It’s tempting to think it might have been an honest mistake, a warden on foot patrol saw the expired ticket and failed to check for the online extension?
Even so, rather than trying to settle it on a friendly basis, the best thing to is probably to initiate the formal appeals process. There’s usually a limited period in which to appeal, after which (if the appeal fails) the penalty increases, so she wants to have evidence that she acted promptly.
I’m wondering whether the car park might have a “no return in 30 minutes” or similar clause? If so, could extending it that way, from paper ticket to online, be treated as a “premature return”?
It’s a bit of a sore point with me. I’d never had a parking ticket in my entire life, until last week, from a private parking operator. Long story I think I could have appealed, as there was no proper signage. But in the interests of keeping my stress levels down, I’m afraid I just paid up.
