Private Parking Tickets discussion

shortchanged_2

Surfer26 wrote: »

I recently used a private car park where I bought a ticket but unbeknownst to me, when I put it in the car window it was upside down. So I have been fined £60 by Armtrac, they have also sent a photograph of my car with the ticket facedown. Should I pay this? I wrote to them and sent a copy of the ticket but they said that as it was facedown it was void. Any advice?

It doesn't prove who was driving though, does it.

Surfer26

The thing with the ticket is that it does clearly say 'Place ticket face up' which I thought I had done, I guess it was the wind or something that blew it over when I shut the door. So I understand that I am in the wrong so I sent a copy of the ticket to the company and explained what happened but they have said it wasn’t displayed correctly so I must pay.
I don't really want to have all the grief of letters, especially as my car is registered at my parents, not the flat where I actually live. Should I definitely just ignore the whole event?

I have read a few of the other posts about these type of companies but surely they must have some sort of legal power to enforce the fine or else people would just park in private car parks and not even bother to get a ticket as they know they don’t have to pay the fines?

trisontana

We repeat again, this is not a FINE! You have done nothing wrong and no laws have been broken by you. There is a difference between paying to park (and nobody argues with that) and the disproportionate penalties demanded by these companies for breaking their stupid rules. Don't forget that private parking is a civil matter, and under civil law the landowner or its agent can only claim for the actual material loss suffered. In your case that comes to a big fat zero. Relax and don't worry.

shortchanged_2

Surfer26 wrote: »

The thing with the ticket is that it does clearly say 'Place ticket face up' which I thought I had done, I guess it was the wind or something that blew it over when I shut the door. So I understand that I am in the wrong so I sent a copy of the ticket to the company and explained what happened but they have said it wasn’t displayed correctly so I must pay.
I don't really want to have all the grief of letters, especially as my car is registered at my parents, not the flat where I actually live. Should I definitely just ignore the whole event?

I have read a few of the other posts about these type of companies but surely they must have some sort of legal power to enforce the fine or else people would just park in private car parks and not even bother to get a ticket as they know they don’t have to pay the fines?

That's exactly what they want you to think and your reply highlights the fact why they have been successful over the years because they rely on peoples lack of knowledge regarding the unenforceability of contract law.

All the official looking tickets and letters is all a part of the scam to make it look legal and official.

Coupon-mad

Surfer26 wrote: »

The thing with the ticket is that it does clearly say 'Place ticket face up' which I thought I had done, I guess it was the wind or something that blew it over when I shut the door. So I understand that I am in the wrong so I sent a copy of the ticket to the company and explained what happened but they have said it wasn’t displayed correctly so I must pay.
I don't really want to have all the grief of letters, especially as my car is registered at my parents, not the flat where I actually live. Should I definitely just ignore the whole event?

I have read a few of the other posts about these type of companies but surely they must have some sort of legal power to enforce the fine or else people would just park in private car parks and not even bother to get a ticket as they know they don’t have to pay the fines?

Calm down, this is a scam and you are giving it too much respect!

Definitely ignore all the letters, it may be that they send them to your flat address anyway if you gave them that in your 'appeal' (LOL, there is no appeal, this isn't a real fine with real consideration given to any mitigating circumstances!).

They just want your money, just as a phishing emailer does when he says you've won the Nigerian Lottery. You know all those links I showed you earlier, plus the Watchdog programme linked in our sticky threads by Crabman? Show them to your parents so they KNOW this is a scam - DO NOT allow them to 'help you' by paying the scammers!

Presumably your parents will believe Watchdog if not just the 3 forums I have linked for you? What about confirmation from a legal expert in the Guardian then for good measure:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2010/sep/04/parking-ticket-private-property


PPCs do NOT have any legal power to enforce these demands, because they are not real parking tickets, it's just like an invoice (only no service has been provided). Do you think that because someone sends you an invoice then says they'll take you to Court if you don't cough up, that somehow you must pay?

Can I invoice you for reading this advice post then?! £75 sounds a nice figure!

Surfer26

'It doesn't prove who was driving though, does it'

I'm the only one on the insurance though, not that the security company can get this informtion (I guess?).

trisontana

Surfer26 wrote: »

'It doesn't prove who was driving though, does it'

I'm the only one on the insurance though, not that the security company can get this informtion (I guess?).

Don't forget that these companies are just private citizens with no special powers. Just as you or I cannot obtain this information, then neither can the parking company or debt collector. You are taking these people much too seriously. As I said before they are just private citizen with delusions of grandeur.

esmerobbo

Surfer26 wrote: »

I'm the only one on the insurance though, not that the security company can get this informtion (I guess?).

I could have been driving.;) Ignore them the are just asking you to pay they have no power to force you to. Although they would like you to think they have.

Surfer26

Great, thanks for all the advice everyone, it has put my mind at rest.

shortchanged_2

Surfer26 wrote: »

'It doesn't prove who was driving though, does it'

I'm the only one on the insurance though, not that the security company can get this informtion (I guess?).

Almost anyone with fully comp insurance can drive your car with your permission.

And you are not legally bound to inform them who was driving at the time.