Fistral winter tariff

Parkwars_2099

Hi,

Feel like a prat coz I'm in the midst of sorting a different pcn but now just received another...&%@# Different issue mind.

I've started a thread not cause I don't know the procedure but actually because maybe I'm in the wrong and should cough up...so looking for opinion.

Unfortunately, I don't have a photo but winter tariff at Fistral is first hour free...I didn't realise this was a winter tariff...board had first hour free, and pretty sure no mention of dates it applied to.

I parked there 31st March thinking it was free as under an hour...now received a pcn for non payment. Visited yesterday to look at signage but signage has changed...however, they did have portable sandwich type boards saying summer tariff changed 28th March. I didn't see these when I was there on 31st March...plus these are not placed by the machine I usually pay at?

I did appeal saying poor signage etc but got turned down which is standard.

So if you think I should cough up I'm happy to be hear it. I have read a few threads and it appears Initial Parking is unlikely to push to court, but seeming I didn't buy a ticket don't know if I've got a leg to stand on if they did???

Don't need any advice on checking better when I get to car parks etc...I've learnt this now the hard way.

Coupon-mad

Ignore Initial. You have a perfectly good defence if it comes to a claim. Ambiguous signs with a jumble of information misled you. 

Parkwars_2099

Hi...I'm at the POPLA appeal stage (I know this is a kangaroo court...but thought was worth a go)...basically...the sign attached is what was displayed about a week before the visit I made...it says first hour free, no mention this is seasonal. I go on 31st March and I pay at this paypoint usually...little signage. Initial Parking have shown photos of loads of signs but this is where I park as its closest to beach path. I'm contesting the sign that are up now (see pic) we're not very visible at the end of the car park and the sign up I saw the week before should have highlighted the first hour was seasonal as it gives you a false sense of security (I now treat every car park like a war zone and know better). Before I send my POPLA feedback / comment to Initial Parking photos...is there anything I should add????

Coupon-mad

Did they or you evidence the sandwich board signs too? I hope neither of you did...

Parkwars_2099

Yes, they have photos of these sandwich boards on March 28th, but not on the date I visited when I had the pcn on 31st March. I took a photo April 14th which shows no boards on the large section I park at...at the end of the beach. I did admit I saw them on April 14th at the entrance when looking at signs...but they are portable so can't be proven they were there 31st March. What do you think, strength of case wise?

Parkwars_2099

Initial Parking didn't include photo of sandwich board in reply to my appeal direct to them initially. Only as evidence to Popla. Too late for me but interestingly from re-reading an email it notes I could have appealed to...

www.ombudsman-services.org

I wonder if this would have been preferable for me...if it happened again!!! Fingers crossed it doesn't. 

Coupon-mad

You could not have used ombudsman services as the parking industry don't use that ADR.

This will probably be lost at POPLA but it matters not. You'll never pay.

Parkwars_2099

You are right...I just read it again and mentions ombudsman...but that they don't use them...it's weird they mention it then (covering backs I guess). 

Thank you for your reply.

Coupon-mad

Answered only last night:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6604045/euro-car-parks-pofa-stated-and-appeal-text-box-character-number-limit/p2

  

Half_way

Is that sign offering first hour free the main sign?

my take on that would be that the first hour was free, and then 1 hour after that £2.20 2 hours after that £3.80 and so on

Parkwars_2099

I found out today my POPLA appeal was successful...woo hoo x Thank you for your help on here, it gave me the confidence to not roll over straight away x cheers x