Charge from car rental company for incorrect parking fine.
Charge from car rental company for incorrect parking fine.
Author
Discussion

Electro1980

Original Poster:

9,139 posts

168 months

Tuesday 14th September 2021
quotequote all
I have received an “admin charge” from a global car hire company, well known for its US customer service, for a parking charge from a national car park company.

I am disputing the parking charge because we did not park. We entered the business park, saw the place we were wanting to go to was closed, and left without even stopping. We were issues a fine through ANPR enforcement at the entrance. Anyone know where we stand with the admin charge? The contract has no allowance for admin charges on incorrectly issues fines, the CSA we spoke to was vague and unhelpful, and is going to find out. I fear that they are going to come back and say they processed it so we have to pay. This seems unreasonable to me as I should not have had the fine in the first place.

Anyone have any advice or experience with this?

georgeyboy12345

4,605 posts

64 months

Tuesday 14th September 2021
quotequote all
Just pay it

ConnectionError

2,340 posts

98 months

Tuesday 14th September 2021
quotequote all
it is not unreasonable for the hire company to charge for processing the paperwork they received with respect to the parking fine, and I would have thought this is documented in the t&C's

Perhaps you should contact the parking company as it appears they could be the cause of the problem, and ask them to pay the fee?

Starfighter

5,347 posts

207 months

Tuesday 14th September 2021
quotequote all
Oh, this could be fun watching them try and dodge a contract they did not enter in to!

Electro1980

Original Poster:

9,139 posts

168 months

Tuesday 14th September 2021
quotequote all
ConnectionError said:
it is not unreasonable for the hire company to charge for processing the paperwork they received with respect to the parking fine, and I would have thought this is documented in the t&C's

Perhaps you should contact the parking company as it appears they could be the cause of the problem, and ask them to pay the fee?
But it’s also unreasonable for me to pay something beyond my control. If I had legitimately been charged I would accept it, but as it is I have not. Realistically, what’s re the chances of the parking company paying? Absolutely zero.

Nothing in the T&Cs, but to charge me for processing something that is beyond my control seems very unreasonable.

I am trying to understand if there is any legal basis for them to charge me due to the failing of a third party.

Edited by Electro1980 on Tuesday 14th September 08:54


Edited by Electro1980 on Tuesday 14th September 08:55

Electro1980

Original Poster:

9,139 posts

168 months

Tuesday 14th September 2021
quotequote all
georgeyboy12345 said:
Just pay it
Why? I don’t believe it is legitimate, did everything I can to avoid it and it may not be much to you, but to me it stings.

mattyprice4004

1,342 posts

203 months

Tuesday 14th September 2021
quotequote all
Because regardless of it being issued incorrectly the same admin work has been done - and your T&Cs with the rental company would cover this.
Incorrect or not the paperwork is the same, and the admin will need to be covered.

Mabbs9

1,664 posts

247 months

Tuesday 14th September 2021
quotequote all
mattyprice4004 said:
Because regardless of it being issued incorrectly the same admin work has been done - and your T&Cs with the rental company would cover this.
Incorrect or not the paperwork is the same, and the admin will need to be covered.
I agree with this. Most rentals I've had included words to this effect in the agreement.

neutral 3

8,540 posts

199 months

Tuesday 14th September 2021
quotequote all
Electro1980 said:
Why? I don’t believe it is legitimate, did everything I can to avoid it and it may not be much to you, but to me it stings.
Don’t pay it !

jet_noise

6,081 posts

211 months

Tuesday 14th September 2021
quotequote all
It's not a fine.
I'm assuming the charge was issued on private land.

Pepipoo can be helpful. I think I can use that word without he-who-shall-not-be-named arising from the dead to rubbish smile

I've got a very vague memory that someone disputed a contract (I think it was employment not hirer so not directly comparable) which like the hire one requires payment of fines. As it isn't a fine they were not liable. I don't recall how it played out nor do I know if that is the right approach here.

normalbloke

8,859 posts

248 months

Tuesday 14th September 2021
quotequote all
How do you value your time and angst…

vikingaero

13,233 posts

198 months

Tuesday 14th September 2021
quotequote all
Electro1980 said:
georgeyboy12345 said:
Just pay it
Why? I don’t believe it is legitimate, did everything I can to avoid it and it may not be much to you, but to me it stings.
My money is on georgeyboy being the Director of a Private Parking Company.

I would go onto Pepipoo or the parking charge subforum on Moneysavingexpert for advice.

Electro1980

Original Poster:

9,139 posts

168 months

Tuesday 14th September 2021
quotequote all
mattyprice4004 said:
Because regardless of it being issued incorrectly the same admin work has been done - and your T&Cs with the rental company would cover this.
Incorrect or not the paperwork is the same, and the admin will need to be covered.
So? What is the basis for enforcing this? I am not convinced it is a fair term when the charge is incorrectly issued. Do you have any explanation as to why it is? I’m trying to understand if it is payable or not (and, no, just because it’s in the T&Cs does not automatically make it enforceable).

Electro1980

Original Poster:

9,139 posts

168 months

Tuesday 14th September 2021
quotequote all
vikingaero said:
My money is on georgeyboy being the Director of a Private Parking Company.

I would go onto Pepipoo or the parking charge subforum on Moneysavingexpert for advice.
Thanks. I will do once I have time to register this evening.

B235r

408 posts

78 months

Tuesday 14th September 2021
quotequote all
I'd be fighting them on it, one of the reasons whenever we hire a van or car we use a spare bank account & put the money there for X then later if they try taking something there's no money in it, I hate the hole card on file bs

ConnectionError

2,340 posts

98 months

Tuesday 14th September 2021
quotequote all
Electro1980 said:
mattyprice4004 said:
Because regardless of it being issued incorrectly the same admin work has been done - and your T&Cs with the rental company would cover this.
Incorrect or not the paperwork is the same, and the admin will need to be covered.
So? What is the basis for enforcing this? I am not convinced it is a fair term when the charge is incorrectly issued. Do you have any explanation as to why it is? I’m trying to understand if it is payable or not (and, no, just because it’s in the T&Cs does not automatically make it enforceable).
The charge is correct, the dispute is with the ticket issuer

Pothole

34,367 posts

311 months

Tuesday 14th September 2021
quotequote all
Electro1980 said:
Why? I don’t believe it is legitimate, did everything I can to avoid it and it may not be much to you, but to me it stings.
No you didn't. Doing everything you can would have included not entering the car park. I'd still be against paying, though.

Nimby

5,692 posts

179 months

Tuesday 14th September 2021
quotequote all
Electro1980 said:
Thanks. I will do once I have time to register this evening.
Re Pepipoo: upload all the paperwork (on a different site) and link to it otherwise they get quite shirty. Just redact name and address; leave all dates. Don't say who was driving.

Apparently not one car hire company does the "transfer of liability" correctly so you should be OK.

anonymous-user

83 months

Tuesday 14th September 2021
quotequote all
How long were you in the car park for?

Indecision

516 posts

109 months

Tuesday 14th September 2021
quotequote all
jet_noise said:
It's not a fine.
I'm assuming the charge was issued on private land.

Pepipoo can be helpful. I think I can use that word without he-who-shall-not-be-named arising from the dead to rubbish smile

I've got a very vague memory that someone disputed a contract (I think it was employment not hirer so not directly comparable) which like the hire one requires payment of fines. As it isn't a fine they were not liable. I don't recall how it played out nor do I know if that is the right approach here.
I’ve just looked through one of our current lease agreements which explicitly refers to fines - so I think you’re right, this would be an unenforceable charge, assuming it’s a private parking charge.