Got clamped but they never locked it

Tonto67

Got clamped today. When I got back to the car I noticed the clamp wasn't locked and it fell off causing no damage. There was no fine in the window so I don't know the alleged offence. I now have a clamp that I don't want and a possible fine. I'd rather not pay obviously but I don't want this clamp. All the stories I read are of people removing them by force and being fined for criminal damage. I have possession of my car and an undamaged clamp. I wonder can I return an undamaged clamp and let them sing for their fine whatever it is for. Anyone any experience like this.

L1011

Private or council clamp?

Council fines are actual fines and you're going to have to pay it. They nearly always have a pocket under the wiper, though

Private - personally, I'd throw the clamp in the shed.

Tonto67

It's a council clamp but there was no pocket on the car or anywhere near it I checked all around the car. I wasn't in the best area of Dublin so wasn't hanging around to sort someone else's mess. Stuck the clamp in the boot and high-tailed it outta there. Had to get home and had nothing stopping me.

L1011 wrote: »

Private or council clamp?

Council fines are actual fines and you're going to have to pay it. They nearly always have a pocket under the wiper, though

Private - personally, I'd throw the clamp in the shed.

Losty Dublin

If it's a council clamp then you should have a sticker on your window and a ticket left under your windscreen wiper. While there's a small chance that somebody could have thrown away the ticket as a prank there's no chance that they'd have taken the sticker off of your window. If you have the clamp then call the clampers, give them your reg number and location of where you were and they should be able to tell you if a fee is owed or not and to reclaim their clamp.

If it's unpaid then I suspect the next option is for it to be taken to court for a parking violation. Again the clampers should advise you re same.

Dr.Internet

An unlocked clamp and no fine/warning sticker on the window?

Sounds like a bit of a trick being played

Sam Kade

Dr.Internet wrote: »

An unlocked clamp and no fine/warning sticker on the window?

Sounds like a bit of a trick being played

I was thinking the same. Op were you illegally parked?

Tonto67

That's what I was thinking at the time and when a "helpful" guy offered to help remove it for €40 saying it was still locked my suspicions were heightened and why I didn't hang around, I took the clamp though just in case it was legit. I didnt think I was illegally parked, I wasn't on yellow and there was no pay and display in force. Before I ring them I'd like to know the implications of non payment in case it is legit. As I said, the clamp is undamaged and I have taken photos to prove that so they cannot claim forceful removal. Do they just chase me for the release fee? I wonder would they bother.

Sam Kade wrote: »

I was thinking the same. Op were you illegally parked?

GrayFox208

Tonto67 wrote: »

That's what I was thinking at the time and when a "helpful" guy offered to help remove it for €40 my suspicions were heightened and why when it fell off I didn't hang around, I took the clamp though just in case it was legit. I didnt think I was illegally parked, I wasn't on yellow and there was no pay and display in force. Before I ring them I'd like to know the implications of non payment in case it is legit. As I said, the clamp is undamaged and I have taken photos to prove that so they cannot claim forceful removal. Do they just chase me for the release fee? I wonder would they bother.

I'd be gone too. If you do owe a fine and you don't pay you'll be summonced.

PirateShampoo

That's all he said to you?

Tonto67

He asked had I rang the clampers. When I said no that there was no fine in the window he said kids are always taking them and then offered to remove it claiming he had a key. When I declined he walked on, it was then I discovered it wasn't locked so I just got outta there.

PirateShampoo wrote: »

That's all he said to you?

Wheelnut

I think I would do nothing and see what happens.

stop animal cruelty

Sounds like a set up to me....

MarkAnthony

Drop it into the local garda station and ask them for advice.

Talk about half a story in the OP :rolleyes:

booooring!

Drove a car with a clamp on it? Just ring the council and check tomorrow if they have a fine against you. If not throw it into the bin. I wouldn't ring the guards over it as will never be filed or looked into. More important things to worry about.

Tonto67

I know, I was in a rush earlier just wanted to get reaction based on the assumption it was legit, because if it isn't the discussion is moot anyway. I went to the Gardai they won't take it and can't offer any advice beyond "ring the council" guess I'll ring them tomorrow see what's what. Thanks for the comments.

MarkAnthony wrote: »

Drop it into the local garda station and ask them for advice.

Talk about half a story in the OP :rolleyes:

Tigger

How would he "have a key"
Scamming fool

MarkAnthony

Tigger wrote: »

How would he "have a key"
Scamming fool

Great scam poorly executed!

AngryHippie

Use the clamp to clamp a clamper.

LoLs ensue

GrayFox208

MarkAnthony wrote: »

Great scam poorly executed!

That's a nice car you've got there


Would be a shame if I

Clamped it



But I'll release you for 40 quid man I've got a key here. Well... I had it... Where did it go...

gar32

My sister had a clamp on in a taxi rank after she came back from the cinema. It fell off when moved a little. She dropped into the guard station saying she found it and just ran out. Heard nothing luckily. There is usually a photo taken also when clamp is put on. You could look on google maps and see the street and parking signs. Also google parking map and see if it was a paid street.

Good luck.

MarkAnthony

GrayFox208 wrote: »

That's a nice car you've got there


Would be a shame if I

Clamped it



But I'll release you for 40 quid man I've got a key here. Well... I had it... Where did it go...

Can your dog put out fires?

4Marie

Sell it back to them

GrayFox208

MarkAnthony wrote: »

Can your dog put out fires?

He can piss on it for you if that'll do? I don't know how effective it will be.

4ensic15

It was probably one cut off another car. The helpful individual was trying on a scam with the stolen clamp. clamped cars are photographed and the numbers recorded. You can ring up and say you want a declamp, give your reg and location the car was in and see if the clampers have a record of your car being clamped at that location. If they have (MOST UNLIKELY) just go there and stand with the clamp and give it back. Do not identify yourself to them. Just say you
you found it there.

Kenny Logins

Tonto67 wrote: »

He asked had I rang the clampers. When I said no that there was no fine in the window he said kids are always taking them and then offered to remove it claiming he had a key. When I declined he walked on, it was then I discovered it wasn't locked so I just got outta there.

Ha! Did he ask for his clamp back?

flazio

Why bring the clamp home? Why bring it with you?

Victor

You may have committed a theft offence.

Return it to the clampers or the Garda.