Receipt as Proof

UsOrThem

Received penalty notice from Athena reference parking in Lidl for what was a legitimate shopping trip to Lidl, within the allotted parking window, but just didn't seem to have logged my number plate at the checkout properly.
Having prepped from the MSE forum on course of action to appeal the claim I very luckily found the receipt from the shopping trip in question that is proof of my custom at the disputed time.

My question is - if I take the 1st suggested course of action to complain to Lidl directly to null the charge they ask for my details to simply 'appeal on my behalf'. See this Lidl forum post (https://www.lidlcommunity.co.uk/t5/My-Lidl-Lounge/Lidl-car-parking-ticket/td-p/14256)
As such does this undermine my standing by effectively starting correspondence with Athena not in the MSE tried and tested way?

I'm conflicted as i feel this is legitimate evidence to appeal with but am well aware of how corrupt Athena's appeals process is so don't want to go down the wrong route.

Thanks
UPDATE: Parking Charged canceled by Lidl. Details below.

beamerguy

UsOrThem wrote: »

Received penalty notice from Athena reference parking in Lidl for what was a legitimate shopping trip to Lidl, within the allotted parking window, but just didn't seem to have logged my number plate at the checkout properly.
Having prepped from the MSE forum on course of action to appeal the claim I very luckily found the receipt from the shopping trip in question that is proof of my custom at the disputed time.

My question is - if I take the 1st suggested course of action to complain to Lidl directly to null the charge they ask for my details to simply 'appeal on my behalf'. See this Lidl forum post (https://www.lidlcommunity.co.uk/t5/My-Lidl-Lounge/Lidl-car-parking-ticket/td-p/14256)
As such does this undermine my standing by effectively starting correspondence with Athena not in the MSE tried and tested way?

I'm conflicted as i feel this is legitimate evidence to appeal with but am well aware of how corrupt Athena's appeals process is so don't want to go down the wrong route.

Thanks

Lidl will always say that they employ these parking scammers
because of abuse ???

The clue is for the MD to seriously consider is ... does he class
customers paying good money some form of abuse ?
Regardless if the wrong reg number was entered or not, you
purchased goods and have a receipt.

Athena must be losing customers for Lidl as word and mouth
spreads quickly about scammers.

Points to put the MD when requesting this ticket is cancelled

LIDL UK

Mr Christian Härtnagel Managing Director

Email compliance@lidl.co.uk

Telephone 0208 971 1100

Fruitcake

Complain to the CEO of Lidl that genuine shoppers are being scammed by their agents and if they want to keep you and your family as customers they should cancel this unfair charge fifthwith. It is not a penalty by the way, but a speculative invoice.

If that doesn't work, send the IPC black template from the NEWBIES thread (not the dreadful one from the "official" MSE site.) Don't miss the appeal deadline which is normally 21 days.

Do not reveal the driver's identity to anyone.

UsOrThem

beamerguy wrote: »

LIDL UK
Mr Christian Härtnagel Managing Director Email compliance@lidl.co.uk Telephone 0208 971 1100

Thanks for this info gives me a point of contact I didn't have. However I'm no clearer on the matter if they simply refer me to what looks like their standard customer service procedure, as listed in the forum post linked in my original post. That they ask me for my details to 'appeal on my behalf'. Do I decline the offer as it technically starts the appeal process which Athena which will then revert back to with me, possibly not in my favour, which puts me on the back foot having not but not appealed as outlined in the Newbie post appeals letter template.

May be useful to others who think providing this to Lidl will help their case when actually they simply start Athena's standard waste of time appeals process.

Fruitcake wrote: »

If that doesn't work, send the IPC black template from the NEWBIES thread (not the dreadful one from the "official" MSE site.) Don't miss the appeal deadline which is normally 21 days.
.

Will action the direct approach to Lidl MD first and then take this step. Will let you know how i get on.

Fruitcake

UsOrThem wrote: »

Thanks for this info gives me a point of contact I didn't have. However I'm no clearer on the matter if they simply refer me to what looks like their standard customer service procedure, as listed in the forum post linked in my original post. That they ask me for my details to 'appeal on my behalf'. Do I decline the offer as it technically starts the appeal process which Athena which will then revert back to with me, possibly not in my favour, which puts me on the back foot having not but not appealed as outlined in the Newbie post appeals letter template.

May be useful to others who think providing this to Lidl will help their case when actually they simply start Athena's standard waste of time appeals process.


Will action the direct approach to Lidl MD first and then take this step. Will let you know how i get on.

Contact the CEO. Forget customer disservice, or anything they suggest. It doesn't work and is nothing more than a cop out. As the late Terry Pratchett said, Carpe Jugulum (seize the throat). In other words, go for the head of the beast and forget the ineffective minions underneath.

Don't miss the appeal deadline (usually 21 days) if this isn't cancelled by the head honcho.

beamerguy

UsOrThem wrote: »

However I'm no clearer on the matter if they simply refer me to what looks like their standard customer service procedure, as listed in the forum post linked in my original post.

Hey, you are the paying customer, one of whom pays the MD
as well

Be positive, don't put up with any rubbish. You want the ticket
cancelled ... period

If writing to the MD seems daunting, please do call on us
to assist

UsOrThem

Update: Response from Lidl Customer Services Management, the ticket has apparently been cancelled. Although this email is my only proof of such. This is their reply 5 days later.

"Re: Parking Charge

Thank you for taking the time to contact our CEO. I have been asked to 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. Please note, your comments regarding our parking restrictions have been noted and passed to the relevant department.

Yours sincerely,
For and on behalf of Lidl UK GmbH"

The fact that they say, 'on this one occasion' as if I have actually done something wrong, just proves that they don't see this from the perspective of the customer.

For context, I did also try going into store and asking the manager but he said there was nothing he could do and said i needed to call Lidl customer services. I also did this and was informed that all they can do is appeal the ticket on my behalf. So it goes to show, that if you do want it resolved, as Fruitcake says, go for the head of the beast!

Mr Christian Härtnagel Managing Director
Email compliance@lidl.co.uk

Thanks for the assistance guys and good luck to anyone else out there dealing with this rubbish!

waamo

I would forward that to Athena and tell (don't ask) them to confirm it has been cancelled on their system.

beamerguy

Great stuff, well done.

That is a typical letter from lidl which can be taken with
a pinch of salt EXCEPT THE CANCELLATION.

Unfortunately Lidl do treat customers as idiots

Do as waamo said ..... get confirmation from Athena

Fruitcake

Once you have confirmation from Athena, I would reply to Mr Härtnagel saying that since you get the impression he thinks you have done something wrong and obviously does not consider you to be a genuine customer, on this one occasion, and all future occasions, my family and I intend to shop elsewhere from now on.

Attach copies of receipts from a different supermarket as well.

Don't forget to complain to your MP.