Parking fine: what do you reckon?

[winkywinkola]

So I took the dog to the specialist vet in Abingdon.

I don't know Abingdon but ds3 and I needed some lunch whilst the dog had surgery.

We went to Macdonald's. Parked in the car park. Ds3 had fallen asleep. So I sat in the car and waited for him to wake up. When he did, we went into Macdonald's to have a spot of lunch. No problem. Or so I thought.

I got a letter today from a parking company saying I had stayed longer than 90 minutes, it is private land, there is signage saying 90 minutes is the limit and I need to pay £50.

They have sent photos of my car on a road apparently just before I turn into the car park and apparently leaving the car park.

Now I didn't see any signs stating this limit. There may well have been but I assumed it was Macdonald's and you can just park, eat, take your time etc.

I've appealed this fine. What do you think my chances are? I've also emailed Macdonald's Head Office. I thought that if I don't ask, I don't get!

I never eat at Macdonald's! I have a dirty burger like once a year and it's cost me £50 on top of a £7 meal. Typical!

Don't pay it until you have googled BBC McDonald's illegal car park fines.
It is a question of holding your nerve. I refused to pay and I never did. It takes nerve though.

I've just got one for overstaying in a free car park by 12 minutes. (Was at my first Slimming World meeting and had no idea it'd go on so long!)

I've looked up on MSE and other forums and found conflicting advice as to whether to ignore completely or contest it. Well, I don't have £55 at the moment so I guess that's that one answered anyway.

Well I've contacted the Macdonald's in question and they told me to speak to the manager tomorrow. He will deal with MET if needs be.

Thank you for input.

My husband had one of these from MET parking and we just ignored it. Many letters, ambiguously worded letters from so-called bailiffs and solicitors later, they went away.

The advice is to not engage. Don't try to explain or advocate for yourself. Just ignore them and they go away eventually.

I'm currently in your situation and I refuse to pay for overstaying in a half empty retail park car park where I spent £100 plus on shopping. I refuse to engage with them on any level. They are not the council or the police and they have as much authority as my window cleaner to issue a fine for so called losses

Don't pay it! Exact same thing happened to me! Rather than go through the company who the fine has come from i telephoned the mcdonalds branch and spoke with the manager. They were really good and cancelled the fine. Good luck x

Yee har! Ticket cancelled by Macdonald's manager.

Thanks all.