the way you suggest parking here, so are you prepared for that in case of cars ....

By Molten Metal• 17 Apr 2012 11:42
Molten Metal

In city they charge even for asking a direction , but in village poeple are just generous.

By humanresources.doha• 17 Apr 2012 11:38
Rating: 4/5
humanresources.doha

most of the shops in city center can also be found in villagio and landmark..

looking forward for the opening of Doha Mall and Gulf Mall very soon.

By MarcoNandoz-01• 17 Apr 2012 11:35
MarcoNandoz-01

Easy park ur car outside the mall next time and you won’t have to pay anything.

By anonymous• 17 Apr 2012 11:33
Rating: 2/5
anonymous

Just dont visit city center anymore as i did :)

By Baburao-Ganpatrao-Apte• 17 Apr 2012 11:32
Baburao-Ganpatrao-Apte

why this

why this

city centre charges parking fees !

go villagio

By Molten Metal• 17 Apr 2012 11:30
Molten Metal

What are the corner shops / groceries for ....

By Arien• 17 Apr 2012 11:30
Arien

Dont go there. simple.

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