Dark Pattern Parking Services and Fees

Photo courtesy photos-public-domain.com

The latest trend in paid parking is that you must pay using your cell phone.  This practice of not providing an alternative method, such as a lot attendant or a machine to collect payment is quite annoying.  This is especially true when you need to install an app to make the payment.  I currently have 5 different parking apps because everybody seems to have their own app.  Text-based and web interfaces aren't much better, often requiring account creation, two-factor authorization, and credit card information gathering, just to park in a lot.

The worst part of the practice of phone payment is the service fee that is added above and beyond the posted rate.  This is an ABSOLUTE BULLSHIT hidden fee.  When there is no other option or method to pay, the posted price should be the total price charged.  Please, parking folks, stop this dark pattern and just post the entire rate, including any service fees.