Parking stickers

Tellox

I jobbed off to do some work today in the WIT college. As any patron of the WIT will tell you, the yellow box's are where the bikes park.

So all in all, about 11 bikes were parked across the yellow boxes today. Low and behold, my bike out of all bikes, ends up with a parking sticker on it. Across the ****ing tank.

So I grabbed security and asked what the **** was going on there, and he said "****, we're told not to put them on bikes, hang on and I'll get head of security". So head of security shows up and quickly shouts "You're not meant to park there, thats why you got a sticker!".. to which I replied "I dont care, no other bike was planted with a sticker, and whats more is that its on the paintwork on my tank. If theres any damage to the bike in removing that, you're liable."

So he started ranting and raving about this, and then forcibly removes the sticker by pulling it off with both hands. Low and behold, where the sticker was, is now a nice collage of scratches.

So I turned to him and said "Thats not on, you'll have to pay for that." To which he said "**** off, move that ****ing bike or I'll move it myself"...and then follows me, shouting ranting and raving as I get my helmet and move my bike to where he pointed - to a different yellow box junction inside the WIT. All the while, one of my workmates is watching on at all this - and he decides to have a go at her too! "And you keep out of it, this has nothing to do with you!"..while she was yet to actually butt in.

So since talking to him was as useful as talking to a brick wall, I was told I should contact Estate - who would have contracted the security. I went down to themselves, who quickly said "its not our problem,you have to take it up with them". Whilst explaining that I had, and they weren't listening, the woman at reception simply walked off.

So on the spot, I rang the Gardai and asked where I stand. They informed me that if a parking sticker did any damage to my bike, the contracters are fully liable. The Garda then said that they'd come down if I wasnt getting anywhere. The receptionist then gave me the number for the contracters (Allied Security).

After speaking with them, they agreed to send someone down to inspect the bike. Indeed she can see the scratch damage, and then approaches myself. Firstly, I had a witness with me, being my own boss - just so there'd be no intimidation as there was before. The Waterford regional manager then in nice words, told my boss to **** off. It wasnt until I declared I wanted a witness myself that she begrudgingly allowed her to onlook.

Although the tank was clearly scratched, the Waterford regional head declared that "As our stickers are specially designed not to damage paintwork, we are not liable for this. We also have video proof that we did not cause the scratching."

So I replied "Can I see this video proof?"
Herself: "Yes, its in the process of being printed. But if you look at the sign over there *points to a disabled spot sign*, it states you will be clamped for parking here."
Myself; "Thats great, but I didnt park in a disabled spot. And a clamp would be fine, you damaged my paintwork with a sticker."
Herself; "You shouldnt have parked there in the first place, and we are not liable for that."
Myself; "Right, is it ok with you if I call the Gardaí so they can take a statement?"
Herself: "Yes, you can call the Gardaí all you want."
She then walks off, never to be seen again. And I've not heard anything since from her, about CCTV or otherwise. Although clearly, the CCTV would show the security contractor tearing the parking sticker off with both hands.

so where the **** can I go from here, can anyone tell me?

The Doktor

First... i would find out where ur man lives.......:D:D
At work, we were looking at these stickers, but our legal department decided that the company would be responsible, not the contractors who put it there.
I wouldnt waste my time with the contractor company, id go straight to WIT and look for compensation from them.

Tellox

Just been in touch with the retail director, who had called me.
All he had tried to do was take the piss - and constantly switched his story.

He said that unless I have proof in the form of having pictures of my bike from this morning, and pictures from this afternoon, I dont have a leg to stand on.

In other words, a day-glo jacket is all the excuse you need to do damage to a €5.5k bike.

The Doktor

Tellox wrote: »

Just been in touch with the retail director, who had called me.
All he had tried to do was take the piss - and constantly switched his story.

He said that unless I have proof in the form of having pictures of my bike from this morning, and pictures from this afternoon, I dont have a leg to stand on.

In other words, a day-glo jacket is all the excuse you need to do damage to a €5.5k bike.

That sounds like bollocks to me, think about all the guys who had a little tip in their cars, and end up getting half the car painted! Did they have proof that every little scrape was caused by the little tip?
That means when we leave our cars or bikes anywhere, we need to take pics of them from every angle before we walk away! I think all the proof you need it you man ripping the sticker off!
The other thing would be ask a solictor for advice. But is it worth it?
For me it would be... i wouldnt let somthing like that go. First is the abuse you had to listen to from your man with the hat, second is him treating your property with contempt, then there is the scratches. I know if my bike gets scratched, i wanna be the person doin it!
Make sure u take pics!

colm_c

Surely the CCTV would also show the before pictures of the bike without scratches, and show the guy taking them off, and the scratches afterwards?

Get a copy of the tape/DVD asap and get the gardai involved, with that kind of evidence you'll surely get sorted out.

Who's to blame however could be tossed around a lot.

Tellox

I contacted the Gardai, who said that it'll have to be taken up with a soliciter, as they wouldnt have any say over the private contractors...contacted citizens advice, who talked me through the procedure.

They said that as he removed the sticker himself without me asking, as this being on CCTV, I could have a good case against them - but it'd depend on the Judge on the day. Going to get the video anyway and see if I can make anything out.

The lady (Jenny, I believe) who travelled down, had told me that the CCTV proves that no damage was done. However, the retail manager (Gus, I believe.) said "The CCTV wouldnt be able to see scratches. Why didnt you take a picture of your bike this morning? You can't prove we scratched it otherwise".

Still can't believe that they don't give the slightest ****. And that "The stickers aren't designed to do any damage to paintwork" story isn't going over too well with me. I was biting my tongue to stop from saying "Well my helmet wasnt designed to break windshields, but I bet if I try hard enough I can".

The woman that travelled down (Jenny) actually handed me a sticker and told me I can put it on and take it off my bike in my own time - to prove that it doesnt do any damage. Its a shame I couldn't test her theory on her own car.

a_ominous

The woman that travelled down (Jenny) actually handed me a sticker and told me I can put it on and take it off my bike in my own time - to prove that it doesnt do any damage. Its a shame I couldn't test her theory on her own car.

So you have one of the stickers now? I presume the security card drives a car? Easy way to see if the sticker can damage paintwork - try it on his car

faceman

a_ominous wrote: »

So you have one of the stickers now? I presume the security card drives a car? Easy way to see if the sticker can damage paintwork - try it on his car

dont do this.

OP, document everything and go to a solicitor. Let the solicitor take it from there. YOu should really have taken loads of photos but obviously thats all well and good saying it now!

take photos of the car park. take photos of motorcycles parked in the spots that you were parked. Take photos of their motorcycles that show no stickers were placed on their bikes. Take a few photos over the space of a week.

If you get any further contact from the security firm or whoever it is givin you agro, advise them you cannot comment on anything that its with your solicitor.

Let us know how you get on, just make sure you get a good solicitor.

Tellox

faceman wrote: »

dont do this.

OP, document everything and go to a solicitor. Let the solicitor take it from there. YOu should really have taken loads of photos but obviously thats all well and good saying it now!

take photos of the car park. take photos of motorcycles parked in the spots that you were parked. Take photos of their motorcycles that show no stickers were placed on their bikes. Take a few photos over the space of a week.

If you get any further contact from the security firm or whoever it is givin you agro, advise them you cannot comment on anything that its with your solicitor.

Let us know how you get on, just make sure you get a good solicitor.

I've spoken with citizens advice on the issue, and they did advise me that I could have a strong case against them - but as its private contractors on private property, it would really depend on the judge on the day.

Although my bike was parked on a yellow box - with other bikes, and moved to a different yellow box - with other bikes, it was still on a yellow box.

They advised me from there that if it went in my favour, I wouldnt be looked at any sort of big winnings - especially considering Im gambling about 4 thou on legal fee's. So it looks like Im screwed from all directions.

The Doktor

Is it worth 4 thousand? hmmm maybe not.
How about this?
How bad are the scratches? I would imagine not bad enough that you cant polish them out. So polish them out..
Then if you dont want to let it drop, which I wouldnt cos Im Victor Meldrew, then YOU write the owners of the property a letter looking for the repair bill to be paid of say.. €100.
Make sure you mention the lack of designated motorcycle parking, the fact no other bikes had a sticker, how you were verbally abused by the fella with the hat etc
Now if they pay up, keep a tenner for the polish, and give the rest to charity.

Maybe you could go as far as a solictors letter and see what happens.

Idleater

I would go for discrimination!

I'll bet that was the only D reg bike parked there, and I'll also bet they were jealous of the bike.

Disgraceful at best!

Fr Dougal

Tellox wrote: »

They advised me from there that if it went in my favour, I wouldnt be looked at any sort of big winnings - especially considering Im gambling about 4 thou on legal fee's. So it looks like Im screwed from all directions.

How about trying the Small Claims Court?
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/justice/courts-system/small_claims_court

It's for handling claims up to €2K and I think it only costs €9

Mjedl

Follow Fr. Dougals advice , small claims should be sufficent for what you are claiming a paint job on the tank etc., you can download the forms and if the contaractor is as stubborn as you mentioned thay probably may not even show up in which case you should be awarded your claim.

Hotblack Desiato

Hate to rain on the parade, but afaik the Small Claims Court can only deal with suppliers of goods or services to consumers. If you were paying for the parking that would be supplying a service. Otherwise you'd have to take an ordinary civil case, expensive.
If you can get a solicitor to do up a strongly worded letter fairly cheaply, they may cave.
Sound like a complete bunch of w**kers, anyway, complain to the college as they are responsible for employing these apes.