To ask for a contribution to a parking fine?

[Zenana]

I met a friend for drinks a fortnight ago who suggested a pub I was unfamiliar with. There was a car park behind. I received a £100 demand for parking where apparently shouldn't. Admittedly I didn't look at signs but as my friend lived nearby I took their word for it.

I picked up the friend from home and drove them back too. What do you think?

Your car, your responsibility.

definitely don’t ask your friend!

Check if you should have logged in at the bar. If you have proof that you purchased drinks or food you may be able to appeal, or talk to the manager.

You should have checked. Suck it up and learn from it.

As @Funkyslippers said why did the OP just take the friend's word for it. Lesson learned, find out for yourself what the parking charges are if you own the car and doing the driving! It's about owning your actions.

I’d look into whether they can actually enforce the fine but no wouldn’t ask the friend to contribute

Isn’t there normally a deduction for paying early?

Also, if the friend lives nearby, she probably never has to use it - so wouldn’t know the t&cs.

This is all on you OP. Unless you want to lose her as a friend, and give her a story that starts with: ‘OMG, I used to have a friend who…’

I don't think the police believe 'yeah but my friend said' and although the police were not involved I go by this

Owner is responsible

If she told you that you can park there because she’s familiar with the area then YANBU.

But if she didn’t know and you just took her word for it because you both wanted to park as close as you can then YABU.

Admittedly I didn't look at signs but as my friend lived nearby I took their word for it

You didn't look at signs. You are the driver. You are responsible for making sure you park correctly. You pay the whole fine

I wouldn't ask your friend, as its your responsibility to check.
Saying that, my daughter parked at car park which let you have so long free. We overstayed because the event didn't start till later than scheduled so we were late back. I transferred her half the fine, because I enjoyed the event too, abd she offered to drive. She didn't ask or expect it as she was the driver, but I had her bank details and did it anyway. I wouldn't have asked her for money either if I had been driving , as wasn't expected.

If she lives nearby, then she may well never park there so would have no idea about parking.

If she said to park there then I would mention it to her, so she doesn't recommend it to anyone else. If she didn't, then I wouldn't tell her.

Afraid it's on you.

But, having said that, do mention it and she may offer to split it (I would if I was your friend depending what specifically was discussed).

Is it the pub's carpark and you didn't realise you needed to validate the parking or something? Just if it is something like that you may be able to get the fine cancelled if your friend goes in and asks nicely. Worth a try.

It’s up to you to check that you can park there.

Unless the friend specifically said 'the car park is free so don't bother looking for signs to double check this' then no, it's down to you as the car driver.

I am sorry OP but it’s on you as driver. I hope she does contribute. I would in this situation as she benefited from the lift and parking.
The reactions here just reaffirm why I rarely offer lifts to others. At the end of the day doing someone else a favour often costs in terms of time and money. Not just fuel and parking, but unexpected costs like punctures and windscreens.

You have my sympathy as someone who can't stand the proliferation of private parking money spinners trying to catch people out all the time.

You have my sympathy too…..it’s so frustrating when you get a fine like this. However, it’s one of those things to just suck up.

You could mention the fact you’ve got the fine to your friend…..but if I were you and they then offered to pay half, I’d have to refuse the offer. I just couldn’t take the money from a friend for this. Bad luck things happen. You can’t always ‘share out’ the bad luck.

I know someone who was fined for parking in a pub car park but just didn’t see the signs to say you had to pay. They still had to pay.
If I was your friend, I would offer you half, but at the same time, if you were fined for going in a bus lane because your friend said it would be okay, would you still expect her to pay half? As the driver, you have to take responsibility. Sorry!

Pay the fine. You're responsible for your actions behind the wheel. Most car parks are mafia run, so it's your prerogative to check the signs and not get finessed

Don't just pay the fine, BTW. Post on pepipoo.com and see if anyone on there can see a loophole. That's what you'd do normally if you got a ticket, I hope! (You may not have heard of them, though - they are pretty wonderful with lots of helpful volunteers who will find you a loophole if there is one)

You were doing your friend a huge favour and presumably didn’t drink either?

I’d be checking if the fine was legal but I’d definitely ask for 50% contribution towards it, as a bare minimum.

Have you contacted the pub? I got a £100 parking ticket last week for parking in a gym car park (I wasn’t a member and was just there to use the spa). I phoned the gym reception and they cancelled the fine instantly.

What did your friend actually say though?

Drivers responsibility to check that it’s an ok place to park.

id never take anyones word for it and would always check myself.