"Car park troubles"

I came to visit my parent today who has just had surgery. I parked in the car park and went into to see my parent. They were still very groggy so I didn't stay long. When I got to the car park to pay my ticket I went to pay by card as I had no cash on me. The machine would not accept my card. I tried a couple of times till I saw a tiny stick advising that the machine did not accept ANZ debit cards.

I walked back into the hospital to ask where an ATM was. I then walked to the other side of the building to the Breeze Cafe where, much to my frustration, the ATM was 'out of order. ' I asked the cafe staff "if I made a purchase would it be possible to get cash out?" to which the response was no.

I then walked back around to the main entrance to the cashier's office to ask how to get out of the car park with no cash, an ANZ debit card and an 'out of order' ATM. The response was - I can't give you cash out. That was not my question. I could feel my frustration rising but managed to remain calm. Again I asked how to get out. They suggested maybe see if the parking guard, they could take my card details and process the payment. I did not realise there was someone who was there to take a payment. Going into the car park the machine had an automated voice saying to pay at the machine before leaving so I did not realise there was staff there.

I headed back out to the car park and was able to find the car park attendant who accepted my payment, which by now had doubled in cost due to how long it took me trying to make payment. I was not well and was concerned about my parent, so having to go through so much hassle just to get out of the car park and to have to pay double for the inconvenience is the last thing I needed.

I think it is pretty lousy that people who use the car park are either sick or going to visit someone that is sick and I believe that things should be easy, smooth and convenient. I can't imagine someone who has just lost a loved one or has someone in a more serious state having to manage so much mucking around while going through such emotional stress. By the time I left I was extremely stressed, angry and exhausted. Could you not have an ATM near the entrance closer to the car park as well? Could you have a machine that accepts ANZ cards? I understand the charges on American Express cards but an EFTPOS card from an Australian bank - seriously?!

It would also be helpful to have signs that are easy to see advising that there is a car park attendant on hand if you are having difficulties with the machine and making payment. So much unnecessary stress to an already stressful situation. Having to pay double for the inconvenience just adds insult to injury. Pretty lousy.