Holiday Inn Shamefull Parking Policy

BBR

BBR

Suspended / Banned
Messages
1,546
Name
Brian
Edit My Images
Yes
I met with 3 colleagues at the Holiday Inn, Stoke for a coffee and a brief catch up.

Today I received a PCN for parking in the hotel car park without the correct permit! :mad:

Apparently there are signs up although none of us saw these (if they indeed exist). Just a warning to others. AVOID.
(Its a bit S**T anyway.)

I spend 2-3 nights away every week. Not hard to guess which hotel chain will not be getting our business in future.
 
I find it a weird UK thing where hotels hide behind another company running their car park and charging their guests for parking. It definitely wasn't always like that and has become a lot more prevalent in the last few years.

I tried to be principle about it as well, but as they are all doing it, it was pointless. I do argue it every time and most times they waive the car park fee.

However receiving actually a PCN for it takes it to a whole new level. I would not ignore it like many uk forums suggest. It is enforceable and it can go up. However your best point for defence would be the signage. If it isn't pay on entry or exit, but pay and display or over a certain duration like the motorway services started doing, then they argue you entered a contract. Naturally you only know if you entered a contract if the signage was clear.

I provided dashcam footage to them in my defends which clearly demonstrated that the signage wasn't reasonable and adequate. They agreed and apologised.
 
neil_g said:
pretty much all travel/premiere/holiday lodge/inns have restricted parking to be fair.
Click to expand...
Some do, and I have been given a car park pass to put in window on arrival on a few occasions, but so few that it is not the norm. Clearly it was not signed sufficiently as whatever the charge I would happily have paid as I could claim it back. Given that the other two drivers I met with didn't see it either, the waiter who 'served' us didn't mention it, seems like it is not well signed.
 
BBR said:
Some do, and I have been given a car park pass to put in window on arrival on a few occasions, but so few that it is not the norm. Clearly it was not signed sufficiently as whatever the charge I would happily have paid as I could claim it back. Given that the other two drivers I met with didn't see it either, the waiter who 'served' us didn't mention it, seems like it is not well signed.
Click to expand...
every one (and ive stayed in a few) have had signs and the reception ask for your reg no to avoid getting clamped/ticketed.
 
neil_g said:
every one (and ive stayed in a few) have had signs and the reception ask for your reg no to avoid getting clamped/ticketed.
Click to expand...
Well I only stay away 100+ nights a year, where parking is controlled its exactly as you say, or it is barrier controlled and you have to get token or a number for the keypad. However it is still not the 'norm' in my experience.
 
BBR said:
Well I only stay away 100+ nights a year, where parking is controlled its exactly as you say, or it is barrier controlled and you have to get token or a number for the keypad. However it is still not the 'norm' in my experience.
Click to expand...
not in my experience, most but premiere inn in particular for example have un-gated parking.
 
dejongj said:
I find it a weird UK thing where hotels hide behind another company running their car park and charging their guests for parking. It definitely wasn't always like that and has become a lot more prevalent in the last few years.

I tried to be principle about it as well, but as they are all doing it, it was pointless. I do argue it every time and most times they waive the car park fee.

However receiving actually a PCN for it takes it to a whole new level. I would not ignore it like many uk forums suggest. It is enforceable and it can go up. However your best point for defence would be the signage. If it isn't pay on entry or exit, but pay and display or over a certain duration like the motorway services started doing, then they argue you entered a contract. Naturally you only know if you entered a contract if the signage was clear.

I provided dashcam footage to them in my defends which clearly demonstrated that the signage wasn't reasonable and adequate. They agreed and apologised.
Click to expand...
Unfortunately I am too far away to get back to check for any signage, so I will have to swallow it and pay. However next time I'm passing near I will go in for a chat with the GM. Don't expect to get very far but it will make me feel better.
 
Don't underestimate the power of TP...Someone will be near or passing by. Was it the Holiday Inn that is just besides the motorway with that fusion asian restaurant on site? Unfortunately as an IHG Platinum member I do stay in a fair few and I think when Telford was full I had to go there once...
 
Don't just pay! Refute the charge with the parking company. Then take it to the POPLA appeals replacement. Not a genuine pre estimate of loss is the get rid of it phrase. That costs them £25 and the BPA £100. Also worth writing to holiday inn mentioning you stay away a lot and due to this ticket you won't be using their holiday inns again nor will anyone else in the same company. They'll probably cancel it immediately.

Also worth having a look on pepipoo and money saving expert as both these sites have lots of info on how to get these invoices over turned.

You were a genuine customer and if they offer free parking for genuine customers it is a nonsense to bill someone because they didn't fill in some form that you wouldn't know about if you a) hadn't seen the signs and b) the holiday inn staff you had contact with didn't mention it either.

Worth whacking a negative review on Trip Advisor as well.

Their twitter page: https://BANNED/HIStokeonTrent
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: BBR
The more people who cave in and just pay without a fight will just encourage them to hit it harder.
It's the people who just pay that are funding these parasites.
 
Donnie said:
Simply dont pay it! It's a PCN not a parking fine, they have effectively sent you an invoice for services!
Click to expand...
Very bad advice. It was correct several years ago, but it hasn't been for at least the last two years.
 
hypnotic said:
The more people who cave in and just pay without a fight will just encourage them to hit it harder.
It's the people who just pay that are funding these parasites.
Click to expand...
I don't think that is a fair comment. The time and effort involved in responding can totally out way the small charge. I seriously toyd with the idea of not fighting it as it would be cheaper for me to just pay it. But out of principle I did, provided the evidence and they agreed with me.
 
dejongj said:
Don't underestimate the power of TP...Someone will be near or passing by. Was it the Holiday Inn that is just besides the motorway with that fusion asian restaurant on site? Unfortunately as an IHG Platinum member I do stay in a fair few and I think when Telford was full I had to go there once...
Click to expand...
Just off J15 M6. Just seen loads of complaints similar to mine online.
 
BBR said:
Just off J15 M6. Just seen loads of complaints similar to mine online.
Click to expand...
Yup I've been to they one. Not the nicest in the chain. I'm not going past there until the new year otherwise I would take the footage from my dashcam for you. Sorry.
 
dejongj said:
Yup I've been to they one. Not the nicest in the chain. I'm not going past there until the new year otherwise I would take the footage from my dashcam for you. Sorry.
Click to expand...
Thanks, I appreciate the thought. I will be going past there early January, I will stop off and take some photos of my own, however I will have paid by then, but if, as I suspect, it is not correctly signed, I will pursue them for my money back.
 
dejongj said:
I find it a weird UK thing where hotels hide behind another company running their car park and charging their guests for parking. It definitely wasn't always like that and has become a lot more prevalent in the last few years.
Click to expand...

In a lot of cases, the hotel company doesn't own the car park. They probably don't own the hotel!
 
dejongj said:
Very bad advice. It was correct several years ago, but it hasn't been for at least the last two years.
Click to expand...

Is it? :eek::eek::eek:

Maybe someone needs to tell the private firm at Luton & Dunstable Hospital as well as Luton Airport and Sainsburys in Kempston then as they don't seem to know that and I've had letters "threatening" legal action from them all and not a penny of mines gone to them.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/private-parking-tickets
http://penaltychargenotice.co.uk/private-land-enforcement/parking-charge-notices-private-land/
 
dejongj said:
I provided dashcam footage to them in my defends which clearly demonstrated that the signage wasn't reasonable and adequate. They agreed and apologised.
Click to expand...
You didn't drive 20 miles off route and phone an ambulance to take you to hospital did you ;)

You can never be to sure with you dashcam type guys :lol:
 
Donnie said:
Is it? :eek::eek::eek:

Maybe someone needs to tell the private firm at Luton & Dunstable Hospital as well as Luton Airport and Sainsburys in Kempston then as they don't seem to know that and I've had letters "threatening" legal action from them all and not a penny of mines gone to them.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/private-parking-tickets
http://penaltychargenotice.co.uk/private-land-enforcement/parking-charge-notices-private-land/
Click to expand...
you take your chances and ignore at your own risk

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukn...ses-legal-challenge-over-85-parking-fine.html
 
Donnie said:
Is it? :eek::eek::eek:

Maybe someone needs to tell the private firm at Luton & Dunstable Hospital as well as Luton Airport and Sainsburys in Kempston then as they don't seem to know that and I've had letters "threatening" legal action from them all and not a penny of mines gone to them.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/private-parking-tickets
http://penaltychargenotice.co.uk/private-land-enforcement/parking-charge-notices-private-land/
Click to expand...
Your choice, you take your chances...All I said is don't ignore it, as per the moneysavirngexpert link you can appeal and if you can be bothered wasting your own time on that one should, I did and won. Ignoring them and not interacting is really not a smart way forward. There are very clear and strict rules around this.

jakeblu said:
You didn't drive 20 miles off route and phone an ambulance to take you to hospital did you ;)

You can never be to sure with you dashcam type guys :LOL:
Click to expand...
??? Sorry, don't get that...

jakeblu said:
you take your chances and ignore at your own risk

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukn...ses-legal-challenge-over-85-parking-fine.html
Click to expand...
Absolutely, and even the websites fighting against this seemingly unfair practise have updated their advise. Heck even in the link Donny has provided there is an updated section which argues against his point.

I can't afford to have a bad credit rating, or injunctions against me, it will affect my job opportunities and what I can do....Ignoring it is not wise, but it is an option :thumbs:
 
neil_g said:
not in my experience, most but premiere inn in particular for example have un-gated parking.
Click to expand...


I only use travelodge (because they take paypal) and its the same with them.. tell reception number plate and no problem... PS same at soccerdome where theres a time limit.. they ahve a machine on reception.. just type in your number plate and your OK

Really not hard to be fair ..rare to find totally free parking..
 
dejongj said:
I don't agree with the wording of that petition at all. It is not correct and written by someone who doesn't understand the system, their responsibilities, the adjudicator that operates in that space etc....
Click to expand...

I wasn't posting it for your approval. If you don't agree, don't sign, if you do, go ahead.
 
BBR said:
Unfortunately I am too far away to get back to check for any signage, so I will have to swallow it and pay. However next time I'm passing near I will go in for a chat with the GM. Don't expect to get very far but it will make me feel better.
Click to expand...

Don't pay yet, go and post the details at http://forums.pepipoo.com/index.php?showforum=60

Explain what happened and they'll want you upload redacted copies of everything received. Take their advice before doing anything else.
 
Donnie said:
I wasn't posting it for your approval. If you don't agree, don't sign, if you do, go ahead.
Click to expand...
It's a discussion forum, I'm discussing it :thumbs:
 
If they charge for parking and you haven't paid or overstayed the time then you are skating on thin ice. The recent court case was all about the amount these private companies charge, which he lost.

If it's a free car park then, don't ignore it. Write to them and tell them you are not paying. They will send you many requests for money then up the rate then reduce it then pass to a debt collector then tell them that you aren't paying. They ten go away! This is a private mate and will NOT affect your credit rating.

If you get issued with a fine from the police or council (no such thing as traffic wardens anymore) then pay straight away.
 
srichards said:
. Not a genuine pre estimate of loss is the get rid of it phrase.
Click to expand...

"Genuine pre-estimate of loss" is a phrase that comes from a 100 year old piece of case law known as "Dunlop" (Dunlop Pneumatic Tyre Co Ltd v New Garage & Motor Co Ltd) which until recently was the precedent relied on for penalty in contracts and also the precedent relied on by people that wanted not to pay to park on private land. It is no longer relevant today and absolutely should not be used. The law on penalty has been re-written in recent weeks following the Beavis and Cavendish cases in the Supreme court, which established new precedent. Beavis was a parking case, although it was something of a sideshow to Cavendish.

see : http://www.hardwicke.co.uk/insights/articles/the-law-on-penalties-after-parkingeye-v-beavis
 
neil_g said:
every one (and ive stayed in a few) have had signs and the reception ask for your reg no to avoid getting clamped/ticketed.
Click to expand...

Yes, I have been to a number of holiday inns and its all pretty clear on the signs you need to enter your reg on the screen. Many hotels do this. Sorry, but I don't see anything wrong.
 
cambsno said:
Yes, I have been to a number of holiday inns and its all pretty clear on the signs you need to enter your reg on the screen. Many hotels do this. Sorry, but I don't see anything wrong.
Click to expand...
Nothing wrong at all if its made clear, signs etc. There are a number of people have had same fate complaining online. There was no fee to pay no reason not to do what was required. Four of us met up and not one person saw these signs, I suggest their signage needs attention.
Also I have never had to do this in a holiday Inn, there is one in Windsor where I had the pleasure of £10 for overnight stay, but never, not once, have I ever had enter my reg on a screen.
 
I'm regularly at holiday inn's all over the area as one of our contracts is with them for disco work and never come across such a restriction, did you have to go through a barrier?
 
hasn't this kind of s*** been standard practice north of doncaster for like 10 years?

you know that right?
 
BBR said:
Nothing wrong at all if its made clear, signs etc. There are a number of people have had same fate complaining online. There was no fee to pay no reason not to do what was required. Four of us met up and not one person saw these signs, I suggest their signage needs attention.
Also I have never had to do this in a holiday Inn, there is one in Windsor where I had the pleasure of £10 for overnight stay, but never, not once, have I ever had enter my reg on a screen.
Click to expand...
I'm an IHG Platinum Elite member, an indication of how often I stay in one of theirs, I've never ever typed in my vrn on a screen.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top