Gatwick parking
Discussion
Just got back from Hols, used Gatwick North Terminal long term. Not that great this time, took a while to find a parking space, then they seem to have cut down on the buses to the terminal, took a while for a bus to come, when it did, it was rammed and we had to leave some behind at the car park bus stop. Got back 5am Sat morning, had to wait 20 mins for a bus back to the parking lot. Will try others next time
Aha! I've just been pointed to this thread by another PH'er! Tread carefully with the Gatwick firms, there are ALOT of cowboys out there (Which is why I setup what I have as almost all my customers are PH'ers/Enthusiasts via word of mouth 
If you use Maple Manor & the myriad of other off-site firms, just be vigilant & I'd advise taking as many photographs as possible of your car before it leaves your sight...Mileage/Condition etc. The big issue with almost ALL of these companies is accountability...I can confirm this as I've been "undercover" in most of their open storage yards where the majority of their clients cars are kept (Not to mention my recovery driver is the chap who collects the cars when their drivers have accidents!) - This is where the bumps/scrapes happen as ultimately they're maximizing on the little space they have, your car WILL be parked mm's from another car, that is the norm.
Be safe & remember it's your most expensive asset after your house, you wouldn't hand it over to just anyone!
Re Long Stay - Again! It's lawless. Keep valuables well out of sight, these car parks are regularly patrolled by thieves scouting either for small items worth nabbing or other more elaborate tricks, the long stay car parks have a 2hr free period, what this means is Joe public can drive in, pootle about for an hr, then drive out. There is no security & no CCTV (bar at the gates) covering the car parks amongst the vast expanse of concrete that these cars are all sitting on. I've reported on several occasions cars with broken windows/ajar doors where it looks like thieves have attempted something while it's been parked up.
Re Short Stay - Door dings central! Just because it's empty when you arrive, does not mean that it will be that way 12hrs later - These car parks are worse than the supermarket with it's chaotic and tight spacings, nab end spaces, squeeze into a corner. Defensive parking essentially! & most importantly, pre book!
Just in case...Leave a jump pack in the car if you have one. You do not want to be the person that comes back from holiday only to find their car dead. Your car may behave while on the drive & you've not driven it for a week, but while you're away and someone bumps into your car setting the alarm off and it keeps going repeatedly...It's an awful thing to return back to. Unfortunately something that's all too common in the long stay/short stay car parks!
Stay safe folks!
If you use Maple Manor & the myriad of other off-site firms, just be vigilant & I'd advise taking as many photographs as possible of your car before it leaves your sight...Mileage/Condition etc. The big issue with almost ALL of these companies is accountability...I can confirm this as I've been "undercover" in most of their open storage yards where the majority of their clients cars are kept (Not to mention my recovery driver is the chap who collects the cars when their drivers have accidents!) - This is where the bumps/scrapes happen as ultimately they're maximizing on the little space they have, your car WILL be parked mm's from another car, that is the norm.
Be safe & remember it's your most expensive asset after your house, you wouldn't hand it over to just anyone!
Re Long Stay - Again! It's lawless. Keep valuables well out of sight, these car parks are regularly patrolled by thieves scouting either for small items worth nabbing or other more elaborate tricks, the long stay car parks have a 2hr free period, what this means is Joe public can drive in, pootle about for an hr, then drive out. There is no security & no CCTV (bar at the gates) covering the car parks amongst the vast expanse of concrete that these cars are all sitting on. I've reported on several occasions cars with broken windows/ajar doors where it looks like thieves have attempted something while it's been parked up.
Re Short Stay - Door dings central! Just because it's empty when you arrive, does not mean that it will be that way 12hrs later - These car parks are worse than the supermarket with it's chaotic and tight spacings, nab end spaces, squeeze into a corner. Defensive parking essentially! & most importantly, pre book!
Just in case...Leave a jump pack in the car if you have one. You do not want to be the person that comes back from holiday only to find their car dead. Your car may behave while on the drive & you've not driven it for a week, but while you're away and someone bumps into your car setting the alarm off and it keeps going repeatedly...It's an awful thing to return back to. Unfortunately something that's all too common in the long stay/short stay car parks!
Stay safe folks!
having now used garaged.com I can happily report I'd use them again;
great service - very professional
flexible too - I had to extend my stay by 3 days - no issue at all
I was also sent a couple of texts showing where my car was stored (nicely tucked up with a 996 turbo, a 993 turbo 2 x 4.0 RS & something ferrari shaped)
good price too
recommended !
great service - very professional
flexible too - I had to extend my stay by 3 days - no issue at all
I was also sent a couple of texts showing where my car was stored (nicely tucked up with a 996 turbo, a 993 turbo 2 x 4.0 RS & something ferrari shaped)
good price too
recommended !
Thread resurrection!
I'm looking at the Long Stay North car park at Gatwick and noticed they have 'Family Bays'. Anyone know what this means?
Are they wider bays where I can leave my car without worry of door dings?
I'm in 2 minds as to whether to take my car or the Fiesta run around.
I don't really want valet options as id prefer to keep my keys
I'm looking at the Long Stay North car park at Gatwick and noticed they have 'Family Bays'. Anyone know what this means?
Are they wider bays where I can leave my car without worry of door dings?
I'm in 2 minds as to whether to take my car or the Fiesta run around.
I don't really want valet options as id prefer to keep my keys
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