private parking fine

cazzumba

Last night I stupidly parked in a disabled bay at Doncaster Keepmoat carpark, I know it was a stupid thing to do and is my fault but I was running late for a class. I am a member of stadium fitness, which I pay a monthly membership and it is not cheap! No football match was on as gym closes when matches are being played, I parked in a disabled bay opposite the hard training ground and entrance to stadium fitness. On return to my car, I have a PCN from a company called V.M.D Limited ( Vehicle Management Direct LTD) FOR £100 or £70 if paid within 1 week. I don,t know what to do? Should I pay up or ignore it? They threaten court proceedings, debt recovery etc if not paid? Any help much appreciated. Thanks.

Trebor16

It is all bluff and bluster. "We may take proceedings" etc etc. They have no power to fine you, it is an unenforceable invoice. Ignore them and do not respond to them.

vax2002

VMD have no more right to issue you with a fine/charge than the local knitting circle for wearing last years jumper.
They will buy your details from dvla and send countless threats one after the other, all fake, to go with the fake parking ticket.
This is a scam that impersonates real authority and letters will mimic real authority letters, the simple truth is they dont have any authority, they are a parrot that barks like a big dog.

There is no appeal, that is a scam.
The worst they could do is to sue you for the loss you caused, as this was a free car park, the loss is zero and anything else is a penalty which private companies can not charge thanks to the law.

cazzumba

Thanks for advice. And cheering me up with the picture of the parrot and dog. I will ignore it then, thanks again.

cazzumba

Thanks for the advice, will ignore letters off them. Lesson to self. Won,t park in this space again, although why they need to give tickets out when the spaces are not being used is beyond me? Could understand if a football match was on? Thanks again.

cazzumba

Has anyone had any dealings with VMD? Do they carry out court proceedings or do they give up after sending threatening letters etc? Any help much appreciated. Thanks

vax2002

What "court proceedings" could they carry out ?
It would be a civil court and you can sue on the basis of English law that you shall not suffer loss or harm without redress.
So they can sue you for an actual loss, if the car park is a free car park, they have suffered no loss.
They can not charge penalties and any court proceedings other than the loss is a penalty and has been judged to be so several times.
They would have to be extremely foolish to instigate any court proceedings as you can also counter claim your losses in attending court.

tbourner

I just found this:
http://forums.pepipoo.com/index.php?showtopic=56880&st=0

With this post nearer the bottom:

I've had another letter now last week. Printed in bright pink!! This time not from Vehicle Management Direct but from a company called TNC Collections http://www.tncgroupservices.com/collections.html
VMD must have given up and passed it on. The letter is asking for £100 not the £400+ I had racked up after the £20 a week non payment fee.

The 2 people involved with these companies said nothing was done and it all went quiet after a few threatening PINK letters from a collection agency.

vax2002

As I have said this is a scam that impersonates authority.
They know general people are scared by the word "court" so they use it to threaten you with.

cazzumba

Thanks for the link. I think I need to stop stressing now and forget about it. Iv never had a ticket or owt before. Thanks again

Kite2010

Complain to the gym and if you can, cancel your membership (citing the reason - well I've got to pay this invoice as I don't want to be harassed by an agent adding on your behalf).