Station Parking / APCOA

magyar

I recently parked at my local (APCOA) station car park, which I normally do at least once a week and - as I usually do - used the automated phone payment system. I rang through as normal and (I could be wrong here) am fairly sure I heard it say "Your payment has been successful". I was in a busy ticket office at that point so could have mis-heard.

Later in the day I noticed that I had not received the customary email with the receipt and then when I got back to the car that evening there was a ticket on there with an £80 'fine' (which would be reduced to £50 if paid in two weeks).

I have checked on my credit card and nothing went through, so I assume that either their system said it was successful but for some reason didn't take the money, or I misheard and it wasn't successful. I have no real evidence either way, other than a record in my mobile phone that a call was made to them at that time, plus the 'good faith' argument that I use the car park regularly and always pay.

Looking at most of the advice on here, it would appear that simply ignoring this is the correct course of action, however I am somewhat concerned that I have clearly not paid for the parking and would happily pay the £6 or so I should have done in the first place.

I have not yet written to APCOA but wonder what views are:
- simply ignore it?
- write to them and (I would be careful here) not state that I was 'appealing' but simply say that I was not paying their demand however state that evidently payment was not taken on this date and thus enclose the correct fee.

pogofish

Well, the right thing would be that you sinply write to them and offer the missed payment.

however, PPCs have absolutely no concept of what is right, fair or legal and will instead try to scare you into paying an unjustifiable and grossly inflated amount in the guise of a "penalty" - which it most certainly is not!

So yes, don't contact them and ignore the threats and demands from all sources. I have no doubt that your failed payment will not put them in any sor of financial dire straits, so don;t worry about it or them.

APCOA's letter chain is at the very top of the sticky in this forum, so check it out in order to be ready for what they will send you and tick each one off as a step nearer the end of the scam.

give_them_FA

Probably another PPC scam. After all, what company would not rather be paid £80 (or £50, even) sooner than £6?

You could do either of your proposed actions. What you do NOT do is "appeal". Waste of time and carries the implication that you believe a charge was lawfully applied.

If you go down the route of offering them the £6, which I cannot disagree with, your cheque should be accompanied by a strongly worded letter to the effect that you are disappointed that the failure of their systems has necessitated your actions; and that the cheque is in full and final settlement of all monies properly contractually due to them; and that no further claim will be entertained; and that you will treat as unlawful harassment any attempts to obtain any further money from yourself.

It isn't an appeal, it is effectively a complaint that their payment system failed to work and therefore the situation was their fault, not yours. Be forceful about it as that is clearly the truth.

Or, just ignore if you prefer.

magyar

Thank you both. I think I will go down the route of sending in the £6.

I agree entirely that £6 is nothing to them, and frankly will probably not change either their approach or reduce the likelihood of the letters arriving, but it is clearly the moral thing to do from my perspective: the fact they act immorally shouldn't stop me doing so.

For info, just chatted it through with a lawyer friend of mine and he agrees. (Indeed, he specifically agreed with you that the approach should be that their systems failed and be clear that this is their fault, not mine).

give_them_FA

Yes, I think taking the moral high ground will be important.

If they bombard you with unfounded demands, you will be clear to sue them for damages under S.3 of the Protection from Harassment Act. I did that and received nearly £1,000. Not from this company, but a similar one.

It is time that people started to hit back against these scammers who think they are a law unto themselves. Too many folk regard not paying the charge as being the victory- when the charge never had any validity in the first place.

A bit like being held up by a mugger- you manage to run off and escape without losing your money- but, instead of reporting him to the Police, just leave it at that because you are relieved he didn't rob you?

Think about it......

magyar

Letter received this morning:

Dear Magyar

Re: Civil Parking Notice No xxxxx

Thank you for your recent letter with regard to the above-mentioned Civil Parking Notice.

We have carefully considered your explanation of the circumstances and, on this occasion, cancelled the notice. We apologise for any inconvenience this notice may have caused.

Yours sincerely

APCOA


----

And they never even cashed the cheque for £6! Thank you above for all the advice. Although as you say, Give Them FA, this feels like a victory when of course it's actually just a case of having avoided the mugging.

But for someone who just likes an easy life, I'm happy enough.

give_them_FA

Another satisfied customer!!:rotfl::rotfl::j