MSE News: Most motorists beat the cowboys to win parking ticket appeals

spikyone

TrickyWicky wrote: »

Are you sure about that? - I seem to remember a few people on here in the last year or two having just that very problem and asking us for advice.

I think you need to take your crystal ball back for a refund :rotfl:

AFAIK, the cases you mention are where someone has parked in an incorrect allocated space (e.g. in a parking area for flats), rather than on a driveway, which is rather different and could easily be a genuine error on the part of the driver. I don't recall ever seeing a case of someone deliberately parking on someone else's driveway, which is typically a defence offered by apologists for PPCs: "How would you like it if someone parked on your driveway?".
I can't believe that this has ever happened - in fact even the poster who brought this up seems to have chosen misleading words; the issue was with some builders blocking access to their drive, not with anyone parking on it.

Even if someone had ever parked on someone else's driveway, you and I both know it wouldn't be relevant, because (i) the driveway owner isn't offering parking on their driveway, (ii) they're not trying to charge someone extortionate amounts for said parking, and (iii) the POFA doesn't affect that in any way.

Iluvorkney

Got a ticket for £95.00 in Carlisle because "the driver left the car park" and did not use the stores within the car park area. I got the usual threats by the parking company which had me quaking in my cornflakes, so I engaged in correspondence as I have time on my hands. The last letter I sent asked for a copy of the contract the parking company had with the land owners. 10 months on, still not got it. Never pay them!!

Kite2010

If the attendant saw someone leave site, it is in their best interest to stop them to avoid the £80 loss.

SheDragon

A good friend was issued a ticket in an hospital car park.
Unlike most of these car parks which are pay on exit, this one, that was charging extortionate sums just for an hour's parking, was a pay and display.
As she had no idea of the length of time she would be there, she paid for 3 hours parking. She was unable to return to her car to put a new ticket on.
When she did eventually get back to it, there, hidden almost in the gap between the bonnet & the windscreen was a parking ticket. It would have gone unnoticed had she not required to use the windscreen wipers!
From there, having carefully read the ticket, I pointed out that they are unenforceable, so helped my friend to send a response to these thieves (best description for them) We did not give a name, nor any other details, just gave an address and the details of the ticket number. They were told quite bluntly that such tickets are unlawful and unenforceable. It also stated on the ticket that they could contact the DVLA for the driver's name and address, which they were advised again was unlawful as this was not on public land!
Eventually, they sent a response claiming that they are fully entitled to issue such tickets (they quoted some law or other) and that the sum must be paid within 14 days or they would contact the DVLA.
Well, that was nearly 2 months ago, and thus far, no further action has occurred.
Hopefully they realised they were dealing with someone who knows the laws and that they cannot steal from my friend when someone like me is supporting her :rotfl: :T

SheDragon

Yogibear wrote: »

it`s not just parking on private ground you should appeal,if you park anywhere on the public highway and you get a ticket always have a good look where you are parked the signs and lines must be chrystal clear a lot of road surfaces have been patched with tarmac obliterating the lines,vandals pull signs off poles check all the time if it`s dark go back in the morning with your camera,believe me I used to work with the Traffic Warden section of the Police,before the Parking Attendants moved in,the same rules apply and I have said to many a person write in its only the price of a stamp if lines & signs are not clear they will be cancelled

I had this issue with Kingston Council, yet they insisted that a yellow line, with a 6 - 9 inch gap on one side of a drain, and a 3 inch gap the other side was "perfectly" legal!!!
Yeah, right.
But obviously the idiots in the appeals office are in their pockets as they upheld this unlawfully issued ticket.
I did eventually win the case, but it was a very long hard battle, with the berks at Kingston Council demanding I respond to them within 14 days, yet they ignored my letters for 3 months or more.
One rule for them etc. etc!
Mind you, I did make it quite clear to them they could go stick themselves where the sun don't shine, lol! :rotfl:

Stroma

Actually it's not unlawful for them to contact the dvla as they would be in the BPA AOS, but if they are not then they can't do anything. And giving an invoice is not actually unlawful either, for example I could invoice you for reading this, but its unlikely that you'll pay it.

But that doesn't mean you should pay the scammers as they are as you say basically thieves, it probably would have been better to ignore them as that is the recommended way to deal with the shysters. Can you tell us what parking company it was ? We like to name and shame on here

SheDragon

Stroma wrote: »

Actually it's not unlawful for them to contact the dvla as they would be in the BPA AOS, but if they are not then they can't do anything. And giving an invoice is not actually unlawful either, for example I could invoice you for reading this, but its unlikely that you'll pay it.

But that doesn't mean you should pay the scammers as they are as you say basically thieves, it probably would have been better to ignore them as that is the recommended way to deal with the shysters. Can you tell us what parking company it was ? We like to name and shame on here

I'm fairly certain it's CPS, the ones with an Uxbridge P.O. Box and postcode!

And you're damn right, I ain't paying your invoice for reading this, lol

Patchaddy57

Princess_Mary_Poppins wrote: »

I had a parking ticket on private property at a restaurant, completely unfairly. I ignored all letters, which saw the penalty fare increase and increase, then decrease as a compromise, threaten to take me to court, reduce credit rating etc etc. I still ignored it and now haven't had a letter for months! Cowboys.

My son received a parking charge last April, he has now received a County Court order for £350.00. What can he do now? Clearly ignoring the letters and threats hasn't worked. So don't think you've got away with it yet. Every time they suggested a compromise payment the date we had to pay was always before we received the letter.

trisontana

Patchaddy57 wrote: »

My son received a parking charge last April, he has now received a County Court order for £350.00. What can he do now? Clearly ignoring the letters and threats hasn't worked. So don't think you've got away with it yet. Every time they suggested a compromise payment the date we had to pay was always before we received the letter.

It would be best if you started your own thread, instead of tagging on the end of this one.

Coupon-mad

Patchaddy57 wrote: »

My son received a parking charge last April, he has now received a County Court order for £350.00. What can he do now? Clearly ignoring the letters and threats hasn't worked. So don't think you've got away with it yet. Every time they suggested a compromise payment the date we had to pay was always before we received the letter.

Put a new thread on pepipoo and they can give you a defence to use. A county court claim doesn't mean they will win - unless you ignore it. DON'T!

http://forums.pepipoo.com/index.php?showforum=60

Hope you just mean he got a CLAIM not an actual default judgment? Explain it in a new topic on pepipoo and make sure your heading says you need a small claim defence please.