To not let car out until the morning

[AKAanothername]

Had a phone call earlier this evening, someone has parked in our private office car park without permission and everyone in the office has now left, locked the gates and the car is stuck in the car park.

The phone call came as we were in the middle of cooking dinner and about to settle down with a nice glass of wine. We have offered to meet them at 8am tomorrow to let them out, they were not happy.

AIBU to think that if you can't be bothered to pay for the public car park across the road and decide to park in a small courtyard where the signs clearly say 'no unauthorised parking' then there is a good chance the gate may be locked and you won't be able to retrieve your car?

I would have said served you right see you when I’m back at work.

Definitely their own fault.

It's happened to me 3 times (hmm, I never learn )

All in public car parks - all different ones in different towns. Twice had to pay for an overnight stay in a town I was visiting, the other time within a mile of my then boyfriend's home, so we walked.

Bloody annoying, but the signs were there, just didn't think to read them.

You can’t possibly drive to let them out if you have had a drink

bang on correct.

I'd offer an early release for £200 otherwise they can wait until new year

We used to block in people who parked in our car park. Our team had about 6 spaces for 16 staff, so if one was occupied by a member of the public, it was a real pain in the arse. Reception used to "try" and track us down, but we were often unavailable.

One day, I arrived to see a family getting out of a car in one of our spaces, unloading bags and buggies and stuff. I asked if they were visiting our service, and they said they were just going to the park next door for a picnic. I pointed out that they were in a private car park and that the spaces were for staff only and visitors by arrangement. They got proper indignant, saying "But we're only going over there" and such like.

I told them that they were at risk of getting blocked in and that they might have wait till 5 or even later to get out. They decided to move their car and asked where else they could park.When I said there was on-street parking just round the corner, they guy said "But we'd have to pay for that", all indignantly. Cheeky freeloading fucker.

OP please update us tomorrow, I’m guessing late and no apologies....

In fairness, no alcohol had actually been drunk when we got the phone call but it was about to be. DH was cooking risotto, he'd used wine in the cooking and I was about to pour a glass for everyone.

YANBU.

As has been mentioned already, they are lucky you're not making them wait until Monday morning.

Good on you for standing your ground. Cfs.

No need to explain yourself.
The idiot shouldn’t have parked there.
No power game, just people have to understand that if they park where they aren’t supposed to, you are at the mercy of someone else.
Carry on enjoying your evening and wine.

Please don't let them out until Monday

Waiting for the 8am update

I wouldn't have blamed you if you'd quickly had a sip or two of wine whilst on the phone.

How did they get in touch with you? It's really bad that they got hold of your home number.

Placemarking for an update

Waiting... 😂

Friends of ours were plagued by parking problems created by a local sporting venue and they saw one cheeky wottsit parking on their drive. When they asked him to move it 'or he would be sorry' they got a load of abuse. They then locked their gates and went off on their three week holiday and of course none of the neighbours had any keys when the parker banked on their doors. He threatened to sue for 'false imprisonment' as they could have told him that their house would be unoccupied for three weeks.

Has he let the car out yet @AKAanothername

All very uneventful, she turned up, was suitably apologetic and DH unlocked the gates for her.

She got the phone number because the hairdressers next door have a back door that opens into our car park, they let her through to get stuff out of her car, there's a board on the wall in the car park saying no unauthorised parking and it's got DH's mobile number in case of problems.

Did she explain why she parked there ?

This happened to my daughter - but opposite way around - her boyfriend parked in a shop car park that was locked up about 8pm. They couldn’t get his car back until the next morning. I had to go and pick her up and her boyfriends dad had to pick him up and then take him all the way back the next morning (we all live quite a long way from town). It was very much a lesson learned for them about reading signs and taking them seriously etc as they also had to deal with annoyed parents. They were only 17 and just starting out driving.

So I don’t think you were wrong to make them wait til the next day - hopefully will be a lesson learned for them too, especially if you tell them you might have been away til you reopened in Jan!

This has happened to me once parked in a private car park . I was rushing not looking at the signs and I'd not been driving long . Luckily security guard let me out . It was a lesson learned never did it again . At least she was apologetic you did the right thing letting them get the car next morning. A bit mean of others to say wait till Monday , it was a mistake I'm sure they learnt their lesson they had to get up early today to collect car .

Did she give an excuse for having parked in a private car park?

It wouldn't have been mean to make them wait untill Monday if this happened to me I wouldn't be available untill at least Tuesday due to commitments. If they park there they carnt expect others to rearrange things to suit them.

Well hopefully it will make her think about where she parks in the future! X