Manchester T2 drop off

Gillwh

I recently dropped my husband off in the drop off zone at T2. The traffic was mad and there were so many cars queueing to enter and leave the zone they had staff in hi-vis directing people to spaces. The queueing added time to our permitted time and when I logged onto the APCOA website to pay for the drop off I was horrified to see I was being charged £25. It had been recorded that we had been in the zone for 10 minutes and 32 seconds, which took us into the 30 minute charge!
As it was a Saturday and we were in a company car, I had no alternative but to pay the £25 as a PNC is generated if charges aren’t paid by the end of the following day and their customer helpline only open Monday-Fri. So I also sent a very firm email to APCOA Complaints Department (complaints.magparking@APCOA .com) to say that without a doubt the queuing to get in and out had tipped us over the £6.40 charge for 10 minutes and I wanted this adjusting to the 10 minute charge.
it took them a week to respond (maybe they get a lot of complaints 🤔) but I received a bit of a “we’ll refund you this time but rules are rules” type of email, saying they would reduce my charge to £6.40.

A little win, but still very annoyed as they must be raking in a ruddy fortune with this scheme.

Coupon-mad

Well done!

…but this is wrong:

"I had no alternative but to pay the £25 as a PNC is generated if charges aren’t paid by the end of the following day"

Actually you wanted the PCN, which is impossible for a registered keeper to lose. You'd have paid nothing.

See the Airport Drop off Group Thread next time!

daveyjp

MSE way is to not pay, wait for the PCN then appeal and pay nothing,

I would however write to CEO of the airport, Andy Burnham and your MP asking why they have allowed a system to be introduced which doesn't work.

Castle

I would also suggest contacting the CMA.