Parking Ticket

[mayennaise]

Are parking tickets issued in supermarket car parks legal and can they be enforced?
Apparently I spent too long shopping and have been asked to fork out £30 as it seems I overstayed my welcome!!!!!

[jd_1984]

Quite often they are not enforceable, but the parking companies rely on 'Joe Public' worrying about ending up in court over £30, so easier just to pay!

[grasscarp]

I had letter when I had parked too long in Aldi car park. I ignored letter and a follow up letter. Nothing happened. That was last November.

[Baldric]

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/private-parking-tickets

[mayennaise]

Thank you all for your replies - and my decision is........ file it in the bin!!
It's laughable really - incurring a 'fine' for spending money in their shop!!

[jd_1984]

The parking company will be 3rd party I imagine (their T&C's will be displayed in tiny writing somewhere in the car park). You may get a follow up letter, but certainly, not a court summons so don't sweat it!
These companies often come in at the landlords or retailers request as a deterrent for people who see it as a days free parking and have no intention of shopping in that store

[fiction-factory]

How long were you parked, mayennaise?

[EDDIE51]

This is NOT ! a fine. It is an invoice for a parking fee!

[murraymints]

just ignore it..unenforceable

[sunny-dave]

No longer true, minty - they are very enforceable these days - and the parking stasi are getting very confident.

As divebuddy says - "do you feel lucky" - not paying may save you £30 (or whatever), but may cost you several hundred in court.

[Retrochic]

ignore divebuddy, the only institution that enforces parking tickets are Councils. Morrisons car park in town is managed by a Company and I never pay -well never used to I have a blue badge now. These Companies have not a leg to stand on they could take you to court but the most they could get in compo would be the equivalent of a full days parking -probably a lot less than the 'fine' they advertise.

[sunny-dave]

Retrochic - you are (sadly) out of date and very wrong - the law has changed.

[sunny-dave]

... and don't assume your 'blue badge' is a complete 'get out of jail free' card either.

Quite rightly, a lot of places now charge blue badge holders - you are physically disabled, not monetarily disabled - you can have a special space to assist with your mobility issues, but pay the going rate please - and the charges are very enforceable.

[Retrochic]

Divebuddy your misogynistic remarks bounce off me like water off a ducks jacksie. These companies depend on the 'oh my god they are going to take me to court' brigade who would rather pay than have the neighbours think they are criminals. I've lost count of the number of tickets I've had from private companies who send silly letters from fake solicitors 'You MAY end up in court' . councils have the orower to enforce fines -Private companies do not -they can take you to court for the parking fee you would have paid. Here read some more stuff form ass oles
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/private-parking-tickets

[EDDIE51]

A good way out is to tell them that you consider the charge 'unreasonable' and pay what you do think is fair . Say £5 for being 1/2 an hour over the time.If they accept that is the end of it. If they do not accept their only recourse is to sue you. A court would be VERY unlikely to take their side if you have made a sensible offer.

[sunny-dave]

Do keep up retrochic - even MSE admits that the world has moved on.

The vehicle keeper is liable (unless they name the driver) and many, many people have found this out by losing expensive court cases.

[Retrochic]

sunny dave - all council parking near me is free for blue badge holders - I have to go to hospital every week - a private company runs the car park - I am supposed to pay and never have -even one of the nurses said 'oh I wouldn't bother paying no one ever comes to check. Try living in the real world.

[Retrochic]

you keep up sunny dave -try going out once in a while into the real world and find out what would happen if you didn't put your £x in the private parking machine -eff all to be honest.