Marston Group/Drakes

LolStevo

Hiya again!!! I had a motor offence for for £250 as i didnt pay it within a month it has been passed over to Marston group (formely Drakes) and the amount has gone up to £475, iv tried to set up a payment plan but they say a bailiff is due out so they can only accept the full amount and that i need to wait for the bailiff to come out to set something up!

The only problem is:

My boyfriend had a seatbelt fine for £40, he was stupid and never paid it and last week a bailiff forced his way into his house when he was at work and threatened him mum saying he would take all of her stuff until she could prove it wasnt his, i had to go round and offered to pay £100 there and then and then more when he got paid, he wouldnt accept this only the full amount which had gone up tp £270!! in the end his mum made me pay it on my debit card,

So overall i know that the bailiff wont agree a plan, they just want the ful amount, he was very aggresive and as i dont live at home i wont be there when they come!!!

I dont no what to do, my mum is in hospital so its the last thing my dad needs!!! xx

amyandjon

ooo gosh i dont know but i didnt want to leave without saying anything i didnt know motor offences did that i thought you just went to court .... maybe dont open the door :S hopefully someone can offer advice x

LolStevo

thanks! Its already been to court n thats how iv got the fine, his mum tried to close the door on the bailiff but he pushed it back open with his foot! n he was a big man!!!! xx

Herbie21

When HMCS gave these debts to Marston's and Philips they also appointed 7 regional HMCS Managers who you can address any compliants to. Can you let me know by PM which area of the country you are in and I will let you have the e-mail address of the relevant person to make a complaint to.


Marston can charge a letter fee of £50 and IF they have to visit then an additional fee of £175 can also be charged. Did your boyfriend receive a letter and was it sent 1st class?

It is very worrying that the bailiff has refused a payment offer and instead insists on making a visit as this will allow him to charge an additional £175, which frankly could be avoided. He DOES NOT need to visit.

I would suggest contacting the bailiff first thing in the morning to say that you are sending a letter of complaint to HMCS.


https://www.bailiffadviceonline.co.uk

Alfonso_Skinarelli

LolStevo wrote: »

iv tried to set up a payment plan but they say a bailiff is due out so they can only accept the full amount and that i need to wait for the bailiff to come out to set something up!

The problem here is that the debt wasn't paid within 7 days of the letter date (HMCS guideline, not the bailiffs). As such, an attendance fee of £175 is applied immediately. If you phone Marstons after the payment deadline, it's policy for the call centre staff to refuse any kind of payment arrangement. This is wrong. Before a bailiff visits, they can set up a payment arrangement over a 6 week period to pay off the debt if the debt is paid IN FULL. For anyone reading, always challenge the call centre staff about when the bailiff has visited as the attendance fee cannot be applied until the bailiff's knuckles hit the door on the warrant.

LolStevo wrote: »

The only problem is:

My boyfriend had a seatbelt fine for £40, he was stupid and never paid it and last week a bailiff forced his way into his house when he was at work and threatened him mum saying he would take all of her stuff until she could prove it wasnt his, i had to go round and offered to pay £100 there and then and then more when he got paid, he wouldnt accept this only the full amount which had gone up tp £270!! in the end his mum made me pay it on my debit card,

So overall i know that the bailiff wont agree a plan, they just want the ful amount, he was very aggresive and as i dont live at home i wont be there when they come!!!

I dont no what to do, my mum is in hospital so its the last thing my dad needs!!! xx

Please confirm, have you paid the full amount outstanding or just £100?

The bailiff is entitled to levy against goods which he believes belong to the debtor unless proof to the contrary is forthcoming. This is a very grey area unfortunately and often played upon to get the required result.

PS Herbie21,

Are you a Sheila?