A Metro Detroit woman is trying to get her vehicle back from an off-site parking lot in Toronto has been told that she needs to pay $2,800 to retrieve it.
Kim Richardson’s car has not moved from the parking lot in Canada since March 2020.
“While we were gone, the pandemic hit full force and Canada shut its borders,” Richardson said.
Richardson flew out of Toronto before the coronavirus pandemic-induced shutdown. Her return flight was rerouted to Detroit Metro Airport and her vehicle continues to be in Toronto since.
“I have expenses too, I’ve got workers…I don’t operate for free. I’ve lost hundreds of thousands of dollars. If they wanted, they should’ve gotten the car right away,” the owner said to Local 4.
Management claims other Americans in the same situations have had their cars shipped home. The parking lot owner also says he requires the full $2,800 payment for the lot fee because he is having a hard time in the coronavirus crisis, as well.
“It’s a ticking clock. I don’t understand, I don’t know what’s going on here. Business is down, I’m not making any money at all. People who leave their vehicles are paid. She’s the only one that hasn’t paid,” he said.
The owner said he heard from Richardson recently, however, Richardson said she has called multiple times. Local 4 was able to get emails that show her reaching out last April and May to get the car back. She has only received generic responses.
Looking at the overall situation, the Canadian Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Bill Blair declared on January 12 that the U.S.-Canada border will remain closed until February 21, 2021 due to coronavirus.
