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[going crazy]

I am in need of some help, so please let me know if I have any options.

Parked for 3-5 mins on double yellow lines near a popular shopping center in Hounslow while I poped into the super market to buy badgage for my little one.

My vechicle was clamped and I had to pay £320 as a clamping + release fee - needless to say I can't sleep...

Do I have any legal recourse? I have been doing some reading and the maximum they can charge is £75- is that true. I have a reciept and seeking advice. If there are any solictors on this forum and can help me if there is a possible case - I am happy to discuss.

Please let me know.
Thanks,

[Nickbat]

I am in need of some help, so please let me know if I have any options.

Parked for 3-5 mins on double yellow lines near a popular shopping center in Hounslow while I poped into the super market to buy badgage for my little one.

My vechicle was clamped and I had to pay £320 as a clamping + release fee - needless to say I can't sleep...

Do I have any legal recourse? I have been doing some reading and the maximum they can charge is £75- is that true. I have a reciept and seeking advice. If there are any solictors on this forum and can help me if there is a possible case - I am happy to discuss.

Please let me know.
Thanks,

That's absolutely outrageous.

Did you get a receipt for the payment?


It seems there are a few scams around. Have a read of this. 

http://www.arenaflowers.com/blog/2008/01/17/how-to-beat-car-clamping-scammers-and-save-300/

It seems you may be right that £75 is the maximum under the Code of Practice, but i am not a lawyer. 

[Nickbat]

...and check out the link to penalty charges on the penultimate line of that article.

Good luck, and let us know what transpires. 

[going crazy]

Nick,

Thanks for your prompt response. Yes, I read the link and hence I reckon there is some scope but not sure - I am not a solictor either.

Yes, I have a receipt and the guy was showing his badge all the time and I did call the number listed on the board and it was answered by a person.

The amount is definately outrageous. Had guests and my family in the car - not that it was parked dangeriously either...I was just round the corner and the usual line for payment ensured I had to pay this outrageous amount of money..

[Nickbat]

Nick,

Thanks for your prompt response. Yes, I read the link and hence I reckon there is some scope but not sure - I am not a solictor either.

Yes, I have a receipt and the guy was showing his badge all the time and I did call the number listed on the board and it was answered by a person.

The amount is definately outrageous. Had guests and my family in the car - not that it was parked dangeriously either...I was just round the corner and the usual line for payment ensured I had to pay this outrageous amount of money..

Was it a public road, or land owned by the shopping centre?

[Nickbat]

The people that charged you have definitely contravened the Code of Practice by charging more than £75. What that means from legal point of view, I am unsure.

It's late now, but I reckon that over the coming days, suggestions will be found to help you with this...well, let's call it daylight robbery, for I can't think of a better word.

[Vamps]

I have little sympathy for people who park on yellow lines and even less for those who park in disabled bays without a blue badge Something I see regularly in supermarkets and other private car parks.

[going crazy]

Nick,

Thanks for your prompt response. Yes, I read the link and hence I reckon there is some scope but not sure - I am not a solictor either.

Yes, I have a receipt and the guy was showing his badge all the time and I did call the number listed on the board and it was answered by a person.

The amount is definately outrageous. Had guests and my family in the car - not that it was parked dangeriously either...I was just round the corner and the usual line for payment ensured I had to pay this outrageous amount of money..

Was it a public road, or land owned by the shopping centre?

Will be looking for baord tomorrow, as of now I am not sure. There are counsil houses at the back of this road and is just off the high street - not sure if still owned by the counsil or belongs to the development company.

Day light robbery, I can't rest tonight as I am now concerned of the meeting my bills for this month...

[going crazy]

I have little sympathy for people who park on yellow lines and even less for those who park in disabled bays without a blue badge Something I see regularly in supermarkets and other private car parks.

Agreed I made a error of judgement and I made a mistake but I lost my mind with blood coming out of my little ones feet, still my mistake but I feel robbed having to pay 320..

[Vamps]

I have little sympathy for people who park on yellow lines and even less for those who park in disabled bays without a blue badge Something I see regularly in supermarkets and other private car parks.

Agreed I made a error of judgement and I made a mistake but I lost my mind with blood coming out of my little ones feet, still my mistake but I feel robbed having to pay 320..

I have to agree that that sounds an extortionate amount............And i would put my child first, regardless......

[Nickbat]

Nick,

Thanks for your prompt response. Yes, I read the link and hence I reckon there is some scope but not sure - I am not a solictor either.

Yes, I have a receipt and the guy was showing his badge all the time and I did call the number listed on the board and it was answered by a person.

The amount is definately outrageous. Had guests and my family in the car - not that it was parked dangeriously either...I was just round the corner and the usual line for payment ensured I had to pay this outrageous amount of money..

Was it a public road, or land owned by the shopping centre?

Will be looking for baord tomorrow, as of now I am not sure. There are counsil houses at the back of this road and is just off the high street - not sure if still owned by the counsil or belongs to the development company.

Day light robbery, I can't rest tonight as I am now concerned of the meeting my bills for this month...

Chill, mate.

There is no way that £320 is a fair price for a 5-minute parking contravention. You have not committed a major crime, FFS!

 

[Nickbat]

I have little sympathy for people who park on yellow lines and even less for those who park in disabled bays without a blue badge Something I see regularly in supermarkets and other private car parks.

Agreed I made a error of judgement and I made a mistake but I lost my mind with blood coming out of my little ones feet, still my mistake but I feel robbed having to pay 320..

I'm with you even more on on this. My childrens' well-being always comes first.

Let's get the b*stards that scammed you!

[Mr Skrunts]

I havent read the link that has been posted, but.......

Was there a displayed sign advertising the clamping fee's are thier proposed proceedure.

Also, are they allowed to clamp a vechicle that has people in in, I know the law says a vechicle cannot be towed away or lifted with people inside.

Also i would challenge the fact that they seemed to be waiting to "Pounce"  Did they ask any of the occupants any questions before clamping.

[Mr Skrunts]

I have little sympathy for people who park on yellow lines and even less for those who park in disabled bays without a blue badge Something I see regularly in supermarkets and other private car parks.

I am with you Mike, but there are times that I think people need to react using thier head or thier heart, rather than pounce for thier commision and reward at the end of the month, or the tittle of No1 bastard Clamper for a reward.  I recken this could be one of those cases, especially for the sake of 3 mins.  (But I will also add, I dont know how or where the car was parked, A £25 charge I would accept and absorb and put down to experiance, putting my childs welfare 1st, I would even suffer the £75, BUT £320.  Nah, fight it all the way, they are taking the wee wee)

[going crazy]

Was it a public road, or land owned by the shopping centre?[/quote]

Just verified is a private road

I was fined at 13:50 and the payment and everything was done by 14:11
Now, I would have parked there around 13:45.
As it is private road and the notice properly displayed I have a bad feeling I will have to live with it but I am not able to cope with this personally - cant get it out of mind or stopping thinking about it.