Take that OPC!

anewman

They're probably hoping for default judgements. If they get a significant number of these, then the loss in those 5 instances is probably negligible to them. I am guessing we don't hear about the unchallenged cases on the net.

Coupon-mad

anewman wrote: »

They're probably hoping for default judgements. If they get a significant number of these, then the loss in those 5 instances is probably negligible to them. I am guessing we don't hear about the unchallenged cases on the net.

I was thinking about this today and I suspect that most people just fold and pay when they get something that looks like real Court papers (even if not sealed by the Court). So I reckon that OPC still think this process is worthwhile even though some people 'get away'.

fluffnutter

This is fantastic. Great post.

But... from reading all the other advice on private carpark charges, I got the impression that these would never get to court...

How come this one did? It's a bit worrying for those who would find court intimidating.

Pimpslider

mookiandco, well done son. One right up the buttocks!!

:T:j:beer::T:j:beer::T:beer::j:T:beer::j

mookiandco

fluffnutter wrote: »

This is fantastic. Great post.

But... from reading all the other advice on private carpark charges, I got the impression that these would never get to court...

How come this one did? It's a bit worrying for those who would find court intimidating.

It may be that I made the 'mistake' of responding to the initial ticket as the general advice seems to be ignore, ignore, ignore! Also, the OPC head office is very close to where I live so it probably wasnt too much trouble for them to attend my local Court.

It is also possible that as my surname is very foreign sounding, although I dont want to bring race etc into it they possibly thought I wasnt english and therefore thought that I wouldnt know anything about the law or be able to speak english and they could use this to their advantage.

Whatever the reason, I hope they think twice about doing it to someone else now because as happy as I am that I won there was many a time when I wondered if it was all worth it for the sake of the £50.00 inital ticket. This is what they rely on and as I have had this hanging over me since the ticket in September 2008 I'm just glad that its all over with now. Although I am looking forward to receiving my cheque from them!!:j

I might even post a piccy of it here when it arrives!!!

fluffnutter

Thanks mookie.

I have another question. Perhaps I didn't read every post properly on the other site but I got a bit confused about the 'fake' court notices. How come they were fake if you actually ended up on court?

trisontana

fluffnutter wrote: »

Thanks mookie.

I have another question. Perhaps I didn't read every post properly on the other site but I got a bit confused about the 'fake' court notices. How come they were fake if you actually ended up on court?

One court paper that was definitely a fake was the one purporting to come from a magistrates court. As this was private parking ticket, and thus dealt with by the civil court, then to start talking about a magistrates court was being "economical with the truth". to say the least.

mookiandco

fluffnutter wrote: »

Thanks mookie.

I have another question. Perhaps I didn't read every post properly on the other site but I got a bit confused about the 'fake' court notices. How come they were fake if you actually ended up on court?

With one of the letters from their 'debt collectors' they attached a completed claim form from Harrow Magistrates Court. This claim hadnt been issued (as a Solicitor I knew that it would have to have the court seal on it to have been issued although others might not have known that) but it was just to scare me into thinking that it had and get me to pay up.

Also, Harrow Magistrates Court only deals with criminal matters and this was just another scare tactic to get me to think it was a crime not to pay the ticket and could result in a criminal conviction! As the Judge commented, even if he had not accepted my evidence he would have found against them anyway and I quote ' for making unwarranted demands for money in a wholly improper way'!!!

It was only later that they issued a small claims online when I didnt fall for their tactics!

Hadeon

fluffnutter wrote: »

This is fantastic. Great post.

But... from reading all the other advice on private carpark charges, I got the impression that these would never get to court...

How come this one did? It's a bit worrying for those who would find court intimidating.

Never say never...............the advice given, generally states to the effect that the odds of a PPC taking you to court in the first place are infinitesimal, & if they do, the odds on them winning a properly defended case are even less (as amply demonstrated by mookiandcos' case).

To address the second part of your post, - besides the dumb-**** PPC, God only knows. mookiandco has given possible reasons with regard to her own individual case.

Yes of course it's worrying for 'those who would find court intimidating' -sadly this is exactly what the PPCs' rely on, & is one of the major factors why they are are still in business.

We on MSE & the other forums can only continue 'spreading the gospel' & hope potential victims heed the advice/experiences/reassurances given by good folk, & not buckle under the weight of intimidating hollow threats from low-life scum.

fluffnutter

I'm quite looking forward to receiving my letters about my recent private carpark 'offence'. From reading some threads though I may have a long wait! Some of the 'offences' are years old before people receive their 'fines'.

I shall not be cowered though when I do. And it's thanks to the great support and advice on MSE.