£280 car park fine - what can I do?

RichardD1970

Agree with above get yourself onto pepipoo, or failing that try the Motoring section of this forum, there is a whole sub forum about parking tickets etc. You will get better advice over there (no offence to anyone who has replied here ).

garynuman

First thing I would do it get on to google street view and see if you can get a good shot of the signs at the car park entrance.

Great idea! This is where I would start!

The_Boss

heavensbug wrote: »

Is this the same car park? If so Why are they charging you £280 when it clearly states on here a week is £49.99 and 1 day is £4.93.

They will have different rates for prebooked and on the day custom.

trailingspouse

1) Totally agree - Manchester Airport is a nightmare to navigate around. I think I nearly parked in that multi-storey once. And one time I think I ended up parking in the staff car park... There's always roadworks too, which doesn't help.
2) Not sure what being an 'audited company' means. Of course they can cancel the charges if they want to, regardless of what sort of company it is - you just have to get beyond the jobsworths to someone who can actually make a decision.

manairport

Perhaps you could go above the people that you have spoken to. Write directly to the CEO of Manchester Airport (or the parking company). You might get more help from the top.

I am trying to do this, but at every level they seem to justify the bill by stating I used their car park (not the one I pre booked).

Another option might be to contact the local papers - they might want to warn people about parking there.

This sounds like a good course of action - its a shock, traumatic experiance and I wouldnt want anyone else to have to deal with this.

manairport

I would wait for them to take you to court for the £280, as you've paid for a space in another car park they operate; they will have serious trouble proving an actual loss.

I am just scared as I dont want to go to court or face additional costs, but I need to make a decision either way.

manairport

woohoo_postingid wrote: »

How did you pay ? If it was on a credit card, would a chargeback be possible ?

I didnt pay them, I didnt have any money or credit card. The manager said that in that case the only way he would lift the barrier was if I signed a form.

manairport

andydgg wrote: »

let them take it to court. they won't, they'll threaten and might pass it to a dca, they'll threaten you with court too, and visits to your home, but you can deal with that if it comes. I'd just ignore it. genuine mistake, and it's their mistake for not making it clear to you which part of their car park you should have parked in.

Dont they need a ccj or something before they call at my door?

manairport

osborn99 wrote: »

come on now, this is Manchester airport. There would of been signs saying short stay car park. You say you followed t1 and t3 car park signs, so if the car park didn't say t1 or t3 car park you should have continued following the signs. If they took you to court they will win because you parked in a short stay car park.

An expensive mistake, all you had to do was ask which would have took 5 secs

I did follow the signs for T1 and T3, then after 100meters I was faced with the option of entering a car park (not signed) or a right lane past the car park. So I entered the car park. I actually drove around twice before this.

I have had 4 employees so far tell me that the car park I used said short stay. I corrected them all because on the nignt the manager couldnt find the sign himself.
If their own staff cant find the signs to show me how am I supposed to find them - they arnt on the building as you would expect, as the employees claimed at first.

Yes this is Manchester airport, its a business as 2 managers have pointed out. They have audited accounts and are there to make money.

manairport

garynuman wrote: »

I know hindsight is a wonderful thing, but when you signed accepting the charges, you could have "signed under protest" - this may add credibility if you decide to claim it back.

Gaz

I should have, but at the time I was disputing that 'multi story' was the same as 'short stay' with the attendant. But your right.