Supermarket parking ticket
Discussion
My mrs recently got issued a ticket in a supermarket car park by "Central Ticketing Ltd" for staying over the 2 hour limit. Annoyingly she had parked in the supermarket, shopped there, and left the car while picking up things at the other nearby stores, so was a genuine customer, but didn't keep the receipt.
So what's the deal with this - can I safely bin it, or will debt collectors come beating down the door at some time? What's the legal authority under which these tickets are issued by private companies? It's £85 which seems a bit unreasonable, hence I want to fight it.
So what's the deal with this - can I safely bin it, or will debt collectors come beating down the door at some time? What's the legal authority under which these tickets are issued by private companies? It's £85 which seems a bit unreasonable, hence I want to fight it.
Supermarkets love to demonstrate that their customer servie is the best compared to the others. Try the local store manager, my money would be he will offer shopping voucher to the value of the ticket but the ticket is from a separate company and will have to be honoured.
As long as the 2 hour limit was not breached, if it was, you'll be lucky to get anything.
As long as the 2 hour limit was not breached, if it was, you'll be lucky to get anything.
Did she park for over 2 hours though - if that's what the ticket is for?
Is there clear signage saying you musn't (again, assuming - hee haawwwww - that's what the ticket was issued for)?
I recently got one overturned because I broke the (unwritten / unsigned) rule about leaving the retai park...whilst I left my car there. If she did stay over 2 hours then aren't you complaining about nothing? (I.e. Banged to rights) If not, then perhaps you should write to the parking company about it, saying that there's video evidence at the stire that she was a customer, but that you aren't willing to pay the supermarket for the video, they can either take you to court or sod off...but make sure the store does have video 1st though!
Is there clear signage saying you musn't (again, assuming - hee haawwwww - that's what the ticket was issued for)?
I recently got one overturned because I broke the (unwritten / unsigned) rule about leaving the retai park...whilst I left my car there. If she did stay over 2 hours then aren't you complaining about nothing? (I.e. Banged to rights) If not, then perhaps you should write to the parking company about it, saying that there's video evidence at the stire that she was a customer, but that you aren't willing to pay the supermarket for the video, they can either take you to court or sod off...but make sure the store does have video 1st though!
Before Debt Collectors can come calling they have to get a County Court Judgment. Wouldn't worry about that bit just yet.
Do you have a credit/debit receipt of payment? Then march to the local store and ask why they clamped you when you are a customer.......
Does the "enforcement" company have a license? Can be worth checking? Ask them for the evidence of the 2 hours breach, i.e. the first time they registered the car and the time the ticket was issued.
Do you have a credit/debit receipt of payment? Then march to the local store and ask why they clamped you when you are a customer.......
Does the "enforcement" company have a license? Can be worth checking? Ask them for the evidence of the 2 hours breach, i.e. the first time they registered the car and the time the ticket was issued.
Thanks for the suggestions - yes, she was bang to rights...she basically pootled around the supermarket and then nearby shops then came back to find the ticket - something she's done for years without bother. The supermarket was our regular (until this ticket) which is also somewhat irritating. Looks like I'll just pay the ticket and send a letter to the supermarket informing them of their loss of custom.
Not surprisingly the car park was resurfaced the previous week, and the cynical side of me would suggest that the sudden ticketing is a simple attempt to recoup the cost of the resurfacing.
Not surprisingly the car park was resurfaced the previous week, and the cynical side of me would suggest that the sudden ticketing is a simple attempt to recoup the cost of the resurfacing.
Store manager is first port of call imo. Unless it's a case of buying just a packet of biscuits and then spending over two hours in other shops. Such extracting the Michael has been known.
Mrs FiF has noticed the manager of her store giving such vouchers when there has been a problem which has resulted in customer aggro. In fact there is one unpleasant customer in particular who makes a habit of it and sadly, I would say, exploits the situation that she gets a voucher just to shut her up and stop making a scene. I've actually seen this particular individual in operation, customer that is not manager, and a nastier piece of work I have not seen in a long time. Talk about fur coat - no knickers!
If it were my store she would get the grocer's equivalent of "Get Orff Moi Laand!"
Mrs FiF has noticed the manager of her store giving such vouchers when there has been a problem which has resulted in customer aggro. In fact there is one unpleasant customer in particular who makes a habit of it and sadly, I would say, exploits the situation that she gets a voucher just to shut her up and stop making a scene. I've actually seen this particular individual in operation, customer that is not manager, and a nastier piece of work I have not seen in a long time. Talk about fur coat - no knickers!
If it were my store she would get the grocer's equivalent of "Get Orff Moi Laand!"
We have supermarkets here -- understand lieber Tony Rec fell foul of Sainsbury, Cockermouth once. Supermarket car park ist not theirs but part of public car park. You show till lady the ticket und she refund your parking cash. Sometimes the demand a minimum spend .. but in fairness to this branch.. you buy anything.. you get refund.
If in Windermere - I park up in Lakeland Ltd car park. I go into Booths supermarket und buy something or other und then hav veritable ball in Lakeland und buy the odd cooking gadget - but always from the bargain section. I just enjoy the browse through the tat on offer though
I then continue to a shop (shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! secret ) OK - ist a shop in Sizergh area which ist well known for toppest country food 
und has a non-fee car park.
But am well aware from relatives down in the big 'burbs that draconian measures can apply in these town centre supermarkets who do not own carparks but who will refund fees if purchases are made in-store.
Ach . can see the case for trying to limit parking spaces und keep a space for others who need to shop on busiest days . Especially Cockermouth on "market day" or if tourist event take place in area.
But when abused on quiet day or if, as recall lieber Tony Rec commenting, he park in spot where no car could park next - where he straddle bay by merest whisker - but which suit a man who has a child und pram und not "family space" free - then one can really rant "jobsworthy halfwit!"
If in Windermere - I park up in Lakeland Ltd car park. I go into Booths supermarket und buy something or other und then hav veritable ball in Lakeland und buy the odd cooking gadget - but always from the bargain section. I just enjoy the browse through the tat on offer though
I then continue to a shop (shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! secret ) OK - ist a shop in Sizergh area which ist well known for toppest country food und has a non-fee car park. But am well aware from relatives down in the big 'burbs that draconian measures can apply in these town centre supermarkets who do not own carparks but who will refund fees if purchases are made in-store.
Ach . can see the case for trying to limit parking spaces und keep a space for others who need to shop on busiest days . Especially Cockermouth on "market day" or if tourist event take place in area.
But when abused on quiet day or if, as recall lieber Tony Rec commenting, he park in spot where no car could park next - where he straddle bay by merest whisker - but which suit a man who has a child und pram und not "family space" free - then one can really rant "jobsworthy halfwit!"
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