private parking charge notice confusion

petsathome

Hi!

I recently had a letter from Excel charging me 60 pounds (going up to 100 if not paid within 14 days) for allegedly overstaying for 16 minutes in a 3 hours free car park. The consensus on the consumer forum I asked is that I should not respond at all, but reading the article here it says I should write a letter. But in a sticky forum post above it says I should ignore.

I understand that it is not a fine I got but that they are trying to allege breach of contract. What is the best course of action here? Do I appear more guilty by not responding at all?

Also, they say the liability for the pcn lies with the owner/keeper/driver/hirer - from what I understand it is the driver only that is responsible though.

Thanks for any advice!

peter_the_piper

1)Its not a PCN, a penalty charge notice can only be given by councils/police. They may have other names for the initials though.
2) any alledged debt/contract can only be with the driver and the RK cannot be forced to reveal who that is. eg We drive a corsa and any of 4 drivers are allowed to use it.
3) Ignore and do not admit who the driver was on any forum, the PPC mobs all look on them for easy pickings.
4) Any loss to the car park owner is a percentage of the 3 free hours. The cost of 3 hours is nil, 16 minutes is also nil. So any contract is for nil, so you owe them nothing.

Coblcris

Personally I would not contact a Private Parking Company (unless I was issuing court papers on them).

pogofish

Yes - These guys are chancers. Simply file the threatening letters for future evidence till they give up.