Car Parks that don't give change

philfuller

Hi VENT TIME!

It annoys me every time I use a local Council Car Park where the machine doesn't give change.

This means that the charge is considerably higher and to my mind, to give it the kindest spin, it becomes a donation to Council coffers or at worst is theft of the change I am due.

it would be very interesting to know how much Councils collect over and above the charge made. :mad:

cheers

Phil

marvin

I have a solution to this I keep a variety of change in the car (well hidden).

Councils could solve the issue by allowing payment by card or alternatively stop charging for parking.

paddyrg

Consider yourself lucky it's not notes only!! ;-)

Some places are offering pay by SMS/premium call, but this isn't always a good thing as they can set the price wherever they want, not constrained by the machine!

marvin

paddyrg wrote: »

Consider yourself lucky it's not notes only!! ;-)

Some places are offering pay by SMS/premium call, but this isn't always a good thing as they can set the price wherever they want, not constrained by the machine!

I always carry a few fivers with me too!

Would never use the mobile solution I never have any balance on my mobile

I really think for road side parking it should be free but time limited, 2 hours no return for 4 that's stops the workers plugging them up and those who need more should use car parks.

But I am a grumpy old sod!

peachyprice

paddyrg wrote: »

Some places are offering pay by SMS/premium call, but this isn't always a good thing as they can set the price wherever they want, not constrained by the machine!

I'm not sure what you mean by this, we have it here, all we do it text the number of the machine and the duration we wish to stay and it charges the same as the machine does.

marvin

peachyprice wrote: »

I'm not sure what you mean by this, we have it here, all we do it text the number of the machine and the duration we wish to stay and it charges the same as the machine does.

Some of them charge a premium for the text message itself you know like on competitions when they say one standard network text and 10p £1 £5 etc.

earthstorm

philfuller wrote: »

Hi VENT TIME!

It annoys me every time I use a local Council Car Park where the machine doesn't give change.

This means that the charge is considerably higher and to my mind, to give it the kindest spin, it becomes a donation to Council coffers or at worst is theft of the change I am due.

it would be very interesting to know how much Councils collect over and above the charge made.

cheers

Phil

Are you sure its a council run car park as now some council contract the cars park to private companies, so machines are added by the private companies

peachyprice

marvin wrote: »

Some of them charge a premium for the text message itself you know like on competitions when they say one standard network text and 10p £1 £5 etc.

Oh I see, they only have it on the council machines here, perhaps that's why they only charge standard text and correct parking charge? I wouldn't trust a private one too though.

I'm in the middle of a London borough and a county council, both only charge the correct parking amount and standard text, I've used them in other London boroughs which have been the same too.

peachyprice

earthstorm wrote: »

Are you sure its a council run car park as now some council contract the cars park to private companies, so machines are added by the private companies

The council ones here don't give change, both on the street and in car parks, which is why I don't mind doing the text thing if I've only got a £1 coin but only want 10p-20p parking time.

earthstorm

The ones around us are £2 for 4 hrs, so even if you only stay 1/2 you have to pay for 4 hrs some are council some private, but rated the same.

knightstyle

Lincoln St Marks machines do not give change and there is a hut where you can get an hour back if you use certain shops but they are not allowed to give change either. Plus several shops there do not either!