Am soooo angry - unfair clamping and release charge!

Bossyboots

Amanda65 wrote:

Apparently OH says there were signs but they were at least 10 feet up and quite small so were not obvious when he first pulled up.

I am also not against parking restrictions but just think this is extortion (sp?) on the part of the clamping company and cannot believe that they acted so quickly!

They sit there waiting!

The company opposite our company car park employs clampers and they park up down a side alley and wait for people who park and don't go into the shop. Clamper man is out of the truck and onto the car with the clamp before you can even blink. In that particular case, I think they are justified as it is clear that the parking is only for the shop, but I just wanted to give an example of how they manage to clamp so quickly. Oh and they are also often in the store drinking coffee just inside the doorway so it is even quicker for them to nip out and nab someone's car.

I did once however see them ask someone to move instead of clamping them which shocked me so much I almost shut my fingers in the car park gate.

superscaper

Bossyboots wrote:

I almost shut my fingers in the car park gate.

You mean the finger clamp

annh59_2

I have just had a similar experience. I tried to park outside the DVLA to register my sons car but although there were around 30 customers in there, there were only 5 customer parking spaces! I parked in an almost empty car park opposite thinking i wouldnt be away more than a few minutes. It ended up costing me a release fee of £125 and i was only clamped for 3 minutes!! This wasnt a residential area and although i admit to parking wrongly i wasnt doing anyone any harm. These people arent providing a public service........they are simply making money. The guy who clamped me admitted it was extortionate but wouldnt help. I compare this to having a gun held to your head........if you pay you lose, if you dont pay you lose more

uktim29

annh59 wrote: »

I compare this to having a gun held to your head........if you pay you lose, if you dont pay you lose more

Wheres the getting your head blown off bit then?

andyrules

hollydays wrote: »

Clampers are now licensed,by the Security Industry Association.They are supposed to conform to regulations and wear an ID badge.Have a look on the AA website "motoring TRust section" I think the relevant stuff will be there.Edit the AA MOtoring Trust has now been taken over by the Institute of advanced Motorists.see www.iam.org.uk/motoringtrust/
And click on Advice and Information on the left hand side.
It says you could challenge poor signage in the county Court,or complain to the SIA or complain via their site.This site is new and a bit slow at the moment.Personally I find Pepipoo gets very involved-confusing at times.

Yes, there was a programme about clamping some time ago and I remember something about that point. If the signage is poor, then it signals that the intent of the company is to ensure you don't see it and therefore are more likely to park!