MSE News: Wheel clamping ban moves closer

Flyboy152

esmerobbo wrote: »

Like it or not this whole situation has been brought about by the clampers! It was they who chose to rip people off, it could well have been left alone if they had done it fairly and within the guidelines even though the guidelines were drawn up by there own. However they seem to have been accepted. However most just chose to rob people. Its them the business people whose property may be abused have to blame!

As much as I agree with a large part of what you say, ultimately, if they ignorant beggars who are intent on parking on someone else's land didn't do it, the need for the clampers wouldn't exist. I agree that the clampers have very much brought this upon themselves, but why punish the innocent landowners? There should have been some consultation over this, but as usual this government don't give a hoot about anyone else but themselves. If my clients can't park in my car park, I will lose business. There is no getting away from that fact.

gadgetmind

I just sent my MP a quick letter and I suggest you do the same. An outright ban is an inconsiderate parker's green light to do exactly as they please.

Ian

SodG24

Flyboy152 wrote: »

I agree that the clampers have very much brought this upon themselves, but why punish the innocent landowners?

You could turn that round and ask why the clampers should be allowed to punish innocent motorists ? While a few people do park on private land knowing they can get away with it most people that get clamped or PPC invoice have been trapped into it.

The only alternative to an outright ban would be :

1. Strict regulation of clamping / PPC "ticketing"
2. Government set charges for "tickets" and removal of clamps
3. A truely independent appeals process
4. When a clamp is proven to have been invalid, very heavy financial punishments for both the clamping firm and the landowner who employed them.

Wo is going to pay for all that administrative process though ?

SodG24

gadgetmind wrote: »

I just sent my MP a quick letter and I suggest you do the same. An outright ban is an inconsiderate parker's green light to do exactly as they please.

Ian

I sent my MP a letter supporting the ban a few weeks ago and he responded saying he also supported the ban.

Flyboy152

cajef wrote: »

:T

While sympathising with your position, this ban has been brought on mainly by the actions of cowboy clamper's who have preyed on thousands of motorists with what has been more or less extortion.

You may think you have employed a reputable clamping company but unfortunately due to the antics of the majority of them giving their industry such a bad name this legislation has become necessary to stop these cowboys.

You may have to implement other measures to control parking and it may be costly but that is a small cost compared to the many thousands of pounds these companies are raking in from their dubious ways of conducting business.

The parking control company I have employed have a very good reputation. The signs in the car park have our telephone number on them, advising the owners of the cars to contact us, if they have a dispute with the control company. In my service agreement with the company, I have a clause that allows me to withdraw from the contract if there any verifiable complaints relating to intimidation, non agreed fees etc. or if serious complaints reach ten per cent of activity (I am not interested in the complaints taht say, "ooh, she was rude to me when I phoned them," or "they took too long to answer their phones"). To date (over a couple of years), I have received about a dozen calls, mainly to do with the time it has taken to get the clamp removed. We have a key to the clamps locked in the office. If there is a genuine emergency (for example a parent with small children etc.), we can release on behalf of the clampers, once the fee has been paid. If there is genuine hardship (if the car is an old banger and the driver is clearly without funds), we have the discretion to waive the fee. Everyone else can take a run and jump.

There are many firms who take a similar approach, why should we be tarred with the same brush and have our livelihoods put at risk, because the government don't know how to write laws properly.

Flyboy152

AlexisV wrote: »

Hi Ian

Personally I think there are so many threatening signs about using very similar words that people do tend to just ignore them. In my opinion people are a lot less likely to abuse land if they're communicated with rather than at.

That is their problem. The signs are there, I am not the person to teach them how to read them.

It might sound soft, but I think a sign which says something like "Please be considerate and don't park here. These businesses need to use this land for their customers. If you aren't here to visit us, please park elsewhere."

Honestly, if you state your case and try and persuasive I think people will respond better. Of course, nothing will stop the proper idiots out there unfortunately.

My receptionist used to be the person who did this. It was when she got verbally abuse and threatened with violence too many times, is when I brought in the clampers. She still does run out and warns them that they will get clamped if they park their. That still gets ignored. I've told her not bother anymore, anyone who is too stupid to ignore the signs deserves what they get.

Flyboy152

gadgetmind wrote: »

I just sent my MP a quick letter and I suggest you do the same. An outright ban is an inconsiderate parker's green light to do exactly as they please.

Ian

My MP is not that useful.


(I am seriously tempering my words with that description, she wouldn't know what a car park was. She herself has been clamped several times in the area for parking on private property whilst out shopping).

Flyboy152

SodG24 wrote: »

You could turn that round and ask why the clampers should be allowed to punish innocent motorists ? While a few people do park on private land knowing they can get away with it most people that get clamped or PPC invoice have been trapped into it.

Because they are not "innocent motorists." It is not just a few, it happens every day, at least eight cars are clamped on my forecourt every week.

The only alternative to an outright ban would be :

1. Strict regulation of clamping / PPC "ticketing"
2. Government set charges for "tickets" and removal of clamps
3. A truely independent appeals process
4. When a clamp is proven to have been invalid, very heavy financial punishments for both the clamping firm and the landowner who employed them.

Aah, at last someone with some sense. That is something I have been asking for for some time. But I get shot down with the same old rubbish you see on this thread.

Wo is going to pay for all that administrative process though ?

The lazy beggars who park on someone else's land seems like a good idea to me.

cajef

Flyboy152 wrote: »

The lazy beggars who park on someone else's land seems like a good idea to me.

Or even better as it would be for the benefit of the people that want to employ the clampers they can pay.:p

backfoot

And how they whine now it's too late.Good riddance I say,and not a day to soon.

Works fine in Scotland.

Peddle some other racket.:p