A story of dishonesty, daylight robbery, disgust and deceit.
Discussion
I would like to share with you a lovely story.
It typifies the state of the UK and the way things are today. There is no hope from my story, just gloom, and another victim to the unregulated UK clamping operators who have robbed me.
Nice sunny day, July 4th. Saturday. I attend my local Argos. At the rear of the store are a couple of parking spaces, Argos's spaces, clearly signed and labelled as "Argos Customer Collection Point" with the blue logo signs, 2 of them. The car park is small and also has other spaces dotted around for residents of flats there. Generally you need a permit to park there for long periods, but the two Argos spaces are clearly labelled as their customer collection points and sit right outside their back roller shutter *whereby goods are bought out).
So, park there for 10 minutes in which time I enter the store from the front entrance, order a flat screen TV and return to the rear to collect it. And my car has been clamped. Call up the number, along they come having been waiting around the corner and charge me £150 to remove the clamp. Don't care about why I was parked there, drive off and sit at the bottom of the road again to catch another innocent victim.
I obtain a letter from the manager of Argos stating I was there to collect goods and had parked there as instructed to by their signage, he types one out and gives it to me being very apologetic, but it's not "down to them". I type a short appeal letter along the lines of the above. Receive a letter back this morning stating no, I won't get my money back.
It doesn't matter what is said, or done, or how it is perceived, the simple fact of the matter is I was clamped UNLAWFULLY and have been charged monies for NOTHING. I know how and why they get away with it, but having now been a victim of it myself, I find myself pacing around the house tamping mad., I just cannot and will not accept this - who do they think they are? If I had taken the piss in some way or tried it on, fair enough, but, I have parked in a signposted, allocated bay for a store in which I have entered as a genuine paying customer, to come out ten minutes later to collect the goods and find myself impounded and owing money to company I have never heard of? Even Argos themselves backed me up, typing a headed letter proclaiming my right to park there.
I just don't know what to do. Their letter back seems to blaze and confident, teasing me to go to court if I wish, as they rigorously defend all their claims etc etc
The UK = f
ked.
It typifies the state of the UK and the way things are today. There is no hope from my story, just gloom, and another victim to the unregulated UK clamping operators who have robbed me.
Nice sunny day, July 4th. Saturday. I attend my local Argos. At the rear of the store are a couple of parking spaces, Argos's spaces, clearly signed and labelled as "Argos Customer Collection Point" with the blue logo signs, 2 of them. The car park is small and also has other spaces dotted around for residents of flats there. Generally you need a permit to park there for long periods, but the two Argos spaces are clearly labelled as their customer collection points and sit right outside their back roller shutter *whereby goods are bought out).
So, park there for 10 minutes in which time I enter the store from the front entrance, order a flat screen TV and return to the rear to collect it. And my car has been clamped. Call up the number, along they come having been waiting around the corner and charge me £150 to remove the clamp. Don't care about why I was parked there, drive off and sit at the bottom of the road again to catch another innocent victim.
I obtain a letter from the manager of Argos stating I was there to collect goods and had parked there as instructed to by their signage, he types one out and gives it to me being very apologetic, but it's not "down to them". I type a short appeal letter along the lines of the above. Receive a letter back this morning stating no, I won't get my money back.
It doesn't matter what is said, or done, or how it is perceived, the simple fact of the matter is I was clamped UNLAWFULLY and have been charged monies for NOTHING. I know how and why they get away with it, but having now been a victim of it myself, I find myself pacing around the house tamping mad., I just cannot and will not accept this - who do they think they are? If I had taken the piss in some way or tried it on, fair enough, but, I have parked in a signposted, allocated bay for a store in which I have entered as a genuine paying customer, to come out ten minutes later to collect the goods and find myself impounded and owing money to company I have never heard of? Even Argos themselves backed me up, typing a headed letter proclaiming my right to park there.
I just don't know what to do. Their letter back seems to blaze and confident, teasing me to go to court if I wish, as they rigorously defend all their claims etc etc
The UK = f
ked.Dizeee said:
I would like to share with you a lovely story.
It typifies the state of the UK and the way things are today. There is no hope from my story, just gloom, and another victim to the unregulated UK clamping operators who have robbed me.
Nice sunny day, July 4th. Saturday. I attend my local Argos. At the rear of the store are a couple of parking spaces, Argos's spaces, clearly signed and labelled as "Argos Customer Collection Point" with the blue logo signs, 2 of them. The car park is small and also has other spaces dotted around for residents of flats there. Generally you need a permit to park there for long periods, but the two Argos spaces are clearly labelled as their customer collection points and sit right outside their back roller shutter *whereby goods are bought out).
So, park there for 10 minutes in which time I enter the store from the front entrance, order a flat screen TV and return to the rear to collect it. And my car has been clamped. Call up the number, along they come having been waiting around the corner and charge me £150 to remove the clamp. Don't care about why I was parked there, drive off and sit at the bottom of the road again to catch another innocent victim.
I obtain a letter from the manager of Argos stating I was there to collect goods and had parked there as instructed to by their signage, he types one out and gives it to me being very apologetic, but it's not "down to them". I type a short appeal letter along the lines of the above. Receive a letter back this morning stating no, I won't get my money back.
It doesn't matter what is said, or done, or how it is perceived, the simple fact of the matter is I was clamped UNLAWFULLY and have been charged monies for NOTHING. I know how and why they get away with it, but having now been a victim of it myself, I find myself pacing around the house tamping mad., I just cannot and will not accept this - who do they think they are? If I had taken the piss in some way or tried it on, fair enough, but, I have parked in a signposted, allocated bay for a store in which I have entered as a genuine paying customer, to come out ten minutes later to collect the goods and find myself impounded and owing money to company I have never heard of? Even Argos themselves backed me up, typing a headed letter proclaiming my right to park there.
I just don't know what to do. Their letter back seems to blaze and confident, teasing me to go to court if I wish, as they rigorously defend all their claims etc etc
The UK = fked.
www.moneyclaim.gov.ukIt typifies the state of the UK and the way things are today. There is no hope from my story, just gloom, and another victim to the unregulated UK clamping operators who have robbed me.
Nice sunny day, July 4th. Saturday. I attend my local Argos. At the rear of the store are a couple of parking spaces, Argos's spaces, clearly signed and labelled as "Argos Customer Collection Point" with the blue logo signs, 2 of them. The car park is small and also has other spaces dotted around for residents of flats there. Generally you need a permit to park there for long periods, but the two Argos spaces are clearly labelled as their customer collection points and sit right outside their back roller shutter *whereby goods are bought out).
So, park there for 10 minutes in which time I enter the store from the front entrance, order a flat screen TV and return to the rear to collect it. And my car has been clamped. Call up the number, along they come having been waiting around the corner and charge me £150 to remove the clamp. Don't care about why I was parked there, drive off and sit at the bottom of the road again to catch another innocent victim.
I obtain a letter from the manager of Argos stating I was there to collect goods and had parked there as instructed to by their signage, he types one out and gives it to me being very apologetic, but it's not "down to them". I type a short appeal letter along the lines of the above. Receive a letter back this morning stating no, I won't get my money back.
It doesn't matter what is said, or done, or how it is perceived, the simple fact of the matter is I was clamped UNLAWFULLY and have been charged monies for NOTHING. I know how and why they get away with it, but having now been a victim of it myself, I find myself pacing around the house tamping mad., I just cannot and will not accept this - who do they think they are? If I had taken the piss in some way or tried it on, fair enough, but, I have parked in a signposted, allocated bay for a store in which I have entered as a genuine paying customer, to come out ten minutes later to collect the goods and find myself impounded and owing money to company I have never heard of? Even Argos themselves backed me up, typing a headed letter proclaiming my right to park there.
I just don't know what to do. Their letter back seems to blaze and confident, teasing me to go to court if I wish, as they rigorously defend all their claims etc etc
The UK = f
ked.No one ever answered my question of just cutting the clamps off since they are charging you to punish and they are not representing the state and thus are not legally entitled to enforce charges as punishment.
Why do all the people who do this look and act like scum? Because it is a legal loophole that no decent person would exploit.
Why do all the people who do this look and act like scum? Because it is a legal loophole that no decent person would exploit.
Soovy said:
Dizeee said:
I would like to share with you a lovely story.
It typifies the state of the UK and the way things are today. There is no hope from my story, just gloom, and another victim to the unregulated UK clamping operators who have robbed me.
Nice sunny day, July 4th. Saturday. I attend my local Argos. At the rear of the store are a couple of parking spaces, Argos's spaces, clearly signed and labelled as "Argos Customer Collection Point" with the blue logo signs, 2 of them. The car park is small and also has other spaces dotted around for residents of flats there. Generally you need a permit to park there for long periods, but the two Argos spaces are clearly labelled as their customer collection points and sit right outside their back roller shutter *whereby goods are bought out).
So, park there for 10 minutes in which time I enter the store from the front entrance, order a flat screen TV and return to the rear to collect it. And my car has been clamped. Call up the number, along they come having been waiting around the corner and charge me £150 to remove the clamp. Don't care about why I was parked there, drive off and sit at the bottom of the road again to catch another innocent victim.
I obtain a letter from the manager of Argos stating I was there to collect goods and had parked there as instructed to by their signage, he types one out and gives it to me being very apologetic, but it's not "down to them". I type a short appeal letter along the lines of the above. Receive a letter back this morning stating no, I won't get my money back.
It doesn't matter what is said, or done, or how it is perceived, the simple fact of the matter is I was clamped UNLAWFULLY and have been charged monies for NOTHING. I know how and why they get away with it, but having now been a victim of it myself, I find myself pacing around the house tamping mad., I just cannot and will not accept this - who do they think they are? If I had taken the piss in some way or tried it on, fair enough, but, I have parked in a signposted, allocated bay for a store in which I have entered as a genuine paying customer, to come out ten minutes later to collect the goods and find myself impounded and owing money to company I have never heard of? Even Argos themselves backed me up, typing a headed letter proclaiming my right to park there.
I just don't know what to do. Their letter back seems to blaze and confident, teasing me to go to court if I wish, as they rigorously defend all their claims etc etc
The UK = fked.
www.moneyclaim.gov.ukIt typifies the state of the UK and the way things are today. There is no hope from my story, just gloom, and another victim to the unregulated UK clamping operators who have robbed me.
Nice sunny day, July 4th. Saturday. I attend my local Argos. At the rear of the store are a couple of parking spaces, Argos's spaces, clearly signed and labelled as "Argos Customer Collection Point" with the blue logo signs, 2 of them. The car park is small and also has other spaces dotted around for residents of flats there. Generally you need a permit to park there for long periods, but the two Argos spaces are clearly labelled as their customer collection points and sit right outside their back roller shutter *whereby goods are bought out).
So, park there for 10 minutes in which time I enter the store from the front entrance, order a flat screen TV and return to the rear to collect it. And my car has been clamped. Call up the number, along they come having been waiting around the corner and charge me £150 to remove the clamp. Don't care about why I was parked there, drive off and sit at the bottom of the road again to catch another innocent victim.
I obtain a letter from the manager of Argos stating I was there to collect goods and had parked there as instructed to by their signage, he types one out and gives it to me being very apologetic, but it's not "down to them". I type a short appeal letter along the lines of the above. Receive a letter back this morning stating no, I won't get my money back.
It doesn't matter what is said, or done, or how it is perceived, the simple fact of the matter is I was clamped UNLAWFULLY and have been charged monies for NOTHING. I know how and why they get away with it, but having now been a victim of it myself, I find myself pacing around the house tamping mad., I just cannot and will not accept this - who do they think they are? If I had taken the piss in some way or tried it on, fair enough, but, I have parked in a signposted, allocated bay for a store in which I have entered as a genuine paying customer, to come out ten minutes later to collect the goods and find myself impounded and owing money to company I have never heard of? Even Argos themselves backed me up, typing a headed letter proclaiming my right to park there.
I just don't know what to do. Their letter back seems to blaze and confident, teasing me to go to court if I wish, as they rigorously defend all their claims etc etc
The UK = f
ked.You can complete the claim by the time this thread gets 3 more replies.
I would add to the claim the not just the cost of the clamping, but also your time wasted and cost writing to them and filing the claim (as well as of course the cost of the claim itself).
I'd add another £100 or so for your time.
That way, using game theory YOU are making them chase you rather than the other way around.
I did this to a telecomms company who after 3 months hadn't refunded my money. I added the cost of my own time in chasing them to the claim. They could have come to court, defended the claim and battled me down on it, but considering they would have had to trek half way across the country and spend a day in court to do it, it wasn't worth their while.
plg101 said:
Also, I wasn't aware Argos could shrug their shoulders; are they not responsible for the actions of their subcontractors, as you are a valid customer?
Nope.It's between him and the clampers.
www.moneyclaim.gov.uk
Soovy said:
plg101 said:
Also, I wasn't aware Argos could shrug their shoulders; are they not responsible for the actions of their subcontractors, as you are a valid customer?
Nope.It's between him and the clampers.
www.moneyclaim.gov.uk
Could he issue a winding up order.... Just to be a pain in the arse... ?Why didnt you make a big fuss at the time?
Dont pay the clampers, make a big song and dance about argos scamming you, threaten to get a refund on the TV you bought, make more song and dance. Until either the clamp is removed or argos pay the clampers themselves.
It really is a stty situation that should never have happened.
Dont pay the clampers, make a big song and dance about argos scamming you, threaten to get a refund on the TV you bought, make more song and dance. Until either the clamp is removed or argos pay the clampers themselves.
It really is a s
tty situation that should never have happened.Edited by Odie on Friday 17th July 11:28
Now under common law a few sections of Magna Carta also might cover this:
There is also
Finally there is
This is how much the whole sorry state of affairs has gotten when people are making "legitimate" business out of actions that break fundamental rights of our country.
Magna Carta said:
No free man shall be seized or imprisoned, or stripped of his rights and possessions, or outlawed or exiled, or deprived of his standing in any other way, nor will we proceed with force against him, or send others to do so, except by the lawful judgement of his equals or by the law of the land.
It could be argued that the fact that a non official of the crown is stripping you of money (possession) and your rights (fair trial, judged by equals or law of the land). Parking on private property could be classed as trespass but that has to be judged before a penalty has been applied.There is also
Magna Carta said:
In future no official shall place a man on trial upon his own un-supported statement, without producing credible witnesses to the truth of it.
They are not an official and yet they are effectively putting you on trial using their own unsupported statement and without credible witness.Finally there is
Magna Carta said:
We will appoint as justices, constables, sheriffs, or other officials, only men that know the law of the realm and are minded to keep it well
So for Clampers to be able to do their jobs they need under nearly 800 year old law be appointed as officials of the Crown, know the law and not apply any penalty until the case has been heard in full with credible evidence and witnesses.This is how much the whole sorry state of affairs has gotten when people are making "legitimate" business out of actions that break fundamental rights of our country.
Dizeee said:
I just don't know what to do.
Jeez 
I hope you do now after reading just a few posts on this thread....The problem with Britain today is too many people will simply put up with this crap, pay up, grumble a bit but not make too much fuss. Scum like these clamping companies count on that attitude. They would never have got the money from me in the first place so I would not have to grovel for it to be returned.
Take photo's of the signage and get a claim lodged against them asap. Make sure you add some extortionate costs of your own. Inform your local MP or councillor and get the press involved. Raise a massive stink about this crappy company and drive them back under whatever stone they crawled out from.
Keep us posted on progress so more people fight back.
aquatix said:
Dizeee said:
I just don't know what to do.
Jeez I hope you do now after reading just a few posts on this thread....The problem with Britain today is too many people will simply put up with this crap, pay up, grumble a bit but not make too much fuss. Scum like these clamping companies count on that attitude. They would never have got the money from me in the first place so I would not have to grovel for it to be returned.
Take photo's of the signage and get a claim lodged against them asap. Make sure you add some extortionate costs of your own. Inform your local MP or councillor and get the press involved. Raise a massive stink about this crappy company and drive them back under whatever stone they crawled out from.
Keep us posted on progress so more people fight back.
They simply will not take the clamp off without cash being handed over.
Thanks for the replies. I am going to explore the moneyclaim avenue, had never heard of it.
Going back to the day in question, I really lost it with them and did kick up a stink, but, just as when your car is hoisted by a removals truck, form the moment on you are powerless - there is nothing you can do. Don't pay and your car is removed, the cost rising everyday, kick off and they will call police who will deem it a civil dispute, and unless your calm you risk being arrested for public order etc. Your powerless, I had to pay the fee there and then, I knew it, clamper knew it and there is diddly squat anyone can do about it.
Going back to the day in question, I really lost it with them and did kick up a stink, but, just as when your car is hoisted by a removals truck, form the moment on you are powerless - there is nothing you can do. Don't pay and your car is removed, the cost rising everyday, kick off and they will call police who will deem it a civil dispute, and unless your calm you risk being arrested for public order etc. Your powerless, I had to pay the fee there and then, I knew it, clamper knew it and there is diddly squat anyone can do about it.
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