We’re doing nothing wrong, say South Side cars-for-sale drivers
Thursday 24th March 2011, 11:30AM GMT.
Cars on sale in the South Side car park.
Islanders who have parked their cars at South Side, St Sampson’s, while trying to sell them have defended their actions.
It follows criticism that vehicles are blocking spaces in public car parks and allegations they are being used to sell vehicles on a commercial scale.
But three men, none of whom would give their full name, who had their cars between Le Crocq Pier and Rue Dorey said they were doing nothing improper.
‘I don’t see anything wrong with it. People have been parking cars there to sell since there have been parking spaces there,’ said Mike, who is seeking a buyer for his old car. ‘I put my clock up and move it so it is no less legal than any other car parked there.’
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It’s simple.
Get someone from the income tax to go down there and take down all the phone numbers and check to see the owners. See if they are selling more then one car or are regularly selling cars and declaring it as a business.
Problem solved as most of them there are not paying tax. Fine them for not paying tax.
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If mike is moving his car to a different space and then changing his clock he is probably breaking the law as in most car parks re-parking is prohibited for 30 minutes.
I have no issues with selling their car’s in this location apart from the fact that it’s quite dangerous driving along there as people will randomly stop or slow down if they see one they fancy.
The problem comes from the fact that a growing number of people are turning this into a business. Quite frequently there are a number of cars being sold by the same person with the same contact phone numbers showing up again and again. If these people are importing MOT rejects then this is a major saftey issues.
If they are running this as an informal business as opposed to just getting rid of their old motor then i they should require a license of some form and should be charged for using public land as a forecourt.
I’m also fairly sure that i have seen a number of cars at Vazon on a Sunday which have spent their week on one of the islands garage forecourts, and which return there on a Monday morning.
Maybe the environment deparement should keep a check on individuals who are buying and selling cars at an unusual rate.
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They are not doing anything wrong its public parking and these people are the public. Im not to happy with my car and I like driving past seeing whats on offer. It helps the island to sell and buy cars, there is plenty of parking around the area for everyone even if you have to walk a little extra which is great for your health. I see no harm it would be a shame to waste time and money getting these innocent people in trouble.
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This is a complete non-story. Parking laws are flouted all over the island on a daily basis – people parking overtime, stopping on yellow lines, using unloading bays to go shopping, able-bodies people parking in disabled spaces, changing clocks without moving etc.
I can’t imagine it’s any worse there, but just in case it is the solution is simple enough – send a traffic warden round regularly and issue tickets to offenders – just like everywhere else.
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make it paid parking
simples
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Quite, Paul. Even when the parking is legal, it’s just one of many ways in which we squander precious space on the car. My personal favourite: ‘viewing spaces’ where you aren’t even allowed to leave the vehicle, which as far as I can see entirely defeats the object of parking.
So who’s to say what is and is not a legitimate use for a parking space?
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Isn’t this what we have car lots for? To sell the cars? And there is no parking for 30 minutes so unless he is driving around for that time it is not legal. If they want to sell their cars they should have it on their own property not in a public car park.
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what next, hedge veg, flower stalls, carboots
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Haleigh
You haven’t thought your post through.
What if they own a flat and don’t have a parking space? Many town dwellers use public car parks legally overnight. What if their property is away from general public view?
Public car parks are exactly as the name say – public. As long as the cars are legally parked they have as much right to use them as you.
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Paul LP
My problem isn’t with people selling their car in a public car park on a one off basis, it’s with people running a business from a public car park. If i was operating an ice-cream van i would need a license to ensure that the product I’m selling is safe for consumption, i’m paying to use the site, and i’m paying my taxes.
A friend of mine recently bought a car from a carpark from a person who had 3 other cars on sale at the time and was expecting more in the next few days.
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