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Funk
Original Poster
13,072 posts
78 months
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A mate of mine came back to his car today to find it had been clamped on private land (he works in an office building that has a parking control company that deals with the enforcement). His permit had fallen off onto the floor. As such, it wasn't technically visible.
The clamper was just around the corner and came back to the car when my mate called the clamping company. He showed the valid permit (which was retrieved from the footwell of the car) and the clamper agreed it was valid. However, my mate has had to pay £130 to have the clamp removed, despite showing a valid permit. It was paid on his credit card. He will be asking his employer to support his case for a refund, but is there any harm in charging back the payment to the card? He was on his way out to a meeting and in no position to argue the toss with the clamper so technically paid under protest.
He's obviously pretty hacked off at having to pay such an extortionate sum when he proved there and then to the clamper that he is entitled to park there. I don't hold out much hope of him getting the money back by simply 'asking nicely'.
Any advice would be gratefully received!
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10 Pence Short
27,552 posts
86 months
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I'd certainly be having a conversation with the CC company.
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Hooli
21,179 posts
69 months
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Charge back would be my plan too.
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MercScot
395 posts
20 months
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This is where he works, so he has to display the permit every time he goes to work, he knows that if he doesn't he will be clamped and yet he (a) did not have it permenatly attached to his windscreen and/or (b) didn't check when he parked that it was visible?
I wish him luck, but I suspect I know how this will end.
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Funk
Original Poster
13,072 posts
78 months
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MercScot - accidents happen, he just didn't notice.
I've recommended the chargeback route through the credit card company but just wanted to know what the clamping company might do or whether it's worth the hassle?
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Jasandjules
45,354 posts
98 months
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Did he say he is paying under duress?
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Hooli
21,179 posts
69 months
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Funk said: or whether it's worth the hassle? Always just to p  s off such jobsworths.
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daz3210
5,000 posts
109 months
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Was it a works meeting? If so I would have gone and told my boss to sort it.......
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Funk
Original Poster
13,072 posts
78 months
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The office manager wasn't there today. The clamper said there was 'nothing he could do', he had to take payment to free the car. Mate's boss will probably write to the clamping company to ask them to refund, but I don't hold out much hope of them doing so.
It's one thing protecting a parking space from Uncle Tom Cobbley and all parking there, but it's another when the company contracted by the business he works for are having their own staff clamped.
Making clamping illegal can't come soon enough. I understand it's October this year that it comes into force?
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Ean218
958 posts
119 months
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Funk said: It's one thing protecting a parking space from Uncle Tom Cobbley and all parking there, but it's another when the company contracted by the business he works for are having their own staff clamped.
Making clamping illegal can't come soon enough. I understand it's October this year that it comes into force? So where will he park then, when the company car park is full of liggers?
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nickcowen
505 posts
32 months
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Two words "sthil saw" !!!
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carreauchompeur
10,580 posts
73 months
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Discretion and "private parking company" are not terms which I would associate being together. Try for a chargeback or failing that pursue work... They are the ones who engaged the parking monkeys!
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Funk
Original Poster
13,072 posts
78 months
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Ean218 said: So where will he park then, when the company car park is full of liggers? They can put a barrier system in. I disagree with clamping on principle
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aw51 121565
2,692 posts
102 months
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MercScot said: This is where he works, so he has to display the permit every time he goes to work, he knows that if he doesn't he will be clamped and yet he (a) did not have it permenatly attached to his windscreen and/or (b) didn't check when he parked that it was visible?
I wish him luck, but I suspect I know how this will end. If he does things properly - ie if his boss doesn't manage to get a refund or his credit card won't 'do' the chargeback (and they sometimes don't play ball on this, as "he entered his PIN"  ) - he will get his money back via the small claims court, having named the landowner, the people who 'engaged' them, the clamping company, possibly the individual clamper and so on (everybody involved - they are all jointly and severally liable and some of them WILL have assets that can be seized if need-be, although the clamping company and individual clamper will state they haven't and the parking companies ignore CCJs like confetti blowing in the wind anyway). It takes time, and he'll have to pay £30 (or similar) to file the action, but he will get it all back including this £30 (or whatever). £130 to remove a clamp is punitive - plain and simple! But the 'parking companies' are starting to ramp it up/take the mick as October approaches  . OP, please tell your friend to go to www.pepipoo.com , find the 'private parking' forum and start their own thread there (including 'anonymised' pics of the receipt and any other paperwork)  . He will walk this if he does it properly ... And I'm surprised he managed to pay with a credit card - usually the machine isn't working and there is a surcharge (£5 has been mentioned), so "cash is king" here - as there is a risk of the punter making a chargeback and the parking company losing out *ahem* .
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speedyguy
1,465 posts
72 months
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Hooli said: Funk said: or whether it's worth the hassle? Always just to p s off such jobsworths. Unless it's the council/govt as we wouldn't want taxpayers money wasting (i certainly wouldn't) on spurious bullsh#t would we
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Hooli
21,179 posts
69 months
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speedyguy said: Hooli said: Funk said: or whether it's worth the hassle? Always just to p s off such jobsworths. Unless it's the council/govt as we wouldn't want taxpayers money wasting (i certainly wouldn't) on spurious bullsh#t would we If it teaches these morons how to behave then it hasn't been wasted.
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streaky
18,221 posts
118 months
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Funk said: Making clamping illegal can't come soon enough. I understand it's October this year that it comes into force? No Commencement Order has been published, so your guess is the same as that of everyone down the pub. That said, October 2012 is the 'talked about' date in the industry. Streaky
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minky monkey
1,091 posts
35 months
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Oct is the date mentioned on the Sia website too.
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