Clamped by NCPS, need help please

UnknownSpecies

Hi, I am currently staying in the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Santry as I have work training tomorrow. I drove past the Crowne Plaza entrance and parked in the first spot I could find so I could check in and ask if my parking was OK. After I was informed that the hotel has a multi-story car park, I went to move my car into it. However, when I got there, my car was clamped by the NCPS....

I need the car tomorrow morning to get to my training. I don't even have the extortionate €120 they are asking for anyway. I'm just wondering does anybody know what I can do? I am from Cork so I know nobody here who can help me. I know the NCPS clamping is basically illegal but I have no tools or any idea how to remove it myself.

Any help or advice appreciated

166man

Were you parked on a public or private road? I'd help if I could but I haven't the tools myself.

Hope it all works out.

UnknownSpecies

No worries. It's on a private road. Just outside a row of apartments. I didn't see any numbering or clamping signs in the area so I thought it was the hotel parking until I asked. I'm truly disgusted, I'd pay if I had the money but I don't.

Stheno

Where is your training course?

Doom

See if letting the air out of the Tyre will allow you to drive through the clamp, stick the spare Tyre on then

UnknownSpecies

It's in a unit of some shopping centre. The name of it is on a sheet of paper in my hotel room. Why do you ask?

T-Maxx

Maybe not what you want to hear but they do take credit cards.

UnknownSpecies

Doom wrote: »

See if letting the air out of the Tyre will allow you to drive through the clamp, stick the spare Tyre on then

I couldn't make it out for sure but I think it's stuck through the wishbone. I managed to slip the top chain down to the bottom but I'm afraid to drive in case I wreck the suspension.

UnknownSpecies

T-Maxx wrote: »

Maybe not what you want to hear but they do take credit cards.

I have less than €30 in my bank account.

Gary ITR

Doom wrote: »

See if letting the air out of the Tyre will allow you to drive through the clamp, stick the spare Tyre on then

Don't do this, it won't work with an NCPS clamp

Stheno

dorgasm wrote: »

It's in a unit of some shopping centre. The name of it is on a sheet of paper in my hotel room. Why do you ask?

Trying to offer you public transport alternatives should you need them, and give you a chance to maybe ask a member of family/friend if they could pay for you if you can't get the clamp off.

They are fairly strict there in the apartments, I've friends who live there and while there are not many, there are signs up about parking.

UnknownSpecies

Stheno wrote: »

Trying to offer you public transport alternatives should you need them, and give you a chance to maybe ask a member of family/friend if they could pay for you if you can't get the clamp off.

They are fairly strict there in the apartments, I've friends who live there and while there are not many, there are signs up about parking.

Thanks, I'll try to get the name of it posted up here soon.

I'm going to have a look around the car park because I didn't see even one sign that said it was private parking or that there was clamping in operation.

MugMugs

Your best bet is to speak to the Crown plaza and seen if they have any pull with NCPS. I'm nearby but have nothing to cut the chain with me. I'll be about tomorrow but frankly don't know you and you could be NCPS setting me up for all I know.

Best of luck anyway.

Stheno

dorgasm wrote: »

Thanks, I'll try to get the name of it posted up here soon.

I'm going to have a look around the car park because I didn't see even one sign that said it was private parking or that there was clamping in operation.

I regularly visit a friend in one of the blocks (ironically the one furthest from the Plaza on the same side) and they've signs up there.

Given the apartments are sandwiched between an old folks home, a hospital, and a hotel with no free parking visible, I'd say they ran out of patience a long long time ago.

Was it to the front of the block you parked? The signs are usually in the bigger car parks at the back.

TheBully

if you know someone around with tools, Take off the wheel, undo the wishbone and remove the clamp, iv done it twice before and never heard a word back from them!

UnknownSpecies

MugMugs wrote: »

Your best bet is to speak to the Crown plaza and seen if they have any pull with NCPS. I'm nearby but have nothing to cut the chain with me. I'll be about tomorrow but frankly don't know you and you could be NCPS setting me up for all I know.

Best of luck anyway.

Yeah I'm going to speak to reception now about it and see what they say. I can assure you that I'm not NCPS and not trying to set you up. Look back through my post history and you should see.

Anyway, I understand it would be a big ask of you so don't worry about it. I just feel very hard done by here and just want my car back.

UnknownSpecies

Stheno wrote: »

I regularly visit a friend in one of the blocks (ironically the one furthest from the Plaza on the same side) and they've signs up there.

Given the apartments are sandwiched between an old folks home, a hospital, and a hotel with no free parking visible, I'd say they ran out of patience a long long time ago.

Was it to the front of the block you parked? The signs are usually in the bigger car parks at the back.

It was at the front, I just swung into first available space thinking it was all part of the hotel. As I said, I only realised after that the apartments have nothing to do with the hotel.

TheBully wrote: »

if you know someone around with tools, Take off the wheel, undo the wishbone and remove the clamp, iv done it twice before and never heard a word back from them!

As I said, I'm from Cork, only up for a few days. I don't know anybody.

UnknownSpecies

Just talked to reception. They can't do anything for me. I'm getting desperate now, can anyone at all help me? I'll be around tomorrow evening too if it suits.

TheBully

anywhere u could get a hacksaw this hour of the evening? or first thing in the morning?

ontour2

In fairness you have to drive past the hotel, past two blocks of apartments and turn in off the road to end up in those apartments. The spaces are numbered on the tarmac and on the kerbing. When residents of that development see people parking and taking out luggage and heading to the hotel they call the clampers as it often happens that there is someone in their space or all visitor spaces are full with non resident / visitors. The area is also monitored by cctv.

I have been clamped there and it took them 3 hours to come and unclamp me so definitely no love lost here for NCPS. The bar in the hotel has probably got a load of guys with vans and tools in the multistorey, a couple of pints might convince them to help you!

UnknownSpecies

ontour2 wrote: »

In fairness you have to drive past the hotel, past two blocks of apartments and turn in off the road to end up in those apartments. The spaces are numbered on the tarmac and on the kerbing. When residents of that development see people parking and taking out luggage and heading to the hotel they call the clampers as it often happens that there is someone in their space or all visitor spaces are full with non resident / visitors. The area is also monitored by cctv.

I have been clamped there and it took them 3 hours to come and unclamp me so definitely no love lost here for NCPS. The bar in the hotel has probably got a load of guys with vans and tools in the multistorey, a couple of pints might convince them to help you!

Yeah you are probably talking about the same apartments I got caught on. I thought (stupidly) they were all belonging to the hotel. I was in for less than 20mins and I was clamped. I just don't know what to do. I also rang the NCPS but obviously they didn't do anything for me.

Stheno

ontour2 wrote: »

In fairness you have to drive past the hotel, past two blocks of apartments and turn in off the road to end up in those apartments. The spaces are numbered on the tarmac and on the kerbing.

I'd agree with that to be honest. There is such a shortage of spaces there that every block has competition for people wanting to rent out spaces


And it's not like you swing into the hotel and the apartments are there.

UnknownSpecies

I get what ye're saying. I am an idiot and should have been more careful. I had a long drive and I was tired. My issue is that I won't be able to afford to pay for the removal before I leave Dublin.

jd

It looks like Temple Gardens/Lawns. If it was a numbered space the owner probably returned and got the clampers. There is a homebase store at the other end of Northwood.

UnknownSpecies

jd wrote: »

It looks like Temple Gardens/Lawns. If it was a numbered space the owner probably returned and got the clampers.

Yes Temple Gardens. I will post a picture of the number in the space. I didn't even see it when I pulled in, only saw after I was clamped. It is faded away to practically nothing, it was almost impossible to see in the dark.

kirving

You could call them up, and tell them that if it's not removed, you'll have your car lifted (clamp and all) back to your property in the morning. Only a Garda, Traffic Warden or a county council appointed clamper has the authority to immobilise a vehicle.

Personally, I'd rent a battery powered angle grinder

UnknownSpecies

Kevin Irving wrote: »

You could call them up, and tell them that if it's not removed, you'll have your car lifted (clamp and all) back to your property in the morning. Only a Garda, Traffic Warden or a county council appointed clamper has the authority to immobilise a vehicle.

Personally, I'd rent a battery powered angle grinder.

I would tell them that but I doubt they will pay much notice. If I was back at home, I'd get my mechanic friend to take it off but that's obviously not possible.

Also, I don't want to damage the clamp. Last thing I want is to end up in court for criminal damage.

kirving

Court for a single chain link? Not likely. The clampers aren't going to risk thier business model based for the sake of €100.

UnknownSpecies

Kevin Irving wrote: »

Court for a single chain link? Not likely. The clampers aren't going to risk thier business model based for the sake of €100.

True, I've often heard this argument. Never wanted to be the one to test it! Would I be able to get a bolt cutters that would be strong enough? I'd rather spend my last 50 quid on that rather than funding these scumbags.

kirving

Yeah, but apparently it's difficult to find one long enough. Actually - hire shop.

mickdw

A big bolt cutters will work but it would need to be big.

mickdw

Kevin Irving wrote: »

Yeah, but apparently it's difficult to find one long enough. Actually - hire shop.

Class. Job done.
Taxi to hire shop and back, €10 tool hire, job done

Ardent

dorgasm wrote: »

True, I've often heard this argument. Never wanted to be the one to test it! Would I be able to get a bolt cutters that would be strong enough? I'd rather spend my last 50 quid on that rather than funding these scumbags.

Don't waste your time with bolt cutters, I've been there. Battery powered angle grinder is the only job, will cut through the chain in seconds. Only costs 30 quid to hire in most places.

Best of luck, i hope you get the clamp off without paying the scum.

UnknownSpecies

Kevin Irving wrote: »

Yeah, but apparently it's difficult to find one long enough. Actually - hire shop.

Good stuff! If there is CCTV in the area (another poster mentioned there was earlier), should I still go ahead with this?

aman23

well done!!!

mickdw

It has often happened that someone in a hoody removes clamp and they then wander off down the road, the cctv wouldnt be much use.

kirving

Haha I'd laugh if hire shops just coincidentally placed stickers just below the NCPS warning signs for angles grinders or bolt cutters. Or a local mechanic - "wishbone bushings changed on the spot - €50"

ThreeLineWhip

dorgasm wrote: »

Good stuff! If there is CCTV in the area (another poster mentioned there was earlier), should I still go ahead with this?

I wouldn't be too worried. The Gardaí have much better things to be doing than doing the bidding of some thugs.

Ardent

mickdw wrote: »

It has often happened that someone in a hoody removes clamp and they then wander off down the road, the cctv wouldnt be much use.

Must be the same guy who removed my clamp! He's a hero whoever he is!

ontour2

mickdw wrote: »

It has often happened that someone in a hoody removes clamp and they then wander off down the road, the cctv wouldnt be much use.

I have only seen the cctv used effectively twice, once with the Gardai and once with a landlord to remove the tenants. In the vast majority of cases it is fairly useless or no one is bothered to pursue it.

waxon-waxoff

People are getting a bit carried away...


Look at this from the other point of view. Someone arrives home from a hard day at work to find someone else parked in their space. So where do they park now? You cant blame them for calling NCPS.

I know the area this happened in. The hotel car park is at the front of the hotel and well signposted. My guess is the OP didnt want to pay and chanced his arm getting free parking down the road. Its obvious that the apartments are nothing to do with the hotel.

If you dont have the money you call family and ask them to pay the fine over the phone. Ive been clamped three times but im man enough to hold my hands up and admit i fcuked up and ignored the signs.

APM

waxon-waxoff wrote: »

People are getting a bit carried away...


Look at this from the other point of view. Someone arrives home from a hard day at work to find someone else parked in their space. So where do they park now? You cant blame them for calling NCPS.

Clamping the car isn't going to get the parking space back very quickly is it?

ThreeLineWhip

This is where the whole clamping argument falls flat on it's face.

ontour2

The car that is clamped is less likely to repeat their behaviour even if they remove the clamp themselves as there is still significant inconvenience. In many cases in apartment complexes the 'offender' is a resident or regular visitor and can be identified.

The person that the space is assigned to is incentivised to contact the clampers as it will ensure that they will not be clamped for their required random parking.

Bottom line is that no one wants clampers but apartment dwellers want to be able to come home and park in their assigned space, especially on a night as miserable as last night. the solution for the development is to install gates at the entrance which will cost my mate increased service charges and make it a pain in the arse as a visitor.

UnknownSpecies

waxon-waxoff wrote: »

People are getting a bit carried away...


Look at this from the other point of view. Someone arrives home from a hard day at work to find someone else parked in their space. So where do they park now? You cant blame them for calling NCPS.

I know the area this happened in. The hotel car park is at the front of the hotel and well signposted. My guess is the OP didnt want to pay and chanced his arm getting free parking down the road. Its obvious that the apartments are nothing to do with the hotel.

If you dont have the money you call family and ask them to pay the fine over the phone. Ive been clamped three times but im man enough to hold my hands up and admit i fcuked up and ignored the signs.

Actually you're guess is completely wrong. My company are paying for all travel expenses so Hotel parking would have cost me absolutely nothing.

Maybe to you it's obvious that they have nothing to do with it but it's the first time I've been in the area. I used to work in Castlemartyr Resort and they have loads of apartments surrounding the hotel. I thought this was the same.

Please keep your insinuations that I'm not "man enough" to admit I ignore the signs to yourself because I had absolutely no incentive to park illegally and I saw no signs.

APM wrote: »

Clamping the car isn't going to get the parking space back very quickly is it?

No it's not. Especially when I intend on leaving the car there until Thursday at this stage.

alias no.9

OP, either cough up a buck to get the clamp removed or follow through with your bravado and cut it off, just stop the moaning. It may have been an honest mistake, but it was still your mistake, nobody else's. Having your car clamped in that space for a few days will ensure most people in the complex see it and mark it down as a space to avoid for the opportunists in the area. It's not entirely without benefit to the owner.

T-Maxx

TBH coming from Cork to Dublin for 3 days with €30 in your bank account and no credit facility is reckless to say the least.

Deank

Just get the 42" bolt cutters and snap the lock off, when I got clamped a while ago I believe that's what the nice man who removed it used.

UnknownSpecies

T-Maxx wrote: »

TBH coming from Cork to Dublin for 3 days with €30 in your bank account and no credit facility is reckless to say the least.

I paid to fill up my petrol tank. I have €30 in my bank account and the company gave me money to pay for food so I didn't think I'd need more. Sorry if being poor at the moment sounds reckless to you.

alias no.9 wrote: »

OP, either cough up a buck to get the clamp removed or follow through with your bravado and cut it off, just stop the moaning. It may have been an honest mistake, but it was still your mistake, nobody else's. Having your car clamped in that space for a few days will ensure most people in the complex see it and mark it down as a space to avoid for the opportunists in the area. It's not entirely without benefit to the owner.

Not moaning, just replying to comments people leave on the thread. I'll try to get a loan from somebody because like I said before, I don't want there to be even a tiny risk of being brought up for criminal damage.

Deank

OP no chance of being done for criminal damage, they have never prosecuted anyone, fact. Don't pay them a cent, they are nothing but scum. As I said 42" bolt cutters will snap the lock, stick the clamp in the boot as a memento of your adventure

corkgsxr

If its a private company I wouldnt pay in a fit. Extortionate price

Id prefer to ruin the wheel and it cost me 120 than pay them 120