Clamped & (Almost) Towed - What to do now?

Chris_Justice

Dear All,

A few friends visited my block of flats over the weekend and one of them parked in a visitors bay without telling me or my flatmates so we didn't know to provide him with a visitors permit.

The block is harassed by Whites Car Park Solutions and when we arrived downstairs in the morning they were on the verge of driving away with his car on the tow truck. Here are facts about parking at my flats:

• Good coverage with their Whites signs
• Signs state 'Permit Restrictions Apply'
• Bays belonging to Flats have numbers painted in them
• There are a few visitors bays with 'V' painted in (this is where he was parked)
• The signs make no mention of the visitors bays.

The visitors permits are a bone of contention anyway because there aren't any guidelines for them, they have the residents Flat No. on them but Whites unwritten rule is that they are to be used in visitors bays only and not in the residents own bays. They have caught a lot of residents out with this and clamped them - but I digress.

I remained very calm and requested the clamper show me a set of rules/contract which stated that specifically parking in a visitors bay was a contravention. He couldn't provide me with anything and his response was along the lines of:

'I'm not interested in talking about it. We're towing it away now and its going to cost your friend more money'.

And with that they started driving off. I chased them shouting he'd pay and in a particularly nasty moment the van had seemingly stopped but then the driver sped up and bumped into me with the van. I am pursuing this incident separately with the police.

This situation now is that my friend is £400 down for visiting and I feel awful. He doesn't blame us as he didn't let us know where he parked (and we had several people over so must have overlooked asking him) but its still wrong. I've suggested he try and reclaim his money through the courts and would like to know what help I can give him in terms of providing evidence. All help is greatly appreciated.

p.s. The tow van was accompanied by an unmarked car which was parked in a residents bay. I challenged this and he claimed he could park anywhere he wanted because he has a permit. It seems Whites print themselves an 'access all areas' permit. I don't think the majority of residents will be happy to hear this.

Coupon-mad

The person who was clamped needs to register and post the details and copy of the receipt, pics of the signage (inc wording) on pepipoo here:

http://forums.pepipoo.com/index.php?showforum=30

And yes, he will need to sue them for the money back but MOST IMPORTANTLY he must also name whichever idiots contracted the clampers to carry out their scam on that site. That could be your landlord or Managing Agent (who will deny liability but he MUST name them or he'll never see his money even if he wins in Court and gets a CCJ against Whites).

There's a current thread on Whites ('Jason' is their owner) here. If this was in Hampshire it may be worth you adding a comment to this thread (but not full details as it needs a thread of its own by the victim for real advice to be given):

http://forums.pepipoo.com/index.php?showtopic=56904

Careful that neither you nor your friend use the 'scam' word nor derogatory comments about the clampers on pepipoo, it's not allowed like it is on here. Read the 'READ THIS FIRST sticky and other info before either of you post.

HTH

taffy056

If your friend paid by card, tell him to demand a chargeback with the issuer, don't take no as an answer, tell them it was paid under duress , if he didn't pay by card the only chance to get his money back is to sue the clampers/landowner/agent together as they are jointly liable, you need to take lots of photos of signs, bays etc , these can help you make small claim.

Chris_Justice

He did attempt to get a chargeback but the bank flat out wouldn't do it. Best they said they could do was put a dispute on it but advised him that it wouldn't get him anywhere.

I'll see if I can get him to post over on pepipoo and provide whatever support I can.

Coincidently I got a letter through today with a new parking permit. It would seem that Whites contract has been renewed for another year. I'm getting increasingly annoying with my managing company as i've yet to see Whites clamp anyone other than a resident, legitimate visitor or delivery driver and that's not what they were intended for.

taffy056

He needs to take it further with the bank, tell him to talk to a supervisor, tell them that the payment was made under duress, and that the police are investigating the situation, he should not take no for answer, if they refuse tell them that you will take to an obudsman , really this is the best chance of money back.

Coupon-mad

Chris_Justice wrote: »

He did attempt to get a chargeback but the bank flat out wouldn't do it. Best they said they could do was put a dispute on it but advised him that it wouldn't get him anywhere.

I'll see if I can get him to post over on pepipoo and provide whatever support I can.

Coincidently I got a letter through today with a new parking permit. It would seem that Whites contract has been renewed for another year. I'm getting increasingly annoying with my managing company as i've yet to see Whites clamp anyone other than a resident, legitimate visitor or delivery driver and that's not what they were intended for.

Whites are well known, Google their full name and the word 'clamped', or 'Jason White clamped', that sort of thing and you'll find out loads about them.

They are typical in that these companies almost always get their money by clamping legit visitors and delivery people's vehicles. That's what happens in almost every case.

taffy056

This thread may help

http://forums.pepipoo.com/index.php?showtopic=53546

Just follow the advice on the thread, also it may help to post a new thread on pepipoo in regards, don't post in this thread.

intranix

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/2317095.clamper_tells_of_attack_ordeal/

might cheer you up

clearly hasnt stopped him from carrying on though!