Went into the Colonels car park, found it was closed, drove out, and got a charge for parking.

StoneleighGrey

Hello Everyone,
I've been a visitor to this website for years, but this is the first time I have had reason to post, so I hope I'm doing it right.
I can't find a case like this (forgive me if there is one).  It was dark and no one saw the signs on the way in.  The opening times of the various branches are different and this one was closed when we got there 11.30pm, others would still have been open until 1 am.  No-one got out of the car, and after a 15 minute online search, left for another 24 hour supplier of fine food.    More than 2 months later we got a charge of £90 for "leaving the vehicle in the car park".  We went back for a look after dark and the signs are so high they can't be seen by the car headlights and, as they don't have dedicated lighting, they can't be read without a torch.  They state boldly "60 minutes free parking 8.30pm-7am" and in tiny writing further up "whilst shopping at this site".  If the driver happens to be a diagnosed dyslexic, they would not have been able to read the second part. I have read other threads and seen the templates, but none seem to quite fit this.
Thank you in advance
SG

KeithP

What's wrong with the 'one size fits all' blue text template easily found in the first post of the NEWBIES thread?

Who is the parking company?

StoneleighGrey

G24.  I just don't want to do the wrong thing at this stage.

KeithP

Then follow the first post of the NEWBIES thread.

Send the 'one size fits all' blue text template appeal easily found there.

No additions or alterations needed.

Send it as the keeper.

Coupon-mad

If the NTK arrived 2 months later then it is clearly non-POFA and you'd be daft NOT to use the template appeal.  If you write your own you might accidentally tell them (or imply) who was driving and ruin the POFA 2012 protection.

StoneleighGrey

Great. Thank you. 

D_P_Dance

Have you complained to your MP?  

StoneleighGrey

Yes, and letters to the shops that use the car park.
MPs was as follows. Its a bit parklife, but its done now.
Sir, I wouldn't normally waste your time with this, and there is no expectation or requirement for a reply, but I understand there is parliamentary consultation on forthcoming legislation in this matter.

The Supreme Court (yes, them again) in its infinite wisdom gave the approval to parking management companies to charge whatever they like, for even the most insignificant oversight of parking rules on private land.    

These companies are usually so incompetent that the charges are not difficult to dispute for anyone willing and able to do so.  Unfortunately, they will also issue charges to people who feel threatened by the appearance and language of the letters they send, and who will just pay them.  Indeed, it appears that their whole business model is based on that. 

There are strict consumer regulations that apply inside a shop, but the protections, such as they are, are completely inadequate once you are in the car park.

Private car parks do need to be managed, but they should not be a cash cow for predatory companies and the charges imposed for overstaying or not complying with the rules should bear a real relationship to the cost of providing the service.