McDonalds and UKPC - apologies as I know it's probably been covered elsewhere...

JennyP

Am having a bit of a personal crisis at the moment. I met a friend last Monday to discuss this and the easiest place to meet was a McDonalds - though neither of us normally set foot in the place.

Anyway, we chatted and chatted, purchasing food and drinks there (yes, I know - questionable taste)

I came home today, still in crisis state, and found a letter with a £100 fine for parking in that McDonalds last week for 2 hours and 20 minutes. Presumably my friend will have one too.

I have read through the emails on this site regarding private parking companies in general and UKPC in particular (though saw nothing on McDonalds and UKPC)

Should I really ignore it? I am tempted to pay it because it is just one more thing I feel I don't want to deal with right now but then I think I'd be letting the ....... (fill in your own expletives here for the people that run these companies) win and I'd be contributing to the system allowing this to continue. If you know what I mean!

All advice gratefully received....

Nice advice please! This letter caused tears as it is!

Jle756

I'm new to this ignoring-private-parking-companies lark, and like yourself, I felt a bit nerved by the initial notice. But, following the advice on this site, I feel pretty safe ignoring them not least of all because the standard, computer generated series of letters that the Sticky at the top of the forum says will arrive have indeed begun to arrive. Still not bothered, the fact that the letters I thought would come are coming gives me more confidence to ignore. In the sticky "Private Parking Companies' Letters: What to Expect" there is a category for UKPC, so have a look on there and familiarise yourself with what you can expect in the post.

I think I'm right in saying (although more seasoned posters might know better) that McDonalds are just like any other company that hire the parking company to "manage" *coughs* their parking. So same applies to McDonalds, any retail park etc... ignore!

angel_islington

My first piece of advice would be to stop eating at McDonalds!

You did the right thing by visiting the forums and reading some of the threads here. Your situation is no different. You have not received a fine, as you state in your post. Private Parking Companies BY LAW cannot fine you. You have received an invoice, inviting you to pay. How nice of them

You have to ask yourself what will happen if you don't pay. There is a sticky thread that will show print outs of the letter chain that the various PPC's use. That way you know what to expect. At the end of the chain of 4/5 letters, they will go away and move on to the next person, hoping they are more gullible. They will use every trick in the book to frighten you into paying, it's all hot air.

You can safely ignore it and keep your hard earned money in your pocket. When you get another letter you can come back here to your thread and we will all dismiss all their threats for you, if it makes you feel better.

SpendlessKaren

I got a ticket in a McDonalds too and luckily came on here before paying it. I got two letters in total, one even had a picture of my car in it, but I ignored them as advised and so far haven't heard another thing so hopefully that is the end of it

JennyP

angel_islington wrote: »

My first piece of advice would be to stop eating at McDonalds!

The really annoying thing is that we NEVER do! I am veggie! I just sat and drank tea and my mate stomached one of those awful burgers (actually I could probably eat that as it didn't resemble what I remember as meat!)

We just met there cos of the circumstances. It was easy as it was off the motorway and she'd driven for a few hours to meet me.

Thank you for all the advice!

AlexisV

Simply ignore them.

bromsgrovebarry

I hope things work out for you. The bogus parking charge is something that you will not need to worry about. Just ignore the silly threatening letters.

JennyP

Thank you all.....

As I'm in that lying awake, fretting about everything mood, could someone please tell me how long it takes for it to go away as an issue? I presume at least the initial 18 days for them to suss I'm not paying?

fb1969

JennyP wrote: »

Nice advice please! This letter caused tears as it is!

Your feelings are more than understandable and that is what Private Parking Companies prey on. The real shame lies with the companies that employ them (ie MacDonalds) and are happy to have their customers hounded just because they spent too long spending money.

Turn the tears into tears of laughter because you have seen through their ways - and let friends know the reality too.

JennyP

fb1969 wrote: »

Turn the tears into tears of laughter because you have seen through their ways - and let friends know the reality too.

Thank you....that's a nice thing to say.

What I think is especially awful is that this is not just a faceless company.... People form companies. Some people out there have actually thought they could make money out of making other people unhappy like this. These are people who are happy to con other people out of money for the sake of their own profit. They're the ones who should be lying awake at night aren't they, rather than me?

I know people do far worse things to each other but it just never ceases to amaze me! Naive I know.

JennyP

Perhaps I need to read this thread...
http://blog.moneysavingexpert.com/2011/08/02/have-some-faith-in-humanity%E2%80%A620-tales-of-good-deeds/