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AIBU?

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Original poster

To ask for a contribution to a parking fine?

274 replies

Zenana · 20/05/2023 10:11

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?

OP posts:
TimesRwo · 20/05/2023 12:33

arethereanyleftatall · 20/05/2023 12:30

@FlissyPaps
Did you miss the bit where the op detailed that it was the friend/passenger only who knew the location and told the op it was fine to park there? It would be quite odd for the op to say 'hold on, I don't believe you when you say it's fine to park here, let me just check the signs.'

Of course you would double check. It’s called be responsible…

And there are far more diplomatic ways rather than “I don’t believe you”!

EggInANest · 20/05/2023 12:33

Always your responsibility as the driver and I don't think you can ask.

But if I was your friend and you told me you got a ticket I would offer to go halves.

Is it not reduced for quick payment?

It is probably a 'parking charge' not a fine if it was private land / the pub car park. Can she nip over and check the T&C? If you needed to enter a voucher form the pub or something they sometimes accept on appeal if you can show you were a customer that day - e.g bank statement.

JenWillsiam · 20/05/2023 12:33

Were you in the venue associated with the car park?

FlissyPaps · 20/05/2023 12:33

arethereanyleftatall · 20/05/2023 12:30

@FlissyPaps
Did you miss the bit where the op detailed that it was the friend/passenger only who knew the location and told the op it was fine to park there? It would be quite odd for the op to say 'hold on, I don't believe you when you say it's fine to park here, let me just check the signs.'

No I didn’t miss that bit.

It wouldn’t be odd at all. If a friend told me a certain car park was ok to park in I would always check the signs, charges etc.

But the bit I am missing is how are there so many childish and entitled posters who clearly fail to take responsibility for themselves. The mind boggles.

I wouldn’t dare ask for a contribution for a parking fine for my vehicle which I am responsible for. Jesus bloody wept.

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe · 20/05/2023 12:34

FlissyPaps · 20/05/2023 12:24

No it’s not.

Show quote history

Yes, it is. Speed limits are mandatory and lawful. Parking fines not issued by the police or local authority, aren't.

OP, that's what you need to know - is it a parking fine from one of the cowboy companies or a local authority one? I think it must be from a private company.

Aprilx · 20/05/2023 12:34

Zenana · 20/05/2023 12:23

That's a silly analogy.

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I thought that was an excellent analogy.

cuppagreentea · 20/05/2023 12:34

Zenana · 20/05/2023 12:23

That's a silly analogy.

Show quote history

It's not.

You are responsible for the vehicle you are driving/parking. Don't try and blame someone else.

cuppagreentea · 20/05/2023 12:35

Just take accountability for your own actions OP

chickenwings2 · 20/05/2023 12:36

I've had this before and both myself and friend received fines after I told her it was free! Ended up having to pay for both because it was my misunderstanding. I would do this standard if in situation again - haven't been because I scrupulously check now - however has happened before with others and they haven't offered to contribute and I've taken note and never been that cool with them again

arethereanyleftatall · 20/05/2023 12:40

Yeah, you're not going to change my mind @FlissyPaps, as I'm sure I'm not yours. I will continue to think the passenger is a thoroughly shit friend if she doesn't offer half.

MayBeeJuneSoon · 20/05/2023 12:43

This reply has been deleted

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

TequilaNights · 20/05/2023 12:43

Can you see if the pub can squash it?

Newbutoldfather · 20/05/2023 12:48

@FlissyPaps ,

My mind ‘boggles’ at how many people don’t trust their friends!

If a friend of mine tells me something like this, I believe them. Why would I check?! Are your friends untrustworthy?

And I know my friends would also unreservedly offer to pay, but we would end up splitting.

sandyhappypeople · 20/05/2023 12:51

Technically it’s on you, but in fairness to your friend, a lot of the car parks near us have suddenly changed over to 2 hours only, but I only know that because I saw them putting the new signs up one day, they put them in place of the old signs so looks like nothing has changed, apart from the wording of course! Very sneaky.

if you used the facility that the car park was attached to you (or your friend if they live there) could take proof you were there and ask them to remove the fine? It’s worth a try? I’ve done it before when I went to a pub and put the wrong Reg in the machine!

vivainsomnia · 20/05/2023 12:51

This happened with my OH. He was driving. I told him it was ok to park in a specific spot (as free before April)...didn't realise it was already April.

Got a ticket, I paid it without querying it a second. It was totally fault and would have been annoyed if he felt the need to double check what I was telling him.

FlissyPaps · 20/05/2023 12:55

Newbutoldfather · 20/05/2023 12:48

@FlissyPaps ,

My mind ‘boggles’ at how many people don’t trust their friends!

If a friend of mine tells me something like this, I believe them. Why would I check?! Are your friends untrustworthy?

And I know my friends would also unreservedly offer to pay, but we would end up splitting.

It’s not about “not trusting friends” it’s about taking responsibility for your own actions. Double checking you are parking legally in a carpark you are unfamiliar with does not imply you think your friends are “untrustworthy”.

It’s baffling the amount of grown adults who think it’s acceptable to blame someone else for their own actions and consequences. Grow up.

Viviennemary · 20/05/2023 12:55

You should have logged your car reg number in.

arethereanyleftatall · 20/05/2023 12:57

To all the people who think it's entirely on the op to pay, I'm curious how your text convo would go...

Op 'oh no, you'll never guess what, I got a blooming £100 parking fine from that pub car park the other day.'

Normal good friends 'oh no op, I'm so sorry to hear that. I feel responsible tbh as I said to park there, can I pay/go half's?

CFs 'oh what a shame, you should have checked really, your responsibility. Anyway. Do you fancy going out for lunch next week? Can you pick me up at noon as I fancy a drink again. I know this other pub where it's fine to park.'

Newbutoldfather · 20/05/2023 13:00

@FlissyPaps ,

We will have to agree to disagree. If you check a friend’s word, by definition you don’t trust it.

Words are actions too and also need to be taken responsibility for. If I told my friend it was free to park and they got fined, I would pay the fine as it was totally my fault.

I think you are confusing law and ethics.

cuppagreentea · 20/05/2023 13:00

@arethereanyleftatall

It would go

OP: 'just to let you know the rules have changed and I got fined from parking in that pub car park the other day - didn't want you getting caught out if you go again'

Friend: oh that's shit thanks for letting me know - shall I pay half?

OP: no no don't worry it was my responsibility to check the signage.

WaltzingWaters · 20/05/2023 13:01

Zenana · 20/05/2023 12:22

I'm avoiding nothing, I'm just not glued to my phone to immediately reply to every question.

My friend said it's fine to park here, it's the pub car park. I'll certainly check in future.

For those asking, I always drive when I meet this particular friend because I don't drink in the daytime - they do.

Show quote history

If it actually was the pub car park, is it possible there was a machine to put your number plate in in the pub? If so, and you can prove you were customers there at that time, you may be able to appeal the fine.

Chocolateisnice · 20/05/2023 13:02

If I was the friend and I found out I would definitely offer to pay half.

cuppagreentea · 20/05/2023 13:03

Chocolateisnice · 20/05/2023 13:02

If I was the friend and I found out I would definitely offer to pay half.

Yes however I think that's completely different to the OP expecting the friend to pay half

Crazycrazylady · 20/05/2023 13:04

Yabu.
Read the sign .if someone tried to charge me for a parking fine for their shitty parking just cause they were meeting me. I'd tell them where to go.

JD90 · 20/05/2023 13:04

I actually did this to my partner accidentally recently. We went for a meal for my birthday, when parking I misread the times in the app and therefore didn't pay. Came back to a ticket. I felt awful and paid it as it was my stupid mistake. I'd suggest talking to your friend about it if they were the one who said it was okay to park there.