ParkingEye

MattJH

(Apologies, I originally posted this on another thread, should have posted here)

So, I have literally just received one of these letters. I parked on Bank Holiday Monday outside a Magnet Kitchen showroom. I spent a few hours in there looking at kitchens and going through a design with the salespeople in there. We then booked an appointment for about an hour later, so we popped over the road for lunch and then came back to go through a more detailed design. Overall we were there for a long time.

I am going to contact Magnet to understand what is going on here, as I am somewhat confused. The time limit according to ParkingEye is 2 hours. I am astounded therefore that every person who goes to Magnet to run through a kitchen design isn't receiving one of these notices.

I have to say I am extremely angry at the moment. The letter is very threateningly worded and seems to be put together to look like an official council letter or the like. I am certainly in no hurry to respond to anything and will be ignoring until I get some reply from Magnet.

:mad:

Trebor16

Don't wait until you receive a response from Magnet, just ignore them totally. They can't fine you or penalise you financially. You had a good reason to be there. Simples!

Crabman

Take a look at our letter chains:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2214803

We already have Parking Eye letters up there so you should have an idea of what letters come next. They will inevitably send you the full set and then they'll stop because they'll realise you're not falling for the scam.

No real point in contacting Magnet about this, although if you do, you could say that you've received a threatening letter from their agent and you will be taking your £thousands to a different retailer that doesn't threaten its customers.

On the topic of kitchens (sorry parking board peeps ) I found Magnet's prices simply ridiculous. I'd suggest looking for a Howdens site near you. They supply the units and can suggest/recommend a tradesman to do the fitting. I'm sure the folks on the "In My Home (DIY) Board" will be able to help.

give_them_FA

Don't forget these goons are meant to be the servants of Magnet, not the masters. How often do we see the tail wagging the dog, though, with the retailer's manager claiming it's nothing to do with him?

I like the idea of telling Magnet you have changed you mind because of the way THEY (through their agent) treat customers, so it has left you with no confidence in their commitment to customer satisfaction. Then, as Crabman says, look elsewhere.

Anyway, on no account pay the scamming crooks one penny.

MattJH

give_them_FA wrote: »

Don't forget these goons are meant to be the servants of Magnet, not the masters. How often do we see the tail wagging the dog, though, with the retailer's manager claiming it's nothing to do with him?

I like the idea of telling Magnet you have changed you mind because of the way THEY (through their agent) treat customers, so it has left you with no confidence in their commitment to customer satisfaction. Then, as Crabman says, look elsewhere.

Anyway, on no account pay the scamming crooks one penny.

Email has been sent. I would never use a company that allowed these cowboys to take advantage of you like this. If I don't get a reply I will be writing a letter.

Stephen_Leak

This is why also sueing the car park owner is so important. They are "jointly and severally liable" with the PPC for their actions on their behalf. The PPCs don't care about anything other than their money. However, the car park owner needs to be shown the true cost of allowing a PPC to infest their car park. And it could see one more PPC with one less contract.

esmerobbo

It will have cost Magnet (if you don't buy from them) because of Parking Eye, but did they put them in the car park?
Its normally the Landlord/management agents who stick these parasites in to maximise their income.

I know the manager of our local B&Q is pizzed off with UKCPS because of the complaints he gets, but its the landlords who put them there!

However I am sure with the rent B&Q and the other retailers pay they could tell the landlords to boot them out.
They are not needed as there is nothing else there except a retail park, so no commuter parking all day problems.

taffy056

Agree with crabman on howdens , my brother is kitchen fitter and builder, almost all his customers are recommended to them, they supply solid carcasses that are not flat packed junk, and they are far cheaper than magnet et al

On the ticket, as advised ignore the scammers

MattJH

To be fair to Magnet they have replied to me very quickly. This was part of the email they sent:

"Unfortunately it has recently been made necessary that an independent organisation regulates the car park around our xxxxxx store. However, please be assured that our customers will not be expected to pay to use this facility.

I respectfully request you provide the registration of your vehicle that the parking ticket was issued for and the parking ticked will be made void immediately. You will not be expected to pay this plenty."

angel_islington

That seems like a bit of a cop out answer to me. It reeks of "you will be expected to pay, unless you complain and threaten not to buy a kitchen from us, then you don't have to".

How many people who don't complain get the 'penalty' voided? None.

The ONLY way to make these people realise is to hit them where it hurts, i.e buy elsewhere. I'd stick to your guns and force them to find a proper way of managing their car park. If it actually needs 'managing' at all.

It's highly unlikely that Magnet will have approached Parking Eye, it will have been the other way around. That's why PPC's are parasites. They feed off the unwilling.

Stephen_Leak

MattJH wrote: »

To be fair to Magnet they have replied to me very quickly. This was part of the email they sent:

"Unfortunately it has recently been made necessary that an independent organisation regulates the car park around our xxxxxx store. However, please be assured that our customers will not be expected to pay to use this facility.

I respectfully request you provide the registration of your vehicle that the parking ticket was issued for and the parking ticked will be made void immediately. You will not be expected to pay this plenty."

But their customers are being expected to pay to use the car park. You were expected to pay this "penalty". The ticket is legally void anyway.

Personally, I'd deliver the letter with your registration number by hand, and see if I got another ticket.