Caught in Excel Parking 'trap'- now Notice of Intended Litigation

ParkingSnapper

I was 'caught' in the trap at an Excel car park about six months ago. In my opinion the signage is inadequate, particularly the tiny lettering of 'This is a pay and display car park' at the entrance, buried on a sign with lots of other lettering and symbols. In front of the space there was a very small sign with a disabled symbol and 'pay at the machine'. There were no disabled spaces anywhere near this sign so it appears it should have been taken down, but is still there. I consider this sign to be misleading.

I appealed in a carefully worded letter with professonally taken photos but of course it was rejected.

I received the usual series of letters from Excel.

Now I have received the 'Notice of intended litigation' from Graham White Solicitors.

Is it OK to continue to ignore?

One question, out of curiosity - if it did go to court and I lost how much would it cost me?

Sirdan

ParkingSnapper wrote: »

I was 'caught' in the trap at an Excel car park about six months ago. In my opinion the signage is inadequate, particularly the tiny lettering of 'This is a pay and display car park' at the entrance, buried on a sign with lots of other lettering and symbols. In front of the space there was a very small sign with a disabled symbol and 'pay at the machine'. There were no disabled spaces anywhere near this sign so it appears it should have been taken down, but is still there. I consider this sign to be misleading.

I appealed in a carefully worded letter with professonally taken photos but of course it was rejected.

I received the usual series of letters from Excel.

Now I have received the 'Notice of intended litigation' from Graham White Solicitors.

Is it OK to continue to ignore?

One question, out of curiosity - if it did go to court and I lost how much would it cost me?

lol yes ignore ...Mr Sobell as Graham White Sols has a very different definition of "intended" to the rest of the planet...to us it means something that you are minded to do...to him it means something to put on the next letter in the chain to try and intimidate you ..look forward to receiving his "final warning" letter soon ..all huff and puff and BLUFF.

Can't answer you other question because despite Mr Sobell's best intentions his clients (nor Excel btw) have failed to issue a claim for private parking charges against me 3 times.

To demonstrate exactly how shaky these claims are legally ..I had 3 for £80 each ..all for the exact same "contravention" at the same place in the space of 10 days and in one case they even had pretty solid evidence of who the driver was ..but stll no court action ..ask yourself why ...??

esmerobbo

Mr Sobell aka George White recently did issue a claim. Then just as quickly dropped it as soon as a defence was lodged. It was thought the claim was lodged to try and justify their threats!

I would say you had more chance of winning the lottery tomorrow then actually going to small claims court.:)

ParkingSnapper

Even if it could potentially cost me £400 or more I would be happy to go to the court and tell them about Excel. What's more worrying is that there are scores of people caught in the 'trap' who won't look online to find this website and will just pay it, possibly causing them financial hardship. I wish it was possible to expose what they are doing.

robredz

ParkingSnapper wrote: »

Even if it could potentially cost me £400 or more I would be happy to go to the court and tell them about Excel. What's more worrying is that there are scores of people caught in the 'trap' who won't look online to find this website and will just pay it, possibly causing them financial hardship. I wish it was possible to expose what they are doing.

That is precisely why they WONT go to court, as they would have to justify an illegal civil penalty, which goes far beyond any consequential loss. Watchdog have done articles on ppcs and videos are up on YouTube, consensus is ignore ignore, ignore, when they send another threat ignore them some more:

see:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdIB4BqOTlk

AlexisV

Graham White? That means you're near the end.

Their licence is being revoked soon anyway I believe.

ParkingSnapper

All I can say is thanks for the information, reassurance and support! I'll be looking out for my final warning from GW and will post again when I receive it!

harryuk1

ParkingSnapper wrote: »

All I can say is thanks for the information, reassurance and support! I'll be looking out for my final warning from GW and will post again when I receive it!

Did you get the final warning? Please let us know what is the conclusion because I am somewhat in a similar situation.

Sirdan

harryuk1 wrote: »

Did you get the final warning? Please let us know what is the conclusion because I am somewhat in a similar situation.

If your similar situation involves Excel ..no fear they won't being going near a court any time soon :-

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3490245

and

Graham White Sols are only on their second ever claim which we are aware of (the first failed) which they have made a total a*se of ,because they don't seem to have even a basic grasp of the law !!

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3500105


Just ignore them ..particularly Graham White/Michael Sobell ...I've had plenty of "final warnings" .....NOTHING HAPPENS AFTER THEM ...