ParkingEye and Avis

Rebecca_a

Hello,
I'm new to MSE but would like to share my story.

I hired a car from Avis and overstayed in a car park by 30 minutes. I'm British but haven't lived or driven here for a long time.

Avis sent me a letter to my Australian address informing me of the charges by ParkingEye and included an invoice for admin cost plus £50 (so around £75).

Reasons why the Avis/ParkingEye/my Aussie bank are at fault:

***ParkingEye sent a letter, asking for compensation. Up to the person on the letter to decide to pay the compensation. I wasn't allowed this option, Avis paid, therefore Avis and ParkingEye have joined into a contract.
***Avis sent me an invoice. I have the right to dispute an invoice. The invoice wasn't valid in my opinion as its against the terms and conditions. The T&Cs state "parking offences", this isnt a parking offence, it's a letter (no invoice number) asking for compensation.
***Just because I'm guilty doesn't mean I have to pay £50. Hardly seems reasonable for a car park and who said I ever read the terms and conditions. As there isn't a ticket you collect on the way in/out or a barrier, ParkingEye can never prove I read their T&C. This is a tactic used for private car parks in Aus - not sure if you can use it in Uk, but sounds right.

Long story short, Avis weren't budging and tried to get me to contact ParkingEye by giving me a release form. I contacted my bank and explained and showed them the letters I sent Avis and ParkingEye. I knew Avis and ParkingEye were a lost cause so concentrated on my bank.

Six months skipped by (sent 2 emails, 2 letters), and I eventually went on social media (Twitter). Got someone to call me back from dispute department and money is refunded by my bank.

I look back and think about the time and energy I spent on this topic and it's not worth it for £75. But I truely believe the money was taken fraudently and we have to make a stand.

Hope this will help someone else.

Marktheshark

Under the protections of freedom act the registered keeper is 100% liable for all claims in relation parking charges .
This is law and supersedes all policies of companies.

So yes helping themselves to your money is illegal and theft.

They can mitigate the liability by naming you as driver.
Fail to do this and they are 100% liable .

Coupon-mad

Long story short, Avis weren't budging and tried to get me to contact ParkingEye by giving me a release form. I contacted my bank and explained and showed them the letters I sent Avis and ParkingEye. I knew Avis and ParkingEye were a lost cause so concentrated on my bank.

Six months skipped by (sent 2 emails, 2 letters), and I eventually went on social media (Twitter). Got someone to call me back from dispute department and money is refunded by my bank.

Good one. Unfortunately, in this country we are clobbered by these firms, as per this thread where I see you just posted:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5515157

Complaining to the bank to put any payment taken 'into dispute' is certainly good advice.

Rebecca_a

It's not a parking charge in any way... That's the point

Rebecca_a

Prob the easiest route when they've taken the money. It's so clear cut to me... Avis should never be allowed to take the money.