Meteor Parking, Brighton - is this a deliberate scam?

SodG24

loobiloo wrote: »

now there is sexism in action! I did wonder that after I posted it, and why I assumed you were a man! tut tut!

I wouldn't worry - it's a great B&H love in here

EmilD

I've read the replies with interest. The concensus seems to be don't pay and I really don't want to. Are you guys ABSOLUTELY sure that they can't legally enforce payment - I don't want to find bailiffs on my doorstep one morning.

trisontana

EmilD wrote: »

I've read the replies with interest. The concensus seems to be don't pay and I really don't want to. Are you guys ABSOLUTELY sure that they can't legally enforce payment - I don't want to find bailiffs on my doorstep one morning.

Please read the stikies, and don't confuse debt collectors with bailiffs.The former are just private citizens with no special powers. They cannot enter your property, they cannot seize goods and they cannot blacken your credit record.

Bailiffs only come on the scene if the case goes to court (very unlikely) you lose (very, very unlikely) and then you don't pay whatever the judge orders within 28 days. This possibility is so remote it's not worth worrying about. Please stop taking these people seriously. They are not worth it.

Coupon-mad

EmilD wrote: »

I've read the replies with interest. The concensus seems to be don't pay and I really don't want to. Are you guys ABSOLUTELY sure that they can't legally enforce payment - I don't want to find bailiffs on my doorstep one morning.

Do you really think a company can allege a debt and just send the boys round? Without a credit agreement (i.e. real default of a real debt, which a private parking charge is not) and without going to Small Claims Court first?! And the PPC actually winning?! And then you refusing to pay in the unlikely event of you losing?! When 99% of scammer PPCs do not EVER take anyone to Court? They don't have to because over half the mugs roll over and pay the scammers - it's the very fact that there's a daft/uninformed majority of people in this Country with more money than sense that allows this rip-off to continue.

If the scenario you fear were possible then anyone could send bailiffs round to anyone else! They can't!

Have you not read the stickies, seen the Watchdog clip, seen the letter-chain thread with previews of all the scary letters? Read the stickies by Crabman'PPC letters, what to expect' and 'welcome, please read before posting' (the irony of that sticky thread title never ceases to amuse...).

loobiloo

SodG24 wrote: »

It would appear they don't have a leg to stand on but still ignore Meteor. I'm guessing you've complained to Southern Customer Services ? If so it is a complete waste of time - they are one of the worst customer service departments in the world !!!! You'll get a template reply say they're sorry you're unhappy but tough. Much better to go to the top and the CEO - here's his email address [EMAIL="chris.burchell@southernrailway.com"]chris.burchell@southernrailway.com[/EMAIL]

I finally got a reply this morning from southernrailway which is as follows:
[FONT=&quot]"I have shown your email to our Business Development Manager, who is responsible for station parking, and he has asked me to pass the following information back to you:[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]There are in fact 2 displays of the Car Park Terms and Conditions at the entrance to Brighton Station Car Park. There are also signs on each entry lane stating “Camera enforcement in operation in this car park. Please ensure you pay the correct amount otherwise you may receive a parking charge notice.” There are also signs in and around the car park stating the “ways to pay and park” (which include the wording “at the kiosk between the car park and the station” and “Have you paid?”)[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]We are not in fact asking for £90, the charge is currently £50, provided it is paid within 16 days of the 16 May. It clearly states on the Penalty Charge Notice that one can appeal by writing to Meteor Parking, PO Box 475, Sevenoaks, TN13 9JS. We understand no correspondence has yet been received by them.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]In this case we would advise you to submit an appeal directly to Meteor Parking at the address given. In this instance, as a gesture of goodwill, we will ask them to cancel the Penalty Charge Notice upon receipt of your appeal We must however stress that we are not operating illegally, and subsequent Penalty Charge Notices issued for non-payment will be upheld.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]If you have any further queries or requests please go to our web-site at southernrailway.com. Alternatively, you can ring our customer service team on 08451 27 29 20, where one of our colleagues will be more than happy to assist and support you in any way we can."[/FONT]

I still dont think their notices are very clear but if the penalty charge will be dropped upon receipt of my appeal, I am rather tempted to go that way, despite the fact that I know it has been said on here that we should not use the term 'appeal'. Any comments much appreciated please!
thanks

Sirdan

loobiloo wrote: »

I finally got a reply this morning from southernrailway which is as follows:
[FONT=&quot]"I have shown your email to our Business Development Manager, who is responsible for station parking, and he has asked me to pass the following information back to you:[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]There are in fact 2 displays of the Car Park Terms and Conditions at the entrance to Brighton Station Car Park. There are also signs on each entry lane stating “Camera enforcement in operation in this car park. Please ensure you pay the correct amount otherwise you may receive a parking charge notice.” There are also signs in and around the car park stating the “ways to pay and park” (which include the wording “at the kiosk between the car park and the station” and “Have you paid?”)[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]We are not in fact asking for £90, the charge is currently £50, provided it is paid within 16 days of the 16 May. It clearly states on the Penalty Charge Notice that one can appeal by writing to Meteor Parking, PO Box 475, Sevenoaks, TN13 9JS. We understand no correspondence has yet been received by them.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]In this case we would advise you to submit an appeal directly to Meteor Parking at the address given. In this instance, as a gesture of goodwill, we will ask them to cancel the Penalty Charge Notice upon receipt of your appeal We must however stress that we are not operating illegally, and subsequent Penalty Charge Notices issued for non-payment will be upheld.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]If you have any further queries or requests please go to our web-site at southernrailway.com. Alternatively, you can ring our customer service team on 08451 27 29 20, where one of our colleagues will be more than happy to assist and support you in any way we can."[/FONT]

I still dont think their notices are very clear but if the penalty charge will be dropped upon receipt of my appeal, I am rather tempted to go that way, despite the fact that I know it has been said on here that we should not use the term 'appeal'. Any comments much appreciated please!
thanks

Just ignore them..but keep that reply..if hell freezes over and they take you to small claims they will have a hard time convincing anyone that their charge is not a penalty since the term "Penalty Charge " is in their reply at least 3 times.
This is conrtact law not statute ..as such penalties are not allowed ..private individuals (or companies) can not issue penalties to other private individuals.
You may feel tempted to point this out to them in your "appeal" personally I wouldn't waste your time and effort ..just ignore the morons they won't take you into a court..if they did they'd have a lot of explaining to do ..re their nice little earner which is basically a scam.

loobiloo

Thanks Sirdan
I hear what you say, but wonder whether - for my own peace of mind - to just send my 'appeal' and have the fine removed?

Sirdan

loobiloo wrote: »

Thanks Sirdan
I hear what you say, but wonder whether - for my own peace of mind - to just send my 'appeal' and have the fine removed?

It is not a FINE ..:mad: what it is is a SCAM..if I write you an invoice for £100 for the advice I posted here will you pay it or appeal..or lose sleep when I write a threatening load of bull to you ???????

Have peace of mind ...just ignore all letters ..I have peacefully ignored 3 of these thanks to this forum.

Do not let these scamming barstewards spoil your peace of mind ..ignore them ..enjoy the money you have saved.

AlexisV

I have shown your email to our Business Development Manager, who is responsible for station parking, and he has asked me to pass the following information back to you:
There are in fact 2 displays of the Car Park Terms and Conditions at the entrance to Brighton Station Car Park. There are also signs on each entry lane stating “Camera enforcement in operation in this car park. Please ensure you pay the correct amount otherwise you may receive a parking charge notice.” There are also signs in and around the car park stating the “ways to pay and park” (which include the wording “at the kiosk between the car park and the station” and “Have you paid?”)
We are not in fact asking for £90, the charge is currently £50, provided it is paid within 16 days of the 16 May. It clearly states on the Penalty Charge Notice that one can appeal by writing to Meteor Parking, PO Box 475, Sevenoaks, TN13 9JS. We understand no correspondence has yet been received by them.
In this case we would advise you to submit an appeal directly to Meteor Parking at the address given. In this instance, as a gesture of goodwill, we will ask them to cancel the Penalty Charge Notice upon receipt of your appeal We must however stress that we are not operating illegally, and subsequent Penalty Charge Notices issued for non-payment will be upheld.
If you have any further queries or requests please go to our web-site at southernrailway.com. Alternatively, you can ring our customer service team on 08451 27 29 20, where one of our colleagues will be more than happy to assist and support you in any way we can."

Email back saying "Is this a Penalty Charge Notice as issued under the Traffic Management Act 2004? If not, why are you using a term that purports you to have an authority you do not possess?"

vax2002

Do not trust them, they may ask for it to be struck out, but the parking firm may just decide NO, then you have just confirmed yourself as the driver, which puts you on the "hooked Fish " scam list