Private Parking Tickets discussion

helpneeded_

OK got a 'penalty charge' a few months ago and now got the letter through (after they got my details from the DVLA :mad:) demanding payment within 7 days.

Obviously I'm going to ignore these letters, but as I've read someone's earlier post, I'll expect letters from Debt Collection agencies and Solicitors -
Now are these real debt collection agencies and solicitors?
Do I still ignore these? If so do I end up getting 'big heavies' arriving on my doorstep? :eek:

Sir_Roger_deLodger

helpneeded_ wrote: »

OK got a 'penalty charge' a few months ago and now got the letter through (after they got my details from the DVLA :mad:) demanding payment within 7 days.

Obviously I'm going to ignore these letters, but as I've read someone's earlier post, I'll expect letters from Debt Collection agencies and Solicitors -
Now are these real debt collection agencies and solicitors?
Do I still ignore these? If so do I end up getting 'big heavies' arriving on my doorstep? :eek:

Yes, carry on ignoring. Don't confuse debt collectors with bailiffs, they have no more power to demand money from you than I do. They never appear on your doorstep, it is just a scare tactic.

juliescot

helpneeded_ wrote: »

OK got a 'penalty charge' a few months ago and now got the letter through (after they got my details from the DVLA :mad:) demanding payment within 7 days.

Obviously I'm going to ignore these letters, but as I've read someone's earlier post, I'll expect letters from Debt Collection agencies and Solicitors -
Now are these real debt collection agencies and solicitors?
Do I still ignore these? If so do I end up getting 'big heavies' arriving on my doorstep? :eek:

Yes they will be real debt collectors and real solicitors.
They will write you threatening letters which you can safely ignore.

Real debt collectors and real solicitors can no more make you pay an unenforceable invoice than I can.

(I am not a debt collector or solicitor - real or imagined)

BFG_2

Hi there,

I've got a problem, hope you all can help.

I'm typically too lazy to read the threads that say 'Read this sticky thread before posting on here'.

What should I do??

BFG_2

I also just ignore massive big read signs on the first posting saying "DISCUSSION THREAD ONLY. IF YOU HAVE A SPECIFIC CASE START A NEW THREAD"

paul_h_5

James_N wrote: »

Hi

We have the same from the same place. I have PMed you. When you go down there, also note the SIZE of the letters. My - lets say "medically" defective sight can't read the detail, and neither can my getting-old-in-a normal-way wife.

I've started another thread about this commercial aspect of private charges - there's a massive complex down there, with cinema, Pizza hut, botanic gardens, many many shops and a vet surgery. Imagine having your cat or dog treated and then this "fine" letter afterwards. Is this "fine" joined up thinking for this shopping complex?

I am thinking of negative publicity: The Ferret, South Wales Evening Post, blog ... the thing is - it needs more than one person - a single person can easily be picked off as a nutter. Who is with me?

Hi, I also have received exactly the same from Excel at Park Tawe, Swansea (see my other post). The evidence they have sent me is the photo of an A1 sign attached to a wall 5 metres from the duel laned, cornered entrance which apparently visitors are not only meant to see but I guess read upon entering. I have now received 4 letters demanding payment and am writing a letter today to state that I am refusing to pay ask them to stop sending me harrassing and intimidating letters. I now want to know their course of action and will ask for a responce withing 14 days, as this has gone on long enough. I will also say this about Excel for those in similar circumstances.

They have clearly stratically placed signs and made them so small that many people will not see them and then try to charge totally inproportional sums to their unsuspecting victims. Most people are not stupid and had they seen the signs would simply leave the car park prematurely. In any case, I wonder what the retailer would say if you said "I can't come in and spend any money in your shop on the outlet, my car is about to go over the 3 free hours, and there is no way of extending that. I must leave the complex immediately." They clearly do not serve the shops/restaurants on the retail park that the car park was designed for.

The appeal process is completely flawed as it is not independent. How can the company issuing the charge act as judge and jury for appeals. They also had a near identical case in Mansfield which was quashed. I can not post the link but search it on google.

I am more than willing to join a cause against Excel at Park Tawe and should you start making progress on this front please PM me and I will do my best to get behind it. The last few months have opened my eyes a great deal and there is nothing that riles me more than people or businesses that try to get money for nothing from people who can't afford it.

peter_the_piper

paul_h wrote: »

Hi, I also have received exactly the same from Excel at Park Tawe, Swansea (see my other post). The evidence they have sent me is the photo of an A1 sign attached to a wall 5 metres from the duel laned, cornered entrance which apparently visitors are not only meant to see but I guess read upon entering. I have now received 4 letters demanding payment and am writing a letter today to state that I am refusing to pay ask them to stop sending me harrassing and intimidating letters. I now want to know their course of action and will ask for a responce withing 14 days, as this has gone on long enough. I will also say this about Excel for those in similar circumstances.

They have clearly stratically placed signs and made them so small that many people will not see them and then try to charge totally inproportional sums to their unsuspecting victims. Most people are not stupid and had they seen the signs would simply leave the car park prematurely. In any case, I wonder what the retailer would say if you said "I can't come in and spend any money in your shop on the outlet, my car is about to go over the 3 free hours, and there is no way of extending that. I must leave the complex immediately." They clearly do not serve the shops/restaurants on the retail park that the car park was designed for.

The appeal process is completely flawed as it is not independent. How can the company issuing the charge act as judge and jury for appeals. They also had a near identical case in Mansfield which was quashed. I can not post the link but search it on google.

I am more than willing to join a cause against Excel at Park Tawe and should you start making progress on this front please PM me and I will do my best to get behind it. The last few months have opened my eyes a great deal and there is nothing that riles me more than people or businesses that try to get money for nothing from people who can't afford it.

Golden rule with ppc's, the more you contact them the longer they will harass you.

Methusela

BFG wrote: »

I also just ignore massive big read signs on the first posting saying "DISCUSSION THREAD ONLY. IF YOU HAVE A SPECIFIC CASE START A NEW THREAD"

Have a heart BFG. It can be very confusing to newcomers, trying to follow the purpose of some of the threads on this site.

For example, there is one thread entitled "British Parking Association agrees to face its critics" in which the British Parking Association completely fails to face its critics.

With threads like that going, why worry about a few wrong postings???

James_N

peter_the_piper wrote: »

Golden rule with ppc's, the more you contact them the longer they will harass you.

I sent a strongly worded letter to Excel immediately, have had two standard letters and one personal one (the lie that it "doesn;t matter you were not the driver") and since then nothing.

James_N

paul_h wrote: »

There is a problem there - with a retail park on the edge of a largely closed off city centre, but the difficulties this creates should not impact on people making perfectly reasonable use of the parking offered there.