RingGo - Paying for 2 cars simultaneously, basically overpaying - How?

Cyclonobby · 27 February 2024 at 6:38PM

Dear MSE Team,

I seemed to be being fobbed off by both Ringgo and Teignbridge District Council on a 'possible' phone app software error or issue. I just wanted to bring it to your attention in case any others are having similar issues.

It's not a matter of money, as it was only an extra £1.30, but it is down to principal and correctly working app software. I work in the software design industry and understand how important it is for consumers to be listened to.

On the 28th of January 2024, I paid in advance from home at on my RingGo app on my Samsung Galaxy S10 android phone for 'my' vehicle to park at Cricketfield Road Car Park in Newton Abbot, Devon. I regularly park in this car park on a Sunday morning for a Martial Arts class mainly using my car, but on the odd occasion, I use my wife's car ALWAYS ONE CAR USE ONLY. There is plenty of historical data on my account to prove this going back 18 months.

I have 2 cars on my RingGo app, my wife's and my own for convenience and to be covered if I do not have "the right denomination" of cash to pay at any local car park.

On this occasion 28th January 2024, at 9.37 am I paid for 2 cars to park almost simultaneously, within 22 seconds of each other, which is not "very" possible using the app unless you've got lightning fingers. There are procedures to go through to add each separate vehicle for parking which takes longer than 22 seconds.

I have the documentation on my account and presented it all to RingGo in an email and I asked them to look at my regular historical parking at that car park, same day and same time over the last 18 months to show the consistency of ONE CAR ONLY!!!. They did not seem to be interested and it seemed to have been shrugged aside after a few email interactions.

I explained the situation in depth to Ringgo via email and asked them to check their software system in case there was an issue that anybody else might have had too, but they kept fobbing me off saying it had nothing to do with them and kept referring me to Teignbridge District Council Parking Service.

But I replied that my contract by default using the phone app is with Ringgo (not the council) and they should be addressing my concerns not fobbing me off to the council. I have several 'saved' emails going to and fro with their representative Ann with no joy and it has left me quite angry. Another corporate machine not listening to consumers' concerns.

I am annoyed and pretty disgusted with the attitude of Ringgo and I know that if I approached the council as they have requested any response would probably not be helpful as I did not deal directly with them and they will not be interested, and will probably refer me back to RingGo again.

I'm not too fussed if I don't get a refund on this occasion. It's all about having a software app that works correctly and that is tested to destruction. I have all the emails, my invoice documentation and text messages from that day as evidence - if required. It is clear to me that it has been a software error not a user error as far as I am aware, but proving it is difficult. It seems to be 'guilty until proven innocent'.

As a side note being balanced, I have not had any other similar payment issues with RingGo before or after but I thought it important enough this time to bring up in case others had had similar issues around the same time.

Thank you (and apologies for any repetition).