Help!! In a bit of a mess with parking fine......

princess_cinderella

Good Morning,

I parked in Tesco for 3 hours after spending nearly £70 in Tesco - returned to the car. On driving out, my daughter was sick so I never made it out the car park. I simply pulled into the nearest parking bay, got her out the car for yet more projectile vomit ......

I had to go back into the store to get some wipes to clean the sick out the seat (the WORST job ever) and buy her a change of clothes. The last thing on my mind at a very stressful time was parking fine!

A few weeks later, I receive a parking fine for £40 from Highways with a photo of my car driving n and out. I looked at this forum a while back and remembered the advice of 'ignore and they will go away'. So I did. Then a few weeks later, I receive another one, this time for £70. So again, I ignored. I have today received one for £110 saying LEGAL ACTION PENDING.

I have just been into Tesco and spoke to store manager who said its nothing to do with him. I explained the situation that my daughter was poorly and he said I had left it too late to contend and should have done it when I got the first notice. Im sure you all probably thinking that too, but I thought to ignore was the best thing....

Anyway, the store manager has told me to ring Highways and negotiate with them. Although I get the impression from this forum that wouldn't be advisable?

Another thing is, the parking fine is in my partners name (as he is registered as the car owner). He is no longer registered at this address as we are in process of moving and has already changed his details to new house. Will they still be able to trace us or would it be more hassle for them? Not sure how that works.

I even said to the store manager I was willing to give a donation to their charity rather than pay these cowboys. But he said nothing to do with him!

Can anyone help me and perhaps guide me with best course of action. The store manager seems to think I will get a letter to go to court next (that will be 4th letter). What on earth am I going to do??? :''-(

The_Slithy_Tove

princess_cinderella wrote: »

I have just been into Tesco and spoke to store manager who said its nothing to do with him.

...

Anyway, the store manager has told me to ring Highways and negotiate with them.(

Go back and tell the store manager it's everything to do with him. Highview are acting as their agents, so it's HIS responsibility. Be calm, reasoned, but sufficiently loud for others to hear.

It may be that they have to pay Highview to cancel tickets, and that the payment increases as time goes by (where have we seen that before), hence his reluctance, However, that's not your problem, it's his.

And if he still refuses, go into the store, fill your trolley with frozen goods, get to the checkout, and then declare you have to leave right now, else you'll get another parking ticket.

FatAndy

princess_cinderella wrote: »

I have just been into Tesco and spoke to store manager who said its nothing to do with him.

I would have thought that he might consider that the fact you're never going to set foot in his store ever again, and that you're going to tell all your relatives, friends, neighbours, work colleagues, etc all about your experience, and that you're contact the local newspaper to tell them your story would make it something he should be concerned about .

princess_cinderella

thanks for your replies guys.

He said if I had come in with the first ticket he would have quashed it. But its gone too far now he said so I will have to ring them. Do you advise against ringing them? He said he would send some sort of email to them saying I had been in, and I could appeal with Highways, but they prob wont listen and I will ultimatey have to pay the increasing fines.......

Stroma

Go to tesco CEO with a complaint
philip.clarke@uk.tesco.com

Also post on tesco Facebook and twitter presence , just explain your situation calmly and they would see sense. But to be honest highview are not likely to go to court as IMO they don't authority to do so from tesco .

As a side note redirect your mail to your new address, you should be doing this in any case to ensure that there's no ID fraud etc

FatAndy

princess_cinderella wrote: »

I could appeal with Highways, but they prob wont listen and I will ultimatey have to pay the increasing fines.......

Firstly it's not a fine. Only the police and local authorities have the power to issue parking fines. It's actually a speculative invoice. The only way you would have to pay any amount they ask for is if they took you to court and won. I've personally never heard of Highview (not Highways!) taking anyone to court so that almost certainly won't happen, as things stand at least. It's quite possible their contract with Tesco permits them to harass Tesco customers but not take them to court. It would be terrible PR if Tesco customers ended up being taken to court for such a heinous crime as, er shopping at Tesco. Aldi have just found this out thanks to the actions of their pet scammers at Parking Lie. Basically all you can do for now is ignore the letters and any that might follow from a fake debt collector or fake solicitor. If the unlikely happens and you receive genuine court papers then head over to Pepipoo for advice on what to do.

princess_cinderella

Thank you for your replies - You have put my mind at rest a bit - I had visions of going to court and been sent down for it!I have emailed the CEO with a lengthy email. In the mean time, I will ignore the letters that come through from them (are they really fake solicitors letters?) how will I know if they are?

I wonder what has happened to other people who have ignored letters? I thought since the legislaton changed in Oct 2012 they have more power? or is this just some spiel on the letter to make people pay it?
Thanks in advance (my hair is falling out now....)

Stroma

The Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 Schedule 4 , is mostly about registered keeper liability, most of the time its irrelevant as the RK is normally the driver so it makes little difference. Its also only in England and Wales.

They add it to their letters to make it look as if they are acting in some legal manner, and people get all cross eyed when they see this quoted at them. Also debt collectors who use it are just scum, once they are involved its so far past keeper liability that the only reason its there is to mislead people.

Don't be concerned about this, its highly unlikely to see this going anywhere near a court, Highview have never been to the small claims as far as I am aware ever.

princess_cinderella

Thank you for your advice Stroma. Straight to the top.... RESULT!

Many thanks
enjoy your weekend

Coupon-mad

princess_cinderella wrote: »

Thank you for your advice Stroma. Straight to the top.... RESULT!

Many thanks
enjoy your weekend

Well done, did you get an email apology and who from??!

bazster

You mean you got your ticket cancelled?