euro carparks

[ShepherdMoons]

I took my two dds to a free trial at a local gym. We spent just over three hours there and didn't really think anything of it at the time. The girls enjoyed it and we have been thinking about joining up as a family. We weren't told that we couldn't spend longer than 3 hours there !

I've received a Euro Car Parks notice today for £100 asking me to pay this fine or be taken to court. I rang the gym and asked them if I could have proof of the trial but they said there's nothing they can do. I'm horrified! On top of massive costs for our rent and bills now we have to pay £100. Gym basically washed their hands of this saying that the gym and car parking is completely separate.

AIBU to not pay this? I've already appealed this saying I had no idea we would be charged and it wasn't made clear to us not to go over three hours.

Were there signs up?

Be really careful with this. No matter what your reasoning, if there were signs up you are liable. My DP did the same in appealing in a private car park outside the gym, got absolutely nowhere and ended up with a CCJ. All because he felt he was in the right. Ultimately over £1.50. The initial fine was £80 and how he wishes he’d just paid it in the first place. If the sign states it, pay up. It’s not worth the hassle if you need any kind of credit/mortgage etc.

I agree, sadly these companies are horrible. I parked in our local Sainsbury car park and they had signs up but I don't normally shop there and thought as long as we had our receipt it would be okay.

I appealed but paid nearly double at the end due to threats and the stress..I paid. I also gave evidence of disability badge as it takes us longer to shop due to eldest dc being disabled. I have to get the wheelchair in and out, I have other dcs too.

They don't care, my appeal was lost and I should have just paid. They are vile these companies.

Will they reduce it if you pay quickly, as they usually do?

Three hours doesn't seem that long for a gym if you're going to get changed, do a work out, swim, steam, get changed again, go to a cafe, look in the shop if they have one, I would have thought that people would often go over especially if they have DC to get changed as well.

I agree that it might be more hassle than it's worth trying to appeal unfortunately. But I'd definitely be put off joining that gym and be telling them why.

I would advise to just pay. I am sure if you go back to the carpark there will be a sign which describes the rules.

I know it doesn't seem fair. But with CCTV and numberplate tracking you have to be so careful.

It's a shame and so ironic because it was a free gym trial so should not have cost anything. I could have joined another gym for £100 or treated my dds to a nice time somewhere else.

I've told the manager at the club that I won't be joining for this reason. I would have thought that confirmation that I was using the club on a trial basis and not parking for shopping would have helped but apparently not. The club basically don't care.

I've appealed but tempted now to pay it because they said it can take up to 35 days for someone to come back to you about an appeal. Charges might also rise in that time!!

That's weird. I used to go to a gym with such a car park, but they was an iPad thing where you logged your numberplate when you arrived, and you didn't have to worry about the parking limit.

I’ll be honest, I’d probably just pay and put this down to experience. The amount of time you’ll spend trying to resolve it, and then probably end up paying, mean that it won’t be worth it.

There was probably a sign. Have you been back to look?