Help - BP want to fine us!!!

Daviegow

Hi All

My partner While driving had to pull over due to feeling rather unwell! She pulled into a petrol station - BP and parked behind 2 cars.
As she had our little girl in the back she felt it wad safer for me to travel to her and take her home. I therefore travelled by train to her location.

Having parked on the forecourt my partner went into the shop and purchased a bottle of water before going to rest in the Brewers Fayre next door.

Upon my arrival I picked up my partner and child and returned to car.
During the process of getting back onto the car the petrol station assistant came over and in an extremely rude manner informed us "that we had cost them a lot of money as we had parked in front of the fuel pipes". This is where the petrol tankers unload the fuel. She then went on to infirm us that there would be a £500 fine.

I asked if the 2 cars in front were causing a problem too but the assistant said they were cars that belonged to staff.

She also said she had looked for the owner of the car in the Brewers Fayre but could not find anyone.

The manager arrived, who showed no compassion whatsoever, and requested our name and address and she would refer to head office.

I wondered where we stand especially as there were no signs stating not to park in this area or any signs stating a potential fine! Not only that other cars were parked in the area.

Please help if you can?

We would really appreciate it!

Daviegow

Just to make you aware the tanker arrived to deliver fuel but couldnt because our car wad in the way!

VfM4meplse

If I was the manager I would be livid. The petrol station is not a public car park after all, nor are the staff clairvoyant. As with any business there are logistical considerations and you have cost them money.

Your OH wasn't well but it would have been a basic courtesy to explain her position to the staff rather than park and go, I'm sure they would have been sympathetic and told her where she could park / offer to re-park for her.

On this occasion I have no sympathy.

Tozer

In theory you trespassed and they can claim their losses as a result.

Are you sure there were no parking signs? BP will have to demonstrate their losses and claim from you. I very much doubt they will pursue it.

Just to add - they cannot "fine" you.

Nile

Hello daviegow

Welcome to the MSE site.:wave:

I've just had a look at the BP website for you and found the following information, send them an email with the full details;):





Please use the contact details below to email, call or write to us in the United Kingdom. We aim to deal with your enquiries as quickly as possible.

For comments or complaints about our service stations and retail outlets in the UK, please contact us via this email address:


[EMAIL="careline@bp.com"]careline@bp.com[/EMAIL]



Please let us know what response you get and the outcome.

Regards

Nile

Colliefrog

I think it's just common sense not to park in front of the petrol pipes. Why didn't she go and park in the pub car park if it was just next door?

Lifeisbutadream

Colliefrog wrote: »

I think it's just common sense not to park in front of the petrol pipes. Why didn't she go and park in the pub car park if it was just next door?

I think it was because she was taken ill :rolleyes:

My blood sugar sometimes drops suddenly and when it happens I cannot think straight and certainly would need to stop the car and go and sit down. I have no idea how ill the OPs wife was, but for her to ring hubby and ask him to come on a train to get her, it must have been quite bad.

Also, I dont really think it is relevant why she did what she did, the OP asked whether BP could fine them for doing it, not what she should have done instead.

OP - I hope that you manage to get something sorted out - perhaps a doctors letter may help, if it came to that?

DVardysShadow

They CANNOT levy a fine. They have no power.

They can claim their costs - and if they do, you can put them to the trouble of proving their costs before you decide to pay - and they can take it to the civil court.

isplumm

DVardysShadow wrote: »

They CANNOT levy a fine. They have no power.

They can claim their costs - and if they do, you can put them to the trouble of proving their costs before you decide to pay - and they can take it to the civil court.

Exactly what this states ... they can not fine you ... only sue for their loss ... did they manage to fill up eventually?

Mark

gordikin

isplumm wrote: »

Exactly what this states ... they can not fine you ... only sue for their loss ... did they manage to fill up eventually?

Mark

Their loss could include driver time and loss of subsequent use of tanker time whilst they sorted out another fuel delivery.

boliston

I doubt very much they would "fine" you - they would need to take you to court to reclaim their loss and prove their loss "beyond the balance of probabilities".