Euro Car Parks Fine

[RedB1991]

Hi all, obviously new here and hoping I can get a bit of advice.

I got a fine through the post from Euro Car Parks for staying in Morrisons car park for over 2 hours (baring in mind I had to drive round for half an hour to try and get a space in the first place). Anyway they charged me £85 or £50 if I pay within 14 days. I've been asking a few people and they said they ignored it and nothing happened apart from a couple more letters and that it is just an invoice and they can't actually enforce it. But there is obviously a risk of being taken to court (apparently), does this actually happen?

What would you do, appeal or just ignore because by appealing you are then basically accepting responsibility I guess.

Anyway any advice would be much appreciated and I apologise if the topic is already going or if this is in the wrong place.

Cheers.

RedB1991.

[Chicane-UK]

Well I guess the question is, were you doing your shopping for two hours.. or did you use the car park for a spot of free parking and nip off else where? If the former, contest it... what are you supposed to do if you were getting your shopping done? If the latter, well then you got caught - pay up!

[lesstatt]

Ignore them, it's private land not council, they can't enforce anything, the above is wrong

[Motorrad]

lesstatt said:

Ignore them, it's private land not council, they can't enforce anything, the above is wrong

Ignore lesstatt.The law has changed. Google 'parking prankster' for more info or post in the plod and the law sub forum here on PH.

[Gruber]

Accessible, clear advice here:

http://www.theaa.com/public_affairs/reports/parkin...

Relevant legislation here:

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2012/9/schedul...

Ignore the "ignore it" advice.

[Urban Sports]

Ignore them, I've had a few for blatantly defying their rules, nothing ever came of it.

Muppets.

[RedB1991]

Chicane-UK said:

Well I guess the question is, were you doing your shopping for two hours.. or did you use the car park for a spot of free parking and nip off else where? If the former, contest it... what are you supposed to do if you were getting your shopping done? If the latter, well then you got caught - pay up!

Was for both, went into town and also done the weekly shop in morrisons. Didn't keep the receipt though because I never do and I never thought to seeing as I got the letter through about 10 days later.

[shielsy]

had one a few years ago. ignore it... they WILL send increasingly threatening letters involving debt collection agencies etc., and you will also get one printed on red paper at some point.

just hold your nerve and ignore.

[wijit]

Just for a little clarification, this is not a fine. This is merely an invoice for a service provided, namely a parking space. Really, you should not ignore it, but you can fairly safely do so. You can argue that you were not given the opportunity to enter into a contract, but if you choose to ignore, then that is exactly what you must do. Ignore every letter they send.
Also, just to concur with some views above, there have been cases where courts have agreed with the parking companies and issued notice that the "offender" must pay, but they are very, very rare.

[Conscript]

Appeal on the grounds that it is not a true estimate of the loss they have incurred. Demand they issue a POPLA code so you can take it further if they refuse to appeal, it will cost them. Do not pay and make it clear you have no intention of submitting to their threats and they will probably give up and go after easier prey...their whole business model seems to be built around issuing threats they cant enforce.
As others have said, dont ignore it, get advice and fight it.

[RedB1991]

Thankyou for all your replies, appreciated.

Obviously I accept I was there over 2 hours but it doesn't help when you have to spend ages looking for a space and then there is always a queue getting out too! That natural stubborness I think of not wanting to pay such a thing so like the majority of everyone else I want to get away without having to pay it if I can.

[RedB1991]

Conscript said:

Appeal on the grounds that it is not a true estimate of the loss they have incurred. Demand they issue a POPLA code so you can take it further if they refuse to appeal, it will cost them. Do not pay and make it clear you have no intention of submitting to their threats and they will probably give up and go after easier prey...their whole business model seems to be built around issuing threats they cant enforce.
As others have said, dont ignore it, get advice and fight it.

Any chance they would then make up a load of crock to try and justify their losses?

Just to clarify, so if they reject it going to appeal it then they end up having to pay out?

[vit4]

As others have said, the "ignore it" advice is out of date! The law was changed a year or so back.

[mybrainhurts]

Urban Sports said:

Ignore them, I've had a few for blatantly defying their rules, nothing ever came of it.

Muppets.

Wrong. Don't you read earlier posts?

[Troubleatmill]

RedB1991 said:

Thankyou for all your replies, appreciated.

Obviously I accept I was there over 2 hours but it doesn't help when you have to spend ages looking for a space and then there is always a queue getting out too! That natural stubborness I think of not wanting to pay such a thing so like the majority of everyone else I want to get away without having to pay it if I can.

What was so exciting in Morrisons that took you over 2 hours to do your shopping? Please elaborate.
Or were you taking the piss on someone else's land?




I should add - the reason you are driving around is because an army of selfish t***s park their car in Morrisons for the day for free and beggar off and do other stuff.
It's really not on is it.

Edited by Troubleatmill on Thursday 5th June 23:25

[JoPo1]

RedB1991 said:

Obviously I accept I was there over 2 hours but it doesn't help when you have to spend ages looking for a space and then there is always a queue getting out too!

It also doesn't help when you went to town before or after Morrisons either though. So had you not went to town then the waiting to get a space and waiting to get out wouldn't have ate into the time to the extent you got a fine for overstay.
Maybe if morons didn't park there when they went to others shops then we wouldn't have to wait for spaces, huh?

[RedB1991]

JoPo1 said:

It also doesn't help when you went to town before or after Morrisons either though. So had you not went to town then the waiting to get a space and waiting to get out wouldn't have ate into the time to the extent you got a fine for overstay.
Maybe if morons didn't park there when they went to others shops then we wouldn't have to wait for spaces, huh?

Nice response...

You must be Mr Perfect, congratulations.

[Troubleatmill]

RedB1991 said:

JoPo1 said:

It also doesn't help when you went to town before or after Morrisons either though. So had you not went to town then the waiting to get a space and waiting to get out wouldn't have ate into the time to the extent you got a fine for overstay.
Maybe if morons didn't park there when they went to others shops then we wouldn't have to wait for spaces, huh?

Nice response...

You must be Mr Perfect, congratulations.

So... were you taking the piss on someone else land or not?

[RedB1991]

Troubleatmill said:

I should add - the reason you are driving around is because an army of selfish t***s park their car in Morrisons for the day for free and beggar off and do other stuff.
It's really not on is it.

Edited by Troubleatmill on Thursday 5th June 23:25

Walked into town, which is 30 seconds away from the car park for all of 10minutes to get a prescription, shoot me.

[Klippie]

My mate got something similar from the crew running the car parks at Halfords...I asked him if the invoice was sent recorded delivery which it wasn't so who can prove a letter was received at his address.

Solution...tear it up throw it in the bin and any others that arrive.