Parking Eye ****ing scammers
Discussion
Looking for a bit of advice. I drive over to the U.K. to stay several times a year. I’ve just received 2 parking fines through the post from the Lidl car park in Bath.
Apparently there is a two hour limit although I have never seen a sign to this effect (otherwise why would I risk it?).
So apparently we were parked for 2h17 mins ago on one occasion from about 3 in the afternoon, as captured by ANPR cameras.
On the same day I parked that evening at 20.30 for a few hours to see a mate’s band play in a nearby pub.
They want me to pay 2 X €121.00 for this.
WTF is this bulls
t? And how the hell can it be a problem to park in an empty open car park at night FFS?
Any advice, am I going to have to cough up?
Apparently there is a two hour limit although I have never seen a sign to this effect (otherwise why would I risk it?).
So apparently we were parked for 2h17 mins ago on one occasion from about 3 in the afternoon, as captured by ANPR cameras.
On the same day I parked that evening at 20.30 for a few hours to see a mate’s band play in a nearby pub.
They want me to pay 2 X €121.00 for this.
WTF is this bulls
t? And how the hell can it be a problem to park in an empty open car park at night FFS?Any advice, am I going to have to cough up?
Furthermore the parking operator is likely to have a set of standards they sign up to. The signage for example will contain certain information and be displayed as per these standards.
It is worth noting these charges are effectively an invoice. If you are outside the UK they may have issues persuing you.
Try http://www.pepipoo.com/ for advice on what you can do from here, if anything.
It is worth noting these charges are effectively an invoice. If you are outside the UK they may have issues persuing you.
Try http://www.pepipoo.com/ for advice on what you can do from here, if anything.
Think of the car park as Lidl’s drive way. In the same way you are happy to let people visiting your house to park on your driveway, so are Lidl if you visit them.
Now, if a stranger parked on your driveway and disappeared off to the pub for a few hours, you would be understandably annoyed.
Now, if a stranger parked on your driveway and disappeared off to the pub for a few hours, you would be understandably annoyed.
Edited by h0b0 on Monday 14th November 13:58
OP, be thankful you don't live in the UK, where the slightest motoring infraction can lead you to an expensive fine and, often, points on your driving licence.
(A pedant may tell you that you have not been fined in these instances, but have instead received invoices for not complying with the terms of a contract outlined on a sign)!
(A pedant may tell you that you have not been fined in these instances, but have instead received invoices for not complying with the terms of a contract outlined on a sign)!
Driller said:
Looking for a bit of advice. I drive over to the U.K. to stay several times a year. I’ve just received 2 parking fines through the post from the Lidl car park in Bath.
Apparently there is a two hour limit although I have never seen a sign to this effect (otherwise why would I risk it?).
So apparently we were parked for 2h17 mins ago on one occasion from about 3 in the afternoon, as captured by ANPR cameras.
On the same day I parked that evening at 20.30 for a few hours to see a mate’s band play in a nearby pub.
They want me to pay 2 X €121.00 for this.
WTF is this bullst? And how the hell can it be a problem to park in an empty open car park at night FFS?
Any advice, am I going to have to cough up?
how did they get your details if you live abroad and the info is from DVLA? Apparently there is a two hour limit although I have never seen a sign to this effect (otherwise why would I risk it?).
So apparently we were parked for 2h17 mins ago on one occasion from about 3 in the afternoon, as captured by ANPR cameras.
On the same day I parked that evening at 20.30 for a few hours to see a mate’s band play in a nearby pub.
They want me to pay 2 X €121.00 for this.
WTF is this bulls
t? And how the hell can it be a problem to park in an empty open car park at night FFS?Any advice, am I going to have to cough up?
Thanks for all the replies and info everyone.
Just to be clear if I have broken the law and I have to pay then that’s life.
Maybe I’ve been living in France too long but no one here would mind you parking in an empty car park at half past eight at night, it seems rather odd to me.
Also to clarify yes we bought shopping between 16.00 and 18.15 that afternoon but I would never have guessed that staying just over 2 hours in their shop woukd result in a fine.
It seems very unreasonable to me but obviously that’s no defence against a law.
ETA I’ll have to look at those Google map pics but never imagining that I could be fined for shopping I guess I must have looked straight through them.
Also the contravention was over a year ago and I just received the fines today.
Just to be clear if I have broken the law and I have to pay then that’s life.
Maybe I’ve been living in France too long but no one here would mind you parking in an empty car park at half past eight at night, it seems rather odd to me.
Also to clarify yes we bought shopping between 16.00 and 18.15 that afternoon but I would never have guessed that staying just over 2 hours in their shop woukd result in a fine.
It seems very unreasonable to me but obviously that’s no defence against a law.
ETA I’ll have to look at those Google map pics but never imagining that I could be fined for shopping I guess I must have looked straight through them.
pavarotti1980 said:
how did they get your details if you live abroad and the info is from DVLA?
The letters were from a Swedish company and they’re asking me to pay a German company!Also the contravention was over a year ago and I just received the fines today.
Edited by Driller on Monday 14th November 14:14
Driller said:
Thanks for all the replies and info everyone.
Just to be clear if I have broken the law and I have to pay then that’s life.
Maybe I’ve been living in France too long but no one here would mind you parking in an empty car park at half past eight at night, it seems rather odd to me.
Also to clarify yes we bought shopping between 16.00 and 18.15 that afternoon but I would never have guessed that staying just over 2 hours in their shop woukd result in a fine.
It seems very unreasonable to me but obviously that’s no defence against a law.
ETA I’ll have to look at those Google map pics but never imagining that I could be fined for shopping I guess I must have looked straight through them.
Also the contravention was over a year ago and I just received the fines today.
In that case I’d file the ‘fines’ in the bin but your choice.Just to be clear if I have broken the law and I have to pay then that’s life.
Maybe I’ve been living in France too long but no one here would mind you parking in an empty car park at half past eight at night, it seems rather odd to me.
Also to clarify yes we bought shopping between 16.00 and 18.15 that afternoon but I would never have guessed that staying just over 2 hours in their shop woukd result in a fine.
It seems very unreasonable to me but obviously that’s no defence against a law.
ETA I’ll have to look at those Google map pics but never imagining that I could be fined for shopping I guess I must have looked straight through them.
pavarotti1980 said:
how did they get your details if you live abroad and the info is from DVLA?
The letters were from a Swedish company and they’re asking me to pay a German company!Also the contravention was over a year ago and I just received the fines today.
Edited by Driller on Monday 14th November 14:14
Driller said:
The letters were from a Swedish company and they’re asking me to pay a German company!
Also the contravention was over a year ago and I just received the fines today.
That sounds an interesting roundabout way of finding you.....I would be filing them away. Also the contravention was over a year ago and I just received the fines today.
Edited by Driller on Monday 14th November 14:14
The UK private parking model relies on invoicing people with "fines". Most people, being British, will pay up out of fear of Court Action and any CCJ affecting their credit rating. It's free money for them.
It's difficult to stop anywhere without being subject to the gaze of ANPR and the myriad of restrictions. There are countless stories each week of people being "fined" for multiple visits, cameras recording entry, but not exit etc. The industry is now huge and many large retail companies and landowners are complicit in this fraud. Yes, those who don't pay for parking or overstay significantly should be charged, but the private parking companies are leeches and should be stopped. I speak as someone who had to complain to my MP about 18 consecutive false parking invoices, but hey, only people who deserve fines get them and they don't make mistakes and their signs are always clear, right?
It's difficult to stop anywhere without being subject to the gaze of ANPR and the myriad of restrictions. There are countless stories each week of people being "fined" for multiple visits, cameras recording entry, but not exit etc. The industry is now huge and many large retail companies and landowners are complicit in this fraud. Yes, those who don't pay for parking or overstay significantly should be charged, but the private parking companies are leeches and should be stopped. I speak as someone who had to complain to my MP about 18 consecutive false parking invoices, but hey, only people who deserve fines get them and they don't make mistakes and their signs are always clear, right?
TheLoraxxZeus said:
How the hell do you spend 2 hours and 15 minutes getting shopping? Did you get lost or stuck in a freezer? lol
You can lose two hours rummaging through the central Isle of dreams trying to resist buying a load of cycling kit on the vague off chance that you might start cycling in the future... Then you need a jet washer to clean your yet to be purchased bike, and an SDS drill to mount the future bike hangers... Becuase obviously one bike is never enough. vikingaero said:
The UK private parking model relies on invoicing people with "fines". Most people, being British, will pay up out of fear of Court Action and any CCJ affecting their credit rating. It's free money for them.
It's difficult to stop anywhere without being subject to the gaze of ANPR and the myriad of restrictions. There are countless stories each week of people being "fined" for multiple visits, cameras recording entry, but not exit etc. The industry is now huge and many large retail companies and landowners are complicit in this fraud. Yes, those who don't pay for parking or overstay significantly should be charged, but the private parking companies are leeches and should be stopped. I speak as someone who had to complain to my MP about 18 consecutive false parking invoices, but hey, only people who deserve fines get them and they don't make mistakes and their signs are always clear, right?
Thank you, I appreciate that.It's difficult to stop anywhere without being subject to the gaze of ANPR and the myriad of restrictions. There are countless stories each week of people being "fined" for multiple visits, cameras recording entry, but not exit etc. The industry is now huge and many large retail companies and landowners are complicit in this fraud. Yes, those who don't pay for parking or overstay significantly should be charged, but the private parking companies are leeches and should be stopped. I speak as someone who had to complain to my MP about 18 consecutive false parking invoices, but hey, only people who deserve fines get them and they don't make mistakes and their signs are always clear, right?
TGCOTF-dewey said:
TheLoraxxZeus said:
How the hell do you spend 2 hours and 15 minutes getting shopping? Did you get lost or stuck in a freezer? lol
You can lose two hours rummaging through the central Isle of dreams trying to resist buying a load of cycling kit on the vague off chance that you might start cycling in the future... Then you need a jet washer to clean your yet to be purchased bike, and an SDS drill to mount the future bike hangers... Becuase obviously one bike is never enough. 
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