LIDL/Athena Civil Parking Charge Notice

2007bc

I received one of these today; £45 if I pay within 14 days or £90 if not. Date offense was 30th October 2015.

I was in the car-park for 32 minutes; 22 minutes more than you're allowed for the 'free stay'.

I did shop in the store but paid by cash so no bank statement or receipt for proof of purchase as that was binned ages ago.

I've read the newbie thread and it states that if the company is a member of the IPC to create my own post as things are more complex?

The sentence in the note says "We are a member of the Independent Parking Committees Accredited Operator Scheme wwwDOTtheipc.info".


I was in a company car so the fine has come through the company. Letter dated 4-11 and the company received on 6-11. I was passed the letter this morning.

Company lets drivers deal with their own fines etc so are happy for me to ignore/fight as I choose to deal with.

What's the best advise currently for these please? Thank you in advance,

Dave

Redx

same advice as this one

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5351683

and its not a fine, its an invoice (you have used the word "fine", nobody else has)

your main problem would be if they started chasing the RK instead of you, due to POFA 2012

so appeal as KEEPER using the template letter , with a name and address for the paperwork to go to you, not the company

Umkomaas

Appeal to Athena using the newbies sticky appeal. Complain to Lidl (even without receipts). Use forum search on 'Lidl Athena' to see how others have had their ticket cancelled with a strong complaint to Lidl - one just Yesterday:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5351683

Umkomaas

Redx's fingers faster than mine this morning. Off to grab another Weetabix!

2007bc

Thanks guys. Apologies for the word 'fine'; I do know that it's not.

Email sent to Lidl CEO and also appeals of Athena. I'll update with what happens.

2007bc

Well, that was a prompt response!!


Re: Parking Charge
Thank you for your email addressed to our Managing Director. Mr Gottschlich has asked that I respond to you on his behalf.
As you are probably aware, Lidl UK GmbH is a national retailer. As such, we have stores in locations with limited parking space and in common with many of our competitors, our store car parks are abused to a significant and detrimental extent. We have therefore judged it necessary to take measures so that our stores parking facilities are available first and foremost to our customers.
In order to ensure that sufficient parking spaces are available at all times to our customers, Lidl employs third party contractors to monitor and control our car parks. So far, this service has proved reliable and effective in reducing car park abuse and in freeing up spaces for our customers.
In light of your comments, on this one occasion, I have contacted Athena and have requested that this charge be cancelled. Athena will confirm this in writing to you in due course. Please note, your comments regarding our parking restrictions have been noted and passed to the relevant department. I apologise for any dissatisfaction this caused you.
Thank you again for contacting us.
Yours sincerely,
For and on behalf of Lidl UK GmbH


Leonie Faulds
Customer Services Management

[T] + 44 (0) 370 444 1234/ 0800 977 7766
[E] customer.services@lidl.co.uk

Umkomaas

The power of the targeted complaint. Good result, happy to have helped.

Coupon-mad

What did you write in the email and which email address did you send it to?

This info always helps others and Athena are already playing some silly games now they've hopped to the IPC.

Well done by the way!

2007bc

Email was sent to - 'Ronny.Gottschlich@lidl.co.uk'

Good Morning Ronny,

Upon arriving at work this morning I was handed a parking charge (Notice nr 0 002 121 933 / 30-10-15) by my manager as the company car I drive had exceeded the ‘free stay’ at your Barnsley store by 22mins. On the 30th October, the day the ‘charge’ is dated, I had a meeting in the area, so after that was completed I proceeded to park up in your store car park and do some shopping in my lunch break. The Barnsley store seemed a lot busier than the Holmfirth store and the low number of till operators vs the high number of customers meant my queue alone took over 10 minutes. In order to be a courteous shopper, I then packed my shopping bags behind the till rather than causing further delays to other patrons waiting behind me – displaying such kindness to my fellow patrons further added to my delay in leaving the store. The car was in the car park just 32 minutes in total.

Mr Gottschich, I have visited the Martin Lewis Money Saving Expert forum and it is awash with complaints by legitimate LIDL customers who have had similar treatment to myself.

Are you aware that contracting athena-parking.com, you have contracted a company that are no longer in the BPA and no longer offer a fair appeals system (POPLA) so are you therefore aware that all your customers will now have no fair appeal that it would be possible to win?

Whilst I apologise for stopping in your car park longer than I should have; I feel as though I have been punished for taking time with my shopping, and spending money at your store – I will certainly re-consider visiting your stores if this charge is not cancelled.

I will also be contacting Athena directly, however would appreciate an urgent response to this matter.

Regards

Umkomaas

Excellent complaint. I like the reference to 'awash with complaints' and this bit:

Are you aware that contracting athena-parking.com, you have contracted a company that are no longer in the BPA and no longer offer a fair appeals system (POPLA) so are you therefore aware that all your customers will now have no fair appeal that it would be possible to win?

I've bookmarked this to link future Lidl/Athena victims to as a complaint that achieved a rapid resolution. Well done.

The_Deep

You Sir are a star.