Parking board feedback

BASFORDLAD

MSE_Forum_Manager wrote: »

Just to say I've spoken to Basfordlad on email today and I think my responses were seen as fair and understood (although naturally I'll let Basfordlad answer that if he wishes to confirm).

Yes indeed a fair response. I have however asked a question earlier on here about the complaints you have received from ppcs. What was the overall nature of those complaints and has it been suggested the come in here offically rather then as undercover trolls

Former_MSE_Forum_Manager

BASFORDLAD wrote: »

Yes indeed a fair response. I have however asked a question earlier on here about the complaints you have received from ppcs. What was the overall nature of those complaints and has it been suggested the come in here offically rather then as undercover trolls

Hi Basfordlad,

The complaints have been vast and wide ranging but this is probably something I can't really go into as it starts to blur the edges of our abuse system and the faith any user has that we will treat their reports in confidence. That's not unique to this area, but I think the system has to have some privacy as a whole to protect our integrity as a Forum Team.

Your comment on official accounts is interesting. To my knowledge they've never asked (although I don't see every report so that's not an absolute statement), but in general we'd consider them too small to give an company rep status. I think what is more likely is that we might start offering them the right of reply through that we can post on their behalf. My concern at this point with giving them an official account is that the legacy of feeling on here toward them would end up being self defeating and probably end in arguments and a huge number of reports to us.

That isn't meant to be a slight on any member here, but I'm genuinely unsure and a little worried about how that situation would end up.

Sorry if these answers are in any way vague, they're great questions and I'm doing my best to interpret them and be as honest with you as possible, whilst trying not to give the impression we are intending to be obstructive.

Coupon-mad

Thanks for that info, MSE Forum Manager. I quite like the fact you consider the PPCs 'too small' to give them an official account. The BPA did have one once though...

Just to remind those that recall it, a few years ago Martin Lewis gave the BPA a chance to respond to his and our allegations about the private parking industry. The BPA said they would respond to the forum members...they managed about 3 useless responses then gave up.

peter_the_piper

To be fair, everyone was so sceptical that she did not really have much of a go.

muckybutt

Thanks again from me too FM.

So let me see if I have interpreted this correctly:

We can call the whole ppc group of companies scammers and or cowboys as it does not single out an individual or particular company.

What we cant do is call Mr X (we all know who he is) a scammer or cowboy as that is aimed at the individual, likewise we cant say ***ppc are a bunch of theiving gits or scammers unless its VCS who have been proven to be scammers in court.

Coupon-mad

And can I still say 'any fake PCN is a scam' then explain more in general terms?

bazster

I repeat, "cowboys" is not defamatory. It is not an allegation, it does not concern any matters of fact or purported fact, it is merely an insult. It is no different to calling some an idiot or a slimeball or a sleazebag or whatever: insults, not libel.

Possibly against the rules of the forum, but not libellous.

http://www.claim-advice.com/defamation.html

"Insults and jokes may hurt people and even be the cause of a civil action in employment law i.e. between employees), but discourtesy and insults are not on the same level as defamation."

Stephen_Leak

As CM has pointed out, the phrase "cowboys" was used by Martin himself on the main site. So, they either allow it or PPR Martin.

MothballsWallet

I wonder if this court case MSE FM referred to earlier will also touch on some of the, shall we say, inaccurate information that some PPCs are putting on their websites regarding the advice on the internet, even from legal people like the one BBC Watchdog interviewed a while back?

HO87

MothballsWallet wrote: »

I wonder if this court case MSE FM referred to earlier will also touch on some of the, shall we say, inaccurate information that some PPCs are putting on their websites regarding the advice on the internet, even from legal people like the one BBC Watchdog interviewed a while back?

It might but only insofar as it coincides with/impinges upon the behaviour complained of or any defence/counterclaim advanced.