A Sainsbury’s customer has been left baffled after being slapped with a £195 fine and “threatening letters”.
Mark Stinchcombe, a 65-year-old pensioner from Wycombe, was “surprised to receive a car parking fine" despite not going over the allocated time.
He was parked in the Sainsbury’s Dovecot car park in the Buckinghamshire town in January this year.
Stinchcombe alerted those in charge about the mistaken fine.
He was parked in the Sainsbury’s Dovecot car park in the Buckinghamshire town in January this year
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However, the figure increased to £245, including a £50 court fee.
The 65-year-old contacted the Parking on Private Land Appeals, Euro Car Parks, and former Wycombe MP Steve Baker.
He said: “I noticed that there was a sign which said four hours free parking.
“As you know, free parking is allowed from time to time in this car park.
“Normally the cost of parking for an hour Is less than £2.
“I took a photo of the sign on my mobile phone.
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Sainsbury's is located next to Dovecot car park
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“I was surprised therefore, when I received a penalty notice but thought this was just a mistake.
“I sent a letter to Euro Car Parks with a photo of the four hours free parking sign.
“They did not deny that the sign was theirs and that it had been on display at the relevant time.
“They just said the penalty charge had been correctly raised but that I could appeal to POPLA.
“I appealed to POPLA and explained all the facts and attached a photo of the sign.
“Incredibly, they rejected my appeal and said that no further appeal was possible.”
Stinchcombe also claimed he received “threatening letters” regarding potential CCJs.
The entrance to Sainsbury's in Wycombe
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He later contacted Debt Recovery Plus for additional help.
The 65-year-old approached Baker just days before the Tory lost his Buckinghamshire seat by 4,591.
Stinchcombe added: “A fairer system would be that penalties should be overturned whenever there is a reasonable excuse or confusion over signage.”
A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said: “There are signs displayed throughout our Dovecot car park which explain the charges that apply.
"We are sympathetic to the customer’s situation and so we have arranged to waive the notice and cancel Debt Recovery on this occasion, as a gesture of goodwill.
