Civil enforcement ltd, do I pay?

Lisa_b_3

Just got a 'fine' through for staying an hour over the 2.5 allowed in a free co op carpark. Was eating in a restaurant on the site an shopping with my 8 month baby so took a while! They want £150 or £75 if paid within 14 days. Help!

nigelbb

Don't worry. You won't have to pay. It's not a 'fine'. Only the authorities can levy a fine not a private company. It's a speculative invoice from a private company barely carrying more weight than the emails we all receive from Nigerian princes. The simplest & quickest way to make it go away is to call up the manager of the Co-op &/or the restaurant explain what has happened & tell them that you want the 'fine' cancelled ASAP. That will almost certainly fix it for you but do be sure to tell the manager how upset you are that you are a loyal customer that this sort of business would deter you from shopping there in future that you will tell all your friends & family how badly you have been treated etc etc

In the unlikely event that contacting the Co-op manager doesn't get it fixed then you will be able to challenge or appeal the 'fine'. In that event you will need advice from here or http://forums.pepipoo.com/index.php?act=SF&s=&f=60 as to how to proceed.

Stroma

If its England or Wales they are in breach of the bpa code of practice by charging to much. But the best way of dealing with this is by ignoring them as they are not entitled to your money. If you want to cost them money and enter into the popla appeals come back here for advice.

trisontana

Once again a shop is driving away paying customers by applying a stupid time limit.

spacey2012

just the CO-OP showing you how much they value your custom by employing people to send out fake impersonation of authority parking fines.

Just Ignore them and wise up on what types of letter they will send and in what formats, they are on-line here.

Lisa_b_3

Thanks everyone! Gonna try speaking to coop manager but no paying or responding to the company.

Coupon-mad

Lisa_b wrote: »

Thanks everyone! Gonna try speaking to coop manager but no paying or responding to the company.

'Try speaking' to the Manager? A stronger approach than that may be needed so go in ready for battle.

Get angry about this scam and demand to complain to the Manager!

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/60085865#Comment_60085865

That's a post I wrote recently about complaining in Asda about the same protection racket. It's NOT ON is it?

Get angry and get the flippin' rip-off cancelled, these Store Managers need to know they are losing custom over this and people NEVER forget this sort of treatment of them. It's mad and it's the worst anti-customer-service harassment and intimidation they could aim at you!

Please, please, get angry about this and complain. If the Store Manager is useless then demand the address for a written complaint to Head Office.

Stroma

Lisa is this in England or Wales ? If it is I recommend that you scan/photograph your fake ticket , and complain to the dvla as this is a breach of the bpa code of practice

Here is where the breach is

19.5 If the parking charge that the driver is being asked to pay 20.4 is for a breach of contract or act of trespass, this charge
must be based on the genuine pre-estimate of loss that
you suffer.We would not expect this amount to be more
than £100. If the charge is more than this, operators must be able to justify the amount in advance.

Here is the email address : foi@dvla.gsi.gov.uk

new2013

Hi Lisa,

I recently got a fine from a Co-op car park myself from Civil Enforcement, I contacted the Co-op Customer care line 0800 0686727, and got mine cancelled.
My situation was they said I had been there 4 hours but it was a double entry.
All the best

trisontana

Except is was never a "fine".

Lisa_b_3

thanks everyone!
I have emailed DVLA to tell them Civil Enforcement are in reach of the bpa code of practice.
I also spoke to Co op care line who said they will look into it. I explained I was longer than expected due to circumstances and that I'm a good customer but haven't used my card so can't prove I was in store that day. Don't use the bloody thing that often so don't know if they'll drop it! If they don't ill go higher and to the papers. I have a disabled badge so it will look bad! Also said that the signage wasn't good, that it doesn't say it's a coop exclusive car park not for the other shops usage too and that i don't think customers should be penalised for taking a while shopping!
Will keep you posted!