Clamping

Mack_1111

Hi,

I was clamped at 4:10 last night out side my front door in a private apartment block. I was in Dublin City the weekend and placed my parking ticket in the permit pouch, when I returned home I forgot to remove it. So when I rang up to explain that I'm a resident with a parking permit I was told it was not clearly visible and that I'd have to pay up and appeal if I felt aggrieved! They even told me that they clamp people for having their permits upside down!!!

I've no interest in going down the angle grinder route so does anyone know where do I stand legally and what forms of redress are available to me? Has anyone ever gone to the small claims court over this?

On a separate note I'm freaked at the idea that there's opportunists creeping the block at that time of night, less than a yard from my front door! Surely clamping is there for the benefit of residents and not to harasses us like this!!
Anyhow rant over

Thanks
:mad:

mickdw

You say you have no interest in the angle grinder route. If so pay up as 'technically' you are in the wrong. If it was me, Id wait for the stranger in the hoodie to come under the cover of darkness and hope that he makes the entire this disappear.
Dont be fooled into thinking an appeal will work. It wont, its just a con job in order to get you to cough up the cash.

ba_barabus

Mack_1111 wrote: »

I've no interest in going down the angle grinder route

Others do.

You never know they might even PM you, you could give them a location and HEY PRESTO the clamp falls off your car at 4:10am tonight

challengemaster

Mack_1111 wrote: »

Surely clamping is there for the benefit of residents and not to harasses us like this!!

Clamping is there to make money, and no other purpose. Don't kid yourself.

Mikros

Similar situation happened to me - basically there is no legal remedy open that will cost less than the release fee, unless you are prepared to follow it all the way through. It is basically extortion and they will reject any and all appeals once you pay the money as technically you were not parked in accordance with the rules at the time of clamping. Don't waste your time arguing with them on the phone - they will not budge an inch.

Either hope the clamp "falls off" or suck it up and pay the money. That was my rather depressing experience anyway :mad:

Chemical Burn

Don't pay up OP. Angle Grind. Or belt the lock with a sledge hammer.

montague13

Im in a similar situation to the OP, got clamped this morning where I live. Would anyone have any idea how one would contact the aforementioned "hoodies" if one was that way inclined?

antodeco

If you do decide to pay up, please please please put glue into the lock. They will have to cut it off themselves anyway.

T-Maxx

Im in a similar situation to the OP, got clamped this morning where I live. Would anyone have any idea how one would contact the aforementioned "hoodies" if one was that way inclined?

LOL @ NCPS/APCOA spy!

kona

Mack_1111 wrote: »

Hi,

I was clamped at 4:10 last night out side my front door in a private apartment block. I was in Dublin City the weekend and placed my parking ticket in the permit pouch, when I returned home I forgot to remove it. So when I rang up to explain that I'm a resident with a parking permit I was told it was not clearly visible and that I'd have to pay up and appeal if I felt aggrieved! They even told me that they clamp people for having their permits upside down!!!

I've no interest in going down the angle grinder route so does anyone know where do I stand legally and what forms of redress are available to me? Has anyone ever gone to the small claims court over this?

On a separate note I'm freaked at the idea that there's opportunists creeping the block at that time of night, less than a yard from my front door! Surely clamping is there for the benefit of residents and not to harasses us like this!!
Anyhow rant over

Thanks
:mad:

Cut it off

shooter88

Mack_1111 wrote: »

Hi,

I was clamped at 4:10 last night out side my front door in a private apartment block. I was in Dublin City the weekend and placed my parking ticket in the permit pouch, when I returned home I forgot to remove it. So when I rang up to explain that I'm a resident with a parking permit I was told it was not clearly visible and that I'd have to pay up and appeal if I felt aggrieved! They even told me that they clamp people for having their permits upside down!!!

I've no interest in going down the angle grinder route so does anyone know where do I stand legally and what forms of redress are available to me? Has anyone ever gone to the small claims court over this?

On a separate note I'm freaked at the idea that there's opportunists creeping the block at that time of night, less than a yard from my front door! Surely clamping is there for the benefit of residents and not to harasses us like this!!
Anyhow rant over

Thanks
:mad:

It's the legal section of boards you should be asking..look at previous posts there's one a week..
Either cut it off,pay it or leave it there and go see solicitor

Boom_Bap

One morning when I came out of my house, both my cars where clamped. One was parked in an incorrect space, and I accepted that. Now before and High Horses comes trotting into the thread, this is an unused space that is for an unoccuppied house and I am fully aware I was illegally parked. But I was not inconveineincing anyone.
The other car was parked correctly with a permit and was clamped. But the permit had dislodged and was 'not in clear view'.
When the attendant came to remove the clamp for the car that was illegally parked, I was refusing to let him leave unless he unclamped my other car that was legally parked.
During all this, I even had a director of the management company and residents association is attendance. I got onto the phone with the director and a clamping operator where the director verified i was not parkd illegally, but they still refused to remove without payment and told to follow the appeals process.

So I ended up paying for removal to follow the appeals process. Before starting the appeals process, I had backing from the management company directors, the residents association, 2 local councillers.....appeal denied. I was advised not to do a second appeal which goes to an 'Independant' panel. The independant panel is made up of directors from companies associated to the different clamping agents. The basically take the fee that you pay, and refund a small portion, less that the fee. In esence you will, but end up paying more money. I regret all this and should have just went to the local tool hire shop.


TLDR;

I was clamped, appealed, appeal rejected....should have angle grinded.

MadYaker

If you're going to take it off don't use an angle grinder. You'll damage the clamp and they'll make you pay for it. If you can remove it without damaging it you're sorted.

If you decide to pay at least appeal first, then if the appeal fails put superglue in the lock so they'll have to cut it off. Actually put super glue in the lock anyway.

Cuddlesworth

A 36 inch bolt cutters would be around 70-100 Euros and is good for multiple uses. Makes far less noise as well in comparison to a angle grinder. They can be found at any good hardware store or builders providers.

If you were so inclined to have to cut a chain or lock with one, you would open it, place the cutters around the lock/chain, preferably cutting close to the ground. Then place one of the handles on the ground, the other vertically in the air. Place you weight on the handle and push down with your body. If you find it slipping, try putting a car mat down under the handle on the ground and standing on the mat.

Boom_Bap

MadYaker wrote: »

If you're going to take it off don't use an angle grinder. You'll damage the clamp and they'll make you pay for it. If you can remove it without damaging it you're sorted.

Simple answer here is 'what clamp?'

MadYaker wrote: »

If you decide to pay at least appeal first, then if the appeal fails put superglue in the lock so they'll have to cut it off. Actually put super glue in the lock anyway.

You need to pay for removal before you are allowed to appeal.

MadYaker

Boom_Bap wrote: »

Simple answer here is 'what clamp?'

Yup, if you're sure they won't be able to prove it was you.

Boom_Bap wrote: »

You need to pay for removal before you are allowed to appeal.

Yeah forgot thats how it works.

megafan

Mack11... You have my sympathy.... Surely the powers that be will have to regin in these private clamping co's/muggers soon their running riot in this town with huge fee's & destroying small (all) local buisness with little concern for controlling parking......

megafan

Boom_Bap wrote: »

You need to pay for removal before you are allowed to appeal.

& If it's NCPS you'll have to risk loosing another 20e when appeal fails! (& it will!)

joetoad

Do what I did, remove the lock with an angle grinder, ring them up and tell them they can have back it for 150 euro. They said theyll bring me to court, I just laughed at them and said see you there.

Do people actually bother return the clamps?

meathstevie

Cut the frigging thing. It's quite clear from your post that if they had bothered checking their facts and had verified your permit status before clamping your car that they did not have an entitlement to put a clamp on it.

Caliden

Someone needs to make a sticky for portable angle grinders should you need to....cut....something...LEGALLY!

flyweight

There is no law that allows clamping on private property and then extorting money from people. Cut the clamp off, they have no rights to do it only the county council and cops do. I cut one off a few weeks back and heard nothing. They never go to court because what they are doing is illegal.

ManMade

What's the best thing to remove a clamp with?

agreatsuccess

ManMade wrote: »

What's the best thing to remove a clamp with?

I signed up to boards today cos this issue drives my blood pressure through the roof.

I got clamped recently on private property by one of the main illegal clamping companies (ie. not the county council, whose authority I accept because they do actually act under the juristication of bylaws)

Anyways long story short, I spent all my disposable income this month on doctors visits and medication for a sick child and literally did not have the 120 Euro "release fee". Didnt even have the 30 Eur to rent an angle grinder.I did though need my car to take the affore mentioned child back to the doc.


So I:

1) Took the socket wrench from the boot and slipped it in behind the clamp and removed the wheel nuts.
2) Took off the wheel.
3) The only thing now holding the clamp was the chain around the steering rod (i think thats what it was, i know nothing about cars!)
4) I removed the one nut that was holding the steering rod to the wheel (I had a spanner that fitted it)
5) Once that nut was off, I though the rod would just release but it didnt. So I spent 10 mins trying to lever it off. A quick look at youtube found me a video which told me to hit the connection a light tap with a hammer which worked first time. I think the vibration just released it?
6) Anyways, the chain was now free. I put all the bits back together and drove off, happy days.
7) Called the clamping company to tell them to come and pick up their UNDAMAGED clamp.

Moral of the story - I can hardly change the oil in my car but managed to get the clamp off without damaging it. These guys are empty heads who think we are all as thick as them. They are full of shi*etalk with their big treathning posters and idle threats. Fact is no-one has ever been convicted in ireland of removing a private clamp and never will because these cowards will not let a case get to court - they always try to settle before it gets that far. Do not bow down to these bullies!!

RustyNut

Agreatfirstpost.

Welcome.

djimi

So you potentially put your child in danger by driving around in a car with a steering system that you dismantled while by your own admission not knowing what you were doing? For the sake of not paying €120? Im sorry but in my book that does not make you a hero...

galwaytt

djimi wrote: »

So you potentially put your child in danger by driving around in a car with a steering system that you dismantled while by your own admission not knowing what you were doing? For the sake of not paying €120? Im sorry but in my book that does not make you a hero...

Nonsense post.

djimi

galwaytt wrote: »

Nonsense post.

So you think that its okay for novices to go dismantling parts of their car that they know nothing about? You dont see any potetial safety issue in that whatsoever?

joetoad

djimi wrote: »

So you think that its okay for novices to go dismantling parts of their car that they know nothing about? You dont see any potetial safety issue in that whatsoever?

No, not at all. If he was able to remove the part and put it back on whats the harm?

Big Nasty

Can we not / do we not have a single 'all things clamp related' thread?

galwaytt

djimi wrote: »

So you think that its okay for novices to go dismantling parts of their car that they know nothing about? You dont see any potetial safety issue in that whatsoever?

Apart from the wheel, which is a non-technical task, he opened and tightened one nut. And had the nous to do so.

So no.

djimi

joetoad wrote: »

No, not at all. If he was able to remove the part and put it back on whats the harm?

galwaytt wrote: »

Apart from the wheel, which is a non-technical task, he opened and tightened one nut. And had the nous to do so.

So no.

The harm is that I think its absolutely moronic and very dangerous to have novices dismantling parts of a car when they dont have a clue what they are doing. Perhaps this chap got it right and did everything safely, but Id not want to be passing him if he didnt reassemble his steering arm properly and he loses control of the car.

monkeypants

Anyone recommend a good YouTube video that covers this properly?

ba_barabus

monkeypants wrote: »

Anyone recommend a good YouTube video that covers this properly?

It's been covered in Wheeler Dealers multiple times in fairness and is always described as a DIY task

galwaytt

djimi wrote: »

The harm is that I think its absolutely moronic and very dangerous to have novices dismantling parts of a car when they dont have a clue what they are doing. Perhaps this chap got it right and did everything safely, but Id not want to be passing him if he didnt reassemble his steering arm properly and he loses control of the car.

Well if you can prove he's statistically more likely to have done wrong than say......your wheel bearing collapsing unannounced and shedding your wheel on the motorway as I pass you and you killing me, I'll agree with you. So let's be seeing those number's then....

Chemical Burn

djimi wrote: »

The harm is that I think its absolutely moronic and very dangerous to have novices dismantling parts of a car when they dont have a clue what they are doing. Perhaps this chap got it right and did everything safely, but Id not want to be passing him if he didnt reassemble his steering arm properly and he loses control of the car.

OP, I took a clamp off and it was fine

TheVoodoo

Anyone in the Blackrock/ Dun Laoghaire area have any advice on removing a clamp? The Wishbone is in the chains.

brokenarms

pics dont work??

Chemical Burn

TheVoodoo wrote: »

Anyone in the Blackrock/ Dun Laoghaire area have any advice on removing a clamp? The Wishbone is in the chains.

Sledgehammer on the lock or angle grinder

fasttalkerchat

Paying clampers encourages them as they target areas where they previously made their money. You should do yourself and your block a favour and pray to the clamp fairy tonight.

Cogsy88

TheVoodoo wrote: »

Anyone in the Blackrock/ Dun Laoghaire area have any advice on removing a clamp? The Wishbone is in the chains.

Cut the lock with a bolt cutters.

TheVoodoo

I don't have any, and there's no hire shops open now.. I just wans't sure if somebody in the area would be able to help, I'll wait till the morning and go rent some!

fasttalkerchat wrote: »

Paying clampers encourages them as they target areas where they previously made their money. You should do yourself and your block a favour and pray to the clamp fairy tonight.

I just wan't sure if someone knew a clamp fairy who I could direct my prayers to!

flutered

mickdw wrote: »

You say you have no interest in the angle grinder route. If so pay up as 'technically' you are in the wrong. If it was me, Id wait for the stranger in the hoodie to come under the cover of darkness and hope that he makes the entire this disappear.
Dont be fooled into thinking an appeal will work. It wont, its just a con job in order to get you to cough up the cash.

i remember reading here on boards, that the appeals panel is made up of members of the clamping union.

166man

flyweight wrote: »

There is no law that allows clamping on private property and then extorting money from people. Cut the clamp off, they have no rights to do it only the county council and cops do. I cut one off a few weeks back and heard nothing. They never go to court because what they are doing is illegal.

Hold on a minute, if it's private property, i.e someone owns this property, then they are free to give the relative authority to whichever company they wish to clamp people who park on their land, i.e trespassing.

They are given the rights to clamp by the owner of the land.

flutered

djimi wrote: »

The harm is that I think its absolutely moronic and very dangerous to have novices dismantling parts of a car when they dont have a clue what they are doing. Perhaps this chap got it right and did everything safely, but Id not want to be passing him if he didnt reassemble his steering arm properly and he loses control of the car.

one the nut is on tight it is assembled properly as it is a locknut, plus one needs a sledge to bang it loose in the first place.

fasttalkerchat

166man wrote: »

Hold on a minute, if it's private property, i.e someone owns this property, then they are free to give the relative authority to whichever company they wish to clamp people who park on their land, i.e trespassing.

They are given the rights to clamp by the owner of the land.

That's true but they have no right to the money as it is not a fine... just a charge for removing the clamp. You are within your rights to pay another "service provider" to remove the clamp, provided that no damage is done.

166man

fasttalkerchat wrote: »

That's true but they have no right to the money as it is not a fine... just a charge for removing the clamp. You are within your rights to pay another "service provider" to remove the clamp, provided that no damage is done.

It's all about the notice, if on entering a car park there is a large sign with ''Trespassers will be clamped, release fee €80'' then by entering the car park you consent to those terms and conditions. Also the likes of NCPS could claim that the real cost of removing the clamp, wages and van rental is the true cost of €80.

Finally the cost is to discourage people from parking there, if it was only €20 then plenty of people would bend the rules.

Chemical Burn

166man wrote: »

It's all about the notice, if on entering a car park there is a large sign with ''Trespassers will be clamped, release fee €80'' then by entering the car park you consent to those terms and conditions. Also the likes of NCPS could claim that the real cost of removing the clamp, wages and van rental is the true cost of €80.

Finally the cost is to discourage people from parking there, if it was only €20 then plenty of people would bend the rules.

But clamping is illegal in the first place. A sign doesn't permit you to break the law. Can I put up a sign in my garden saying meter readers and post men will be torture-murdered?? Didn't think so. It's the same principle. Cut it off OP.

166man

Chemical Burn wrote: »

But clamping is illegal in the first place. A sign doesn't permit you to break the law. Can I put up a sign in my garden saying meter readers and post men will be torture-murdered?? Didn't think so. It's the same principle. Cut it off OP.

Show me exactly where it says it's illegal.... And when you do quote that piece of legislation please quote the full thing, especially the ''without lawful authority and/or reasonable cause'' part.

Chemical Burn

166man wrote: »

Show me exactly where it says it's illegal.... And when you do quote that piece of legislation please quote the full thing, especially the ''without lawful authority and/or reasonable cause'' part.

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1961/en/act/pub/0024/sec0113.html

joetoad

166man wrote: »

Show me exactly where it says it's illegal.... And when you do quote that piece of legislation please quote the full thing, especially the ''without lawful authority and/or reasonable cause'' part.

There is no law for private clampers. You are entitled to cut the lock. Would I put a sign on my house and say anyone who sets foot on my property owes me 100 euro. Its the same principle. On the other hand if it is the city council that clamped then you have to pay.

Acapoa are whatever there called have no leagal boundaries whatsoever.