Parking charge for 'free stay'

cjm66

Hi all. I've had a look and I can't find another thread that covers the parking charge notice that I've received.

We parked in a private car park with pay on entrance ANPR (Parking Eye) and attempted to buy a ticket from the 1 machine, but it wouldn't work. (I have a video). I then spent ages downloading the app to pay as the signal was rubbish. When I eventually got to the point of paying on the app, I couldn't as it kept on saying total price for 4 hours "free stay". So there was nothing to pay and absolutely no way of paying. The app wouldn't save the parking, presumably because I didn't pay anything, but kept on saying 'Free stay' every time I tried to pay. I have a screenshot of the app which shows car reg, place, and in the screenshot details the date and time.

Our car was one of about 10 attempting to pay at the same time, and no-one could. So everyone that day will have gone through the same thing and assumed that 'free stay' meant no parking charge notice, but then got one anyway.

Should I just do a straightforward appeal and send the evidence of the video and screenshot of the app?

Woodstok2000

Which car park?

cjm66

Tresaith Village, Cardigan.

Woodstok2000

Looks like their app isn't set up to allow parking beyond 3 hours ( the 'all day'option on the parking machine).

Definitely appeal, but dont expect to win! Ignore them until you get a notice of claim.

cjm66

Why do you think the app said 'free stay'?

Car1980

Which app?

Show us your screenshot.

SacredStephan

My guess is because the single payment machine was "out of order".

cjm66

I've got two different timed screenshot. They both say free stay.

GrannyKate

Facebook posts show this has been a problem since new system was introduced (quite recently). https://www.facebook.com/groups/cardigancommunity/posts/1451695035952092/

Coupon-mad

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82132551#Comment_82132551

Awful.

Even worse, this article talks about a reported data breach as a result of paying ParkingEye there:

https://www.countytimes.co.uk/news/26518813.warning-issued-500-tresaith-beach-parking-scam/

"Reports on social media say that the driver then paid the charge again in response to a text message. They believed that the text was genuine as it stated the date and time and the correct charge matched what they had paid.

However, their card has now been compromised and used to purchase £500 worth of goods."

Is the operator ParkingEye in your case? Just appeal with your evidence photos then repeat it at POPLA stage.

cjm66

Thanks all. I'll do the appeal today and see what happens.