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AIBU?

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Original poster

Parking fine whilst at undertakers!

90 replies

january123 · 03/04/2023 10:13

Wrote a long post and lost it so I'll be brief.

One hour parking ticket purchased for 1st undertaker's meeting to discuss DM's funeral the day after she died unexpectedly. Big public car park, very quiet.

Without me thinking, the Meeting over ran by 10 minutes, I'm slapped with a ticket.

Appealed, gave circumstances, gave evidence, asked for a bit of compassion.
Just heard back - rejected Sad
Can pay £50 now or take it to ombudsmen, but if I lose fine will be doubled.

Worth appealing again or do I just suck it up? Funeral director also appalled and prepared to help.

OP posts:
Poppasocks · 03/04/2023 10:14

I would just pay but maybe take it to the media or something?

worried4698643 · 03/04/2023 10:16

Sorry for your loss. You would hope parking companies would have some compassion. However, legally they are correct-you parked for longer than you paid for.

I would pay the fine and draw a line under it.

weirdoboelady · 03/04/2023 10:16

post on pepipoo.com - you are supposed to have 10 minutes grace anyway if you paid for a ticket, I think. Loads of excellent volunteers there with lots of experience.

wtfisgoingonhere21 · 03/04/2023 10:17

@january123

I'm
Sorry about your mum.

What a crock of shit this country has come to eh

No compassion,circle of self for most now and it's a shit show.

dietcokelime · 03/04/2023 10:17

I know there's circumstances around the overstay that are extenuating, but the basic part is that you overstayed compared to what you'd paid for. If you don't want the legwork of appealing again, then for peace of mind it might be worth just paying it.

Personally I'd just pay so I didn't have to think about it again.

ApolloandDaphne · 03/04/2023 10:18

I think you just need to pay the fine. It's not really the car park owners fault that you have been bereaved and they are not obliged to show compassion. They are running a business. I am sorry for your loss.

Justyouwaitandseeagain · 03/04/2023 10:18

If you can afford, I would just pay. I would think your best chance for appeal is when the car park is in the wrong eg. Incorrect signage, broken machines, when you had returned within the time but mistakenly given a fine etc

sorry for your loss though 💐

StopFeckingFaffing · 03/04/2023 10:19

I can understand your frustration but I would just pay it and put it behind you

There is no guarantee a further appeal will be successful and you could probably do without the stress that might cause you

Kentlassie · 03/04/2023 10:19

Personally I would pay it and move on. Annoying and not a great display of compassion, but at the end of the day, you were over the time limit.

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 03/04/2023 10:20

I agree with the suggestion above. Pay it, but go the local press. You'll be quite likely to get your money back, and the car parking company will be called out for what they are.

BodenCardiganNot · 03/04/2023 10:22

Presumably the car park operators didn't know your circumstances. If it is a big public car park then you could have been anywhere (and not the undertakers).
I think for your own peace of mind, just pay it.

Colourfingers2 · 03/04/2023 10:23

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Nimbostratus100 · 03/04/2023 10:24

sorry for your loss, just pay, you are in the wrong.

Hoppinggreen · 03/04/2023 10:26

I am sorry for your loss and I think you were right to appeal.
However, it’s probably just best if you pay it now as you have more important things to think about and it could cost more

thenightsky · 03/04/2023 10:27

BodenCardiganNot · 03/04/2023 10:22

Presumably the car park operators didn't know your circumstances. If it is a big public car park then you could have been anywhere (and not the undertakers).
I think for your own peace of mind, just pay it.

They did know her circumstances because presumably it was on her appeal letter. Hmm

Topseyt123 · 03/04/2023 10:28

I'm very sorry for the loss of your mother and the circumstances you found yourself in. I certainly do think that more understanding could have been shown.

I would actually just pay the fine now, but would make it abundantly clear to the company concerned that you will be publishing your feelings about the way you have been treated on the local social media pages. Then do just that. Put it on the local FB pages, or on Twitter etc.

Does the car park company have their own FB page or Twitter account? Comment on there too. It may bring a response.

Newyeardietstartstomorrow · 03/04/2023 10:28

I am sorry for your loss. I think you just have to take it on the chin. You could make an equally valid argument when using a hospital car park but would not get anywhere. The only thing you could potentially do is ask the undertaker if they take a list of number plates to avoid their clients getting fined.

bloodywhitecat · 03/04/2023 10:29

weirdoboelady · 03/04/2023 10:16

post on pepipoo.com - you are supposed to have 10 minutes grace anyway if you paid for a ticket, I think. Loads of excellent volunteers there with lots of experience.

This. There is a 10 minute grace period in which they are not supposed to ticket you.

Arapawa · 03/04/2023 10:29

Just pay the fine OP. You have much more pressing issues to deal with at the moment. You don't need to deal with a parking fine.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 03/04/2023 10:29

I would pay it because unfortunately you did overstay and I don't see any grounds for appeal. You were right to let them know the circumstances and give them the opportunity not to be assholes, and it would have been nice if they took the opportunity to show a bit of human decency, but they chose not to.

I'm really sorry about your DM Flowers

Frabbits · 03/04/2023 10:31

For the sake of £50 I would just pay it. You did, gently, overstay your time.

MrsPinkCock · 03/04/2023 10:35

Well morally, it’s appalling. They could have shown some compassion. Particularly given the circumstances, I’m not surprised clock watching wasn’t your first priority.

However, legally it doesn’t matter and they’re within their rights to require payment if they want to.

It’s deeply unpleasant of them but honestly I would just pay it as you don’t seem to have legal grounds to appeal it.

I am sorry for your loss. It’s a horrible shock when your DM dies suddenly (I have been there too).

Laiste · 03/04/2023 10:38

Flowers sorry for your loss.

I would just swear a lot, pay it, and get on with your life.

You don't need the additional stress of this right now.

gloriousmulch · 03/04/2023 10:40

Technically you were over the time. It’s a bit shit of them to be so ‘letter of the law’ after you asked for compassion. But I think I’d just pay it and move on. Sorry for your sad loss.

pontipinemum · 03/04/2023 10:41

That is awful! I think I would probably just pay to put it all behind me now but they really should have cancelled your fine.

I've had one cancelled for an insignificant reason before, yours is very very valid!