People’s champion
I’ve contacted you several times over the last year regarding the parking fines I have received for parking at my doctor’s surgery. After a court date was agreed for August, you will be pleased to know that I have now received a letter from the parking company saying they are discontinuing their £300 claim. C.D. (email)
AWe had been engaged in a longstanding discussion about how to deal with a private parking operator who suddenly appeared at your surgery car park and started dishing out swinging parking penalties without prior or sufficient warning.
I encouraged you to hold your nerve and not buckle under threats they’d have difficulty sustaining if they went to law.
Not only did you take my advice to ignore them but you were determined to make a stand if, and when, court papers were finally served.
As a result the parking cowboy blinked first and you’ve avoided a nasty hit in the wallet.
There’s an obvious lesson for readers behind your experience and they’ll be pleased to know that the Parking (Code of Practice)
Act 2019 became law last Friday which will ultimately put the kybosh on car parking control rogue operators’ unfair and coercive practices.
QI ordered and paid £2,200 to DFS for a leather suite. They said they wouldn’t put the order through until they’d surveyed my house to see if the sofa would go through the front door. Their guys did the site survey and said it would be undeliverable. I’ve been asked to go back to the showroom and choose another sofa, but they won't give me a refund. Where do I stand?
B.B. (Email)
AYou can only reject goods for a full refund if they’re unfit for purpose, not correctly described, or the quality of the product doesn’t come up to scratch.
DFS publish due warning in their terms and conditions of sale that the onus is on the buyer to ensure the furniture is not too big for the room, will fit through the door or can be manoeuvred up stairs.
Perhaps I should also warn that if they have to remove windows etc, or take it away, they can insist on charging an additional fee or alternatively to invite you to select another suite.