Having shopped in Retford most Fridays for the last 15 years I find that as a pensioner I am being treated as a second class citizen by your local Aldi store, Having received a parking charge for overstaying the time limit in Aldi the local store manager checked with regional manager and then pointed out that although I had shopped in Aldi my bill at just £19 was not enough as only those who spent more than £30 could have the charge cancelled. I often spend £50-£60 in the town but not all in the one shop.

By slowshopper at 10:55 on 25/06/11

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Dear Slowshopper

I can understand how terribly frustrating this is, it seems entirely wrong, unfair and ridiculous to have different rules according to how much you spend. I can understand time limits must be imposed to allow fair access to the car park, but the frustration over the amount spent in store seems ludicrous!

I wonder if anyone else has experienced the same? I will look into this further for you. Thanks for sharing your experience here today, hopefully we can work together towards fairer treatment in our town.

By simplyretford at 11:44 on 25/06/11
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We need to be a lot more focussed on brionging shoppers into the town (although im not sure why they would want to come, what attracts them?), so putting in more pay and display car parks is not the answer.

Free, or extremely cheap, parking has to be available.

By newcomer59 at 10:18 on 14/07/11
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Yes exactly, did you hear about the problem with new street car park (see news tab ) last weekend? Some people got fined when they were the only ones that had actually paid for a ticket! It is very bad, it must put people off shopping in the town even more!

By Sarahp76 at 22:09 on 19/07/11
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Since I posted the original message about Aldi car parking fine I have received lots of replies and found many Aldi customers thoughout the country with a similar problem. When you park in a carpark for a fee and a set period of time you are aware of how long you have. Parking in Aldi car park Retford used to be free, then had a meter installed and parking fee could be reclaimed in shop and now has no parking fee only a notice in one corner( not seen on day I parked there) stating how long you may stay and this will not be enforced if you spend over £30 in Aldi that day.

By slowshopper at 14:03 on 20/07/11
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That is terrible! There appears to be a number of problems regarding parking in Retford at the moment.

By nataliag at 16:27 on 20/07/11
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This really is unacceptable, the signage should have been so much clearer, and it is interesting to see that there are several reports of problems around the country. I will get on to Twitter now and see if I can find someone who can help.

By simplyretford at 16:29 on 20/07/11
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Well, it seems Aldi are on Twitter but not active on there, I will have to go and see the store very soon to discuss this, it is really not on!

By simplyretford at 16:35 on 20/07/11
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Good thinking 'simplyretford'. I think in this day and age it's important people take a stand. Making the big organisations know they can't get away with things is important in my opinion.

By Iain316 at 16:40 on 20/07/11
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I know this is an old post but if you are issued a non council parking ticket you do not have to pay it.
You should have just ignored the ticket.
My wife got a ticket last year when the machine wa sout of order,
She asked the man whio was trying to fix it and said its ok the machines not working just park.
So she did and a few weeks later recieved a parking ticket in the post.
So i emailed the "parking eye" company and told them trhey can go and whistle if they think im going to pay and that they be away with the fairies if they think im paying a penny.
I got an email back saying thanks for contacting them and the case is closed.
Just incase anyone gets a non council parking cahrge anywhere in future bear this in mind!

By RetfordPetrol at 23:33 on 23/03/12
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I am Aldi's side on this one. I think their parking arrangements are generous and if abused, as in my observation they often are, then Aldi will be forced to change them for the sake of their own customers and their own business and then we will all suffer..

By adjutator at 10:34 on 24/03/12
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But hey she was a genuine customer!
How can that be fair?

By RetfordPetrol at 16:07 on 24/03/12
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It is fair because, if I remember correctly, the time limit is 1.5 hours. If you have ever shopped at Aldi you will know you cannot possibly spend 1.5hrs shopping in there so they are being generous to shoppers and other shopkeepers by letting you do some other shopping as well. Overstay and you are possibly depriving genuine Aldi customers of their free parking and depriving Aldi of business. Abuse Aldi and complain about them too much and I can see them making it 30 minutes. I have no connection with Aldi other than shopping there 3 times a week.

By adjutator at 17:27 on 24/03/12
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weird how i have never seen Aldi car park full depriving other customers of parking?

By RetfordPetrol at 23:06 on 26/03/12
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Yes very weird, weird how I have to wait for a free space at peak times.

By adjutator at 05:13 on 27/03/12
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Hmm... join in everyone!
Have posted on facebook and twitter to see what everyone else thinks...!

By SuzannahAtkey at 09:16 on 27/03/12
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