private car parking notice charge

offeradvice

I have read many posts on the private car parking scams, but have a slight concern about the one found on my car today. Near to where the car was parked was a sign that stated in fairly small writing, that if the driver walked off site, then they would incur a penalty charge. This was only realised after the driver had returned. They had walked off site for approx 25 mins, then returned to the shopping centre, purchased some goods, then found the ticket on my car. The car park is free for up to four hours.

As there was a sign displayed nr the car saying a fine would be incurred if the driver walks off site, can the parking fine still be safely ignored?

Any advice would be really appreciated.. this sort if thing is really worrying and sounds like pure bullying or harrassment.. isn't that illegal?

HappyMJ

offeradvice wrote: »

I have read many posts on the private car parking scams, but have a slight concern about the one found on my car today. Near to where the car was parked was a sign that stated in fairly small writing, that if the driver walked off site, then they would incur a penalty charge. This was only realised after the driver had returned. They had walked off site for approx 25 mins, then returned to the shopping centre, purchased some goods, then found the ticket on my car. The car park is free for up to four hours.

As there was a sign displayed nr the car saying a fine would be incurred if the driver walks off site, can the parking fine still be safely ignored?

You don't have a parking fine.

Any advice would be really appreciated.. this sort if thing is really worrying and sounds like pure bullying or harrassment.. isn't that illegal?

No it's not illegal. I wish it was though.

pogofish

There is no differenct to anything you have read here already - Just ignore them totally from now-on.

Stephen_Leak

I do have every sympathy for car park owners who spend good money providing a car park for their customers and then have it used by their competitors' customers. A receipt ticket and exit barrier system is about the only solution.

Landowners have the right to prevent you going onto their land and can sue you for trespass if you do. However, if they have allowed you onto their land they have no right to prevent you leaving and cannot sue you if you do.

hammer68

same thing happened to me in Bristol, after various letters i contacted the land owner and the car parking company citing harassment, 2 weeks later parking charge cancelled.

give_them_FA

offeradvice wrote: »

I have read many posts on the private car parking scams, but have a slight concern about the one found on my car today. Near to where the car was parked was a sign that stated in fairly small writing, that if the driver walked off site, then they would incur a penalty charge. This was only realised after the driver had returned. They had walked off site for approx 25 mins, then returned to the shopping centre, purchased some goods, then found the ticket on my car. The car park is free for up to four hours.

As there was a sign displayed nr the car saying a fine would be incurred if the driver walks off site, can the parking fine still be safely ignored?

Any advice would be really appreciated.. this sort if thing is really worrying and sounds like pure bullying or harrassment.. isn't that illegal?

As has been rightly said, ignore them.

Yes, these companies routinely break the law. A lot of what they send you is unlawful harassment. They have to, because bullying is their only way of getting paid as they can't collect legally.

They rely upon the intertia of the average citizen who will complain but not actually do anything.