Caught out by car park system

12:10pm Thursday 24th July 2008

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I too have fallen victim to the parking system at Tesco Altrincham. Monday 14th July I entered the car park at 12.10pm. I returned after about an hour and a half to find I had received a ticket which had been issued 30 minutes after my arrival.

I spoke to an attendant dressed like a pseudo policeman. He assured me that each car is carefully photographed upon entry and this would be considered as part of the appeal. Having appealed, I received a letter of response from a company called Central Ticketing in Birmingham.

Guess what? My appeal had been unsuccessful as they claimed I been parked at Tescos for 4 and a half hours. The letter was also threatening in tone, stating that I had 10 days to pay or the case would be passed to debt recovery agents, which would result in and increase from £40 to £135, plus further administration costs.

Obviously the psychology here is to pay early and have done with the matter. I am tempted to pay and put it down to experience but what if you're a pensioner or on benefits? It could be a real struggle to pay.

The technology at Tesco’s Altrincham is clearly not working properly.

This situation is wrong and ordinary people are being bullied by a faceless organisation using malfuntioning technology to boost its own profits. Tescos must also take responsibility for this situation for allowing this company to operate on its property.

Martin Lucas, Sale