What's going on, Albuquerque?

Warning to all the new arrivals to Albuquerque: My $50.00 Parking Mistake @ 6th and Lomas

ok, 1st i'd like to explain that there were signs everywhere stating if you didn't put money in the box, your car would be disabled, and it would cost $50.00 to have the boot taken off. i had just pulled in to the parking lot next to the Subway, never been there before, was getting a sandwich to go. i looked around for the box, i took a few steps towards the middle of the parking lot, looking for one. didn't see one. i figured 5 minutes tops, i wasn't eating on the premises, no harm no foul. wrong. i came out to my car after five minutes had passed, and the car was booted, with sticker on the window telling me to call the phone number listed.
turns out there is a guy on the lot. he's watching from his car, obviously not bothering to offer to point out the box for those of us who don't see one but are looking for one. he waits for the driver to leave the car, then he swoops in and applies the boot. then he waits. he saw me calling the number as he was taking another boot from his trunk, having snared another sucker. he waved me over. the guy wears shades and a hooded sweatshirt, obviously not wanting anyone to get a good look at him. he drives a beat up car, most likely just for this job.i told him i didn't see the box, i was only there for five minutes, blah blah blah. $50 dollars he said. $50 dollars to remove the boot. cash. there is a ATM conveniently located across the street.
unfortunately, i'll never go to that Subway again, even though it's closest to where i live. apparently they do not have any parking for their customers. i have a feeling they do a thriving business with the legal beagles who work in the area and won't miss my business. it's just kinda weird how this place becomes a form of bait for the guy who owns the parking adjacent to it. including my fee, he collected 150.00 in less than 10 mins. (why do i have the feeling this guy is armed?) i have no one to blame but myself on this one. but i just wanted to put the word out, in case any newbies to the area are in the neighborhood, hankering for one of those 5.00 subs. be careful, it could turn into a 55.00 sandwich.

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Comment by slamwagon on December 19, 2008 at 9:28am: Gotta love the snakes and worms.

I've always thought this design stuff pays too little... hmm... boot guy, it's got a nice ring.

Comment by LopsidedMom on December 19, 2008 at 9:52am: Been there. My 6 year-old still won't go into a Subway because he remembers the time "our car got booted in the parking lot." I did call the city to check on their business license because the boot guy is wayyy sketchy and threatening.

Comment by Richard V on December 19, 2008 at 1:35pm: yeah, if he was in a uniform that identified him as the lot attendant, that would be nice. as it is, he's incognito. it's all very shady, although i'm sure the powers that be have been persuaded to nod their heads in approval and look the other way. he's got a goldmine, that's for sure. like shooting fish in a barrel...

Comment by jeff on December 19, 2008 at 2:03pm: so where exactly is the box?

Comment by Richard V on December 19, 2008 at 4:16pm: the metal box with the numbered slots that match the number on your parking space...

Comment by Richard V on December 19, 2008 at 4:19pm: the guy pointed it out, it's on the opposite side of the parking lot from the subway. so if there are cars parked between the subway and the box, it's possible you might not see it.

Comment by SteveJ on March 22, 2009 at 11:40pm: There is a real creepy well connected dude who owns a lot of parking lots in town. This story fits him just right.