Parking fine - machine out of order
Discussion
So a few weeks ago Mrs Freak had to into work late at night due to an alarm going off, I went with her given the time and the alarm.
We parked on a pay and display car park, but the ticket machine was broke... with an out of order message being displayed on the screen, I decided I’ll take a photo of the screen displaying the message which included the time and date, just in case.
Well low and behold tonight there’s a letter on the doormat from the parking company with photos of us entering and leaving with time stamps which amazingly correspond to the date of the display on my photos.
My question is how to approach this, clearly we have evidence of the failure which meant we couldn’t pay for the parking, but I’m just expecting the company to be s@itty about it rather than admit error.
Thoughts?
We parked on a pay and display car park, but the ticket machine was broke... with an out of order message being displayed on the screen, I decided I’ll take a photo of the screen displaying the message which included the time and date, just in case.
Well low and behold tonight there’s a letter on the doormat from the parking company with photos of us entering and leaving with time stamps which amazingly correspond to the date of the display on my photos.
My question is how to approach this, clearly we have evidence of the failure which meant we couldn’t pay for the parking, but I’m just expecting the company to be s@itty about it rather than admit error.
Thoughts?
Parked up in leeds town centre a couple of weeks back and the machine said the same, i went to about 3 different streets and all the machines were out of order.
Like you i took a photo of the meters screen. I did try pay by phone but it was hit and miss if i would get through to a robot or just a dead line and when i did get through it would’nt accept my card.
I left a note in the window explaning the situation and that i had tried to pay by phone but to no avail. Before i left the car alone i did a quick google as what to do in that situation and what i read was to not park there, i was running out of time so just had to risk it.
I came back after an hour expecting the worst but there was no ticket. That was a relief and im so glad im not in your shoes right now.
Like you i took a photo of the meters screen. I did try pay by phone but it was hit and miss if i would get through to a robot or just a dead line and when i did get through it would’nt accept my card.
I left a note in the window explaning the situation and that i had tried to pay by phone but to no avail. Before i left the car alone i did a quick google as what to do in that situation and what i read was to not park there, i was running out of time so just had to risk it.
I came back after an hour expecting the worst but there was no ticket. That was a relief and im so glad im not in your shoes right now.
The Mad Monk said:
Never mind all that about parking.
Why is she Mrs Freak?
She is Mrs uk, surely?
Is Freak your first name or your last name?
Are you actually married?
Mrs UK might be bragging somewhat?Why is she Mrs Freak?
She is Mrs uk, surely?
Is Freak your first name or your last name?
Are you actually married?
Or maybe not OP
I hope you get it sorted, as above, contact them with the circs as to why you had to park there and send the pic. If they still want payment send the parking fee.
zarjaz1991 said:
BlueMeganeII said:
Reply to parking firm with mitigating circumstances and photos?
Expect them to say "if the machine was broken you shouldn't have parked there at all", a common tactic now in use.I have had this happen more than once. Write to them with a copy of the picture. If after that, they persist, tell them that you will appear in court to defend it, and you have all the time and resources in the world to defend that you consider to be right and proper. Also point out that they will not get judgement by default, that you will reply to the court and appear in person.
What has happened to me every time, is an 'on this occasion we have decided to waive...etc'
Got to be worth a go. It costs nothing. They are looking for easy money, and definitely not disputes in court.
What has happened to me every time, is an 'on this occasion we have decided to waive...etc'
Got to be worth a go. It costs nothing. They are looking for easy money, and definitely not disputes in court.
BlueMeganeII said:
Ok so as pointed out there’s almost always a way to pay by phone now. So if the machine is out of order but pay by phone is available how would that play out? (Not saying that is the case with the op).
What happens if you don't have a phone?They aren't a legal requirement when parking.....
sim16v said:
BlueMeganeII said:
Ok so as pointed out there’s almost always a way to pay by phone now. So if the machine is out of order but pay by phone is available how would that play out? (Not saying that is the case with the op).
What happens if you don't have a phone?They aren't a legal requirement when parking.....
Cold said:
sim16v said:
BlueMeganeII said:
Ok so as pointed out there’s almost always a way to pay by phone now. So if the machine is out of order but pay by phone is available how would that play out? (Not saying that is the case with the op).
What happens if you don't have a phone?They aren't a legal requirement when parking.....
Park/use the services of a company that is more in line with your lifestyle.
Local authority's etc should work to the lowest common denominator and accept cash etc.
Freakuk said:
So a few weeks ago Mrs Freak had to into work late at night due to an alarm going off, I went with her given the time and the alarm.
We parked on a pay and display car park, but the ticket machine was broke... with an out of order message being displayed on the screen, I decided I’ll take a photo of the screen displaying the message which included the time and date, just in case.
Well low and behold tonight there’s a letter on the doormat from the parking company with photos of us entering and leaving with time stamps which amazingly correspond to the date of the display on my photos.
My question is how to approach this, clearly we have evidence of the failure which meant we couldn’t pay for the parking, but I’m just expecting the company to be s@itty about it rather than admit error.
Thoughts?
Not sure why you need to ask.We parked on a pay and display car park, but the ticket machine was broke... with an out of order message being displayed on the screen, I decided I’ll take a photo of the screen displaying the message which included the time and date, just in case.
Well low and behold tonight there’s a letter on the doormat from the parking company with photos of us entering and leaving with time stamps which amazingly correspond to the date of the display on my photos.
My question is how to approach this, clearly we have evidence of the failure which meant we couldn’t pay for the parking, but I’m just expecting the company to be s@itty about it rather than admit error.
Thoughts?
Send your photos with the broken machine and proof there was no alternative means of payment....simples.
Unless of course you know there was an alternative means of payment and correspondence is futile.
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