Wheel clamping company runs money-making racket

new-zealand-labour-party

Thu Jul 18 2013 12:00:00 GMT+1200 (New Zealand Standard Time)

Wheel clamping company runs money-making racket

Thursday, 18 July 2013, 5:20 pm
Press Release: New Zealand Labour Party

A wheel clamping company is fleecing unsuspecting mums and dads, picking their kids up from school, of thousands of dollars, Labour MP for Mt Roskill Phil Goff says.

A supermarket car park, opposite Mt Roskill Primary School, is a popular point used by parents of three schools wanting a safe place to pick their children up from.

“I understand the concern of retailers who want the car park available for their customers.

“But the NZ Wheel Clamping Company is using enforcement as a money-making racket, with motorists copping hefty charges for parking there for less than two minutes.

“The company takes photos of cars using the car park, some of which belong to supermarket shoppers, then follows up with a bill for $100.

“If that’s not paid within two weeks ‘administration fees’ are charged, adding hundreds of dollars to the original bill, and debt collectors may be called in.

“In one case a local business owner - who used the park for a total of one minute while he opened a garage adjacent to it - had a $100 fee imposed. Another who parked outside an empty warehouse for two minutes was clamped and had to pay $200.

“Worse, a number of parents with English as a second language have received bills of up to $500 for being in the car park for minutes without realising they were doing anything wrong.

“The company is fleecing people who can ill-afford it. Yes, there is a problem for the retailers, but this is not the answer.”

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Mr Goff has called a meeting of local school principals, board representatives and Auckland Transport to try to find a solution.

“In the meantime people should know that advice from the Automobile Association and Consumer Affairs is that the Wheel Clamping Company has no statutory authority to fine people,” he said.

“Rather than pay the bill people should invite the Company to take the matter to a Disputes Tribunal.”
ends

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

a.supporter:hover {background:#EC4438!important;} @media screen and (max-width: 480px) { #byline-block div.byline-block {padding-right:16px;}}

Using Scoop for work?

Scoop is free for personal use, but you’ll need a licence for work use. This is part of our Ethical Paywall and how we fund Scoop. Join today with plans starting from less than $3 per week, plus gain access to exclusive Pro features.

Join Pro Individual Find out more

Find more from New Zealand Labour Party on InfoPages.