Private Parking Tickets discussion

lorraine2651

Help! confused... had a phone call from UK Search Ltd who tell me they have a photo of my car, with their ticket on it, parked in a Leisure centre in Plymouth on 29 May 09 and that I got fined £80 - now £96). The car park was for patrons only, which he was but he did leave the site to get some money from the ATM (wont use those on site because he's been clonned before so only goes into banks) went back to the car park and went to watch Wolverine. I wasent driving the car, but might have let out who was when I spoke to the girl on the phone. Secondly, there was no ticket on the window of the car (they claim to have a photo of it) there were no letters sent to me by UK Parking Controls Ltd (DVLA SELL OUT AGAIN) as the owner of the car, now I am being threatened with court action by UK Search /Incasso Solicitors. I am no expert and I can see there are gaping holes in this one. Im not sure I can just ignore it, but am wondering about genning up on small claims court. any help please. So many of the other threads talk about having entered a contract by paying for a parking ticket, this was free or patron only (huge signs saying that, but cant find what UK parking Controls terms and conditions notice said, (was displayed but at entrace to very large car park and not readable in a moving car with very small print.)

juliescot

lorraine2651 wrote: »

Help! confused... had a phone call from UK Search Ltd who tell me they have a photo of my car, with their ticket on it, parked in a Leisure centre in Plymouth on 29 May 09 and that I got fined £80 - now £96). The car park was for patrons only, which he was but he did leave the site to get some money from the ATM (wont use those on site because he's been clonned before so only goes into banks) went back to the car park and went to watch Wolverine. I wasent driving the car, but might have let out who was when I spoke to the girl on the phone. Secondly, there was no ticket on the window of the car (they claim to have a photo of it) there were no letters sent to me by UK Parking Controls Ltd (DVLA SELL OUT AGAIN) as the owner of the car, now I am being threatened with court action by UK Search /Incasso Solicitors. I am no expert and I can see there are gaping holes in this one. Im not sure I can just ignore it, but am wondering about genning up on small claims court. any help please. So many of the other threads talk about having entered a contract by paying for a parking ticket, this was free or patron only (huge signs saying that, but cant find what UK parking Controls terms and conditions notice said, (was displayed but at entrace to very large car park and not readable in a moving car with very small print.)

I am sure the real experts will be along shortly but I cannot see anyway this is enforceable so I would ignore it.

When you say threatened - in what way threatened with court action?

juliescot

nat2101 wrote: »

Hi - can anyone help me...

I received two parking tickets from Thurrock Moto Services (just off the M25).

The tickets are from a private firm and I wasn't in the car, my boyfriend was driving.

I used the letter templates given on the private parking tickets page.

I have now received a letter saying...

As I have shown no willingness to provide the details of the driver, they are unable to take the case out of my name. If I refuse to tell them the driver, they assume that me or the driver in question are systematically abusing car parking facilities and the charge remains active.

The company has a phone number but as far as I can work out it's an answer phone only, they don't have a fax number so I can't send my replies to them quickly and so far I have sent 4 letters and it's costing me in stamps every time.

Each letter they send me is a basic template - not even addressed to me, just Dear Madam.

I'm not planning on paying these tickets - I'm just not sure what to do next??? ANY IDEAS??

Just file the letters, along with the others that will arrive and then eventually they will stop sending them as they lose interest.

Coblcris

nat2101 wrote: »

Hi - can anyone help me...

I received two parking tickets from Thurrock Moto Services (just off the M25).

The tickets are from a private firm and I wasn't in the car, my boyfriend was driving.

I used the letter templates given on the private parking tickets page.

I have now received a letter saying...

As I have shown no willingness to provide the details of the driver, they are unable to take the case out of my name. If I refuse to tell them the driver, they assume that me or the driver in question are systematically abusing car parking facilities and the charge remains active.

The company has a phone number but as far as I can work out it's an answer phone only, they don't have a fax number so I can't send my replies to them quickly and so far I have sent 4 letters and it's costing me in stamps every time.

Each letter they send me is a basic template - not even addressed to me, just Dear Madam.

I'm not planning on paying these tickets - I'm just not sure what to do next??? ANY IDEAS??

Keep all their letters and the envelopes safely in a file.
Then ignore them.

peter_the_piper

lorraine2651 wrote: »

Help! confused... had a phone call from UK Search Ltd who tell me they have a photo of my car, with their ticket on it, parked in a Leisure centre in Plymouth on 29 May 09 and that I got fined £80 - now £96). The car park was for patrons only, which he was but he did leave the site to get some money from the ATM (wont use those on site because he's been clonned before so only goes into banks) went back to the car park and went to watch Wolverine. I wasent driving the car, but might have let out who was when I spoke to the girl on the phone. Secondly, there was no ticket on the window of the car (they claim to have a photo of it) there were no letters sent to me by UK Parking Controls Ltd (DVLA SELL OUT AGAIN) as the owner of the car, now I am being threatened with court action by UK Search /Incasso Solicitors. I am no expert and I can see there are gaping holes in this one. Im not sure I can just ignore it, but am wondering about genning up on small claims court. any help please. So many of the other threads talk about having entered a contract by paying for a parking ticket, this was free or patron only (huge signs saying that, but cant find what UK parking Controls terms and conditions notice said, (was displayed but at entrace to very large car park and not readable in a moving car with very small print.)

I bet the letters are full of vague threats like:- may take you to court, may affect this that and the other, usual threatening letters to encourage you to give them some money that they don't deserve.

James_N

Crabman wrote: »

Google is your friend

Any more than these? Pity these are all clampers, not PCN extortionists.

"A BIRMINGHAM car clamping firm which sparked furious complaints from scores of motorists was today raided by trading standards officers."

http://www.birminghammail.net/news/birmingham-news/2008/02/14/raid-on-car-clamp-firm-97319-20476865/

"Birmingham car clampers arrested on suspicion of blackmail"
http://www.birminghampost.net/news/west-midlands-news/2009/07/17/birmingham-car-clampers-arrested-on-suspicion-of-blackmail-65233-24173782/


http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/brent&harrow/NEWS-pros.htm#CLAMPER12
LOCAL CAR CLAMPER FINED £12,000

"An unscrupulous clamper who charged two motorists £480 each - one of whom had parked in order to use a car wash - to free their vehicles has been fined a total of £12,000 following a case brought by Brent and Harrow Council trading standards.

The Local Authority acted after being told how Jade Sweeney, had forced two motorists to pay non-existent fees to free their vehicles. In one case a mother was clamped after parking in the car park of the now derelict Matrix pub in Alexandra Avenue, South Harrow, while she went to a toy shop opposite. In another case, motorist Norman Tate was clamped after he parked in the car park of the Sam Maguire pub in Wealdstone. Mr Tate found his vehicle immobilised after leaving it briefly to get some money to use a car wash based in the car park.

Both drivers told the court that Sweeney, aged 33, was waiting with a tow track and demanded the car owners pay up. Mrs Anjula Shah said she was reduced to paying the exorbitant fee using a credit card after asking a manager at the Matrix for help.

The court heard that the normal fee for unclamping was £130 but Sweeney had 'padded' the bill with bogus extra costs including a tow removal fee of £250, a call out free of £60 and a storage fee of £40.

After a two-day trial, a jury at Harrow Crown Court found Sweeney, of Matlock Crescent, South Oxhey, Watford, guilty of two offences under the Consumer Protection Act 1987. He went on to admit four offences under the Business Names Act relating to his failure to give full details of his company. The court fined Sweeney, who traded as Safeguard Security, £5,000 with £6619 costs and told him to repay the motorists their £480 each.

Bill Bilon, Head of Brent and Harrow Council Trading Standards, said: "These motorists were forced to pay completely inflated bills to get their cars back, and it was a complete rip-off."

"The hefty fine imposed on Sweeney should serve as notice that we will come down hard on cowboy clampers. They may make a quick buck but they can expect to lose it in the courts."

windwhistle_2

Had a ticket the other day for quote leaving site from TPS with all the normal claptrap about contract etc.I will be ignoring all the letters etc With out this site I would have paid.

caspa2006

hiya everyone I am new on here,

can anyone help I had a ticket the other week from UKPC, they police the tesco car park, cradley heath were I live.

the situation is on the day in question I was at a charity fund raising doing and my other half used my car an old merc E320 its a big old thing see went shopping at tesco's and the only space she found was between 2 cars and how they were parked made her go other the white line, and when she came out the other cars had gone and now she has a £40 ticket for not parking right but I own the car she does't.

I have sent off the two letter from this site which were great telling them that it was't me and I was't paying, now I have a 3rd letter say they don't care and still want there money, and state in these particular circumstances are neither unreasonable nor unjust so they will not be waiving this parking charge.

can anyone help, shall I just stop responding now

cheer
Derek, west midlands

peter_the_piper

caspa2006 wrote: »

hiya everyone I am new on here,

can anyone help I had a ticket the other week from UKPC, they police the tesco car park, cradley heath were I live.

the situation is on the day in question I was at a charity fund raising doing and my other half used my car an old merc E320 its a big old thing see went shopping at tesco's and the only space she found was between 2 cars and how they were parked made her go other the white line, and when she came out the other cars had gone and now she has a £40 ticket for not parking right but I own the car she does't.

I have sent off the two letter from this site which were great telling them that it was't me and I was't paying, now I have a 3rd letter say they don't care and still want there money, and state in these particular circumstances are neither unreasonable nor unjust so they will not be waiving this parking charge.

can anyone help, shall I just stop responding now

cheer
Derek, west midlands

Unfortunately you have contacted them.A quick search on this site would have shown that there is no reason to contact them as it only means you get a few more threatening letters before they give up. The charges are neither reasonable or just and should be completely ignored. Google ukpc as well and you will see just how toothless they are.

hairy_g

Perhaps if more people sign this, http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/DVLA-Data/
something may get done. Don't build your hopes up though.