Excel parking charge at Iceland - is it worth challenging?

pannonica

I just received a parking charge notice from 'Excel Parking' yesterday because I parked in the car park for Iceland in Thornton Heath a couple of weeks ago and I'm now wondering whether it's worth trying to fight it.

I didn't realise the parking was controlled - I'm sure there were signs, but I didn't notice them, since it was 8:40 in the evening and was dark. I was going to a nearby restaurant, not to Iceland, but since the car park was almost completely empty and the shop was about to shut anyway (at 9, 20 minutes later) it didn't even cross my mind that there would be any problem with parking there.

Is there any point trying to challenge this or should I just pay the 60 quid?

kryten3000

You should not have parked where you did, but that doesn't mean you need to pay Excel £60 unless you want to avoid the possibility of them taking court action against you, but why pay the scammers anything?  Their signage was obviously poor because the driver didn't see them.  "No parking when store is closed" is not offering any contract to park.

Follow the Newbies guide - send a KEEPER appeal denying liability and then ignore Excel unless they send a Letter of Claim and update your "address for service" with them if you move house in the next 6 years.

Car1980

Not surprised you didn't see them. They're black and nothing but small print. Imagine this in the dark!

Car1980

I also wouldn't be surprised if their own vans frequently blocked them. If the van in the middle was in the adjacent bay you'd have no chance.

Car1980

Excel are litigious I'm afraid, but I've never seen them, or any other company, have to defend black signs in the dark. It's actually pay to park according to Google, but they have again gone for black signs next to a black pay machine.

I'd look forward to a court claim!

kryten3000

Looking at GSV there is an entrance sign with opening hours, but if the driver turned left into the car park then it might not have been very visible. It doesn't look to be lit other than by streetlights.

Sign says "Pay on Entry" and open times are Monday-Sunday 07:00 - 22:30 and "strictly no entry outside these times" (note it doesn't say "no parking outside these times"  )

There are some more familiar "No Parking" VCS signs on the entry road but the ones in the car park itself are pretty inconspicuous.

pannonica

Okay amazing, thanks very much for all the comments, I'll do as you suggest Kryten.

I'll mention the fact that it was dark, the signs are black and not particularly conspicuous, that the car park was nearly empty and that the shop was almost shut (I actually thought it was shut at the time but after checking the opening hours now it seems like it shut 20 minutes after I entered the car park).

MothballsWallet

Car1980 said:

Not surprised you didn't see them. They're black and nothing but small print. Imagine this in the dark!

I've seen better signage in the former USSR. And, yes, I can make that comparison because my wife is originally from the USSR.

kryten3000

pannonica said:

Okay amazing, thanks very much for all the comments, I'll do as you suggest Kryten.

I'll mention the fact that it was dark, the signs are black and not particularly conspicuous, that the car park was nearly empty and that the shop was almost shut (I actually thought it was shut at the time but after checking the opening hours now it seems like it shut 20 minutes after I entered the car park).

Don't give any details.  Just use the standard appeal template. Definitely don't tell them who was driving. 

Car1980

Why are we appealing though?

No chance either Excel or the bent IAS will allow an appeal.

County court is the only fair appeal option here.

Coupon-mad

Genuine question:

Why do drivers use car parks after 6pm when the streets (even in major cities) are mostly unrestricted by then? I would never seek out a car park on any evenings or overnight, anywhere. Not even in London. I am a southerner so I've never been to Leeds except driving through it once in the rain...

However, I'm saying this to stop the driver doing that again. There's usually no need to even look for a car park and I don't know why anyone seeks them out. Some of my friends still do...sigh...even when merely drooping off or picking up a passenger - unbelievable!

Avoid avoid avoid! You certainly can't expect to use a retail car park out of hours these days.

The 'appeal' won't work because there is no appeal with IPC firms. The keeper will have to ignore it and only contact Excel if they move house (common sense not parking law) because they must respond to a claim form.