How does the parking meter in cutter ave lot work?

[dphilli1.livejournal.com]

I parked in the cutter ave lot today and got a parking ticket despite paying for what I though was for 3 hrs. Does anybody know to how to make that meter actually work? I can never tell if I've actually paid for a space.

Comments

[mamajoan.livejournal.com]

I had something similar happen at a different Davis Square lot, paying with a credit card. Despite the machine saying "confirmed" or "approved" or similar (I don't remember the exact word but it certainly gave me the impression that all was well), it didn't charge my card and I got a ticket. I didn't try to appeal because, well, it didn't charge my card so I can't prove that I even attempted to pay. It sucks though.