Euro Car Parks - Charge for using Petrol Station Car Wash

Manc1997

Good Morning All,

I have received a "Parking Charge" recently for spending around an hour in a petrol station, however I am planning to dispute it because I was not just parked in the place, I was using its services and handling the fact that the manager was being difficult and dishonest with me.

Here is what happened:

1. I parked up and filled my car with petrol,
2. I moved my car into the manual car wash area,
3. I went inside to ask if the machine had been fixed (it was previously not dispensing soap, and I was told to return to speak with the manager for a refund),
4. I then had a back and forth with the manager, who rudely told me that I was not right and that the machine worked as it should,
5. I then paid for and washed my car, only to see that the soap wasn't working again,
6. I finished washing my car, and then parked NOT in a parking spot, but right in front of the shop, then went inside to complain again and got a refund for both occurrences,
7. I then parked in a parking spot for a few minutes while I dried my car, 
8. I then left the car wash, probably at the time that the letter states,

So, now I have this PPC thinking that it can tell me to pay them, and I considered ignoring them at first but I know that can result in myself looking worse off if this ever reaches court. FYI, the car is in my wife's name, but I was the driver. 

Based on the advice I have read on this site, I believe that I should appeal the charge, stating that it is nonsense because while I was there, I was either using a service or dealing with incompetent and rude staff. I should also contact the petrol station (Shell), and tell them to cancel the charge, or else I will share my experience at this station regarding the car wash and the manners of the manager.

Should I leave out telling them who the driver was too?

Am I correct in my assumption, or is there any details that I may have missed that I should be adding in the appeal?

Coupon-mad

Back page?  Please show it.

Your wife will appeal, not you.  As explained in the NEWBIES FAQS announcement thread.

Le_Kirk

As well as making sure that any appeal (and subsequent court claim) is all done in the keeper's name, make sure that the petrol station know that you will not be spending any more of your hard earned cash there if every visit comes with a £100 surcharge. Your friends will be as equally appalled when you tell them. Petrol stations don't need parking companies ruining their business!

Castle

Send the petrol station company a SAR and ask for the CCTV video which covers the period the vehicle was on site.

fisherjim

I see that the the time allowed on site isn't mentioned on the Muppets NTK, I wonder why!

I think Shell need to consider whether they are a retail outlet or a scammers paradise, how on earth can 15 minutes be a fair time for their paying customers?

It would take that time to decipher the small print on that signage!

Manc1997

Coupon-mad said:

Back page?  Please show it.

Your wife will appeal, not you.  As explained in the NEWBIES FAQS announcement thread.

The back page is attached above. I will now:

1. Inform the Petrol Station that I am going to make people aware of my experience.
2. Make a SAR to the Petrol Station for the CCTV of my time there.
3. Appeal as Keeper, pretty much stating what I did above.

Thank you all for your advice.

Coupon-mad

That is a POFA notice in fact, so you can appeal as driver if you prefer to handle it.

SpinninginInfinity

I might be getting old but I can't see anything on the NTK that covers 8(2)(e)(i) within POFA 2012

(e)state that the creditor does not know both the name of the driver and a current address for service for the driver and invite the keeper—

(i)to pay the unpaid parking charges

More a case of "Keeper identify the driver or we're gonna get you!"

Coupon-mad

I'd say it is implied. I wouldn't suggest that a notice demanding money ISN'T an invitation to pay.  I think a Judge would laugh at me.

Operators don't have to use exact words for that bit. It's not prescriptive wording.

1505grandad

"....... 8(2)(e)(i) within POFA 2012.

As it is an anpr issued ntk para 9 of PoFA schedule 4 applies.

SpinninginInfinity

Coupon-mad said:

I'd say it is implied. I wouldn't suggest that a notice demanding money ISN'T an invitation to pay.  I think a Judge would laugh at me.

Operators don't have to use exact words for that bit. It's not prescriptive wording.

Ah good point