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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Ooh is this a parking CF?

39 replies

HappyMcflappy · 10/08/2022 19:58

10+ years lurking… First ever post!
so AIBU?
I have property in a town centre which happens to have 4 parking spaces. I pay a premium for them and for the majority of the time they are in constant use. Sometimes friends will text to ask if they can quickly park there whilst running errands etc which I’m always happy for them to do so. I’m not at all precious if there is a space available and they understand they could get blocked in. However I’ve recently received this email from a total stranger. Absolutely no idea how they’ve got my email address.

“Dear Sir/Madam

I am writing in the hope you can help. I am getting married on (date) at (church). I was wondering you would be willing to allow a car for the wedding to park in a space of yours due to their being no private parking for the church.

If you could let me know.

Kind regards

Bride”

So AIBU to think she’s a bit of a CF? There’s on street parking directly outside the church, three car parks within 1 minutes walk and they’re all Pay and Display. I don’t want to give her a flat no in case there is a special reason she needs the parking. I’ve asked for more details, time and length of stay etc. Also asked if they are happy to be potentially blocked in temporarily as my spaces are a square divided into four formation. No reply yet.

OP posts:
BurscoughBooths · 10/08/2022 20:00

Why don’t you just say no?

HSKAT · 10/08/2022 20:01

God loves a trier!

I'm more concerned how she got your email 😂

Original poster
HappyMcflappy · 10/08/2022 20:07

@BurscoughBooths exactly what @HSKAT has said. I don’t know who gave her my email address. What if somebody passed it on to her because she has a very special reason for the parking request? I’m unsure of what the reason could be but I don’t want to say No if I could help in some way.

OP posts:
TempNameChangexx · 10/08/2022 20:12

Just say No - you don't want to be dealing with a potential Bridezilla
And, on the actual day, try and make sure all 4 spaces are full !

User478 · 10/08/2022 20:15

If there was a special reason she would have mentioned it in her unsolicited email.

SavingsThreads · 10/08/2022 20:15

Actually no I don't think it's CF at all!

Hollyhocksarenotmessy · 10/08/2022 20:16

It

wherearebeefandonioncrisps · 10/08/2022 20:17

I wouldn't respond.

ffsnotagainandagain · 10/08/2022 20:17

No I don't think it's a CF. She asked and didn't just do it

heymammy · 10/08/2022 20:20

If you want to say yes go ahead...and charge at least the same amount as the local on street parking.

If you can't be arsed then just say no. It could be a huge ball ache, especially if the car got damaged in any way whilst on your land.

Hollyhocksarenotmessy · 10/08/2022 20:21

It can't be anyone who really knows you who passed on your email address, or she wouldn't start 'Dear Sir/Madam'. @

I'd be worried someone at the church somehow got your email and will give it to all couples.

Or, where would someone see your address and email together on a form?

I'd be pissed off with someone, somewhere, breaching my data.

redskyatnight · 10/08/2022 20:22

Not really CFery. A CF would commandeer all 4 spaces for the wedding and then refuse to allow you to park your own car there on the basis that you were mean and selfish for ruining their wedding.

The request is pretty polite - can't see a problem.

NormalForNuneaton · 10/08/2022 20:23

I wouldn't say she's a CF because at least she has asked nicely if it would be possible BUT I would want to know how she got hold of my email .

Depending on that I might let her park there, after all it's not going to cost you anything and could make a big difference to them. Kind gestures, karma and all that...

HelloThereObiWan · 10/08/2022 20:24

I'd reply at least to ask how she got your email address. That's odd!

SavoirFlair · 10/08/2022 20:24

In your OP @HappyMcflappy you worded it “I have property in a town centre”… not “I live in a town centre”.

so is the property commercial or well known? Perhaps the so-called CF managed to find you the same way anyone could find you?

Re whether they are a CF, I would say a resounding no.

They are not.

being a CF means taking something that someone wasn’t comfortable offering and doing it wilfully.

this person has asked. They could have just parked! But they asked. So no. Not a CF. And you can say no.

Ponderingwindow · 10/08/2022 20:24

she asked, you can decline.

The reason is going to be that a bride hoped to have guaranteed parking as close to the ceremony as possible . It’s nothing special or surprising. No one wants to be worried about finding a place to park and potentially dealing with weather when they are trying to look perfect for their own wedding.

Fe345fleur · 10/08/2022 20:34

If it was me, I'd be interested in how she got my email address. Just in case one of your friends is handing it out telling everyone you are super generous with parking!

It is a bit cheeky, but no harm in her asking and you can always decline if you want to.

girlmom21 · 10/08/2022 20:35

She's not a CF. A CF would've just parked there with no consideration.

Hoppinggreen · 10/08/2022 20:37

Nothing wrong with politely asking.
If it’s not a huge inconvenience for you I might let her

WTF475878237NC · 10/08/2022 20:38

If she had a special reason she'd have said. She's just a bride and thinks that's special enough imagine. I'd say yes but send her a link to a charity you support and once she provides proof of a donation she could have the space.

godmum56 · 10/08/2022 20:38

I would ask where she got my email from...could this be an unfunny joke by a "friend?"

Fallulah · 10/08/2022 20:46

You can get the property owner’s details (including email address if supplied) for £3 from the Land Registry.

BettyOBarley · 10/08/2022 20:46

I don't think she's a CF, she asked politely in advance (although interesting where she got your email address from!).
They'll only be in church for 2 hours max with photos etc. Depending on the details I'd probably let them if it were me, good deed for the day and all that, as long as not massively inconvenient.

Original poster
HappyMcflappy · 10/08/2022 20:47

@SavoirFlair Yes it is both my workplace and my home. It’s my personal e-mail address she has got, not a business one and the business isn’t public facing or anything. The only people that know we are there are clients.
Okay, cool. Thank you everybody for clarifying she is not a CF. I’m always a yes person, always happy to help but this would be an inconvenience for my staff/clients. If it’s just a case of having guaranteed parking I’m
less inclined to help. If it’s for accessibility/disability reasons and the church not being able to facilitate that (I’m at the back of the church) I can make it happen but it will take some organising. Thank you everybody for your views.

OP posts:
Society · 10/08/2022 20:55

I think it is a bit CF. If there was a good reason they would have said. Have you asked where they got your personal email address from? That would put my back up right away. Something seems a bit dodgy really.