Please help Athena parking charge

smurfitt

I’ve read the FAQs but don’t quite understand because there are so many and I’m not sure what the current situation is with Athena and a civil parking charge.
Visited Lidl last week for the first time and after having a good wander round made purchases of 4 items, paying with cash. The vehicle was parked for 42 minutes and driver was not aware of having to enter a vehicle registration details for parking there and the till operator never mentioned it when giving the receipt. 6 days later on 27.01.19. I, as the keeper of the vehicle received a Civil Parking Charge Notice with an issue notice of 25.01.19 There are photos showing my vehicle entering and leaving the ‘site’. It states:
The parking charge notice has been issued by Athena ANPR Ltd (the creditor) for the incident described and the driver of the vehicle of the vehicle is responsible for payment. At the time of this notice we do not know both the name of the driver and a current address for service of the driver. As the registered keeper of the vehicle we invite you to either pay the outstanding charge yourself or if you were not the driver to advise us in writing within 28 days who the driver was at the time and their current address. You will also need to pass this notice on to the driver for payment.
I after a period of 28 days (beginning on the day which this notice is served) the parking charge has not been paid and we do not know the name and current address for service of the driver, Athena ANPR Ltd have the right to recover outstanding parking charges from the registered keeper of the vehicle.
If I pay within 14 days I get a discounted charge of £45. After that it will be £90.
Can they do charge me as the keeper as they don’t know who was driving the vehicle?
I did not keep the receipt but I have retrieved the packaging from my dustbin for the following which can only be purchased from Lidl:
Birchwood farm pork loin chops with an expiry date 27th Jan 2019.
Oaklands selection seasons best speciality pears, Oaklands Raspberries (code 0307) neither which I might add have a use by or sell by date.
What can I do. Any help appreciated

onlyfoolsandparking

If you search this forum (clue=page 2) there is another thread there similar to your issue


re: complain to MD and get it cancelled

Umkomaas

Do a very simple forum search on keywords Lidl Haertnagel, follow the advice in any of those threads you will find (dozens upon dozens) and you'll have this cancelled in no time.

HOW TO USE THE FORUM SEARCH FUNCTION:

Hit your 'Back' button to get back to the forum thread list. On the bar just above the threads you'll see the 'Search' function. Click on the 'Advanced Search' button and on the following page place your keyword(s) in the 'Search By Keyword(s)' and make sure the 'Show Results As' button (at the foot of the window) is changed from 'Threads' to 'Posts'.

smurfitt

Thanks but these people had registered or had a receipt so slightly different.

onlyfoolsandparking

Still worth trying though, in fact anything is worth trying to avoid dealing with parking scammers.


As a suggestion put in your complaint (nicely worded) that you are a regular customer and wish to remain so but have found this parking scammer episode very very stressful etc etc.


Have a look at other threads before you rush into complaining to give yourself the best chance of getting it right.

smurfitt

Some people say contact the MD others the CEO. Which do I contact and who are they? I've looked for the CEO on the threads and facts and there are several names from Ronnie to Christian. I've spent hours on here now looking for something up to date but those that are current had receipts or just overstayed. The driver had no knowledge of having to scan a receipt. Do I give the MD or CEO the drivers name?
I'm getting so stressed over this Im thinking of borrowing the money to pay.

onlyfoolsandparking

I think its Christian BUT keep reading and gathering info/advice so you can make a good effort with your complaint, I have read that many of these get cancelled as Lidl do not want the bad publicity and why would they.


You do NOT identify the driver in ANY of your correspondence.

Le_Kirk

AFAIK it is still [EMAIL="christian.haertnagel@lidl.co.uk"]christian.haertnagel@lidl.co.uk[/EMAIL]

smurfitt

Thankyou, what should I put in the subject box in the email and how do I avoid saying who the driver was? Do I use a 3rd person term?
I have just been back to the Lidl (on foot) to check signage and to be honest there's a huge Lidl sign with an arrow pointing towards the store. It has 'Parking' in large lettering and a big P next to it. No mention of having to register. Inside the car park there are 3 signs that have large letters saying 'customer parking only'. Underneath that it small writing are the instructions to register etc. My vehicle was parked between the signs so hardly likely the driver would see them. there's also another by the exit on the outside. so you would have your back to it as you walked out the store.
These notices should be in all bays as well as at all till points with instructions highlighted instead of being in small print underneath huge lettering saying Customer Parking Only. I know one shouldnt assume but I would think the small print underneath referred to anyone who wasnt a customer.

KeithP

Look at other emails to him for inspiration. Search the forum with his name. You will find dozens of them

"we visited your shop", "we received a PCN", "we would like your help", etc.

Fruitcake

… or "I was an occupant of the car."