Parking ticket

[cally78uk]

Hi Everyone,

I recently was issued with a parking ticjket while parked in a customer car park. The ticket issued was from a private company called BPM and the reason for the ticket being issued was 'event parking". I was shopping at the sametime as a Celticmatch was taking place and after calling the company, and sending a letter enclosing a receipt from that day the have rejected it saying that 3 people were seen leaving my car wearing celtic colours.

Does anyone know what my rights are in this instance?

[Andy Boz]

I have no idea of your rights, but if they have 3 ''witnesses', I would be inclined to ask them for proof. You have given them some form of proof (copy I trust?) but all they have is 3 peoples word, alledgedly. Call their bluff, and ask for proof, in the form of CCTV, or photographs. Failing that tell them to 'go away'. I also take it that you were not wearing Celtic colours..

[cally78uk]

Sorry for the confusion, but they say that 3 people were seen leaving my car wearing celtic colours, which is not the case. I was actually at the Celtic game, however i was there myself (not with 3 others), but was also a customer at one of the shops in the trading estate, therefore i feel i am entitled to use the customer car park.

I feel that i provided them with proof i was shopping, therefore i feel the should provide proof that i was attending an event. I would have had no problem in paying this ticket if it was for the standard �30.00, but I feel that �75.00 is a disgrace and there is no reduction if you pay early

[Andy Boz]

Ok that's a different thing.

I 'm now reading between the lines, and thinking private car park for a shopping centre, close to Celtic's ground. You used their carpark, but also parked up for 2 hours or so to go to the match. I don't really see how you can question it, I see it that you wanted to park, got caught, and now objecting to the fine. Popping in the shop and buying something doesn't excuse the fact your car was parked on their car park. Sorry.

As regards the legality of a private company giving you a fine, I wait to see other peoples responses.

[furrycheeky]

People used to do this in my local supermarket. They would park and go to the local football match Then buy a small item on their return to cover the use of the parking to 2 hours. They got fined too.
If you have been seen parked in the same space for 2 hours but only have a small recept either before the match or after then I think they are right to enforce the penalty.

[cally78uk]

Cheers,

That was more of the reply I was looking for.

I just sent them a letter saying i proved i was shopping by providing a recept, and aksing them to provide proof to their claim i was at the celtic game.

As you say just becuase i was wearing celtic colours does not mean i attended a match,

Thanks for your reply

[Jay70]

Most free customer car parks state the maximum parking time allowed for customers. So even though you were a customer maybe you went over this amount of time in which case you would have broken their rules and they would have a case..

[Jay70]

Of course you'll always be morally in the wrong.

[trevorc96]

you are quite within your rights not to pay the fine they will not take you to court over this, was there any signs saying that you have spent over �20 before you can park for two hours i think not and good luck

[cally78uk]

Well folks,

After a few months of writing letters, being passed to debt collection agencies and telling them I was still not happy with the outcome until they provided me with proof, they have eventually backed down and let me off with the ticket.

It pays to be a pain in the a*se, I continually sent them the same letter, with the same questions asking for proof which they never answered. Maybe because they couldnt.

Anyway cheers everyone