Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: feeutfo on 11 September 2010, 10:02:42

Title: Clampers and parking fines
Post by: feeutfo on 11 September 2010, 10:02:42
BBC repotting a well covered subject, but, seems clamping is being outlawed in the uk as it is already in Scotland apparently :y

....seems the clampers are moving to ticketing instead, now I have personal experience of this, they take your reg and chase you via post, vey important and official looking letters, in fact mine was so official looking it raised my suspicions confirmed by a post of mine on here that the whole thing is 'dangle berries', you may remember the thread I got a ticket for parking across the lines in an empty BQ car park.

You all advised to ignore the whole thing iirc, ESP excellent advice from Kevin Wood. Meaning I just binned the letters, they where persistent, but nothing ever came of it. So what ever you do, official company or not, do not pay them, ever. Although some may prefer to just pay up, but that's what they bank on, literally.... >:(

There have been very few cases of companys taking people to court, they know there is no many in it going down that route.....

Title: Re: Clampers and parking fines
Post by: TheBoy on 11 September 2010, 10:08:33
If you had parked illegally (and it was obvious), then I have no issue with paying up to be honest - thats the risk you knowingly take.

After all, that is someone's (or a company's) private land.

No different to going past a camera a little on the quick side - you know the rules, and the consequences.


I can see this being abused by some scam artists though...
Title: Re: Clampers and parking fines
Post by: feeutfo on 11 September 2010, 10:13:20
Quote
If you had parked illegally (and it was obvious), then I have no issue with paying up to be honest - thats the risk you knowingly take.

After all, that is someone's (or a company's) private land.

No different to going past a camera a little on the quick side - you know the rules, and the consequences.


I can see this being abused by some scam artists though...
Don't agree at all. And I won't play the game. They should be sued for the stress the cause ....

The title of the report was cowboy clampers, from memory, there is no legal grounding for them on private land....should make it clear though that this a totally different beast to council car parks or traffic wardens of course, no escape there.
Title: Re: Clampers and parking fines
Post by: TheBoy on 11 September 2010, 10:15:47
Quote
Quote
If you had parked illegally (and it was obvious), then I have no issue with paying up to be honest - thats the risk you knowingly take.

After all, that is someone's (or a company's) private land.

No different to going past a camera a little on the quick side - you know the rules, and the consequences.


I can see this being abused by some scam artists though...
Don't agree at all. And I won't play the game. They should be sued for the stress the cause ....

The title of the report was cowboy clampers, from memory, there is no legal grounding for them on private land....should make it clear though that this a totally different beast to council car parks or traffic wardens of course, no escape there.
And without that legal grounding, that allows 'travellers' to break into any private land and pitch up until they can't stand wallowing in their own mess any more, and there is nothing nearby to nick
Title: Re: Clampers and parking fines
Post by: feeutfo on 11 September 2010, 10:20:32
Quote
Quote
Quote
If you had parked illegally (and it was obvious), then I have no issue with paying up to be honest - thats the risk you knowingly take.

After all, that is someone's (or a company's) private land.

No different to going past a camera a little on the quick side - you know the rules, and the consequences.


I can see this being abused by some scam artists though...
Don't agree at all. And I won't play the game. They should be sued for the stress the cause ....

The title of the report was cowboy clampers, from memory, there is no legal grounding for them on private land....should make it clear though that this a totally different beast to council car parks or traffic wardens of course, no escape there.
And without that legal grounding, that allows 'travellers' to break into any private land and pitch up until they can't stand wallowing in their own mess any more, and there is nothing nearby to nick
....and do the clampers clamp their vehicles? No they bloody don't. Although that is something I would like to watch, from a distance  [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif] [smiley=evil.gif] [smiley=evil.gif]
Title: Re: Clampers and parking fines
Post by: Terbs on 11 September 2010, 10:57:08
I think the issue here is not the clamping....if you park illegally, then you deserve the punishment.
However....the issue is the level of the fine, the extorsion, blackmail, and harassment that go with it. >:(
Why does not someone come up with a set of figures to match local authority fines, and legislation passed so that clamping companies can only charge the amount set down in law, with no added extras !!!! >:(
Title: Re: Clampers and parking fines
Post by: TheBoy on 11 September 2010, 11:13:52
Quote
I think the issue here is not the clamping....if you park illegally, then you deserve the punishment.
However....the issue is the level of the fine, the extorsion, blackmail, and harassment that go with it. >:(
Why does not someone come up with a set of figures to match local authority fines, and legislation passed so that clamping companies can only charge the amount set down in law, with no added extras !!!! >:(
Better idea - if people knowing illegally park (as some people think is their god given right to save walking a few more yards), their car is used for bombing practice by our hard stretched military services....  :P
Title: Re: Clampers and parking fines
Post by: Gaffers on 11 September 2010, 11:18:55
Quote
Quote
I think the issue here is not the clamping....if you park illegally, then you deserve the punishment.
However....the issue is the level of the fine, the extorsion, blackmail, and harassment that go with it. >:(
Why does not someone come up with a set of figures to match local authority fines, and legislation passed so that clamping companies can only charge the amount set down in law, with no added extras !!!! >:(
Better idea - if people knowing illegally park (as some people think is their god given right to save walking a few more yards), their car is used for bombing practice by our hard stretched military services....  :P

We cant afford to drive there to shoot at it, let alone the bullets  ;D
Title: Re: Clampers and parking fines
Post by: feeutfo on 11 September 2010, 11:22:50
Report centers around a parking kit available on the web, contains the tickets and little plastic bags they stick on your screen, available to all, no license needed.

I could buy this kit, stick a ticket on your car and demand money, in fact I don't even need the kit, just blackmail you, whether you own a car or not. What a load of arse!
Title: Re: Clampers and parking fines
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 11 September 2010, 11:31:02
Clampers are crooks.......If they are a legitimate business...( and not a group of thugs)....then why do they only (from what I have seen ) accept cash.....and not credit card payment.
For a single woman alone .....late at night .....these guys can be very intimidating..... >:( >:( >:( >:(
Title: Re: Clampers and parking fines
Post by: feeutfo on 11 September 2010, 11:52:45
Quote
Clampers are crooks.......If they are a legitimate business...( and not a group of thugs)....then why do they only (from what I have seen ) accept cash.....and not credit card payment.
For a single woman alone .....late at night .....these guys can be very intimidating..... >:( >:( >:( >:(
Thugs one and all.
Title: Re: Clampers and parking fines
Post by: Varche on 11 September 2010, 12:33:45
They had a good run extorting money out of people with their clamping. Now they move on to ticketing.

The government will have to pass legislation(which takes forever in Britain) to curtail that.

They will then move on to some other activity.

The thing with this ort of borderline illegal activity is that it creates more misery in the lives of people who are already no doubt feeling pretty down.
Title: Re: Clampers and parking fines
Post by: iggy21uk on 11 September 2010, 15:50:23
Bit off topic -sorry, there was guy on the radio who got fine from the council for going down a road at the wrong time [time access limited road]. He knew it was wrong as he was at the doc's at that time and had proof, council refused to cancel ticket.
So he them a letter requesting 'freedom of information request'

When was the camera last serviced
When was the clock last checked, etc.

Week later - fine cancelled -  :y
Title: Re: Clampers and parking fines
Post by: albitz on 11 September 2010, 16:06:00
Private clamping firms are ime thugs and extortionists. They are not the guardians of private property they would like us to think they are.
They used to operate in the parking area of the flats where my daughter lived. She paid hefty rent which included her own parking space. Anyone parking in the space ( her included) had to display a permit issued by these cowboys. One day a friend of hers drove off and forgot to return her permit, so in the week it took to get it back she had 3 visitors who neede to park in her space. She wrote out a notice which was placed prominently in the windscreen on each occasion, stating that the car was parked in her space with her consent and if they wished to query this they could ring the doorbell or phone her number.
On each occasion the notice was completely ignored and the cars were clamped. They had all the facts given to them, but they simply refused to even listen. The clamps never came off until £125 was parted with -legalised theft, pure and simple.
On one occasion I parked in the space and hurried into her flat to get the permit to put in the car. When I came back they were just getting out of the van with the clamp and looked very disappointed when I got the permit in the windscreen before they got the clamp on my car.
Personally, I would gas them. >:( >:(
Title: Re: Clampers and parking fines
Post by: shaggydog on 11 September 2010, 17:35:06
There was something on the news this morning saying when you get a ticket just send them the going rate for car parking in the area, if they persist with letters just say you'll see them in court' usually you here nothing more off them.
Title: Re: Clampers and parking fines
Post by: david036 on 11 September 2010, 20:04:23
Council and the police are still going to be allowed to clamp as are the DVLA.
This law still isn'; in force yet, but could be sometime soon!!!
Title: Re: Clampers and parking fines
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 11 September 2010, 20:12:00
Quote
Private clamping firms are ime thugs and extortionists. They are not the guardians of private property they would like us to think they are.
They used to operate in the parking area of the flats where my daughter lived. She paid hefty rent which included her own parking space. Anyone parking in the space ( her included) had to display a permit issued by these cowboys. One day a friend of hers drove off and forgot to return her permit, so in the week it took to get it back she had 3 visitors who neede to park in her space. She wrote out a notice which was placed prominently in the windscreen on each occasion, stating that the car was parked in her space with her consent and if they wished to query this they could ring the doorbell or phone her number.
On each occasion the notice was completely ignored and the cars were clamped. They had all the facts given to them, but they simply refused to even listen. The clamps never came off until £125 was parted with -legalised theft, pure and simple.
On one occasion I parked in the space and hurried into her flat to get the permit to put in the car. When I came back they were just getting out of the van with the clamp and looked very disappointed when I got the permit in the windscreen before they got the clamp on my car.
Personally, I would gas them. >:( >:(


Flying pigs.......I actually agree with Albs... ;) ;) :y
Title: Re: Clampers and parking fines
Post by: Steve 1564 on 11 September 2010, 21:30:23
Had the same deal at south western house in southampton - went in to get a permit & Got clamped ! - paid up & wrote a stinking letter to the company telling them that the guy offered to remove it for £50 cash and how intimidating he was :-X (got a refund)... 3 weeks later i got clamped by the same company in swindon - only this time he put the chain around the shocker & not through the wishbone... 3 mins & a 17mm spanner later I'm free... dump the clamp & associated sticker against a wall & bugger off... 20 mins later & i get a pull going into leigh delamere services - the only thing the police were interested in is weather i had damaged the clamp or not - had a coffee with the cops & waited till another went to see the clamp - The police told me if i take one off again (without damaging it) i should keep it & write a letter to the clamping company telling them where they can collect there property from and - get this - How much i will be charging them for storage !!!  :y :y
Title: Re: Clampers and parking fines
Post by: Martin_1962 on 11 September 2010, 23:56:19
I have cold chisled one :-X :-X
Title: Re: Clampers and parking fines
Post by: feeutfo on 12 September 2010, 00:04:57
Quote
Had the same deal at south western house in southampton - went in to get a permit & Got clamped ! - paid up & wrote a stinking letter to the company telling them that the guy offered to remove it for £50 cash and how intimidating he was :-X (got a refund)... 3 weeks later i got clamped by the same company in swindon - only this time he put the chain around the shocker & not through the wishbone... 3 mins & a 17mm spanner later I'm free... dump the clamp & associated sticker against a wall & bugger off... 20 mins later & i get a pull going into leigh delamere services - the only thing the police were interested in is weather i had damaged the clamp or not - had a coffee with the cops & waited till another went to see the clamp - The police told me if i take one off again (without damaging it) i should keep it & write a letter to the clamping company telling them where they can collect there property from and - get this - How much i will be charging them for storage !!!  :y :y
So that would be 500 an hour payable in advance via cheque by post.....to a po box
Title: Re: Clampers and parking fines
Post by: Vamps on 12 September 2010, 01:05:47
I shall be putting this to the test on Tuesday... :y

Work Wise I have to visit a home on a private estate that is residents only parking, so I am told, interestingly the 'landlord' is the same one as my office.. ::)

I intend to make a sign for my window to say 'Duty  :-X :-X  :-X :-X unit' I shall also display a 'Blue Badge' so I can not, by law, be clamped. It will be interesting to see the result of any parking ticket.. :y
I have had 2 in my office car park, no disabled parking, which is illegal, challenged both and got off.. :) I love a challenge.... :y

I have no intention of paying any ticket, my employer has offered to pay past ones at work, but I am reliably informed that such 'private' tickets are unenforceable in court so I refused the offer...... :y
Title: Re: Clampers and parking fines
Post by: 3.2 CHARLIE on 12 September 2010, 02:32:03
Quote
Parking across the white lines in an empty car park ? Do you need a bigger Space ?? :D :D :o :y
Quote
BBC repotting a well covered subject, but, seems clamping is being outlawed in the uk as it is already in Scotland apparently :y

....seems the clampers are moving to ticketing instead, now I have personal experience of this, they take your reg and chase you via post, vey important and official looking letters, in fact mine was so official looking it raised my suspicions confirmed by a post of mine on here that the whole thing is 'dangle berries', you may remember the thread I got a ticket for parking across the lines in an empty BQ car park.

You all advised to ignore the whole thing iirc, ESP excellent advice from Kevin Wood. Meaning I just binned the letters, they where persistent, but nothing ever came of it. So what ever you do, official company or not, do not pay them, ever. Although some may prefer to just pay up, but that's what they bank on, literally.... >:(

There have been very few cases of companys taking people to court, they know there is no many in it going down that route.....

Title: Re: Clampers and parking fines
Post by: scimmy_man on 12 September 2010, 22:21:36
Boot on the other foot, my mate has a small carpark behind his shop, he runs a florists so the vans are in and out all day, often they come back to find someone parked to go to the shops or the local bank, he gets tickets for them parking on double yellows while looking for them,
he has been told he cannot clamp them but is considering dragging them out of the way.

some people take the p*ss, as they wont pay to park in the council park 200 yards away.
Title: Re: Clampers and parking fines
Post by: Martin_1962 on 12 September 2010, 23:34:42
Drag them onto DYLs

 ;D ;D
Title: Re: Clampers and parking fines
Post by: Unicornrider on 13 September 2010, 03:39:30
Quote
Boot on the other foot, my mate has a small carpark behind his shop, he runs a florists so the vans are in and out all day, often they come back to find someone parked to go to the shops or the local bank, he gets tickets for them parking on double yellows while looking for them,
he has been told he cannot clamp them but is considering dragging them out of the way.

some people take the p*ss, as they wont pay to park in the council park 200 yards away.

Wouldnt think twice...smash front and rear windows.

When the owner complains point them in the direction of a pay and display car park.

Regards clampers or really anyone you dont like...phone them up,when they answer place the telephone handset under a fire alarm or blow a whistle down the phone.

Im told the effects are most unpleasent.... ;D ;D
Title: Re: Clampers and parking fines
Post by: scimmy_man on 13 September 2010, 09:47:29
Wouldnt think twice...smash front and rear windows.


but then his vans get done?