Is it time to subscribe to a printer service from HP?

Ever since my dad brought home an...

What’s the best way of buying a phone today?

How did you buy your latest phone?...

MWC: What device highlights did you miss?

So, early last week I predicted that...

Parkmobile’s failure got our publisher, Dan, a £60 fine

Our publisher, Dan Ilett, writes:

– – – – –

I’m clutching a £60 parking fine that really shouldn’t be in my hand.

I know everyone moans about parking tickets, but you really don’t expect to get one when you’ve already paid for your parking.

Last week, I parked in Tooting for a meeting. The ticket machine was broken and wouldn’t take my money but there was a sign on it for ‘Parkmobile‘ – a company that takes parking payment over your mobile phone. You phone them, tell them your car registration and card number, and they sort the rest out. Wow – that’s a nice idea, I naively thought.

The cost – £1.94. Although it took five minutes to process, I was pretty chuffed this was possible. Now I’d registered, I could just send a text when I wanted to park.

I walked away from the car with a little nagging doubt about how the warden would know if I paid, but I told myself to be more trusting and shut up.

So you can imagine how pleased I was to find a parking fine slapped on my windscreen when I returned.

When I got home, I looked up the company, Parkmobile.co.uk, online. The deal is that you can call them with any queries, but it will cost you 60p a minute to a premium phone line.

Oh joy. Oh yes.

I spoke to someone there who said the matter would be resolved within three days and Wandsworth Council would call to tell me so.

That was one week ago and I’ve heard nothing.

On Parkmobile’s website, it says:

“Parkmobile’s Cashless Parking is the quick and easy way of paying for parking. It’s never been easier, just park, phone and go. From the comfort of your car you make two short calls from your mobile phone, one to start and the other to stop your parking payment.”

I don’t see much about this that’s quick and easy – more like painful and boring. I certainly won’t be using Parkmobile again.

– – – – –

Absolutely ridiculous. Either this stuff should work, 100%, … or not at all. How truly disappointing, Dan. I hope you’re able to sort it out with them, Dan.

9 COMMENTS

  1. You can save yourself some money by calling Parkmobile on 020 30087052. . . a lot cheaper option.

    I know it doesn't resolve your situation but i hope it will make it cheaper to resolve

  2. I've used the service in Leeds with no problem. I think you may be blaming the wrong person here, as there is no suggestion that Parkmobile has failed – could it be an over zealous parking attendant neglected to check whether the cashless system was used for your car? I'd contest it with the Council – you can claim that it is not a valid ticket as parking was paid for (and I'm assuming that you got the ticket for not paying for parking, rather than anything else!)

  3. these people are jokers!!!

    they have billed me £82.85!!! when trying to call them at 60p a minute and kept on hold for 10minutes then to be told someone from accounts will call me back……2weeks later…..nothing. when calling back again at 60p a minute they seem very dismissive and tell you to log in and check your account.

    i will not be using this again!

  4. these people are jokers!!!

    they have billed me £82.85!!! when trying to call them at 60p a minute and kept on hold for 10minutes then to be told someone from accounts will call me back……2weeks later…..nothing. when calling back again at 60p a minute they seem very dismissive and tell you to log in and check your account.

    i will not be using this again!

  5. same thing just happened to me with parkmobile, i paid by phone, not using the app, after calling back havign got a parkign fine – first they claimed i hadnt called that day, then they changed their story and said i had called but I terminated the call before confirming the transaction. not many people would deliberately choose to do that (ok maybe 1% of people might change their mind and pay cash) but a text or call to notify that your transaction incomplete would help

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Recently Published

Is it time to subscribe to a printer service from HP?

Ever since my dad brought home an HP LaserJet printer (version 3, if memory serves), I have been printing with an HP. Over the...

What’s the best way of buying a phone today?

How did you buy your latest phone? I'm asking because I'm thinking about what I should be doing. When I was living in Oman, I...

MWC: What device highlights did you miss?

So, early last week I predicted that next to nothing from Mobile World Congress would break through into the mainstream media. I was right,...

How Wireless Will Pave the Path to Neobank Profitability

I'm delighted to bring you an opinion piece from Rafa Plantier at Gigs.com. I think it's particularly relevant given the recent eSIM news from...

An end of an era: Vodafone UK turns off 3G services

I thought it was worthwhile highlighting this one from the Vodafone UK team. For so long - for what feels like years, seeing the...

Mobile World Congress: Did the mainstream media notice?

I resolved this year to make sure I wrote something - anything - about Mobile World Congress, the huge mobile industry trade show taking...