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[zirk]

Received in the post, £90 parking fine for parking in there Store whilst doing a 15 min shop in there. 

Turns out they changed the rules recently, you have to declare your Reg Number at the till or face a fine. WTF. been shopping there for years, news to me. 

The Parking is subcontracted out to a third party, just been on the phone to them, waste of time, been told to contact Lidl for them to reverse the ticket, whilst on the phone I asked them to provide evidence of the agreed Contract I supposedly had them, the bird just laughed and said pay the fine or contact Lidl sir. 

On the phone to Lidl, they saying submit proof of shopping (ie Receipt, which I dont have anymore and yes I paid cash) and they may consider it as its a new policy at the Store.

I also asked Lidl,
1. Why was I not informed at the Till that I could face a fine for parking in the Carpark,
2. Do I get fined if I walk in the Store, look around, dont buy anything and walk out again (Ive actually done this when looking for Specials but are out of stock)
3. Why do they need my Reg Number at the till, this is personal data information, what is it being used for other than to confirm Im parked in your carpark but you already know that from the ANPR Cameras.
4. Why was I not informed of your Parking Fine Policy before walking into the Store to Shop.

No answers other than, you have to write to us.

Sodding thieving robbers, should I just ignore this, can it be enforced?

[05omegav6]

Think now they're enforceable 

Search Martin Lewis car park fines for upto date advice

[Kevin Wood]

Just write to the store manager politely telling him he can foxtrott oscar if he thinks you've ever going to walk into his shop again. Follow up with a letter in the local rag.

[Kevin Wood]

Think now they're enforceable 

Search Martin Lewis car park fines for upto date advice

Agreement not being clearly communicated to the driver is a reason for giving them the bird, that's for sure.

[johnnydog]

The first point to check is whether there were any signs clearly visible in the car park informing users of the regulations. If not, and there were no signs in the store entrance informing customers of the requirements, then I would certainly challenge it.

[zirk]

Im F£$%^%$g furious, going back to the store now, to speak to the Manager, dont have a reciept for that day, but just collected all the 5p and 10p Lidl bags I have in the kitchen that Ive collected over the years, probably got around 25+, just wondering if there all going to fit up the Managers rectum.   

[zirk]

Just been handed a Mug of Tea and under orders to calm down before leaving the house, and breath,. will visit the shop this afternoon. 

[Shackeng]

Just been handed a Mug of Tea and under orders to calm down before leaving the house, and breath,. will visit the shop this afternoon. 

Don't forget to register at the til.

[Varche]

The mug of tea is a good idea. I can understand why you are furious. That is the sort of thing I left Britain to escape from.

You might feel good about shouting at the manager but you won't get your £90 back. Present your evidence of being a good shopper. (e.g. your bags) ask why there isn't a prominent sign, You could even draw up a list of things you bought on that trip and ask him to get one of his/her staff to trawl through till receipts for that day looking for yours. (they won't but it might help).

If that fails then take a notebook with you and make notes of what the manager said, their name and time etc. Then find the name of someone at head office and take it up with them.

I recently took on Orange here in Spain because they lost my SIM card during their faulty dongle changeout process. Didn't achieve anything other than use a lot of peoples time. They never even offered to refund the money they made me pay. I shall not be complaining again or using Orange ever again. It did however register on number of complaints.

[johnnydog]

Before you give the Store Manager both barrels, more often than not, the supermarket don't own the land that the store is on. Parking is usually enforced on behalf of the company who own the land, and the store company (Lidl in this case) have no say in the matter whatsoever and any enforcement. The store often offers to pay any parking fee on production of the parking ticket as a goodwill gesture as paying to park when you are shopping goes against the grain, and joe public don't always realise that the parking enforcement is nothing to do with the supermarket themselves.

[STEMO]

The first point to check is whether there were any signs clearly visible in the car park informing users of the regulations. If not, and there were no signs in the store entrance informing customers of the requirements, then I would certainly challenge it.

I agree...signage is the key to this. When you visit, take pictures of any signs that are in place, they have to conform to certain rules. If they do conform, you are at the mercy of Lidl.

[zirk]

Ok, thanks all for your comments, Ive calmed down now            ........I think. 

Just hope I dont meet some Jobs Worth on my visit back there.

Anyway, now for for something completly different, In Tomorrows News..........       

[johnnydog]

A lot used to depend on whether it is council owned land or private land, and previously on private land the notice could be ignored dispite threats of county court action, or you could make an offer to pay what would be deemed as reasonable i.e. £5, to prevent any further action, but unfortunately a recent court case changed the private land side of it stating that a penalty of £85 for an infringement is reasonable (maybe on a County Court judges wages - certainly not mine, but that's another story). So unfortunately, if the signs are in place then it's looking like you may have to stump up if Lidl themselves don't sort it.
Council owned land is still the same - they have you by the short and curlies and there's very little you can do. All the exemptions are on most Council parking websites.
I've been through this on three occasions in recent years - two were mine, one my wife's. I was successful on the first on private land, the second on council property I had to pay, and the wife's on private land was after this Court ruling, so again, we decided to pay as it now just can't be ignored as previously.

[Nick W]

Ok, thanks all for your comments, Ive calmed down now            ........I think. 

Just hope I dont meet some Jobs Worth on my visit back there.

Anyway, now for for something completly different, In Tomorrows News..........       

I've attended many incidents like that, and they share a number of features: a driver who was at least 80; an automatic car; a heart attack  caused by the car reaching second gear in a car park(now you know that mankind can't survive at excessive speeds!); and the witnesses all claiming that "It sounded like a dragster at Santa Pod" although I've never heard a Perodua Kenari sound like a top fueler.

[Crazycarzowner]

Best advise is on here, don't ignore it, send a letter as per the template, looking at the responses all the ones I've seen had the ticket cancelled. 


http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=4816822

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Received in the post, £90 parking fine for parking in there Store whilst doing a 15 min shop in there. 

Turns out they changed the rules recently, you have to declare your Reg Number at the till or face a fine. WTF. been shopping there for years, news to me. 

The Parking is subcontracted out to a third party, just been on the phone to them, waste of time, been told to contact Lidl for them to reverse the ticket, whilst on the phone I asked them to provide evidence of the agreed Contract I supposedly had them, the bird just laughed and said pay the fine or contact Lidl sir. 

On the phone to Lidl, they saying submit proof of shopping (ie Receipt, which I dont have anymore and yes I paid cash) and they may consider it as its a new policy at the Store.

I also asked Lidl,
1. Why was I not informed at the Till that I could face a fine for parking in the Carpark,
2. Do I get fined if I walk in the Store, look around, dont buy anything and walk out again (Ive actually done this when looking for Specials but are out of stock)
3. Why do they need my Reg Number at the till, this is personal data information, what is it being used for other than to confirm Im parked in your carpark but you already know that from the ANPR Cameras.
4. Why was I not informed of your Parking Fine Policy before walking into the Store to Shop.

No answers other than, you have to write to us.

Sodding thieving robbers, should I just ignore this, can it be enforced?

Had the same problem at Aldi.

1. Ask to see the manager and tell him you are a regular customer.
2. Tell him the approximate time you did your shop and the approximate amount you spent.
3. If helpful he will then find a till receipt (probably not yours) for the correct time and amount.
4. Submit copy of till receipt to the private parking company.
5. All charges should then be dropped.

The manager I spoke to at Aldi was very helpful. He simply disappeared for a couple of minutes and returned with a till receipt. This must be yours, he said.



 
3.

[johnnydog]

Best advise is on here, don't ignore it, send a letter as per the template, looking at the responses all the ones I've seen had the ticket cancelled. 

I think you will be fighting a losing battle even with a letter if the car park is run by ParkingEye or similar cash hungry companies. If Lidl themselves own the land, then maybe, but I doubt they do - not with having a system like that in place.

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Best advise is on here, don't ignore it, send a letter as per the template, looking at the responses all the ones I've seen had the ticket cancelled. 

I think you will be fighting a losing battle even with a letter if the car park is run by ParkingEye or similar cash hungry companies. If Lidl themselves own the land, then maybe, but I doubt they do - not with having a system like that in place.

Parking Eye are bastards. However, once they  received a copy of the till receipt they had no choice but to drop all charges.

[Crazycarzowner]

Best advise is on here, don't ignore it, send a letter as per the template, looking at the responses all the ones I've seen had the ticket cancelled. 

I think you will be fighting a losing battle even with a letter if the car park is run by ParkingEye or similar cash hungry companies. If Lidl themselves own the land, then maybe, but I doubt they do - not with having a system like that in place.

Not looking at some of the recent replies one below April 2016....

Hi all, I have had my parking charge from Lidl through Athena cancelled recently.

I overstayed by 18 minutes and explained my situation via email and reiterated I am a regular and loyal customer and did not feel the charge should be upheld. I sent to the CEO, copying in the Customer services manager and Athena themselves.

Lidl confirmed they've asked for the charge to be cancelled and highlighted the rules: Thank you for taking the time to contact our Managing Director. Mr Gottschlich has asked that I respond to you on his behalf.

As you are probably aware, Lidl UK GmbH is a national retailer. As such, we have stores in locations with limited parking space and in common with many of our competitors, our store car parks are abused to a significant and detrimental extent. We have therefore judged it necessary to take measures so that our stores parking facilities are available first and foremost to our customers.

In order to ensure that sufficient parking spaces are available at all times to our customers, Lidl employs third party contractors to monitor and control our car parks. So far, this service has proved reliable and effective in reducing car park abuse and in freeing up spaces for our customers.

I can advise that the system in this store allows 10 minutes free parking, however genuine customers should give their car registration number to the Cashier, this will then allow the full allocated time of free parking.

In light of your comments, I have contacted Athena and have requested that this charge be cancelled. Please note, your comments regarding our parking restrictions have been noted and passed to the relevant department.

Thank you again for contacting us.

Yours sincerely,
For and on behalf of Lidl UK GmbH


Laura Johnston
Customer Service Management.

[annihilator]

My local lidl doesn't do this but they are undergoing redevelopment so maybe they'll start after it's finished.
John.

[redelitev6]

  Bit of a worry this as I sometimes pop into our local Lidl just for a nose at the tools , hope the sods don't try something similar here

[ted_one]

I delegate all shopping responsibilities to SWMBO

[Mister Rog]

They've been doing this for some time at my local Lidl. Fact is a LOT of people used to park there and go to the Town Centre shops and even park there for their work. I know this, I've seen them, lots of them. This resulted in no parking spaces for customers. A couple of time I was completely unable to park to park to use the shop, but not since the cameras. Sorry, I fully support the system, providing they do it properly.

In this Lidl, there is loads of signage, but always everyone is asked their reg no when paying. Even if you only know part of it they can look it up. This only kicks in 10 minutes (I thinks it's 10) after the car was registered by the CCTV.

Down here parking is ridiculously cheap in public car parks. But even so people are so tight they will go to enormous lengths to avoid paying anything at all. A local church near the town became disused, and in no time at all the grounds were full of cars every day.

My advice, do not go storming in looking for a confrontation. Be cool, calm, collected, and polite. Far more likely to get a result.     

[05omegav6]

I delegate all shopping responsibilities to SWMBO

Best way...

[TheBoy]

I delegate all shopping responsibilities to SWMBO

Best way...

I had to look it up on the internet.  Apparently girlies have to go to this warehouse type buildings...  ...and stuff doesn't grow in fridges...

[ted_one]

That confirms the rumour,and thus  we can keep the status quo

[Mister Rog]

That confirms the rumour,and thus  we can keep the status quo

So, it therefore seeme that only Zirk and Myself are wimpy enough to have have been browbeaten into doing shopping 

[05omegav6]

That confirms the rumour,and thus  we can keep the status quo

So, it therefore seeme that only Zirk and Myself are wimpy enough to have have been browbeaten into doing shopping 

Well... you live 200 miles from anywhere, you're wife doesn't drive and Asda won't deliver to Wales...

Not sure what Zirks excuse is

[Andy B]

That confirms the rumour,and thus  we can keep the status quo

So, it therefore seeme that only Zirk and Myself are wimpy enough to have have been browbeaten into doing shopping 

I push the trolly around ASDA .... does that still count? 

[bored bigyin54]

Received in the post, £90 parking fine for parking in there Store whilst doing a 15 min shop in there. 

Turns out they changed the rules recently, you have to declare your Reg Number at the till or face a fine. WTF. been shopping there for years, news to me. 

The Parking is subcontracted out to a third party, just been on the phone to them, waste of time, been told to contact Lidl for them to reverse the ticket, whilst on the phone I asked them to provide evidence of the agreed Contract I supposedly had them, the bird just laughed and said pay the fine or contact Lidl sir. 

On the phone to Lidl, they saying submit proof of shopping (ie Receipt, which I dont have anymore and yes I paid cash) and they may consider it as its a new policy at the Store.

I also asked Lidl,
1. Why was I not informed at the Till that I could face a fine for parking in the Carpark,
2. Do I get fined if I walk in the Store, look around, dont buy anything and walk out again (Ive actually done this when looking for Specials but are out of stock)
3. Why do they need my Reg Number at the till, this is personal data information, what is it being used for other than to confirm Im parked in your carpark but you already know that from the ANPR Cameras.
4. Why was I not informed of your Parking Fine Policy before walking into the Store to Shop.

No answers other than, you have to write to us.

Sodding thieving robbers, should I just ignore this, can it be enforced?

cant be enforced unless police or council one treid it with me didnt pay it  heard nothing

[Andy B]

....
cant be enforced unless police or council one treid it with me didnt pay it  heard nothing

Likewise after an Omega meet at Ellesmere Port services ...... but that was years ago and as Al suggested, I think things have changed since then 

[biggriffin]

I delegate all shopping responsibilities to SWMBO

Best way...

I had to look it up on the internet.  Apparently girlies have to go to this warehouse type buildings...  ...and stuff doesn't grow in fridges...

I go for the pleasant scenery, 

[Kevin Wood]

I delegate all shopping responsibilities to SWMBO

Best way...

I had to look it up on the internet.  Apparently girlies have to go to this warehouse type buildings...  ...and stuff doesn't grow in fridges...

I go for the pleasant scenery, 

Problem is, Lidl are a bit tight with the refrigeration in the chiller aisle. Waitrose are a much better bet.

[zirk]

Well it looks like Im screwed, went to see the Manager who said He couldn't (wouldn't) do anything, its up to me to keep my receipts and prove I was shopping at the time. 

The Car Park is controlled by Athena, who according to the Manager are not known to budge on Parking Offences, The Manager also pointed out that they do not own the Land (Fairly sure they do, as it was a Vauxhall Dealer for donkeys years before closing down?). 

As you drive in theres a Temperary Tarpaulin Banner on the Wall in White and Beige, Headed Up "Free Parking for Customers", you really do need to get out of the Car and walk towards it before you can see in small print about registering your Car Reg at the Till on Checkout. 

Goingb to write to Lidl HO, but dont hold out much hope without proof of Shopping there. 

 

[STEMO]

If you can't read the sign easily and it's possible to park and shop without seeing it, then tell them (Athena) you are willing to go to court. Take pictures to back up your argument. Temporary tarpaulin banner sounds amateurish to me.

[Mr Gav]

.

If you can't read the sign easily and it's possible to park and shop without seeing it, then tell them (Athena) you are willing to go to court. Take pictures to back up your argument. Temporary tarpaulin banner sounds amateurish to me.

Agreed, I think there will be some regulations covering signage, I think it would be worth exploring this and taking a photo of the temporary tarp type sign for evidence if you do plan on going to court.