[Nim]

Hi All

We went to the cinema (Centertainment) last Wednesday and, as the cinema car park was rammed, parked in the retail park where Toys R Us/McDonalds is.

On arriving home tonight, there's a Parking Charge Notice from a company called G24 Ltd, saying that we overstayed the permitted free parking limit of 180 minutes (by 30 minutes), and therefore have to pay a £50 fine.

I've had a look on Sheffield Forum and a few people seem to think these charge notices can be ignored and they will "go away". 

Arguments in our defence:
1.  We genuinely didn't see any signs about limited parking times
2.  We were using the Meadowhall facilities (including a McDonalds Filth Burger)
3.  How the hell is £50 a reasonable fee for 30 minutes of parking?

Any thoughts/advice would be very welcome.  I'm utterly skint this month so the idea of paying £50 extra for the pleasure of seeing Harry bloody Potter (which was rubbish) really grates!

thanks
Nim

[robertostallioni]

They're trying it on. If it comes down to the (as Nacho says) - 'Nitty Gritty' they must surely prove you were there for in excess of three hours. Unlikely. I would photocopy my testicles and post back promptly.
Nitty Griiiiiiiittty

[tomtom]

I think theres an article on the BBC or Guardian website (forgotten which) where a lawyer specialising in getting out of parking fines/clampers etc.. IIRC one of the main caveats is that they have to display the charges/penalties clearly - in a place where it will not be obstructed by cars etc..

[Mr Cat]

try here...

http://forums.pepipoo.com/index.php?s=3e87286421c0d052dd3dd8cac2d678fa&act=idx

[Nim]

Thanks guys (Mr Cat in particular)  - after reading a few threads on Pepipoo I'm going to ignore it and never park there again (unless I blank out the number plates on entry/exit  )

Ta
Nim

[Jim]

I think there are a lot of parking scams like this going around

[Fultonius]

I got done by one of these and just ignored it. Got some nasty letters for a while and then they just go away. 

[Sloper]

Unless they have a council road traffic order (this isn't exactly the right form of words but its close enough) then the fines are unenforceable as say a ticket for parking on double yellow lines is.

For you to be liable you would need to either be in breach of contract or negligent.  There is no contract and even if there was the charge is a penalty charge and therefore unenforceable.  If you were negligent which is doubtful the loss is too remote and therefore not recoverable.

I'd write politely asking them to explain the legal basis for claiming the amount due with their authorities and say that you take the view that it is unenforceable and any claim will be met with an application for summary judgement to strike out the claim.  I'd also say that further correspondence beyond a response to the letter will be regarded as harrassment and proceedings for the same may follow.

In short it's not enforecable and you should tell them to fuck off.

[Jaspersharpe]

I'd also say that further correspondence beyond a response to the letter will be regarded as harrassment and proceedings for the same may follow.

In short it's not enforecable and you should tell them to fuck off.

Genius.

I love writing letters like that. You can get templates for telling all manner of scamming cunts to fuck off (in a polite legal fashion) nowadays.

The internet is fucking brilliant.

  Sloper. Sorry for some reason I only just got your voicemail from July 16th. PM me if you still need help with that. 

[SA Chris]

I think you should pay a fine for going to Maccydees. You are now McNim^tm

[Jaspersharpe]

Actually £50 is a small fine to pay for the double crime of McShit and Harry Potter.

[Nim]

Thanks Sloper.  I'll amend the letter I plagiarised from Pepipoo

McDonalds was a consolation after Harry Potter.  Halfway through the film I thought "oh bugger, I think this is the one where nothing happens".  I was right 

McNim^tm 

[lagerstarfish]

McNim^tm 

What! No dummy spitting tantrum at being branded a Mc?

What is the world coming to?

[jern]

McDonalds was a consolation after Harry Potter. 

Jesus, that must be one grim film.

[SA Chris]

What! No dummy spitting tantrum at being branded a Mc?
What is the world coming to?

She never struck me as a dummy spitting kind of person.

[Mr Cat]

actually - anyone having a Mclies and shite should be fined 50 notes imo...

[SA Chris]

Surely McShit and Lies (I assume that is what you mean) is the only reason for ever going into one?

[namnok]

not sure if anythings has happened since but just notcied this http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/private-parking-tickets

[Bowie]

i got one of these fines last week. the choice when its busy at centretainment is park illegally on double yellow lines or on the pavements, or use the massive empty carpark next door.... doesn't seem right that they fine you for parking sensibly.

for people that have got one of these and ignored/refused to pay did they progress and harass? musing on best approach.

andy

[Fj]

I got one a while back and all the internet evidence suggested not to pay it, but a couple of my mates had also got them and paid up.
I did too, just to get rid of the bother.

[Sloper]

Can you send me £50 just to save the bother, like?

[Jaspersharpe]

I'm going to send out 1000 letters demanding £50 for some made up, unenforceable transgression and see how many pay up just to get rid of the bother.

Fj, are you mad? 

[slackline]

I'm going to send out 1000 letters demanding £50 for some made up, unenforceable transgression and see how many pay up just to get rid of the bother.

I didn't know you worked for ACS:Law Jasper.

[Nim]

Hi
Following the advice on here, we didn't pay up.  We wrote to them, saying that X was not the driver and asking them to prove it, also stating that we didn't think their claim was enforceable (basically what Sloper said).  We got a rambly letter back which didn't answer any of our questions or address any of our comments.  This was followed by a number of "we're going to take you to court" type letters on varying colours of paper, but they seem to have given up now.  We've not heard anything for a couple of months. 
Thanks again for the advice  - and if anyone else gets fined DO NOT PAY!!
Nim

[rginns]

unless of course, the cvnts have clamped already, then there's bob hope of getting your dosh back as I found out in January...