Tesco dented my car!

[Donald]

I'm losing it here.

You place a whole argument around not having the CCTV/whatever.
It's the only proof you will have of the incident occurring.
I give you a way to possibly get the footage, so give you a way to possibly get compensation.
"it's not worth the effort"

What's wrong with you? They're not going to rollover and give you money because you've stuck your bottom lip out.

For a start you're already losing because you didn't report it on the day. I feel sorry for whoever has to click to send these generic letters out to people who don't play by the rules.

[Rich]

I meant no disrespect there Donald, I do appreciate your advice and I will ask about getting access to the cctv footage, but if they make it difficult I have to ask myself how much I want to put into this, I'm busy enough as it is without having to worry about this. That's all I meant

[Shiny]

I suspect they would only provide CCTV footage as evidence to prove innocence and deny liability, not incriminate themselves.

[Donald]

No disrespect taken Rich

Shiny probably hit the nail on the head. The beauty of the SAR under DPA 1998, providing every criteria is met, is that they have to give it to you regardless of if you wanted it to claim against them or for printing the image onto a buttplug. However the reality is their retention policy is probably shorter than the time they have to comply within, and so if incriminating they could just drag it out until it's autopruned, then 'attempt' to comply with the SAR.

[wurlycorner]

Size of the legal team they can afford on a £2bn profit isn't relevant, the only thing that gets looked at is what is the cheapest way of making it go away and and retaining customer loyalty. Why do you think they asked for the Tesco club card number? So that from all the massive shopping data they have on him, they can work out how much he is worth to them as a future customer.

Same reason why if you go up to the customer service counter at Sainsbury's to say 'i bought this bottle of <insert generic brand name of fabric conditioner here> a couple of weeks ago and it's gone all lumpy on me, but I don't have the receipt any more', they'll just give you a refund, because it's not worth their time disputing and they get good will points. This is slightly different because they get tons of bogus claims all the time and need to sort the wheat from the chaff, hence the bullshit first letter, but they should still look at it in that way after a bit more persuasion. Plus they will take a view on the possibility of being prosecuted under hswa (though Tesco are very poor on this type of thing, as I stated earlier).

Have to disagree entirely with you on this one Donald, I think he has every right to complain to the useless dipshits on this and expect them to pay up.

[Donald]

Agreed that he has every right to complain, not saying he doesn't, I'm just of the view that you should never expect the best of a situation regardless of resolution route.

[Doggo]

I know you said you don't want to go legal, but I'd be tempted (If I hear nothing soon) just to fire a small claims form at them... might cost £15 quid and ten minutes (Can't remember exactly) but my guess is you'll get a hundred back fairly sharp... for added PITA, copy it to their Board Director's home addresses (Listed with Companies House - google it) or threaten to and make it clear you have them. Less hassle than you think and just a thought.

[Sailor]

Proof, proof, proof. Unfortunately, it doesn't look as if you have any ... unless the CCTV footage does cover it and can be secured in time. Get a written quote for the repair before your next approach, so that you have a definite, specific claim. The small claims court might be a good idea.

By the way, who moved the sign away from your car and back into position, if at all?

[Rich]

I did, I picked it up off the ground near my car and put it into the position it is in my first pic then went into the shop. When I came out it had blown into the road behind my car.

I wish I'd seen the extent of the damage there and then, I would definitely have reported it, but I was in such a rush to get home I just took a quick look and dismissed it as a light scuff

Hindsight...

Well I've learnt a valuable lesson if nothing else

[Doggo]

Bullcrap, mate!

Nothing to do with when you spotted it - that's just a line they're pedalling. Ultimately you're not trying to pull anything here. Their sign bashed your car. Simple. Don't let them imply that you're not being honest - just keep pushing the truth and put them in a position where they have to say to you outright that they think you are lying. It might not always work but in my experience it often does. If anyone does say that then escalate it. The time and the energy might be tricky, but every time we put up with this crap it takes a little from us, and instead you can gain something or at least know you tried.

You have absolutely zero blame for not reporting it earlier. That's irrelevant to the fact that they caused your car to be damaged. The reporting thing is just obfuscation - an excuse that they try on because it puts most people off. Don't make it easy for the fuckers.

(sorry, off my soapbox now )