Aldi fine

[ricko_arni]

We have recently been fined �60 (dropped to �30 if payed quickly) for parking half an hour too long in a supermarket car park. The documents that came with the fine notice included a clear picture of our car leaving the car park with the times of entry and exit and date specified. The fine is from a private compant called G24 Ltd.

Does anyone know a way to get out of paying (for example claiming we had left and returned later for the frozen food though this mightn't work as the cameras would have seen us 4 times).

Any ideas which might beat the system are much appreciated.
Thank You

[Andyvon]

Had you actually been shopping in the store though ricko? If so, and you still have the receipt, then it might be worth taking that back and protesting about 'customer unfriendliness' etc. and point out how much you spend with them over the course of the year.

I asked a similar question if you look below under Tesco Own Brand fines. Ethel's link explains it all so it looks from that that you will probably have to pay. I wouldn't bother going back to Aldi.

[BillyNoMates]

Are/were there clear signs up stating the parking policy and advising of the fine if you overstayed ?

Aldi won't want to know as they have clearly contracted out their parking enforcement to G24.

[NORMANTHEDOG]

if the signs clearley state you can only stay a certain time,by you staying and shopping there you have accepted the conditions,if you break those conditions you have to accept the fine and believe me they will chase you through the courts for it and its 100% legal there is no way you can get out of it,better to pay the �30 then have to pay more in court costs or bailiff fees etc,

[ricko_arni]

Thank You for all the advice you've given me plenty to think about- I may feedback with what happens

Thanks Again Ricko

[dzug]

The parking limit signs in this situation often say 'no return within x hours' so claiming to have left and returned won't work if this is the case

[Old Bill]

These parking control systems have been set up because some people abuse car parks which firms provide for their customers and staff. If you were not a customer of the store then I think you should pay up and chalk it up to experience. If you were a genuine customer or you did make two visits then you should visit the store.

G24 is one of the unnacceptable faces of this industry. They are seriously incompetent and there are severe question marks about their integrity.

There are many instances elsewhere where they have tried to enforce penalties on people based on overstaying the allowed time when that person has made two visits.

The evidence produced has been the first arrival photo and the second departure photo. When challenged they have tried to bluff it out and continue to demand the fine, in these cases it has gone to the store management amd finally sense has been seen. In other cases G24 have searched their records and found the other arrival and visit and have therefore dropped the pemalties.

In a more worrying recent case, G24 produced evidence which was clearly the same photo, that of the arrival which was purported by some means (altering photo?) to show arrival and departure. Upon appeal they rejected and still demanded the money. Store management upon seeing the evidence immediately told G24 to cancel the charges.

The store now officially tells people to keep their receipts to prove that they have been customers. This leads me to wonder if this company is out of control.

All the time DVLA is selling your vehicle records to people like these.

Among the people who have access to your vehicle records and thus know your address are people with serious criminal records. This is an utter disgrace.

[oldhenry]

is it time to not use stores such as these, and write to local papers to get them bad press?
That is the only way to show Aldi the issue. It is of course getting to be aproblem due to this small island being overrun with cars and no where to park them.
But the Government loves the tax cars generate, so no change there

[ricko_arni]

Thanks for all your help... as it happens we found a resolution! A TV we had bought from aldi claimed to have teletext but didn't. When we took the TV back the Aldi boss was very friendly and apoligetic. He changed the TV for a larger one and asked us if he could do anything else for us. This is when my dad raised the fine issue. The boss explained that he saw us as valuable customers and offered to cancel the fine. We sent the fine off and Aldi sent us a equivalent cheque back.

The Aldi boycote in my family has now ended and we are very pleased with the professional way Aldi dealt with the issue!

All the suggestions were much appreciated.
Thanks,
Ricko

[dickyboy69]

Hi ricko i have just had this problem and contacted store managers who told me yes there is atime limit but there is also a 15min window in which gives you time to get out of car park so if your time is within 135 min you will get your ticket withdrawn but you must chalenge G24 (but be very weary and be ready for them as they are very abrupped and rude peopleon the phone )
i have also been told legaly they can`t requst money and to write a letter to there managing director and ask why he feels LEGALLY you should pay them money and they will NOT take anyone who challenges them to court
Give it a go what have you got to loose (good luck )

[Galleyhag]

G24 are scammers just take a look on all the other sites about them. They will be on Watchdog and be bust soon!! If this happens to you at Aldi and you have genuinely shopped there go to the store manager, go to the local paper, go wherteever you like and get accross what this company is about. G24 frequently change address, rent a PO box and don't advertise any number or email. When you may eventually get through be prepared for the rudeness and unprofessionalism of them - and they may hang up! It's a farce and quite funny - LEGALLY look at where you stand - and don't pay G24 as you don't have too!!!

[Chunky Chap]

NormanTheDog said... believe me they will chase you through the courts for it and its 100% legal there is no way you can get out of it.

That is just not true. G24 do not take these cases to court as they know they cannot win.

What they issue are invoices based on contract law. They do NOT issue fines. They do everything they can to make their letters look official but they are still just invoices. As with any invoice - if you don't agree with it, don't pay. Let them prove you have to.

To claim for damages unsder contract law they would have to show 'offer, consideration and acceptance' of the contract - very doubtful that driving past a sign would be seen as 'consideration and acceptance'. Importantly though the only damages thay can claim have to be proportionate to any loss incurred. So for a car park where you can park free for 2 hours, they would really struggle to explain why the extra half an hour has caused actual financial loss of �60.

Essentially what these scammers do is play a numbers game. Enough people are fooled by their official looking letters (and just pop a cheque in the post to them) to make it worth their while.