Parking ticket

[angeldraws]

I cant sleep worrying about this, can anyone advise please?
On Monday we were in MFI and were issued with a parking ticket for parking in their car park and leaving the site. We most certainly DID NOT leave the site, and we spoke to the issuing organisation who advised us to get a member of staff to sign the ticket and then send it to them, which we did, along with a note to say we were there, as we could prove we were there at the time the ticket was issued.
This has now been rejected and they say the ticket is still payable by us as they reviewed it and according to their notes on hand held computer we were in 'contravention of the terms and conditions of the use of the car park.' We were definitely not - we were there 25 minutes in total, and parking is permitted for up to 90 minutes - but the only thing i can think of is that s/one was stood near our car and then walked off towards the town centre. If we had parked at MFI and cleared off into town then we would hold our hands up and say okay we were caught - our own fault.... BUT WE DIDNT DO THAT.
Im concerned that if we dont pay it and instead, see a solicitor we will go to court and end up paying more for soliciors and court costs etc.
Isnt it up to them to prove against our evidence? We dont even know what the notes said, but the attendant cant be too bright as he wrote the reason for issuing was 'Gone of site' (should be 'Gone OFF site').
Any advise please?
TIA

[Ethel]

If it is worrying you that much that you can't sleep the sensible solution is to pay it, and forget about it, and never do business with MFI again.

Very galling I know.

What does it say about appeals procedure? These things don't normally go to court like a police issued parking ticket can.

[meglet]

Why don't you contact MFI and complain to them about the actions of their parking contractor and see if they will intervene on your behalf? After all, if their heavy handed actions result in MFI losing custom they will no doubt reassess their contractor relationship.

[Ice.Maiden]

Unless they have CCTV showing you leaving the site, I'd personally stick to your guns. I'd also write to MFI and ask them to look at your situation again. I bet if you mentioned going to the newpapers about it, they'd change their minds.

[dustypuss]

I think They would have a very hard time proving there case. Contact the MFI manager tell him all and ask him for a letter I'm sure he/she will help .Resubmit your appeal and with a letter from the mfi manager. Dont pay to easily .

Iv just had another thought how would they prove that the car in question belongs to you . They can only use photos to prove a car was parked badly .They cannot use a photo to link u to the car .I Think that they have no case

[pond50]

you could always contact your local paper that seems to work

[fredpuli47]

Yes, get hold of the paper, with such evidence as you have and get them on to it. If MFI have any sense they'll give up as you are so obviously genuine and have a grievance. You're hardly the neighbourhood 'hoodie'are you ! MFI won't want the publicity, because they come across as bad however it reads. There's been a lot of fuss in the papers recently about the sharp tactics of these parking contractors and MFI won't want to be caught up in it.It sounds bad from here, so what it will seem like in the paper ....

[Whickerman]

Can i just ask - is this legal under UK law, and if so, what right has a private company got to follow the case up? In other words, i understand how a clamping can be enforced, but if they issue a ticket is it worth the paper it's written on, or will it just cause trouble when you next go to MFI?

[grasscarp]

Dont pay it. See what happens next. I personally would contact the manager of MFI, stating the facts and saying that if this is not resolved rapidly you will be contacting the local newapers. A lot of others have said the same here and it is probably the quickest way to sort it out, which is what is needed if it is upsetting you.

[innocenti]

Who actually owns the car park? Is it MFI? If so, then I cannot see how they can enforce this.

[angeldraws]

Hi - thanks for your supportive replies.
Just to answer a few points -

@ Ethel - sorry i dont think thats good advice, despite the worry i definitely am not paying it and wouldnt advise anyone to - thanks for taking the time tho....

@ Meglet - we did contact MFI, hence getting one of the staff to write the letter, but they (MFI) said the car parking is nothing to do with them - even tho its their site! They contract the parking out apparently.


@ dustypuss - we did get MFI involved - as above

@ all other repliers - good points here, thanks. I did email the organisation afterwards and they emailed back saying it had been a mistake and we had won the appeal with the fee being waived......so dont know what happened there!!!

[dustypuss]

little hitler's