Late collection fees.

[3ddisfun]

Dd1 and Dd2 attend the local secondary school and Dd3 is in afternoon nursery in a local primary. It is an unusual situation where the principal of the secondary is an executive head of the primary too.
On Tuesday it was the secondary parents evening. I booked slots to end some 35 minutes before Dd3 after-school club pick up time.
She probably attends on average once a month so is not a regular attendee but we always arrive some 10 minutes before pick up.
So Dd3 was in after-school club to enable me to concentrate on the older girls parents evening as dh was working away.
So despite having the first appointments possible we were delayed and ended up being 3 minutes late for pick up.
We have been charged £5.00 for this.
Aibu to have hoped that given my explanation and apology that this fee should have been waived.
I could understand if this was a common problem but it is the only time I have been late.
So AIBU to be disappointed and should I just pay the invoice or complain.

If you're late you're late. Doesn't matter why.

Don't be late

Just pay - they have to draw the line somewhere or people would just take the piss.

If you're late the fee applies.

They'll mean the time they advertised for closing, not a later time, as the one when the late fee kicks in. That way there's clarity and everyone knows where they stand.

Usually I agree with the late collection fee but it doesn't seem right in this situation - surely, if it's the same organisation they they can't charge when they make you late? For the sake of £5 I wouldn't make a fuss because they do still have running costs no matter who is at fault, but I wouldn't use it again.

It doesn't matter why you we're late, the fact is that you were late.

It's annoying I know, but you should pay and then move on and forget about it.

Every parent has a exceptional reason why and a hearty husky voiced treasury apology.. it's like the x factor back story's Every day

Your late you pay Doesn't matter why

Totally get why they have late fees however in this situation I think it's a bit odd to be honest.
Did you tell them why you were late?

We will pay but they have lost goodwill for the sake of a fiver.
Usually I collect 15 minutes before close. Will probably not bother rushing in future.
Apologies this is a duplicate thread. Internet playing up.