Parking fine @ a supermarket carpark - enforceable?
Discussion
Hi all,
Looking for some advice and knowledge.
About a week ago my parents went to a local Lidl to buy a specific item, it wasn't in stock so they bought some general items paid and left, move forward a few days and my father receives a letter saying he has to pay £90 (reduced to £45 for quick payment)through the post, on this letter is a photo his car going into the car park and another driving out, both time stamped showing a lapsed time of approx 30 mins.
The letter (charge notice I think they titled it) is from a private firm called Athena ANPR who operate for Lidl at various Lidl car parks around the country, apparently what you had to do it scan your receipt at a "machine" in the car park to qualify your visit, my parents didn't know anything about this, they weren't informed at the till so didn't know to scan the receipt, at this point in time I don't know what the signage is like and they no longer have the receipt from the visit plus they paid cash so no debit\credit card proof.
The notice says if they do not pay it will be passed onto debt collection agencies and the small claims court, I think this firm are complete pirates and they shouldn't pay but it's not me who has the notice.
Where do my folks stand legally?
Thanks in Advance
Looking for some advice and knowledge.
About a week ago my parents went to a local Lidl to buy a specific item, it wasn't in stock so they bought some general items paid and left, move forward a few days and my father receives a letter saying he has to pay £90 (reduced to £45 for quick payment)through the post, on this letter is a photo his car going into the car park and another driving out, both time stamped showing a lapsed time of approx 30 mins.
The letter (charge notice I think they titled it) is from a private firm called Athena ANPR who operate for Lidl at various Lidl car parks around the country, apparently what you had to do it scan your receipt at a "machine" in the car park to qualify your visit, my parents didn't know anything about this, they weren't informed at the till so didn't know to scan the receipt, at this point in time I don't know what the signage is like and they no longer have the receipt from the visit plus they paid cash so no debit\credit card proof.
The notice says if they do not pay it will be passed onto debt collection agencies and the small claims court, I think this firm are complete pirates and they shouldn't pay but it's not me who has the notice.
Where do my folks stand legally?
Thanks in Advance
Martyn76 said:
Hi all,
Looking for some advice and knowledge.
About a week ago my parents went to a local Lidl to buy a specific item, it wasn't in stock so they bought some general items paid and left, move forward a few days and my father receives a letter saying he has to pay £90 (reduced to £45 for quick payment)through the post, on this letter is a photo his car going into the car park and another driving out, both time stamped showing a lapsed time of approx 30 mins.
The letter (charge notice I think they titled it) is from a private firm called Athena ANPR who operate for Lidl at various Lidl car parks around the country, apparently what you had to do it scan your receipt at a "machine" in the car park to qualify your visit, my parents didn't know anything about this, they weren't informed at the till so didn't know to scan the receipt, at this point in time I don't know what the signage is like and they no longer have the receipt from the visit plus they paid cash so no debit\credit card proof.
The notice says if they do not pay it will be passed onto debt collection agencies and the small claims court, I think this firm are complete pirates and they shouldn't pay but it's not me who has the notice.
Where do my folks stand legally?
Thanks in Advance
Another one for PepipooLooking for some advice and knowledge.
About a week ago my parents went to a local Lidl to buy a specific item, it wasn't in stock so they bought some general items paid and left, move forward a few days and my father receives a letter saying he has to pay £90 (reduced to £45 for quick payment)through the post, on this letter is a photo his car going into the car park and another driving out, both time stamped showing a lapsed time of approx 30 mins.
The letter (charge notice I think they titled it) is from a private firm called Athena ANPR who operate for Lidl at various Lidl car parks around the country, apparently what you had to do it scan your receipt at a "machine" in the car park to qualify your visit, my parents didn't know anything about this, they weren't informed at the till so didn't know to scan the receipt, at this point in time I don't know what the signage is like and they no longer have the receipt from the visit plus they paid cash so no debit\credit card proof.
The notice says if they do not pay it will be passed onto debt collection agencies and the small claims court, I think this firm are complete pirates and they shouldn't pay but it's not me who has the notice.
Where do my folks stand legally?
Thanks in Advance
Scotland may be different, but I ignored mine. Once they got me on the phone, I told them to take me to court or stop harrasing me. Never heard anything since.
This was years ago now, things may have changed but I always understood they cant get you (in Scotland anyway)
Cant see them taking you to court for that little.
Although phone lidl. My gf parents did and got the ticket cancelled.
This was years ago now, things may have changed but I always understood they cant get you (in Scotland anyway)
Cant see them taking you to court for that little.
Although phone lidl. My gf parents did and got the ticket cancelled.
If they still have their store receipt, copy it & send it, with a covering letter, to ANPR, the ticket will be cancelled.
If they don't have the receipt, get a copy of the bank statement with the payment details on, assuming they didn't pay with cash. Copy this, blocking out any sensitive details, of course, and send this to ANPR, the ticket will be cancelled.
This is from my experience a year or so ago, it might have changed.
If they don't have the receipt, get a copy of the bank statement with the payment details on, assuming they didn't pay with cash. Copy this, blocking out any sensitive details, of course, and send this to ANPR, the ticket will be cancelled.
This is from my experience a year or so ago, it might have changed.
Unusual for Lidl not to offer at least some period of free parking. Where was the store location?
We might might be able to see if Street View shows any visible signage.
http://www.dearcustomerrelations.com/2016/04/lidl-... -
We might might be able to see if Street View shows any visible signage.
ChrisnChris said:
If they still have their store receipt, copy it & send it, with a covering letter, to ANPR, the ticket will be cancelled.
We're still on page 1 (with a mere 5 prior posts), yet someone hasn't read the very first one...ChrisnChris said:
If they don't have the receipt, get a copy of the bank statement with the payment details on, assuming they didn't pay with cash.
x 2. PurpleMoonlight said:
That's a crazy system.
What happens if you visit for one item and it's out of stock?
PPCs don't care how ridiculous/flawed their systems provided they are good at generating revenue.What happens if you visit for one item and it's out of stock?
http://www.dearcustomerrelations.com/2016/04/lidl-... -
Athena ANPR - I have regular fun with them and their non-compliant Notice to Keepers. I taunt them to take me to court, but I have heard a strong rumour that part of their Lidl contract is not to enforce these via the court process.
Your first stop should be the Lidl store itself, they may ask for a proof of purchase at the time, but given how quick they sell out of items in their Aisle of Unnecessary Expenditure, it's not uncommon for people to go in for a cheap chainsaw only to find they have sold out.
If Lidl can't or won't help and their facebook team just refer you back to the store (so don't think that public shaming will work!) then a basic appeal to Athena will suffice for now.
Dear Athena,
I write as keeper of the vehicle, and can confirm that the driver did visit Lidl, however they did not have the item in stock.
It is noted that your letter is insufficient to hold the keeper liable under the conditions set out in POFA 2012, and that I, as keeper, am under no obligation to name the driver.
I therefore request that the charge is cancelled.
Love and Kisses
Martyn (with a Y)
This will be rejected though, so be prepared for a barrage of letters from Debt Recovery Plus which are excellent fire lighters.
Your first stop should be the Lidl store itself, they may ask for a proof of purchase at the time, but given how quick they sell out of items in their Aisle of Unnecessary Expenditure, it's not uncommon for people to go in for a cheap chainsaw only to find they have sold out.
If Lidl can't or won't help and their facebook team just refer you back to the store (so don't think that public shaming will work!) then a basic appeal to Athena will suffice for now.
Dear Athena,
I write as keeper of the vehicle, and can confirm that the driver did visit Lidl, however they did not have the item in stock.
It is noted that your letter is insufficient to hold the keeper liable under the conditions set out in POFA 2012, and that I, as keeper, am under no obligation to name the driver.
I therefore request that the charge is cancelled.
Love and Kisses
Martyn (with a Y)
This will be rejected though, so be prepared for a barrage of letters from Debt Recovery Plus which are excellent fire lighters.
......and I'm stone cold soberThe Spruce goose said:
i would go into the store and speak with the store manager or ring them up.
Failing that, a letter to a local paper advising shoppers of the system used in that store and in your opinion it's set up to confuse shoppers and make money. Someone local spent over 2 hours in Asda, shopping in there and other stores + using the cafe . They got a ticket, wrote to paper and Asda invited them in, and ticket was cancelled on spot. 
[quote=Who me ?]
Failing that, a letter to a local paper advising shoppers of the system used in that store and in your opinion it's set up to confuse shoppers and make money. Someone local spent over 2 hours in Asda, shopping in there and other stores + using the cafe . They got a ticket, wrote to paper and Asda invited them in, and ticket was cancelled on spot.
[/quote]
Our local Lidl has it and there was an article in the local newspaper warning us it was coming. Not only that but is is supported by most people.
It was introduced because there is a doctors surgery and Wetherspons nearby with insufficient parking. It was virtually impossible to get a parking space in the Lidl car park and you would then go inside and find the store virtually empty.
Since the system was introduced it is suddenly easy to get a parking space and makes shopping at Lidl far easier. At our store the assistants ask every customer if they have parked in the car park and advise of the need to scan the receipt and enter ones reg number. If you go in and they dont have what you want they will also override the system for you.
As we found at our store these systems are generally introduced because selfish people park where they shouldn't. If they didnt the system wouldnt be introduced in the first place.
Failing that, a letter to a local paper advising shoppers of the system used in that store and in your opinion it's set up to confuse shoppers and make money. Someone local spent over 2 hours in Asda, shopping in there and other stores + using the cafe . They got a ticket, wrote to paper and Asda invited them in, and ticket was cancelled on spot.
[/quote]
Our local Lidl has it and there was an article in the local newspaper warning us it was coming. Not only that but is is supported by most people.
It was introduced because there is a doctors surgery and Wetherspons nearby with insufficient parking. It was virtually impossible to get a parking space in the Lidl car park and you would then go inside and find the store virtually empty.
Since the system was introduced it is suddenly easy to get a parking space and makes shopping at Lidl far easier. At our store the assistants ask every customer if they have parked in the car park and advise of the need to scan the receipt and enter ones reg number. If you go in and they dont have what you want they will also override the system for you.
As we found at our store these systems are generally introduced because selfish people park where they shouldn't. If they didnt the system wouldnt be introduced in the first place.
Chrisgr31 said:
Our local Lidl has it and there was an article in the local newspaper warning us it was coming. Not only that but is is supported by most people.
This one? - http://crowboroughlife.com/crowborough-lidls-car-p...There is no mention whatsoever on the sign shown in the article of having to register inside the store.
Therefore if that is the signage at that location, registration is not a term of the purported contract formed by it.
The registration point inside even states that the full T&Cs are those dsiplayed on the signs outside!
Athena ANPR have shot themselves in the foot.
s. princeperch said:
Lidl will sort this out for them if they were genuine customers.
Indeed but with no receipt kept and payment in cash they are totally reliant on the goodwill of the Lidl store manager/customer service.That's why I always pay by card in any store at a retail park which contracts with a PPC.
At least I then have some form of secondary audit trail even if I have ditched the store recepit.
I have more than enough bits of paper on my desk without hoarding supermarket ones.
It's not like I need to retain them for 6 months in case the goods are faulty!
surveyor_101 said:
yet to find a lidil that doesn't allow you 90 mins as a minimum sounds fishy 30 mins.
Dont pay write to them and contact lidil to complain.
From the OP, 90 mins was allowed, but only if you scanned your receipt. Anyone not scanning their receipt got a ticket regardless of how long they'd stayed.Dont pay write to them and contact lidil to complain.
No point writing to Athena to complain - private parking co's don't listen to reason. S11Steve's advice is the best route to killing this one.
surveyor_101 said:
yet to find a lidil that doesn't allow you 90 mins as a minimum sounds fishy 30 mins.
Dont pay write to them and contact lidil to complain.
If 30 minutes sounds fishy, then Lidl Walthamstow parking is a whole trawler of fish which allows a hugely generous ten minutes - http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cars/article-27...Dont pay write to them and contact lidil to complain.
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