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Have other readers had problems parking at Tesco?
4:20pm Monday 21st April 2008
By Reader letter »
I RECENTLY parked at Tesco Extra, Altrincham. On returning to my car my daughter noticed I had got a parking ticket which surprised me, as I had only been there for just over an hour. I spoke to the parking attendant who informed me that the sensor that had registered my vehicle had exceeded the maximum time allowed and that I would have to appeal.
Fortunately I had filled up with petrol at a local petrol station before going to Tesco, and had a customer copy receipt showing I had paid for petrol at 10.52 a.m. The parking ticket was issued at 12.07 p.m. which proved I had not exceeded the 3 hours allowed in Tesco. I accordingly wrote to Central Ticketing. The letter I received from them informed me that my appeal had been unsuccessful on this occasion! This car park operates a sensor-controlled system and sends a message to their computer system when a vehicle has overstayed the maximum time allowed. I had to forward payment within 10 days of £40 and if this was not received my case would be passed to debt recovery agents and would result in an increase to £135 plus further administration cost and in addition court action may be taken against me.
The whole incident has been most upsetting, I have been driving for over 30 years and this is the first time I have received a parking ticket. I have paid the fine as I don't want legal action taken against me.
I would be interested to know if anyone else has had this happen to them whilst parking at Tesco Extra, Altrincham.
P. Egerton, Altrincham.
Your Say YourTrafford
Matt, Altrincham says...
4:55pm Mon 21 Apr 08
Firstly, you should not have paid the ticket. Parking companies often increase the fine if you do not pay quickly enough, however this is 100% unenforcable. The initial fine is the value of the fine unless they take you to court, and win. If they increase the amount you owe simply write to the police and ask them to investigate.
As you had not parked in Tescos at the time stated, it's up to them to prove you were there. Should this happen to anyone else, the only evidence that will be applicable in court is photographs of your car in the same spot more than three hours apart.
Any other evidence would be thrown out, as just walking over the sensors can set them off.
Tescos have a really clever idea here, but because they're basically handing full responsibility over to another company, they just
To anyone who recieves a parking ticket unjustly: Do not pay it, appeal it, and then appeal the appeal. Every time I've helped anyone fight a parking ticket after one or two letters the council / parking agency usually stop contacting them.
In answer to your final point, I know a few people who have recieved tickets in this car park, but I do not yet know of anyone who has been prosecuted.
As you had not parked in Tescos at the time stated, it's up to them to prove you were there. Should this happen to anyone else, the only evidence that will be applicable in court is photographs of your car in the same spot more than three hours apart.
Any other evidence would be thrown out, as just walking over the sensors can set them off.
Tescos have a really clever idea here, but because they're basically handing full responsibility over to another company, they just
To anyone who recieves a parking ticket unjustly: Do not pay it, appeal it, and then appeal the appeal. Every time I've helped anyone fight a parking ticket after one or two letters the council / parking agency usually stop contacting them.
In answer to your final point, I know a few people who have recieved tickets in this car park, but I do not yet know of anyone who has been prosecuted.
Mrs Brown, Altrincham says...
7:55pm Mon 21 Apr 08
I heard about another person who was recently sent a ticket wrongly claiming they had stayed longer than 3 hours. They managed to prove that they weren't there for that length of time. It does make one wonder how accurate are these sensors in the Tesco car park!
Mrs Brown, Altrincham says...
7:55pm Mon 21 Apr 08
I heard about another person who was recently sent a ticket wrongly claiming they had stayed longer than 3 hours. They managed to prove that they weren't there for that length of time. It does make one wonder how accurate are these sensors in the Tesco car park!
Chris, says...
8:42pm Mon 21 Apr 08
I sat in my car in Tesco a few nights back watching people come and go whilst i was waiting to pick someone up. These sensors change colour when a space is free. But if people take a spot that someone else has moved out of very quickly, i noticed the sensors did not change colour. So do the sensors think that it is still the same person parked there?
Just a thought....
Just a thought....
Chris, says...
8:42pm Mon 21 Apr 08
I sat in my car in Tesco a few nights back watching people come and go whilst i was waiting to pick someone up. These sensors change colour when a space is free. But if people take a spot that someone else has moved out of very quickly, i noticed the sensors did not change colour. So do the sensors think that it is still the same person parked there?
Just a thought....
Just a thought....
Matt, Altrincham says...
1:40pm Tue 22 Apr 08
Chris, I think you are correct. In order to account for fluctuations the sensonrs seem to have a timer that is a little too long. That's what the cause of the other incidents I've heard of was too.
Interestingly however, because we can clearly demonstrate that the system is unreliable, it means you don't have to pay even if you WERE in the car part for over three hours.
So take note people; stop paying your fines!
Interestingly however, because we can clearly demonstrate that the system is unreliable, it means you don't have to pay even if you WERE in the car part for over three hours.
So take note people; stop paying your fines!
Matt, Altrincham says...
1:40pm Tue 22 Apr 08
Chris, I think you are correct. In order to account for fluctuations the sensonrs seem to have a timer that is a little too long. That's what the cause of the other incidents I've heard of was too.
Interestingly however, because we can clearly demonstrate that the system is unreliable, it means you don't have to pay even if you WERE in the car part for over three hours.
So take note people; stop paying your fines!
Interestingly however, because we can clearly demonstrate that the system is unreliable, it means you don't have to pay even if you WERE in the car part for over three hours.
So take note people; stop paying your fines!
Sheila, Timperley says...
5:53pm Thu 24 Apr 08
I suggest people with this problem bombard the Chief Executive of Tescos with complaints about the disreputable company who are running the car park for them! He is obliged to respond to you. Perhaps this will bring the inadequacies of the car parking system to his attention & the way in which the Contractor is operating. Why don't they do like Sainsburys etc who charge for the parking then give your money back when you shop.
Sheila, Timperley says...
5:53pm Thu 24 Apr 08
I suggest people with this problem bombard the Chief Executive of Tescos with complaints about the disreputable company who are running the car park for them! He is obliged to respond to you. Perhaps this will bring the inadequacies of the car parking system to his attention & the way in which the Contractor is operating. Why don't they do like Sainsburys etc who charge for the parking then give your money back when you shop.
Paul Shields, Timperley says...
6:22pm Fri 25 Apr 08
To everyone who has been stung by these faulty sensors: Ring Annette McKenzie at the Altrincham store who is the customer services manager. My wife got "caught" by this faulty system (it is almost certainly the sensors taking too long to detect a car leaving before you park) and I had the same response from the cowboys at Central Ticketing. After bombarding Ms McKenzie with phone calls she got the charge "quoshed" for me and I'm sure would do it for others. P Egerton in particular should get on to her and demand his parking charge back. If anyone from the Messenger would like to contact me about this I would be happy to go on the record about this ridiculous system which is frightening people like the Egertons into paying a fine for a crime they did not commit. Tesco claim the car park is nothing to do with them by the way. I think the Messenger should look into this situation more closely - I don't have the same problem at Sainsbury...
Paul Shields, Timperley says...
6:22pm Fri 25 Apr 08
To everyone who has been stung by these faulty sensors: Ring Annette McKenzie at the Altrincham store who is the customer services manager. My wife got "caught" by this faulty system (it is almost certainly the sensors taking too long to detect a car leaving before you park) and I had the same response from the cowboys at Central Ticketing. After bombarding Ms McKenzie with phone calls she got the charge "quoshed" for me and I'm sure would do it for others. P Egerton in particular should get on to her and demand his parking charge back. If anyone from the Messenger would like to contact me about this I would be happy to go on the record about this ridiculous system which is frightening people like the Egertons into paying a fine for a crime they did not commit. Tesco claim the car park is nothing to do with them by the way. I think the Messenger should look into this situation more closely - I don't have the same problem at Sainsbury...
C Evans, Timperley says...
7:00pm Fri 25 Apr 08
The weekend before Easter I had a charge after 2 hours in the car park at Tesco Altrincham. After getting very no help from the Altrincham store I contacted Tesco Customer Services and eventually dealt with Graham Wallace who had the charge cancelled and assured me that the system would be checked, this took 6 days of phone calls and e-mails. I no longer shop at Tesco as I have no faith in the sensor system installed.
C Evans, Timperley says...
7:00pm Fri 25 Apr 08
The weekend before Easter I had a charge after 2 hours in the car park at Tesco Altrincham. After getting very no help from the Altrincham store I contacted Tesco Customer Services and eventually dealt with Graham Wallace who had the charge cancelled and assured me that the system would be checked, this took 6 days of phone calls and e-mails. I no longer shop at Tesco as I have no faith in the sensor system installed.
anonymous, Sale says...
1:07pm Sat 26 Apr 08
I often shop at Tesco in Altrincham but now I won't chance it. It costs enough as it is for a weekly shop without the cost of a fine on top.
I think I will go elsewhere in future.
I think I will go elsewhere in future.
anonymous, Sale says...
1:07pm Sat 26 Apr 08
I often shop at Tesco in Altrincham but now I won't chance it. It costs enough as it is for a weekly shop without the cost of a fine on top.
I think I will go elsewhere in future.
I think I will go elsewhere in future.
Michael, says...
9:18pm Sun 27 Apr 08
When the Tesco Altrincham car park is busy, loads of people park on the end of rows, next to the building etc ie,. not in parking bays. Will the car park operators ticket these cars 1st before people parked in bays ? My guess is that Tesco have been forced into this charging system by the Council who are miffed that people use Tesco as a free car park rather than the extortionate fees for their own car park - however the way it is looking in Altrincham Tesco will soon be the only shop left to shop in !
Michael, says...
9:18pm Sun 27 Apr 08
When the Tesco Altrincham car park is busy, loads of people park on the end of rows, next to the building etc ie,. not in parking bays. Will the car park operators ticket these cars 1st before people parked in bays ? My guess is that Tesco have been forced into this charging system by the Council who are miffed that people use Tesco as a free car park rather than the extortionate fees for their own car park - however the way it is looking in Altrincham Tesco will soon be the only shop left to shop in !
Every££L
ittle££H
elps, says...
11:46pm Sun 27 Apr 08
Grrrr! People who create their 'own bays' by plonking themselves on the ends of rows. Ticket them first! I agree, with Michael on that. And Paul is right too - come on, Messenger, get us some official responses on this debacle.
Every££L
ittle££H
elps, says...
11:46pm Sun 27 Apr 08
Grrrr! People who create their 'own bays' by plonking themselves on the ends of rows. Ticket them first! I agree, with Michael on that. And Paul is right too - come on, Messenger, get us some official responses on this debacle.
David, Timperley says...
2:43pm Mon 28 Apr 08
Although I have not been caught by the dodgy sensors I have witnessed 2 people who have.
Tesco, or the firm who manage the car park for them, do not provide proof of time of entry to the car park so there is no way people can prove how long they have been there.
This is a scam and no one should pay the fine. Let them take you to court and they will be told 'innocent until proven guilty'.
I wrote to both the Tesco Altrincham store manager and their Head Office saying that I would risk parking there until the system had been modified to include proof of arrival.
No one from Tesco has replied which sums up their arrogance and lack of regard for their customers.
My family and I now enjoy shopping elsewhere, so that's 20+ customers Tesco have lost.
Tesco, or the firm who manage the car park for them, do not provide proof of time of entry to the car park so there is no way people can prove how long they have been there.
This is a scam and no one should pay the fine. Let them take you to court and they will be told 'innocent until proven guilty'.
I wrote to both the Tesco Altrincham store manager and their Head Office saying that I would risk parking there until the system had been modified to include proof of arrival.
No one from Tesco has replied which sums up their arrogance and lack of regard for their customers.
My family and I now enjoy shopping elsewhere, so that's 20+ customers Tesco have lost.
David, Timperley says...
2:43pm Mon 28 Apr 08
Although I have not been caught by the dodgy sensors I have witnessed 2 people who have.
Tesco, or the firm who manage the car park for them, do not provide proof of time of entry to the car park so there is no way people can prove how long they have been there.
This is a scam and no one should pay the fine. Let them take you to court and they will be told 'innocent until proven guilty'.
I wrote to both the Tesco Altrincham store manager and their Head Office saying that I would risk parking there until the system had been modified to include proof of arrival.
No one from Tesco has replied which sums up their arrogance and lack of regard for their customers.
My family and I now enjoy shopping elsewhere, so that's 20+ customers Tesco have lost.
Tesco, or the firm who manage the car park for them, do not provide proof of time of entry to the car park so there is no way people can prove how long they have been there.
This is a scam and no one should pay the fine. Let them take you to court and they will be told 'innocent until proven guilty'.
I wrote to both the Tesco Altrincham store manager and their Head Office saying that I would risk parking there until the system had been modified to include proof of arrival.
No one from Tesco has replied which sums up their arrogance and lack of regard for their customers.
My family and I now enjoy shopping elsewhere, so that's 20+ customers Tesco have lost.
Paul, Blackburn says...
5:00pm Fri 2 May 08
Companies like Central Ticketing have no legal power at all. They make their tickets look official to scare people, but the reality is they are not authorised to penalise people - they rely on the claim that by reading the car park signs you entered into a contract with them. Only the driver of the vehicle could be said to have entered into any contract, so do not tell them who was driving. If they contact you point out that they will need to prove you were driving in court and that you are under no obligation to tell them who was driving. Furthermore, as they are not authorised to charge "penalties" all they could justify charging is the damages incurred by the landowner or themselves if they are an agent of the landowner. These damages presumably would be minimal (or non-existent in some cases where they issue a ticket due to a technicality) and any attempt in court to enforce a contract that was clearly trying to charge a "penalty" above what would be considered reasonable damages would be considered unenforcable. Also, if they are trying to make their documentation look like it carries legal weight and that they have some kind of power they could be breaking the law. You do not need to pay companies like Central Ticketing. Just let them send letters from debt collectors and invite them to sue. If you can use the above arguments they will lose. Of course they want you to think otherwise: they rely on people being misinformed and scared.
Paul, Blackburn says...
5:00pm Fri 2 May 08
Companies like Central Ticketing have no legal power at all. They make their tickets look official to scare people, but the reality is they are not authorised to penalise people - they rely on the claim that by reading the car park signs you entered into a contract with them. Only the driver of the vehicle could be said to have entered into any contract, so do not tell them who was driving. If they contact you point out that they will need to prove you were driving in court and that you are under no obligation to tell them who was driving. Furthermore, as they are not authorised to charge "penalties" all they could justify charging is the damages incurred by the landowner or themselves if they are an agent of the landowner. These damages presumably would be minimal (or non-existent in some cases where they issue a ticket due to a technicality) and any attempt in court to enforce a contract that was clearly trying to charge a "penalty" above what would be considered reasonable damages would be considered unenforcable. Also, if they are trying to make their documentation look like it carries legal weight and that they have some kind of power they could be breaking the law. You do not need to pay companies like Central Ticketing. Just let them send letters from debt collectors and invite them to sue. If you can use the above arguments they will lose. Of course they want you to think otherwise: they rely on people being misinformed and scared.
Ed Thomspon, Altrincham says...
1:35pm Sat 3 May 08
Happened to us too and we stupidly stupidly paid the fine. Central ticketing are a bunch of scammers and that new parking system is a joke! We had a ticket after less than 2 hours but had no suitable proof and just didnt want all the hassle. If Id known so many other were in the same situation id have never ever paid. Whatever happens dont pay these jokers will never have the guts to take anyone to court and they cant send people around without a court document. Dont get fooled into thinking these tickets are in any way official either. Strictly speak they are only allowed to charge you for the money they lost from your overstay (if you do overstay) and since that car park is free, thats £0!
Ed Thomspon, Altrincham says...
1:35pm Sat 3 May 08
Happened to us too and we stupidly stupidly paid the fine. Central ticketing are a bunch of scammers and that new parking system is a joke! We had a ticket after less than 2 hours but had no suitable proof and just didnt want all the hassle. If Id known so many other were in the same situation id have never ever paid. Whatever happens dont pay these jokers will never have the guts to take anyone to court and they cant send people around without a court document. Dont get fooled into thinking these tickets are in any way official either. Strictly speak they are only allowed to charge you for the money they lost from your overstay (if you do overstay) and since that car park is free, thats £0!
Rupe, Altrincham says...
12:13pm Fri 9 May 08
As an occasional and brief visitor to Tesco's car park in Altrincham I am alarmed at the penalties given out in error to other motorists who have stayed within the 3hr rule. Or is 2hr?
So when I next visited the carpark recently I spent a few minutes investigating how the system worked and where the errors could be made, assuming the other correspondents to be straightforward in their reports. It didnt take too long to get an understanding and I am sure myself and other readers here would welcome Tesco's comments and corrections.
The system in Tesco' s would appear to be both deceptive and error prone in that it relies critically on human interaction. And there appears to be no direct link between the identity of the car and the time it arrived, no image or identification is made of the car when it parks.
Basically the ultrasonic (i.e. high freq sound) sensor above or under the car detects the arrival of a car and changes the indicator from green to red. This also starts a timer somewhere in the control system. When the car is moved away the timer is reset and waits to be triggered again by the next car. If this does not happen before the 3hr limit a notice is issued to a Tesco or is it Central Parking - no matter it's Tesco's brand) operator who then has to make their way to the vehicle, note its number plate and then processes the penalty notice presumably through the DVLA. The parking bays are identified by little numbered plaques embedded into the tarmac ground.
In principle this system is functional but does suffer from several obvious vulnerabilities
These flaws render Tesco's arrogance at not revising their penalties to compainants' bomb-proof submissions both upsetting and surprising.
As I understand it these are where the errors could arise 1. The sensor fails to detect (dirty, faulty) a car leaving the parking space and simply accumulates several cars' times until the 3hr limit is reached when the unlucky car that' s there then gets fined. 2. The number embedded in the tarmac and the number plates are all read by and entered into the system by human beings who are both inefficient and error prone at recording numbers (and times) unless they are trained accountants. 3. The embedded numbers may or may not correspond exactly to the overhead sensor. Obviously this is easily fixed but as the system is so new and the carpark so large and haphazard there is a real risk of this.
'Number plate recognition' may be used too but there is no evidence for this apart from unsuitable, very high surveillance-only cameras.
Better signage would help too setting out what the penalties are and when and how they would be imposed and with less bizarre spin about their customer's best interests.
Now, obviously proper maintenance and training can mitigate all these problems and Im sure Tesco will reply stating adamantly they are and have.
But for Tesco's to be so dismissive of proven, faulty penalties is astonishing, craven and disappointing.
It is an irresponsible abuse of its dominant and suffocating presence in the middle of my town.
Rupe, Altrincham says...
12:13pm Fri 9 May 08
As an occasional and brief visitor to Tesco's car park in Altrincham I am alarmed at the penalties given out in error to other motorists who have stayed within the 3hr rule. Or is 2hr?
So when I next visited the carpark recently I spent a few minutes investigating how the system worked and where the errors could be made, assuming the other correspondents to be straightforward in their reports. It didnt take too long to get an understanding and I am sure myself and other readers here would welcome Tesco's comments and corrections.
The system in Tesco' s would appear to be both deceptive and error prone in that it relies critically on human interaction. And there appears to be no direct link between the identity of the car and the time it arrived, no image or identification is made of the car when it parks.
Basically the ultrasonic (i.e. high freq sound) sensor above or under the car detects the arrival of a car and changes the indicator from green to red. This also starts a timer somewhere in the control system. When the car is moved away the timer is reset and waits to be triggered again by the next car. If this does not happen before the 3hr limit a notice is issued to a Tesco or is it Central Parking - no matter it's Tesco's brand) operator who then has to make their way to the vehicle, note its number plate and then processes the penalty notice presumably through the DVLA. The parking bays are identified by little numbered plaques embedded into the tarmac ground.
In principle this system is functional but does suffer from several obvious vulnerabilities
These flaws render Tesco's arrogance at not revising their penalties to compainants' bomb-proof submissions both upsetting and surprising.
As I understand it these are where the errors could arise 1. The sensor fails to detect (dirty, faulty) a car leaving the parking space and simply accumulates several cars' times until the 3hr limit is reached when the unlucky car that' s there then gets fined. 2. The number embedded in the tarmac and the number plates are all read by and entered into the system by human beings who are both inefficient and error prone at recording numbers (and times) unless they are trained accountants. 3. The embedded numbers may or may not correspond exactly to the overhead sensor. Obviously this is easily fixed but as the system is so new and the carpark so large and haphazard there is a real risk of this.
'Number plate recognition' may be used too but there is no evidence for this apart from unsuitable, very high surveillance-only cameras.
Better signage would help too setting out what the penalties are and when and how they would be imposed and with less bizarre spin about their customer's best interests.
Now, obviously proper maintenance and training can mitigate all these problems and Im sure Tesco will reply stating adamantly they are and have.
But for Tesco's to be so dismissive of proven, faulty penalties is astonishing, craven and disappointing.
It is an irresponsible abuse of its dominant and suffocating presence in the middle of my town.
Mike, Hull says...
4:15pm Sat 10 May 08
St Stephens in Hull. Exactly the same today. Car clocked in by parking sensor at 10.21. didn't actually arrive until 11.30!
Mike, Hull says...
4:15pm Sat 10 May 08
St Stephens in Hull. Exactly the same today. Car clocked in by parking sensor at 10.21. didn't actually arrive until 11.30!
Hugh, Broadheath says...
5:31pm Sat 10 May 08
Only the local council, a traffic warden or the police can issue a fine. These Tesco ticket's are not fines but little more than invoices issued for an alleged breach of the terms and conditions of the car park.
I suggest that before paying one of these tickets, people should acquaint themselves with their rights by visiting either http://forums.pepipo
o.com/index.php?show
forum=30 or http://www.consumera
ctiongroup.co.uk/for
um/parking-traffic-o
ffences/
I suggest that before paying one of these tickets, people should acquaint themselves with their rights by visiting either http://forums.pepipo
o.com/index.php?show
forum=30 or http://www.consumera
ctiongroup.co.uk/for
um/parking-traffic-o
ffences/
Hugh, Broadheath says...
5:31pm Sat 10 May 08
Only the local council, a traffic warden or the police can issue a fine. These Tesco ticket's are not fines but little more than invoices issued for an alleged breach of the terms and conditions of the car park.
I suggest that before paying one of these tickets, people should acquaint themselves with their rights by visiting either http://forums.pepipo
o.com/index.php?show
forum=30 or http://www.consumera
ctiongroup.co.uk/for
um/parking-traffic-o
ffences/
I suggest that before paying one of these tickets, people should acquaint themselves with their rights by visiting either http://forums.pepipo
o.com/index.php?show
forum=30 or http://www.consumera
ctiongroup.co.uk/for
um/parking-traffic-o
ffences/
chris, Hull says...
8:07pm Sat 17 May 08
reply to mike in hull , yeah i got stung in st stephens today myself, the parking ticket said i was there between 12.44 - 15.05 which is over the 2 hours that they allow however i did not arrive until 1.25 i got a £70 fine and had to pay another £10 to get a copy of the cctv footage to "prove it" as they said. the footage that i rwecieved was currupt so i could only watch 1 minute of video whichj was usless.took the cd back into the security who said i will have to wait until monday for a new one.
i am not going to pay this until i see the video clip of the time im asking for to show me entering the store.
what a money making scam.
i am not going to pay this until i see the video clip of the time im asking for to show me entering the store.
what a money making scam.
chris, Hull says...
8:07pm Sat 17 May 08
reply to mike in hull , yeah i got stung in st stephens today myself, the parking ticket said i was there between 12.44 - 15.05 which is over the 2 hours that they allow however i did not arrive until 1.25 i got a £70 fine and had to pay another £10 to get a copy of the cctv footage to "prove it" as they said. the footage that i rwecieved was currupt so i could only watch 1 minute of video whichj was usless.took the cd back into the security who said i will have to wait until monday for a new one.
i am not going to pay this until i see the video clip of the time im asking for to show me entering the store.
what a money making scam.
i am not going to pay this until i see the video clip of the time im asking for to show me entering the store.
what a money making scam.
Michael Plant, Altrincham says...
9:15pm Thu 22 May 08
As a 20 year trader in Altrincham, I hear of the Tesco car park problem quite frequently. The answers quite simple; don't go there, and tell your friends.The system that operates there is obviously imperfect, and it is up to Tesco to put it right, and advertise the fact. It would probably be advantageous to the town if the regiments of so-called 'Traffic Enforcement Officers' were sent to Aghanistan on active service.
Michael Plant, Altrincham says...
9:15pm Thu 22 May 08
As a 20 year trader in Altrincham, I hear of the Tesco car park problem quite frequently. The answers quite simple; don't go there, and tell your friends.The system that operates there is obviously imperfect, and it is up to Tesco to put it right, and advertise the fact. It would probably be advantageous to the town if the regiments of so-called 'Traffic Enforcement Officers' were sent to Aghanistan on active service.
Carl, Blackburn says...
10:47pm Thu 22 May 08
Private parking tickets such as these are not legally enforceable and consequently need not be paid. Under English civil law penalties are not enforceable ( Dunlop Pneumatic Tyre Co. Ltd. v. New Garage and Motor Co. Ltd. (1915)). For further details look at the forums on the websites www.pepipoo.com and also http://www.consumera
ctiongroup.co.uk/for
um
ctiongroup.co.uk/for
um
Carl, Blackburn says...
10:47pm Thu 22 May 08
Private parking tickets such as these are not legally enforceable and consequently need not be paid. Under English civil law penalties are not enforceable ( Dunlop Pneumatic Tyre Co. Ltd. v. New Garage and Motor Co. Ltd. (1915)). For further details look at the forums on the websites www.pepipoo.com and also http://www.consumera
ctiongroup.co.uk/for
um
ctiongroup.co.uk/for
um
Chris Wood, Beverley, E Yorks says...
8:38am Fri 23 May 08
Exactly the same happened to my wife. Her proof was a phone call from an independent verifiable source on our home land line. This company are complete charlatens. What ever you do, if you have proof, don't pay. Its time Tescos realised whats going on here and did something about it. Its also time that our wonderful legal system did something about a company that demands money with menaces.
Chris Wood, Beverley, E Yorks says...
8:38am Fri 23 May 08
Exactly the same happened to my wife. Her proof was a phone call from an independent verifiable source on our home land line. This company are complete charlatens. What ever you do, if you have proof, don't pay. Its time Tescos realised whats going on here and did something about it. Its also time that our wonderful legal system did something about a company that demands money with menaces.
Matt, Altrincham says...
12:44pm Fri 23 May 08
Several other posters have it spot on; the fine is not enforceable at all. Passing a sign warning about parking fines does not mean you have seen it, read it, understood it and agreed with it.
Then Tesco cannot prove you were in the car park at the time, all they can prove is that the sensor in the bay your car was in said you were. This doesn't mean it was you; and we can prove it.
Therefore all attempts to recover money are illegal. Would anyone fancy getting together a class action against Tescos and the car park company? If only for the costs incurred to people in fighting it might get Tescos to realise it can't continue to ignore the crimes it allows to be committed on it's land, by it's contractors and in it's name.
Then Tesco cannot prove you were in the car park at the time, all they can prove is that the sensor in the bay your car was in said you were. This doesn't mean it was you; and we can prove it.
Therefore all attempts to recover money are illegal. Would anyone fancy getting together a class action against Tescos and the car park company? If only for the costs incurred to people in fighting it might get Tescos to realise it can't continue to ignore the crimes it allows to be committed on it's land, by it's contractors and in it's name.
Matt, Altrincham says...
12:44pm Fri 23 May 08
Several other posters have it spot on; the fine is not enforceable at all. Passing a sign warning about parking fines does not mean you have seen it, read it, understood it and agreed with it.
Then Tesco cannot prove you were in the car park at the time, all they can prove is that the sensor in the bay your car was in said you were. This doesn't mean it was you; and we can prove it.
Therefore all attempts to recover money are illegal. Would anyone fancy getting together a class action against Tescos and the car park company? If only for the costs incurred to people in fighting it might get Tescos to realise it can't continue to ignore the crimes it allows to be committed on it's land, by it's contractors and in it's name.
Then Tesco cannot prove you were in the car park at the time, all they can prove is that the sensor in the bay your car was in said you were. This doesn't mean it was you; and we can prove it.
Therefore all attempts to recover money are illegal. Would anyone fancy getting together a class action against Tescos and the car park company? If only for the costs incurred to people in fighting it might get Tescos to realise it can't continue to ignore the crimes it allows to be committed on it's land, by it's contractors and in it's name.
walshy66, partington says...
7:20pm Tue 19 Aug 08
Hello people,as a ex employee of tescos altrincham(had been with the company for 6 years),i went into the store today (19/08/08) with my two children 4 and 3,and as per usual no family parking bay because blue badge holders had parked there,which is fair enough as other people park in there spaces,so today i parked in one of the 5 or so disabled bays and tried to do my shopping with the children,yes i recieved a ticket,so when i settled the children in the car,i approached the central ticketing officer called gary,and asked him for his id,he said why?,isaid by law if your giving tickets out to other motorists you should have this on you?,yes thats right he did not have it on him,it was in his car!!!!!,red car parked in the corner under a bridge details to follow(only joking)he was polite andi realise he is only doing his job,but reading other peoples coments i wontbe paying this ticket or parking in a disabled area again,ohby the way the cars parked at the end of the rows are mainly staff,yes staff i use to do it myself,ask for MR Dennis Kelly he is a manager and he is always doing this,hope to hear from anybody soon
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Matt, Altrincham says...
4:55pm Mon 21 Apr 08
As you had not parked in Tescos at the time stated, it's up to them to prove you were there. Should this happen to anyone else, the only evidence that will be applicable in court is photographs of your car in the same spot more than three hours apart.
Any other evidence would be thrown out, as just walking over the sensors can set them off.
Tescos have a really clever idea here, but because they're basically handing full responsibility over to another company, they just
To anyone who recieves a parking ticket unjustly: Do not pay it, appeal it, and then appeal the appeal. Every time I've helped anyone fight a parking ticket after one or two letters the council / parking agency usually stop contacting them.
In answer to your final point, I know a few people who have recieved tickets in this car park, but I do not yet know of anyone who has been prosecuted.