While I applaud the idea of Jaya Jusco in providing free parking for its JCard holders, the execution of it leaves much to be desired.

I went to Jusco Bukit Raja recently for the movie ‘Wolverine'. After some light shopping, I queued at one of the two auto-pay machines at one of the exits to get my parking ticket verified with my JCard to waive the RM1 parking fee. I usually feel pressured when there's a long queue behind me. So I was quite happy and relaxed that there's only one gentleman behind me when it was my turn to use the machine.

I ensured I put in my parking ticket the right side and the right way up, as indicated by a diagram on the machine. Next, I whipped out my JCard and fed it into the machine, also ensuring that I was putting it in correctly according to the diagram.

And you know what? I ended up getting my JCard rejected by the machine, and me putting the card in again and again, flipping my JCard in all possible directions and sides up so many times that a long line was starting to build up behind me. The gentleman behind was so puzzled (and growing impatient as well, I supposed) that he joined in in helping to sort out the ‘predicament'. His kind gesture was to no avail.

Deeply frustrated, I decided that I would fork out that RM1 so that others behind me need not wait any longer. I almost fell to the ground when I found there was not a single RM1 note in my wallet. And the best part is, I've sent my girlfriend to the car to wait for me. I have no one to turn to to ask for help.

The kind gentleman behind offered to pay for me, but I was already so embarassed by the fact that I had held up more than 10 persons behind me for a good 15 minutes, I declined. So I pressed 'Cancel' on the machine's screen, walked to my car to get an RM1 note, and walked back to the machine to pay, fuming all the way.

I know there is a manned booth in Jusco Bukit Raja where the staff inside will verify and waive our parking fee using the computer. The problem is, it is at the OTHER extreme side of the building, and I parked on the side which is the furthest from it. It is not so much of the walking distance, but more of the system (the machines and their verification process) that I'm having problems with. I have had experience with Juscos in other locations, namely Cheras Selatan and Seberang Prai, where the exact same thing happened to me.

What I want to say is, either the machines are not reliable, or I keep getting cards which the machinese are finding difficult to read (that is assuming I'm the only JCard holder who has this problem, which I think is impossible).

Either way, this system (JCard + machine) is obviously not working perfectly, at least not all the times. And if that is the case, I strongly suggest Jusco to do away with the machines and employ the usage of manned booths in all their outlets.

There is not point using a flawed system -- it is a waste of consumers' time (and patience for that) and a means of eroding the image of Jusco (I was cursing all the way home after this ordeal, and was still at it while typing this letter).