Nosy parkers triggered over lady’s humble carport side hustle
A humble carport listed for rent as a side hustle in one of capital’s smallest inner city suburbs has put some parkers’ noses out of joint.
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A humble carport listed for rent as a side hustle in one of capital’s smallest inner city suburbs has put some parkers’ noses out of joint.
Sally Vanduren was taken aback at the response she got when she put up the carport listing via Brisbane Marketplace in Herston – a suburb that has a population of 2,200 at last census with a median house price of $1.337m according to PropTrack.
The innocuous listing said: “long or short term secure carport for rent. Located opposite golf course on Herston Road. Walking distance to uni, and the hospital. Undercover. One of three spots available (middle centre) price will reflect hours rented and the going rate.”
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She put a price of $50 for five working days on the carport, and was stunned at some of the hostile responses received, which forced her to soon afterwards call for calm.
The carport offering itself was described as a bargain by several people given “you cannot get permanent parking in and around the city for $10 per day anymore”.
They’re not kidding. Brisbane City Council has three metered parking zones across the city: the CBD, city fringe and rest of Brisbane. Herston sits in zone 2 – the city fringe – where the charge is $12.50 for the day if you’re lucky enough to find available street parking close to work in Herston.
Given its location near the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, it’s no wonder the carport owner was also given kudos for the side hustle: “If I had car spots near the city. I would rent also. Ignore the haters,” was one supportive comment.
But not everyone was a fan, with some taking offence at the carport being called “secure”, others just having a go at others having a go, and some questioning everything from the $10 daily charge to insurance and security on site in a virtual rabbit warren of comments.
“Unfortunately due to the unsolicited comments made on this ad I have to urge readers to please leave your comments to yourself unless you are interested,” Ms Vanduren eventually said. “Otherwise please keep your uninformed opinions to yourself. So far this ad has inspired harassment from some of the public. Not acceptable.”
That triggered even more debate including an impassioned defence of free speech from one social media user along the lines of: “This is the internet. People are entitled to state their opinions. You can turn off commenting. Facts”, to another seemingly disapproving of Ms Vanduren for saying “beg your pardon” to him, to some casual sarcasm thrown in by another, saying “I’ll put $50 towards fixing up those bricks for my OCD”.
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Others tried calming the situation: “Sally is not being rude. I beg your pardon is a way of apologising and resetting the conversation to seek understanding moving forward. Please, be tolerant. She was in no way deserving your response. Come on everyone. Jeeeeez”.
Another said “people are not asking for an opinion when they’re selling or offering something … If you don’t want people to think you were brought up to have no manners just scroll by if you’re not in the market for the item. Please!”
Others were “on the side of the rowdy guy” amid varying levels of outrage over the carport’s fencing, insurance and rental price.
To her credit, Ms Vanduren is sticking to her guns with her side hustle despite it all, continuing to ask for $50 for weekday daytime parking – which compared to the council’s metered charges is at the very least a $2.50 daily discount and guaranteed parking on a work day.
She’s even open to the carport being rented out for seven days, 24/7 or even two years – with the price to be adjusted accordingly for the right parker.
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