I would say the car was stranded and could not be moved due to the conditions

 

If the signs (assuming they are there) were covered in snow at the time, then it may be difficult for them to enforce contractual terms displayed on the signs. Just a thought.

 

Parking for near 3 hours to buy/consume a McDonalds meal - for that is what they provide the parking facility for, on their private land - is slightly taking the p*ss.

We have a Morrisons locally, conveniently close to the town centre.

Their solution is CCTV and wheel-clampers.

Count yourself lucky

 

But I was in the F ookin car apart from the 5 mins I got out of it to buy the coffee, making it rather difficult to clamp me

Not my fault this country grinds to a hault when it snows at heathrow and they close one runway and I have to sit in some dingy McDonalds carpark waiting for the flight to come out, then get fined £50 for the privilege

 

On one hand, parking for 3 hours in McDonalds is taking liberties.. you were blatantly avoiding paying for parking.

On the other hand, and perhaps more importantly, if all the flights coming into Heathrow were delayed because of snow then I’d expect the places around Heathrow to show a bit of compassion.
Perhaps not if you were taking spaces for other customers, but if the carpark wasn’t full then you’d think they might just let it be.

 

Rob88 now I know why you have a reputation on here

For the record the carpark was wide open the whole time I was in it, most of the spaces were covered with snow and ice, there are no options to pay in the car park as it is free. I did not see any sign saying maximum stay 60 mins, if I did I would have not sat there I would have gone else where. I assume the signs exsist but it isnt the kind of thing you usually expect in a McDonalds carpark is it.

 

[QUOTE=Sti Vi,Feb 9 2010, 10:23 AM]Not my fault this country grinds to a halt when it snows at Heathrow and they close one runway and I have to sit in some dingy McDonalds carpark waiting for the flight to come out, then get fined £50 for the privilege

 

They charge £3 for 30 mins thats whats wrong!

Anyway Arsie thanks for your helpful comments, as I have stated the carpark was empty and I didn't see a sign. I was also a patron of McDonalds at that time, although I do understand where you are coming from.

It just seems a bit out of order to get a fine/invoice for parking through CCTV when no one was present to warn you etc. This all amounts to wheel clamping without the clamp!

Wait till you ask for advice next time

 

That seems to be the crux of it.
If I was the manager, or perhaps the 5 star senior employee, I probably would have sent someone out to ask you to either leave the carpark or buy something more than a coffee.
He gets some custom and you get to stay in the carpark with a healthy nutritious snack.

I guess the problem is that the manager isn’t in charge of the carpark, it’s dealt with by some corporation with CCTV who don’t feel the need to have a quick chat before throwing down the fine.

 

1) So knowing the charge in advance you chose a 'free' option. It has cost you £18/hour instead. Bad luck. Stop whinging.

2) I daresay somewhere in the McD small print is a 'car park provided for the convenience of customers' and possibly 'at their own risk' etc. Customers sometimes get their cars damaged and are then really pleased if the business let's them have CCTV footage - what goes round comes round.

3) Don't be silly. McD's staff are not paid to keep the car park free for customers. And I don't suppose you are the first to be caught. It is a private piece of land as you well know not a public car park. The 'usual' rules - whatever they are - don't necessarily apply. You took that chance knowingly indeed you say you sat in the car all the time, clearly taking the p*ss. Obviously they could clamp you but have decided wisely to avoid the overheads and publicity.

4) oh and?