Park Force Ticket

hayley3987

Hi everyone,

A week ago I got a ticket from Park Force for using the car park at work without a permit. And so I did some investigating and after reading some very helpful advice on here decided I would forget about it and not pay it.

However, after I told a couple of people at work about it, they've scared me a bit by saying that I should pay it because on the signs it says "you are entering into a contract" and if I don't pay it I will end up either with the debt collectors at my door or in court.

So just to put my mind at ease, could I have some advice please? Should I pay it because of the so-called "contract"? Or not be scared by their jargon and leave it?

Thank you.

daveyjp

Ignore everything. When you have all the fraudulent debt chasing letters you can copy them all for your colleagues and ask them who was right.

Copy them to your bosses too and ask them why they employ the services of knuckeddraggers. If they want money why don't they just send invoices to people in the phone book and demand cash from them?

anewman

The reason people here recommend ignoring and not paying is that such "contracts" cannot possibly stand up in court. One point is that a contract is with the driver, not the registered keeper. The registered keeper is not necessarily the driver and is not obliged to tell the Private Parking Company who was driving. Also, penalty clauses in contracts are in themselves illegal, they can only claim for actual losses they have suffered. Hence they will NOT take it to court, and there will be no bailiffs, CCJ's or bad credit records. And even if they do take it to court, with a proper defence they can not win. Letters from "debt collectors" can also be ignored as they have no powers, and where PPC's are involved, the debt collector is often another desk in the same office.

Please please please ignore and do not pay and tell all your work colleagues later that they did absolutely nothing other than send threatening letters that you just laughed off. They'll hopefully all be hanging off the story and an education that "you don't have to pay PPC invoices" is a good thing for Britain to have.

hayley3987

Thanks guys, that's really put my mind at ease already

I just hate that since I told colleagues about this, all of a sudden they've all got a law degree *rolls eyes*

taffy056

Also make sure your employer does not make an illegal payment to them by deducting your salary, they would be breaking the law by doing so, and if they start telling you to pay and threaten disciplinary action get your union (if you have one) involved.

Coupon-mad

hayley3987 wrote: »

Thanks guys, that's really put my mind at ease already

I just hate that since I told colleagues about this, all of a sudden they've all got a law degree *rolls eyes*

Please use this experience and the threatograms from debt collectors (which lead to a big fat NOTHING) to educate your colleagues.

It is important that word is spread about this scam, that's why we come on here!

I keep my letters from a bogus ticket from 18 months ago, in my handbag and always tell any colleagues or friends to ignore ANY private parking tickets if the subject comes up.

Sorry but are those colleagues so credulous that they'd pay any old invoice alleging a contract? Can I send them one?

hayley3987

I think they're just thinking the same way I did before I did a little digging - that is a parking fine, not realising that it is just an invoice from a PPC and that it won't hold up.

I don't have to worry about anything with my employers, the car park is used by many staff members from various shops in the town, but is owned by just one of them (which is not my employer). It is them who implemented the use of a PPC because it was being used by the general public when it was not supposed to be. They gave out 4 permits per shop, but as I work with 13 other people I was not lucky enough to get one. They went straight to the directors of the store who earn enough to be able to use a pay and display car park. Not like me who is on minimum wage.

Sorry, had to have a rant there!

Thanks everyone.

Spartacus_Mills

hayley3987 wrote: »

Hi everyone,

A week ago I got a ticket from Park Force for using the car park at work without a permit. And so I did some investigating and after reading some very helpful advice on here decided I would forget about it and not pay it.

However, after I told a couple of people at work about it, they've scared me a bit by saying that I should pay it because on the signs it says "you are entering into a contract" and if I don't pay it I will end up either with the debt collectors at my door or in court.

So just to put my mind at ease, could I have some advice please? Should I pay it because of the so-called "contract"? Or not be scared by their jargon and leave it?

Thank you.

The people you work with who told you this are idiots.

You should make sure that they, and everyone else you work with, knows that this is simply a scam and they should not pay up.

esmerobbo

I don't think your workmates are idiots they are just gullible and that's what these PPCs are relying on. The use of words like you are entering a contract may intimidate some and indeed does. However there is much more to entering a contract then just parking your car, even next to one of these signs.

Their relying on ignorance of people and making untruthful demands. Ignoring them completely is the best option, any success's they have had has been due to people acknowledging their scamvoice in the first place.

trisontana

On a similar note, many people don't seem to know the difference between debt collectors and bailiffs. Yhey think that the former can just turn up up at your door, demand you pay them money, or even have the power to clamp your car.

esmerobbo

trisontana wrote: »

On a similar note, many people don't seem to know the difference between debt collectors and bailiffs. Yhey think that the former can just turn up up at your door, demand you pay them money, or even have the power to clamp your car.

Yes I agree they too rely on fear of what people imagine they can do. Although they have less right to be there and have no more power then the local trick or treat or carol singers. [although you may choose to give the former two something]

I actually believe the word Bailiff should not be allowed to be used until after any court ruling. Simply because its use before can only be described as a threat.