Discussions

the other day I went to the hospital only to put in a looney and the meter did not work. Do I put more money in or not. I hit the meter about 4 times and then the time showed up.  
later in the week I went to 11th street and again put money in the meter only to have it not work. I hit the meter and nothing so I hit it again. nothing. I then chose to put more money in and it worked.  
I contacted city hall as to what is the right way to deal with it. Originally I was told I need to move my car since the meter is not working. if I did that then I want a refund. (ya just a dollar). if I get a ticket, hey I paid for that spot. how do I deal with the ticket. Add to the mix is that the hospital gives out tickets and I have to fight city hall if I get ticketed as the hospital is not giving tickets payable to them.  
 
So what is the proper way to deal with this. I just want to not pay more than I have to nor the fight for something I paid for.....  
 
Twice in one week is annoying. this is not the first time the meter has not worked properly.

Start with smaller change. I never put in loonies. If I have to park I start with nickels and dimes. That way if it eats the nickel I am not going to fuss over that. For a meter I assume they would have to have you make a claim, count the meter money, refund any overages. I am sure they hear all the time the meter ate their money. How to prove it unless videoing the whole instance.

I find the meters don't like to work as well when it's really cold. Fishin Guy is right, start with smaller change. I learned last week when it was freezing cold that it seems to only be loonies it ate, so I switched to only using quarters and smaller change and had no issue.  
 
While I understand your frustration in this situation, I would try and chalk it up to one of those things that you let roll off your shoulders and move on. I lost about $4.00 last week learning the lesson I mentioned above. They can ticket you if your parked at a meter that is expired and while maybe rude and what you do not want to hear but I honestly do not think the City will refund your dollar or send anyone to count the meter and see if there are overages.  
 
While it sucks, at least it is only $1.00 "lesson to learn" (while maybe you shouldn't have had to learn or is right morally) but I would attempt to plan ahead when going somewhere with meter parking to have smaller denominations of coin with you.