G24 parking - Wickes in Waltham Cross

pgoncalv

I parked there, went to the store to buy some products and then went back. Probably all within 20 minutes.
I received an invoice for £100 saying that I left the site (car park and Wickes). This did not happen and obviously the pictures that they include clearly do not show any of that.
I contacted the Wickes store and Wickes customer service and they were not interested.
Seems like it is too easy for LG24 Ltd, PO Box 3320, Gerrards Cross, Bucks SL9 8WT to collect these charges from people that were not due them.

Redx

its only easy if you pay up , so dont

send G24 the IPC template from the NEWBIES sticky thread , after that IGNORE EVERYTHING except an LBC (from G24 or their legal representatives) or an MCOL (from Northampton) , for 6 years, and keep all paperwork for 6 years too

meanwhile , find out the landholders details (or the site managing agent`s details) and complain to them and insist on a cancellation (in writing)

safarmuk

And go onto Wickes Twitter and Facebook feeds, post a photo of the receipt (card details redacted) and point out how they didn't care when you came to their shop, bought products and got a ludicrous PCN from G24 claiming you did something with no proof whatsoever. Point out that other shoppers going forward should be careful shopping at Wickes and perhaps B&Q and Homebase might be better and more affordable options given the circumstances ... consumers have a choice

Does your PCN have an entry/exit time? Your receipt will have a time on it also ...

pgoncalv

Thanks, will be doing both of those shortly.
G24 state we left the site, not that we needed to buy anything!
I will be asking them for photos of us leaving the site! It should not be worth them trying to photoshop anything...

twhitehousescat

one might even say they could have mitigated their loses , by reminding you not to leave the site

are the photos by ANPR camera , on the entrance/exit , or were they taken by an operative on the ground

safarmuk

The main issue here is that G24 are part of the IPC which means inevitably they will reject your appeal as will the IAS. Then it's just a waiting game to see whether they chance their luck in court (they have a 6 year window to do this) or this times out.

The best thing to do now is:
A) Gather and keep your evidence (e.g. your receipt, evidence of where you were that day whilst it is fresh in your mind, witness statements etc.) in case it does go further and in parallel;
Target the landowner/Wickes to get this cancelled

Half_way

Google: wickes, ibotson, toothbrush, miss coates.
Then ask yourself, as the car park attendant didn't warn you, did they have just cause to access and process your data?

pgoncalv

Thanks.

It seems Wickes may try to speak to G24.

I am in two minds. I know they do not have a case since I did not leave the site. At the same time I have a case since they recklessly got hold of my personal information.

I will see how it plays out. I am planning to request some info from G24 that should make them think twice and also see if Wickes is genuinely trying to get G24 to stop operating a trap on the only car park their customers can use.

pgoncalv

Wickes says G24 dropped it but make some comments saying that they want people to go through their appeals process.

Wickes did not say anything about having got assurances from G24 that they will not be systematically trying to impose PCNs on anyone that appears to be vulnerable to these claims.

Half_way

Wickes may speak to G24?
Tell them that you expect them to instruct their agents to cancel.
Remind them of the ibbotson case and ask them why they are still allowing the same thing to happen.

pgoncalv

Wickes say that G24 cancelled the charge.

They also say:
"If you are visiting the store and have any concerns about the possibility of receiving a parking charge notice we would advise to speak to the duty manager at that time.

Wickes currently rents the land on which our stores stand. As such, any parking enforcers are in attendance at the request of the individual Landowner. "

I am not sure what other's experience has been, but I doubt Wickes duty managers see this as a core part of their job (keeping track of parking details of consumers) ...

Wickes do not own this land (or all land?), so ibbotson would only apply if the land is not G24's.

Sounds like Wickes customers may want to look elsewhere