Overstayed at ASDA, I admit it - so do I pay up?

OurKev

I met a friend and left my car in the huge Aintree ASDA car park (from 13:00:20 until 17:47:53) whilst I watched a sports event 20 miles away.

It was a Sunday afternoon, loads of space and I did not deprive anyone of a space.

It is a free car park, so I was surprised to receive a letter from Smart Parking Ltd asking me for £70 (or £40 if I pay within 13 days of the date of their letter) for "Over Free Time".

There is a link on their website to pay or appeal but it's not currently working, so I can't see any more details.

I admit I parked there and will go and check what the notice says (i.e. how long was I allowed to park and what the overstaying charge should be), but I do plenty of shopping at a number of ASDAs and give them enough money already!

Should I:-

Appeal
Pay up
Offer a token payment
Ignore and see if they sue

Advice much appreciated.

Thanks

Kev

tykesi

Plenty of threads on here telling you exactly what to do if you take the time to search. Saves the regulars having to type it all out again!

OurKev

tykesi wrote: »

Plenty of threads on here telling you exactly what to do if you take the time to search. Saves the regulars having to type it all out again!

Thanks for taking the time to post this, I have had a little look:)

Whenever, I found a thread that looked similar, I saw the advice to start a new thread and explain my situation?

Kev

Coupon-mad

Yep you have done the right thing as you will need to update your thread as you go through the appeals/complaint needed to get this cancelled. It's just that the question you are asking is covered everywhere, here you go:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/63033637#Comment_63033637

Appeal to the PPC and COMPLAIN to the Store Manager. JOB DONE, PCN CANCELLED.

st999

How can they prove you were in the car park that length of time?

You could have parked for an hour, left and your partner or whoever could have went back 3 hours later and parked in the same space.

Ask them to provide proof or else get lost.

OurKev

st999 wrote: »

How can they prove you were in the car park that length of time?

You could have parked for an hour, left and your partner or whoever could have went back 3 hours later and parked in the same space.

Ask them to provide proof or else get lost.

They have included pictures of me entering and leaving.....

I don't deny it, but didn't know there were restrictions and feel the charge is not reasonable.

I will pop there in the morning and see what is posted in the car park and where I parked in particular.

Coupon-mad

OurKev wrote: »

They have included pictures of me entering and leaving.....

I don't deny it, but didn't know there were restrictions and feel the charge is not reasonable.

I will pop there in the morning and see what is posted in the car park and where I parked in particular.

And when you do, take your receipt with you and the offending fake PCN, and ask for a word with the Store Manager if he/she is in on Sundays. How to complain and get a fake PCN cancelled:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4737526

As it's Asda, also be aware that a lot of their staff have been told 'we don't own the car park, nowt to do with us, the Council own it...' etc. ALL NOT TRUE.

Disagree and insist on the fake PCN being cancelled and escalate the complaint to the Store Manager. If they are not in on Sunday then leave your phone number and the fake PCN number, say it's a serious complaint and that you require a call back on Monday morning as soon as he/she has cancelled this ridiculous harassment for daring to shop in Asda!

atilla

Coupon-mad wrote: »

And when you do, take your receipt with you and the offending fake PCN, and ask for a word with the Store Manager if he/she is in on Sundays. How to complain and get a fake PCN cancelled:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4737526

As it's Asda, also be aware that a lot of their staff have been told 'we don't own the car park, nowt to do with us, the Council own it...' etc. ALL NOT TRUE.

Disagree and insist on the fake PCN being cancelled and escalate the complaint to the Store Manager. If they are not in on Sunday then leave your phone number and the fake PCN number, say it's a serious complaint and that you require a call back on Monday morning as soon as he/she has cancelled this ridiculous harassment for daring to shop in Asda!

I'd say the OP is wasting his time speaking to the store Manager. Admits parking there but no indication he did any shopping.

OurKev

atilla wrote: »

I'd say the OP is wasting his time speaking to the store Manager. Admits parking there but no indication he did any shopping.

Yes, no shopping that day so no receipt.

I admit I was being a bit cheeky parking there, but I do spend at least £1000 a year at ASDA so I would expect them to cancel this charge as a "goodwill gesture" if I promise not to do this again.

Kev

spacey2012

ASDA treat this as a big joke and pin the best complaint letters up in the office for staff to laugh at, so i have been told by a likkle birdie

Umkomaas

atilla wrote: »

I'd say the OP is wasting his time speaking to the store Manager. Admits parking there but no indication he did any shopping.

I guess this might hinge rather more on what the planning consent conditions were for the car park? But, as you say, if not actually shopping at Asda, the manager is unlikely to be able to help in this context.

Guess its going to be standard advice - appeal to PPC - appeal to POPLA.