As of: March 17, 2024, 8:03 a.m
By: Romina Kunze
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In everyday life, it's easy to overlook signs in the supermarket parking lot.
And you immediately end up with a fine because of a mini-mistake.
But there are ways out.
Munich – More and more supermarkets and discounters are now having their parking spaces monitored.
For some regular customers, the change comes overnight.
If you're unlucky, you'll find a ticket stuck behind your windshield wiper;
even customers of the supermarket.
A fine of around 30 euros for ten minutes in the store if you forget to display your parking disc.
This has to be a rip-off?
Is not it?
In a Federal Court ruling in 2022, it was determined that the general “right-before-left” rule is not applicable in supermarket parking lots if there is no express right-of-way rule.
Supermarket parking spaces such as Aldi, Rewe or Lidl are usually private parking spaces.
The supermarket operator sets the rules for this.
And: “If you park your car in a customer parking space, you are entering into a contract with the owner, owner or appointed monitor,” explains Alexander Schnaars from ADAC.
No parking disc in the supermarket parking lot: fines of up to 60 euros can be incurred
By parking, you also secretly accept the posted general terms and conditions (GTC) of the private parking lot, which provide for contractual penalties in the event of a violation.
This could include fines or even a tow truck.
How high the penalty is varies greatly.
“The amount is subject to the freedom of contract that prevails in Germany,” said the ADAC expert when asked by
IPPEN.MEDIA
.
If you are inattentive and forget your parking disc in the supermarket parking lot, you can easily find a ticket behind your windshield wiper.
(Symbolic photo) © Imago/Photo Montage
The contractual penalty does not have to be based on the amount of fines for illegal parking in public spaces; it is usually between 15 and 60 euros.
“The limits are only reached where the required contractual penalties are so high that they are viewed as inappropriate in the event of a judicial review,” says Schnaars.
The Austrian Supreme Court recently intervened because of alleged disproportionate penalties imposed by a surveillance company.
“Massive problem”: Supermarkets want to use surveillance to crack down on long-term parkers
Customers do not enjoy any general rights in this regard.
According to ADAC experts, what is allowed and what is not can be found in the respective terms and conditions.
Being allowed to use the parking lot is usually linked to the length of time you spend shopping.
Not everyone sticks to that.
A Rewe spokesman reported to
focus.de
about a “massive problem with long-term parkers”.
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In order to take action against third-party parkers, supermarkets and discounters are increasingly seeking help from service providers such as fair parken GmbH.
Electronic registration or staff walking around ensures that only those who are allowed to park there park there.
Customers are therefore required to display a parking disc.
Forgot your parking disc?
In this way, customers can avoid contractual penalties
As annoying as traffic tickets are, customers shouldn't have anything to worry about.
Even if you forget your parking disc, you can avoid the fine.
As long as he can prove that he was actually shopping at the time in question.
It is therefore always advisable to take your receipt with you after shopping.
The receipt can be uploaded to the fair Parken GmbH homepage in order to have the fine canceled.
Anyone who rejects the slip at the checkout doesn't have to give in.
You can ask to cancel the penalty by email.
Experience has shown that customer service responds quickly and friendly.
A screenshot of the online debit is often enough to get rid of the matter.
However, if you paid in cash and forgot your receipt and parking disc, you probably have no choice but to bite the bullet.
If you do not agree to a contractual penalty, “you should above all consider how long your own breath lasts,” says ADAC expert Schnaars.
The claims can be lengthy and, in the worst case, go to court.
Hence the expert's advice for foresight: "Even if it's annoying, you should, if possible, look at the terms and conditions of use (T&Cs) before parking, or at least after you park the vehicle."
At the beginning of 2023 we reported on a Munich resident who got a parking ticket while he was shopping.
This led to the comment: “Edeka loves food, but not customers.” (rku)