[aloer]

(This was not in the US)

I would say the people are free to leave but the car stays until they pay and that this is part of how every parking business operates. Otherwise, why pay?

Every parking lot I’ve ever been to clearly states the price for a new ticket when you lose yours. Usually something like the maximum rate for an entire day but it depends. Long term parking at the airport for example might be higher than that

They felt mistreated over their own mistake of forgetting in which pocket they put the ticket. Nothing more