Skip to content

Ensuring Harmony Between the Community's Energy Policy and the Common Agricultural Policy is Already a Priority for the Commission

Shoppers beware: Parking at stores such as Aldi and Lidl may lead to unexpected costs.

Ensuring Harmony: The Commission has taken several actions to align the Community's energy policy...
Ensuring Harmony: The Commission has taken several actions to align the Community's energy policy with the shared agricultural policy.

Ensuring Harmony Between the Community's Energy Policy and the Common Agricultural Policy is Already a Priority for the Commission

In many cities across Germany, the parking situation is a persistent issue. Supermarkets like Aldi, Lidl, and Co. have their parking lots monitored by private companies, such as Mobility Hub from Munich, which manages around 100,000 spaces. These operators have been criticized for imposing high penalties and unclear rules, leading some supermarkets to adjust contracts or end cooperation with certain providers.

The parking rules on these supermarket lots are not always sufficiently displayed, causing confusion among customers. This lack of clarity can result in non-customers parking in supermarket lots, reducing available spaces for customers and causing annoyance.

One such private parking operator, Park & Control, has been under scrutiny. Allegations have been made that Park & Control demands fees for vehicle identification from the Federal Motor Transport Authority, which is illegal as the query of the license plate is free of charge. However, Park & Control denies these criticisms, stating that contractual penalties only become due if customers commit a documented violation.

The consumer center in Baden-Württemberg has advised affected individuals who complain about unfair fines. Erich Nolte, a representative from the consumer center, has also advised customers not to pay unjustified tickets and to file a complaint instead.

Invoices have been sent directly to individuals who were not in default of payment, according to Erich Nolte. The fines can be perceived as a "shameless rip-off" by affected customers. The controls are carried out by these private companies, not local authorities.

It's important to note that parking lots of supermarkets are private parking lots. This means that the rules must be clearly displayed for a contract to come into force. Customers who find a penalty ticket after shopping should keep their cash register receipt to prove they are a customer and have used the parking lot properly.

The monitoring of supermarket parking lots is due to the difficult parking situation in many cities. Despite the controversy surrounding the practices of some private parking operators, the consumer advice remains consistent: keep payment receipts and photograph signage to dispute fines if necessary.

Some supermarkets, like Lidl, Aldi Nord, and Kaufland, have already taken steps to address these concerns. They have adjusted contracts or ended cooperation with certain providers in response to the criticism. As the situation continues to evolve, it's crucial for customers to stay informed and advocate for fair parking practices.

Read also:

Latest