I parked today in a council multi storey car park and it was one that you put your reg in. I was in a rush and I was trying to remember my reg, forgot for a second and then remembered. Anyway, I must have pressed the time up button and it added on the price and asked me to pay. It didn't ask me for my registration and it asked me to pay, but I honestly couldn't remember what I'd done because I was in a fluster. So I paid £8 for the ticket. Then a receipt comes out of the machine and no ticket. I wonder why a ticket hasn't come out and I check a few times and no ticket. I try ringing the numbers on the board and they go to an automated service. The £8 came out of my bank.
I see two ticket inspectors and I explain what has happened and they say 'oh did it it skip the reg stage' like it was common. I asked what I should do and they said that it was fine and just appeal if I get a fine. I said that I have no proof that I have paid and should I stick this card payment receipt on my dashboard and they both say that that should be sufficient.
I get back to my car and surprise, I have a fine! I am so annoyed because I bought a ticket and it didn't ask me for my reg, or it shouldn't have let me pay without one. I honestly can't remember now, because I was in a panic when no ticket came out and I could ring anyone to ask what to do.
I can appeal but what grounds can I state? I have the bank receipt that came out the machine, which I displayed and a bank statement. How would I even know what a ticket looked like? I bought the overnight rate. I displayed what came out of the machine (to a newbie who may never have used one before).
I'm so frustrated. My only other option would be to pay again at the time, but after speaking to the ticket inspectors in the car park they reassured me that it would be ok!
Thanks.
