Heathrow Park&Ride demanding extra payment to release car after COVID.

tomo1982

Good day,

I booked a return trip to the USA mid-March. I booked car parking through www.heathrowparkandride.co.uk (02034883787 or 07796093921). Between the outbound and inbound flights COVID became what we know it as today.

I couldn’t travel to get back due to firstly being sick and not travelling on the advice of health organisations and American Airlines.
I then couldn’t get back due to the airline and, in particular agency (Travel Trolley/Southall Travel) being absolutely awful WRT helping; not answering calls and rarely replying to emails. Luckily I had a friend to stay with so that wasn't an issue.

I emailed Heathrow Park and Ride to keep them updated and informed on the situation. At no point did they let me know there would be an extra fee. They never even hinted at it (I would of had a friend pick it up if I’d known).

I have now managed to get a flight. I emailed them once more. They now inform me that unless I pay the £565 fee they will not release my car.

I don’t have the money, what are my rights? Can I contact the police for withholding my property?

Thank you 

eskbanker

tomo1982 said:

At no point did they let me know there would be an extra fee. They never even hinted at it (I would of had a friend pick it up if I’d known).

They put it in the Ts & Cs under which you'd have booked:

In the event entry and exit times change from those booked this will result in your actual time parked exceeding the number of days you have pre-paid for. An additional charge will need to be paid prior to leaving the car park. If you refuse or you are unable make the payment, we may retain your vehicle until you have paid the full amount due.

[...]

If you park for longer than the period you booked for, we shall charge you for the extra days at the full daily price that applies at the time.

tomo1982 said:

I don’t have the money, what are my rights? Can I contact the police for withholding my property?

Based on the above, no - the company are simply doing what they say they'll do.  You might be able to claim on your travel insurance?

Mrsn

It is usual for any airport parking company to add charges on if your car hasn’t been collected past the allocated date and time, as said above it’s clearly listed in booking terms and conditions.

macman

Clearly, if they didn't have that term, then everyone would book the minimum stay, presumably one day, and pay only that.
I can't believe you thought that would only pay the booked days, no matter how long you overstayed?

tomo1982

Any positive input? Any ray of hope, a little perspective.

Something other than T&C’s? Which I am obviously aware of. I can speak to any “customer services” for them to quote  “check T&C’s”. There are T&C’s for everything in the world these days, however due to the unprecedented effect of Covid, a lot have been amended, suspended, etc; mortgages, car payments, etc.

Thanks to anyone who has useful input.

Caz3121

have you spoken to your travel insurance company?

eskbanker

tomo1982 said:

Any positive input? Any ray of hope, a little perspective.

Something other than T&C’s? Which I am obviously aware of. I can speak to any “customer services” for them to quote  “check T&C’s”. There are T&C’s for everything in the world these days, however due to the unprecedented effect of Covid, a lot have been amended, suspended, etc; mortgages, car payments, etc.

Thanks to anyone who has useful input.

If you were obviously aware of the Ts & Cs, then why would the additional charges (and insistence on payment prior to vehicle release) be news to you?

Anyway, you asked what your rights are and whether you can contact the police, so I pointed out that your rights are governed by the Ts & Cs (in the absence of contradicting any statutory rights), whether or not you like that, and that if they're acting in accordance with those then the police aren't going to be interested.

I also suggested your insurer, but am unaware of any other options open to you, although you might be able to negotiate with the company if you approach them with the right attitude?

bradders1983

tomo1982 said:

Any positive input? Any ray of hope, a little perspective.

Something other than T&C’s? Which I am obviously aware of. I can speak to any “customer services” for them to quote  “check T&C’s”. There are T&C’s for everything in the world these days, however due to the unprecedented effect of Covid, a lot have been amended, suspended, etc; mortgages, car payments, etc.

Thanks to anyone who has useful input.

So essentially you only want input you agree with, yes?

macman

My 'positive input' is that you'll have to pay for the extra days if you want your car back. It's input, and I'm positive about it.