Ripped Off By NPC Car Parks

RandomUser923759

I was there 16:39 to 22:00 with the impression that the time prior to the night rate would be charged at 4.50. and 5-10 charged at 4.00.

Regardless 22.00 for 21 minutes is insane.

[Deleted User]

The fact that there is a "4 to 24 hours" rate suggests that the night rate is only for arriving after 5pm.

Why? Because otherwise you could only stay 3am to 5pm (14 hours) without impeding on "night time", so "24 hours" would end up costing you £26 plus £4 night rate, which would be silly.

Still, it is ambiguous to a degree, and maybe worth a politely worded letter.

mjm3346

I would expect to be charged the full £26 based on time of arrival and departure.

Our Early Bird price is available when you park between 06.00-08.00am for a stay up to 18 hours the same day. For shorter stays between 06:00-08:00am our standard tariff is still available. Please press the assistance button at a pay station so we can adjust the cost of your stay.

Our evening rate is available for stays after 5:00pm and exits before 03:00am on the next day. Stays outside of this time will have the normal daily tariff apply to the full duration of your stay

1 hour £4.50
1 to 2 hours £9.00
2 to 3 hours £13.50
3 to 4 hours £18.50
4 to 24 hours £26.00
Earlybird £6.50
Night rate 1700-0300 £4.00

You should either have waited until after 17:00 and paid £4 or parked just before 08:00 and paid £6.50 for the whole day.

ChiefGrasscutter

My local city council run car parks works that if you arrive before the night rate starts (its 8pm) then you pay at the normal rate whether that is 1 hour or two hours up to the night rate start and then you additionally pay the night rate beyond.

The reason the night rate is set to start at 8pm is to nail the theatre/concert goers whose performance typically starts at 8pm so the council can get them for 1 hours parking at their normal (extortionate rate) before giving them the night rate.

grumbler

mrchrisbrogan wrote: »

Regardless 22.00 for 21 minutes is insane.

It's not 'regardless' as if £4 is per hour, £4.50+£4*5=£24.50

P.S. I can't find any definition of the 'night rate', but this webpage implies that it's the total amount payable for the whole 'night': http://thelincolnite.co.uk/2012/07/ncp-high-street-car-park-now-247/

...this can be as low as 80p for the whole night ...

mjm3346

ChiefGrasscutter wrote: »

My local city council run car parks works that if you arrive before the night rate starts (its 8pm) then you pay at the normal rate whether that is 1 hour or two hours up to the night rate start and then you additionally pay the night rate beyond.

The reason the night rate is set to start at 8pm is to nail the theatre/concert goers whose performance typically starts at 8pm so the council can get them for 1 hours parking at their normal (extortionate rate) before giving them the night rate.

With the NCP one you are charged the rate in force on arrival for the duration of your stay - a big money saver if you are in between 06:00 and 08:00 as you get the cheap rate for the whole day instead of paying the higher rate from 08:00 - expensive if you arrive a bit before 17:00 and stay for more than an hour.

RandomUser923759

So do we reckon I should just (reluctantly) so goodbye to my money/chances of getting a refund.

(I know what I charged was technically correct - but I dont know how they get away with charging 22.00 extra for 21 minutes)

nidO

I don't think you'll have any realistic chance of getting a refund, sorry.

That said, I agree you got stiffed - Most car parks local to me charge in exactly the way you expected yours to, in that if you arrive before the night rate kicks in you get charged solely for the hours between arrival and the start of the night rate, then just the night rate after that.

Then again, I can't say i've parked in an NCP car park at anytime approaching an evening for a long time, and i'm sure their charging policy is clear (and that you've been charged according to it) if you read the small print.

mjm3346

mrchrisbrogan wrote: »

So do we reckon I should just (reluctantly) so goodbye to my money/chances of getting a refund.

(I know what I charged was technically correct - but I dont know how they get away with charging 22.00 extra for 21 minutes)

They are not getting away with it, the charge is for the length of stay not 21 minutes, same as Early Bird customers who can save £19.50 per day by arriving between 6 and 8am are not getting away with it they are paying the charged rate.

They should have notices in the car park/ticket area explaining the charges as they do on the website

http://www.ncp.co.uk/find-a-car-park/car-parks/brighton-theatre/

RandomUser923759

There is a notice on the way in saying night rate 5 onwards.

It doesnt say that you dont switch onto that rate at 5 though.

Its all a bit unclear for the customer.