Grumpy Old Men - again

[dkightley]

I'm really annoyed!!!!!

Received an invoice from the car hire company Thrifty for an administration fee of £42 to cover an alledged parking offence at Telford Services (on the M54). The invoice is stamped "Paid by credit card. Thank you".

I did hire a car from them over Christmas and paid by credit card....but it seems they think they can carry on using the number for unauthorised charges!! They can't now, though! I've cancelled the card!

And the alleged parking offence is by Parking Eye, a private car parking management company. The notice shows a timed photo of the car I was driving entering the services at 9:24 on Xmas Eve...and another totally useless photo of a car leaving the services at 4:52....and the alleged offence is parking for over 7 hours, in breach of the posted charges.

Now I did park in the services....twice! Once on my way to Aberystwyth to pick my daughter up....and once on the way back..and for no longer than it takes to have a cup of coffee. And it seems they think I stayed there all day!!! So now I have to argue the toss with Thrifty about trying to get my £42 back...and stop them from hounding me with these false....and illegal...invoices from Parking Eye.

[Easilyconfused]

Talk to the credit card company Doug. That shifty outfit has been ripping people off left right and centre for years using the same scam - dodgy number plate reading kit that misses people leaving the site the first time and then gets you on the second visit.

All the more reason I refuse to stop on journeys. I can do Bristol - Barrow-in-Furness in one hop or Newcastle or Stowmarket for that matter.

Google for the parking company - you will find a litany of similar cases and advice on how to fight it. Bad publicity for Thrifty would be a good starting point as well - make sure other potential customers know that they make unlawful deductions on credit cards without card holders express consent.

[douglee]

Hi Doug,
May be not, but did the 7 Hours mean you could not have possibly got the Car back at the time you did.
If you see what I mean.
Will the BBC Watch Dog team be interested. It does not have to be on air.
Good luck
Doug

[dkightley]

The two "timed" events are quite plausible...and the times appear to be reasonable for the two stops.

I've already been in touch with my credit card company....who have cancelled the card and are sending me a new one.

My next port of call is Thrifty's local hire centre....where I will see how helpful they might be!

[douglee]

Hi Doug,
This is relevant, don't know if it will help any.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-12224075
Good luck
Doug

[dkightley]

Had a result that has removed a lot of stress....

I called the services and asked to speak to the manager, and fairly quickly I was speaking to a very helpful and understanding site manager. Almost immediately I had explained what had happened, she apologised for me having been sent the "fine" as it was obviously an error, took the code number and promised to cancel it immediately. After explaining I had been charged by the hire car company, she offered to send me a refund of the amount I was charged and took my details.

[davejc64]

Had a result that has removed a lot of stress....

I called the services and asked to speak to the manager, and fairly quickly I was speaking to a very helpful and understanding site manager. Almost immediately I had explained what had happened, she apologised for me having been sent the "fine" as it was obviously an error, took the code number and promised to cancel it immediately. After explaining I had been charged by the hire car company, she offered to send me a refund of the amount I was charged and took my details.

Hi Doug,

Excuse me for being cynical, but I wouldn't celebrate just yet if I was you, not until you have the cheque in your bank account and cleared, sometimes when you put someone on the spot on the telephone they will tell you anything just to get you off, I should know I've been on the receiving end of such tactics many a time and you can bet if you phone them back to ask where there cheque is they promised you it will always be a different person you will speak to who will say " They shouldn't have told you that.".

with regards,

Dave

[dkightley]

Excuse me for being cynical, but I wouldn't celebrate just yet if I was you......

O ye of little faith!

A letter arrived this morning from the site manager of the services. The letter apologised for the whole incident and contained a postal order for the full amount of the administration fee.

When wronged, its nice to know that going about trying to rectify the situation in a polite and reasonable manner can end up with a good result.

Will I visit the services again? Yes! And I might even try to speak to the site manager in person to thank her for being so professional.

[davejc64]

Hi Doug,

I'm pleased to hear that everything worked out for you in the end, perhaps the Manageress thought they had made enough money out of the people who chose not to complain.

with regards,

Dave.

[dkightley]

perhaps the Manageress thought they had made enough money out of the people who chose not to complain.

You're way too cynical for me.

I'll steer clear of you if you don't mind. I value my sanity too much.

[oldrocker]

And I might even try to speak to the site manager in person to thank her for being so professional.

Look out! Doug's on the pull.

She'd better be alert !

[dkightley]

I never thought of that!

[terrycunliffe]

She'd better be alert !

I would of thought Doug would prefer her to be a lady

( I can hear the "groans" all the way up here ..... I'll now go get me coat......)

[douglee]

Hi All,

I would of thought Doug would prefer her to be a lady

As long as 'she' is not a Little Britain ""Ladyeeee"".

Good luck
Doug

[stephenholmes]

Hello Doug
Glad everything was sorted out
This could be the lady in question
Kind regards Stephen