Parking in a supermarket lot can become an expensive gamble if, for example, you ignore maximum parking time signs.
About the Parking on the supermarket square, only very few drivers should worry. You park the car in front of the shop, go shopping in peace and maybe do a few things in the area on foot. But beware: More and more operators of supermarkets, hardware stores or other shopping worlds are starting to restrict the use of their parking spaces in terms of time and at the same time leave the monitoring and compliance with the time limits to private service providers. Violators risk expensive drivers "ticket". Traders want to prevent cars from blocking the parking spaces, which are rare in the cities in particular, for a long time. Not to mention third-party long-term parkers.
Everything must be legible
Drivers who park their car in a supermarket car park are best advised to pay attention to signs that draw attention to parking rules such as time limits and the use of a parking disc. These must be clearly visible. The rules of the game must be noted here: maximum parking time, use of a parking disc or what happens if the rules are violated. Towing or fines are part of the sanctioning measures.
"Anyone who uses such a parking area enters into a contract with the landowner and accepts the general terms and conditions by using it," points out Wolfgang Müller, legal expert at Ideal-Versicherung. If the driver breaks the rules, for example by parking without a parking disc, he risks a ticket. Since this is a private car park, there is no classic warning fee, but a contractual penalty.
Don't forget the parking disc
No matter what the "ticket" is called: It is usually expensive. In most cases, costs of 20 to 30 euros must be expected. This is particularly annoying when you have been shopping in the supermarket as a customer and still have to pay a fine because you forgot to put the parking disc in the windscreen. In such a case, it is possible to request a cancellation in writing with a copy of the purchase receipt. As a gesture of goodwill, the owner of the parking lot can grant this. Accordingly, you should always take the receipt with you when shopping.
Illegible signs can be prosecuted
In any case, those affected should check whether an objection is worthwhile, advises the ideal legal expert. For example, anyone who is asked to pay an unreasonably high fine of 50 euros can take action. Hidden or dirty - and therefore only poorly or not at all - legible information signs are also reasons to raise an objection. It is best to take a photo of the signs to be able to prove the circumstances. Are details such as preparation for towing noted on the payment request, but the vehicle was never towed and never prepared for towing? Even then you should contact the surveillance company or the parking lot operator in writing.
Not responding to the ticket is not a good idea. Then dunning fees as well as possible collection and legal costs can make the purchase really expensive.