Parking Charge Notice overturned

Lenny_2013

I'm currently appealing against a grand total of 3 'Parking Charge Notices' issued by 'Private Car Parking Companies' (after unwittingly parking over the allocated time in two instances) and have just had one withdrawn.

Without going into too much detail, I parked in a managed car park without any change to pay for a ticket. I quickly dashed into a shop for a few minutes to drop something off. A week later I had a Notice for a £100 fine through the post (£60 if paid within 2 weeks).

I looked up the owners and managing agents of the land and politely emailed them to propose that the fine was extortionate for such a short stay, and that my reasons for not being able to pay were genuine i.e. I had no change and it was a ten minute fleeting stay.

The land owners, after some persuasion, told the parking company to withdraw the fine and they reluctantly did.

I'm also appealing against two similar notices, where I unknowingly overstayed the allocated parking time on two separate retail parks.

So far, I've emailed the CEO and customer services teams at the retail outlets I visited, and the responses so far have been co-operative. They haven't been over turned as yet, but my advice is this to anyone who has received a Parking Charge Notice;

Very politely and constructively complain to the land owner / managing agent / retail brand that the charge demanded is completely disproportionate and that it is damaging their reputation and relationship with the public.

Make your feelings very clear that there should be CLEAR signage WITHIN the stores. When I'm entering a car park, I'm not looking at elevated signage as I'm too busy trying to manoeuvre safely around the car park and looking out for pedestrians.

At the same time, appeal to the parking company and via POPLA.

The more people appeal and make their feelings known to landowners and high profile tenants / brands, the less money car parking companies will make and in reality, if everyone did this - the parking companies would most likely cease trading.

Hope this helps.

Lenny_2013

**UPDATE**

One fine withdrawn and two to go...

After contacting Subway and Asda about a £70 fine for unknowingly over staying the allocated time on a retail park, they've told me they're going to try and get it withdrawn.

Regarding the third fine, I'm in email conversation with a helpful PA to the CEO of a High Street retailer - I've told them in no uncertain terms that as I was spending money in THEIR store when I unwittingly over stayed the allocated time - IT IS partly their responsibility to help me overturn a ridiculous £100 fine even though they don't manage the car parking. Their Landlord DOES manage the parking and they are the tenant / client therefore they have a particular interest in the people who fund their rent i.e. THE CUSTOMER.

The more people who complain constructively to the people who matter, the less power the cash cow parking companies can wield.

Coupon-mad

Good, totally agree - I will add your post to this thread as a link:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4766249

Successes have been recorded for years, hence why the first advice here is ALWAYS to complain.

It's a strong weapon, and even if the PCN is not overturned, your complaint counts and might be remembered, along with all the other complaints, when it comes to renewing the contract (or not).

Lenny_2013

**UPDATE**

Second PCN overturned by contacting Subway and Asda customer service - helpful in-store team at Asda asked me to take the PCN in and they are going to get it withdrawn. Only one withdrawal allowed which is fair enough.

The main issue is ParkingEye signage is not clear on entrance to car parks AND INSUFFICIENT IN-STORE NOTIFICATION - I’m assuming this is how ParkingEye make so much money; From unwitting first time ‘offenders’??

These car parks need big and bold signage on entrance and in-store along the lines of:

MAXIMUM STAY 90 MINUTES OR CHARGE PAYABLE OF £70

(But then they’d go bust)

Umkomaas

Well done, great results.

Only one withdrawal allowed which is fair enough.

I wonder how they are going to manage this? I hope they’re not retaining your personal details - neither Asda nor PE!

Lenny_2013

I guess it's the individual sites that only allow you one withdrawal - i.e.if you're caught twice at the same Asda, then you'll have to pay the second one. If you're caught out at another Asda store, I guess you ask that particular store to withdraw it.

Anyway - WHY HAVEN'T PARKING EYE AND PALS FEATURED ON A WHISTE-BLOWING INVESTIGATION LIKE PANORAMA OR CHANNEL 4 DISPATCHES YET ?? - I'm sure it would expose them to be rotten to the core.

One PCN left to overturn and I'm in contact with the PA of Whitbread's (Costa Coffee) CEO and I've been emailing Argos CEO, who so far have washed their hands of any parking management responsibility, but I've replied with stern words about how these hideous PCN's tarnish the customer experience and the Argos brand.

Umkomaas

I guess it's the individual sites that only allow you one withdrawal - i.e.if you're caught twice at the same Asda, then you'll have to pay the second one.

But how would they know it is a second one?

And then, would it be the vehicle’s ‘second offence’, or the driver’s (what if there were different drivers) or would it be the registered keeper’s or the day-to-day keeper’s or the owner’s.

Not quite as simple as it looks!

Lenny_2013

In my case, if I went to the same Costa or Asda with another PCN, then they'd know my face if it was the manager or if I emailed the Head Offices.

Plus ParkingEye keep a record of all the registrations and driver details so I'm guessing it would be harder to overturn a second one. (Not that I wouldn't try)!

Umkomaas

Lenny_2013 wrote: »

Plus ParkingEye keep a record of all the registrations and driver details so I'm guessing it would be harder to overturn a second one. (Not that I wouldn't try)!

Really? I think you need to read the Data Protection Act.

Lenny_2013

I still think it’s outrageous that the DVLA pass on our private details to these idiots!

Coupon-mad

So do we, and the press has been banging on about it for years, since the DVLA first opened the door:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2123390/7-000-drivers-names-sold-criminals-How-DVLA-21m-selling-details-4-85m-motorists.html

more recently:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2710220/DVLA-rakes-millions-colluding-cowboys-Nearly-100-firms-trying-buy-drivers-details.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3748497/DVLA-pockets-10MILLION-year-selling-drivers-details-private-firms-chasing-parking-fines.html