Money Moral Dilemma: Should I offer to pay part of my friend's parking fine?

MSE_Kelvin

This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks...

 Over Christmas a friend took me out, but unfortunately when we got back to the car it had a parking ticket on it. My friend had decided where to park, as he was driving, and it was his home town and not an area I'm familiar with. Yet I feel like he wants me to offer to pay half of the fine, even though it really wasn't my fault he got it.

Unfortunately the MSE team can't answer Money Moral Dilemma questions as contributions are emailed in or suggested in person. They are intended to be a point of debate and discussed at face value. Remember that behind each dilemma there is a real person so, as the forum rules say, please keep it kind and keep it clean.

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Coupon-mad

Depends if is a private parking charge or a real penalty but I'm not sure why MSE presumes PCNs are just to be paid without question?

Isn't the real moneysaving dilemma:

"should I help my friend appeal it by using the expertise on the MSE parking forum that wins in most cases, or should I save my time and effort and let him blindly pay it?"

Even Council PCNs can be appealed if there are grounds.  Often there are good grounds to appeal if neither of you saw the signs.  I've won every Local Authority/TFL penalty case I've appealed for friends and colleagues in over a decade and only twice have I told the friend to pay at the discount.

IF IT IS PRIVATE, THE ANSWER IS 100% DON'T PAY IT AND COME TO THIS FORUM!

Private parking charges are currently out of control and pretty much are always unfair, relying on unlit, hidden signs and entrapment areas.  Self-regulation has failed and these are not to be paid.  We also win court defences so there is no risk in disputing a private PCN.

Hopefully, Martin and the MSE team recognise how much input the forum members here have had into shaping the new statutory Code of Practice and framework set to change things in England, Scotland and Wales this year...more than MSE might think.

Only after this industry is regulated after this year, might we start telling people to pay because it's a fair cop.

Certainly not yet.

jewelqueen

I'd say no. He was the driver and so responsible for driving and parking. It was his decision where to park, not yours.

Half_way

jewelqueen said:

I'd say no. He was the driver and so responsible for driving and parking. It was his decision where to park, not yours.

I would say everything depends upon who issued the charge, if you want to help then you could try and help get this overturned.

 Who issued theparking ticket/?

Louispastrami

No of course not. If you'd parked in the wrong place would you expect him to pay got half of it?

venderqueen

Do you want to keep your friend? I would say offer to pay half. You do not always know when parking charges apply and accidents happen.

REJP

Pay half.  And while you are at it put some fuel in his tank as well.  

daybreak8

I would help with appealing PCN and give something for fuel at the very least as taxi fares aren't cheap. 

AlanBD

He’s your friend; help him out and put it down as an additional cost of your day/evening out. You never know when the boot will be on the other foot. 

elsien

I’m with Coupon-mad. Neither of you pay anything but instead help him to fight it.

Peeza1

Did you look for any parking signs or ask if it was ok to park?
If he's a friend pay half.
I was dropped off at an airport ,16 seconds £60 fine. I paid half.