ParkingEye - what happens next?

xcathx

Hello :hello:, I've been a lurker on this forum for a little while but this is my first post so please be gentle with me (also sorry for the long post)

My car was being used by someone else when it was parked in a shop car park for 45 mins longer than allowed. I have received letters 1,2 and 4 from ParkingEye shown in the 'Private Parking Companies' Letters: What to Expect (add your own)' thread.
After having a quick look on this site I ignored the first 2 invoices but after receiving the 'final notice' letter I was getting a bit fed up so decided to respond using the template from Martin's guide stating that I wasn't the driver and asked them not to contact me again, (wrongly) presuming that would put an end to it.

Today I received the following letter from them which is not shown on the above examples thread: (sorry I have no way of uploading this so had to type it out)

"Dear Sir / Madam
Thank you for your correspondance in relation to the outstanding Parking Charge incurred on [date] at [location].
We are writing to advise you that your recent appeal has been unsuccessful at this time and further evidence is required if you wish us to consider your appeal further. [I didn't even make an APPEAL, I just stated I would not be paying as I wasn't the driver]
You have stated that you were not the driver of the vehicle at the date and time of the breach of the terms and conditions of the car park, however you have failed to inform us who was, so the outstanding parking charge remains your responsibility.

Judge Ackroyd, 2008, Oldham Court, Combined Parking Solutions versus Mr Stephen Thomas, in the case where Mr Thomas claimed not to be the driver, but did not state who was, ruled that on the balance of probability he was the driver and ordered the Charge to be paid plus additional court costs. Therefore your options are either:

• Pay the outstanding Parking Charge, or
• Inform us who was the driver so that we can pass the responsibility of the Parking Charge onto them
  

If you choose to provide further evidence relating to your appeal within the next 7 days, we will place the outstanding charge on hold for a further 14 days whilst we consider your appeal further.

Otherwise please call our offices on 0844 247 2981 or visit parkingeye.co.uk to arrange payment of this Parking Charge.
Kind Regards
ParkingEye Team"

I was planning on sending a follow up letter (also using Martin's template mentioned above) asking them to stop contacting me, but suspect it would just be a waste of a stamp.
I have no intention of paying their invoice or giving them details of the driver. I know from reading a few threads here that they will not be taking me to court but am unsure what will happen next so I have a few questions:-

1) Should I expect any more letters, and if so, what will they say? I have read here that a lot of people only receive 3 before ParkingEye give up yet I've already received 4 within a month.

2) How likely is it that they'll send debt collectors (not bailiffs, I understand the difference) to my house? Will they try to intimidate/threaten me? What would I say to them to make them go away?

3) Is there any way to make this stop, other than just ignoring all correspondance and hoping they'll lose interest?

Thank you in advance for any help/advice

esmerobbo

Oh no their quoting the Thomas case! showing signs of desperation now!

You should have actually carried on ignoring them, but too late now. You have told them you were not the driver. You have no responsibility to inform them who the driver was!

Debt collectors calling very, very, very unlikely as it will cost them more! Even if they did turn up just give them the two fingered salute!:D

Just ignore them, they will stop, you may have encouraged them a little by contacting them but Parking spy will give up.


PS: Stephen Thomas case is widely thought to be a set up! Or he was a dope! Posting on a website that he was the driver but the PPC could not prove it. The PPC printed his postings off and gave them to the Court!

So basiaclly shoit all to do with your circumstances. Revert to IGNORE mode!!:D

Sir_Roger_deLodger

xcathx wrote: »

I was planning on sending a follow up letter (also using Martin's template mentioned above) asking them to stop contacting me, but suspect it would just be a waste of a stamp.
I have no intention of paying their invoice or giving them details of the driver. I know from reading a few threads here that they will not be taking me to court but am unsure what will happen next so I have a few questions:-

1) Should I expect any more letters,
Yes
and if so, what will they say?
Who knows, but whatever they say it will be rubbish.
I have read here that a lot of people only receive 3 before ParkingEye give up yet I've already received 4 within a month.
If you hadn't contacted them they would probably have given up by now. They now see you as a potential mug who may crack after a few more threats.

2) How likely is it that they'll send debt collectors (not bailiffs, I understand the difference) to my house?
Very unlikely. They will not waste fuel just to be told to go forth and multiply.
Will they try to intimidate/threaten me? What would I say to them to make them go away?
Just two words, the second being "off"

3) Is there any way to make this stop, other than just ignoring all correspondance and hoping they'll lose interest?
Unfortunately no, but if they want to keep wasting stamps it's their problem. Just laugh at them like the rest of us do.

Thank you in advance for any help/advice

Carry on ignoring. Esmerobbo's comments about the Thomas case are spot on.

Kite2010

Inform them that the driver was a Mr D. Cameron of number 10, SW1A 2AA

Or do the best thing and ignore. Parking Pie never do court as they can't prove whom the driver was or justify why a 3rd party is wanting lots and lots of money because your vehicle was parked for 5 minutes too long in a free car-park

xcathx

Thank you all for the replies, it has helped to put my mind at ease.

If I receive any further contact from them I will post here to let people know but certainly don't plan on responding to any more of their (empty) threats.

darkwarrior

Kite2010 wrote: »

Inform them that the driver was a Mr D. Cameron of number 10, SW1A 2AA

I imagine he'd just get done for fraud then. Sad since it would be funny if we could do that. Hell, we only pay Road Tax so we can't drive on our roads.

And ignore htem, my mother got a ticket from a private company and they sent letters threatening increases and such, not heard from them since.

hillcats

Same advice from me, I have been ignoring and nothing after the FINAL NOTICE yet...

Pixface

Hi..
My story differs a tad. Got the letter from PE, stating that I entered the car park at 1612 and left at 1905. In the car park the first hour of parking is free, then it is £1 for another 2 hours. Well, after being caught by these !!!!!!!s just before Christmas and paid the fine, I was adamant I wouldn't be caught again, so I made sure I was out there before the hour's free parking was up, and paid the money for the next two hours. The ticket came out with 1910 on it, and my money was returned to me (which I thought was a bit of a touch). I then left the car park at 1905 as had to be at work. Unfortunately, I've just emailed them saying:

"This is to appeal the parking fine that I have received for 26th January 2011.

On the date above, I purchased the free hours parking, at 1612 hours, and at 1705 hours I returned to the parking meter, and placed the correct money for another 2 hours parking into the meter, of which totalled £1. The time on the ticket that came out was 1910 hours. It was this ticket that I then placed into my car, in full view, replacing the older ticket. I then returned to my car at 1905 hours and drove away.

Unfortunately having taken my car in to be fixed as the ignition had broken down, I no longer have the tickets to present.

Thanks"


Have I shot myself in the foot?! What do I do now!? (dufus here emailed them before seeing all this excellent information, so feel even more stupid and worried now!!)

Orford

Pixface wrote: »

Have I shot myself in the foot?! What do I do now!? (dufus here emailed them before seeing all this excellent information, so feel even more stupid and worried now!!)

Not at all, just ignore them from now on. PE are all bark and no bite, they have never once issued a court claim. Just relax.

Pixface

Ok, thank you xx

taffy056

Parking cry are an utter joke, just ignore completely from now on.