Purple Parking Complaint - Help required

malid

We have just returned from a USA holiday and for the first time, opted for the return of our car to the airport by Purple Parking. We were delighted that the car was waiting for us. We we tired and the driver was keen to be on his way. We did not check the vehicle; bad move I know.

On arriving home (4 hour motorway drive) and unloading the car, we spotted damage to the nearside front of the car. It has clearly hit or been hit by something. We immediately emailed PP and sent photographs. They responded saying they would look into the matter. One week later, we received an email saying that as the damage was not reported 'before the vehicle left the premises' PP cannot be liable. I have since checked the T & S and it does state we were responsible for checking the vehicle at the airport - we didn't.

Is there anything we can do as the damage has without question been done whilst at PP? Any help and advice would be appreciated as the repair is going to be costly and an unecessary expense.

Many thanks

M4RKM

my first question to you is, can you prove, without a doubt that the damage wasn't there before hand.

I use these meet and greet parking services, and always walk around the car quickly before accepting my key, however tired I am, because that is the rules...

malid

I appreciate that we should have checked.

Obviuosly when you take the car to PP, there is CCTV which registers the vehicle registration. I assume the site is also covered by CCTV which could identify this. Security cameras at Heathrow could presumably show that the damage was there when the car was brought back. These are matters we would have to request our insurers (and legal team) to investigate. Other than that, no idea which is why I was hoping for some advice.

ta

lisyloo

Did you drive continuously for 4 hours (very tiring and probably unsafe).
Or did you stop at the services for the loo, petrol, stretch your legs.

Most people wouldn't drive for that length of time without stopping.
Is it possible the car got hit at the services car park?

I don't think you can expect purple parking to help you with CCTV.
They won't incriminate themselves.
You could try Heathrow but I'm not they would have every inch of their drop off areas covered by cameras.

From PP's perspective the car could have been hit anytime afterwards so it's now up to you to prove otherwise.
Is it just paintwork?

We had a similar situation and we used a franchise mobile company called Chips away.
We weren't that happy with the finish to be honest on a large mettalic area, but if it's small then this might suffice and save quite a bit.
It cost £125 as opposed to £300 at a body shop.

malid

The drive was 3 - 4 hours and was not a problem. We did not stop therefore there is no question of damage being done on return journey.

I guess this incident will need to be chalked up to experience. Let it be a warning to others - check, check and check!

Paulina_Fortune

Hi,

I've parked with Purple Parking twice and both times my car was returned with damage that wasn't there before!

There is no one around to report it to. As the car was old and we were exhausted we didn't bother reporting it.

I always say to people to avoid parking any nice cars there as damage seems almost guaranteed. They must treat the cars really badly to keep damaging them.

I suspect you will get very little help from Purple Parking. Perhaps write to Watchdog and ask them to investigate as this must happen a lot.

Good luck,

Paulina.

lisyloo

I guess this incident will need to be chalked up to experience. Let it be a warning to others - check, check and check!

It's very annoying that people are prepared to lie and behave like this.
However, sadly I think you are right.

M4RKM

well, let me recommend meteor meet and greet, I've used these on many occasions now, and even once let them meet and greet park my brand new (less than 2000 miles, and not even a month old) car, and it came back in perfect condition.

and I used them again just last week and had no problems.

I used purple once and ended up with another company i had never heard of meet and greeting me, and was delayed coming back in to the UK, and they wanted cash, for the extra day of parking. Not card, but cash. Now, back in October last year, I was delayed by a day, and meteor said, there wasn't anything extra to pay, as it was a flight cancellation, and out of my control. I got the extra day for free.

Good customer service, prompt return of car, and never damaged.... *touch wood*

One final thought, you could have easily parked your car in the short stay, long stay, off airport parking, where no one else is driving it, and it could have STILL got damaged, and no one accepts liability there...


M

moneypooh

We used the new meet and greet at Luton this summer with PP and couldn't fault them.
Our car was checked on arrival and cctv photos taken.
When we returned our flight times were altered, we didn't have time to contact them so thought we'd just wait for the car to be collected on our arrival. Despite being early our car was outside their reception in good light (we had a night flight) and the attendant went around the car with us before signing off.

So a positive here, will definitely use again

Sorry can't help with your claim but wanted to offer a balanced reply. I guess this one is just down to gaining experience. We used M&G even after a friend had their car badly damaged in a long stay at Heathrow and no claim in that case either.