Smart Parking and Debt Recovery Plus

Vim_Fuego

Hi,

First time poster although I visit this site regularly.

I visited Crawley Asda for the first time in February 13. I didn't realise it was pay and display (refunded at the till by Asda) and as we parked in the child and parent parking (legitimately as we had our two kids) we were right next to the store and didn't see any warning signs or other people putting money in a machine etc. It was also getting dark and the signs are unlit. There is also no warning it is pay and display as you drive into the car park.

Of course when we got back to the car there was a "fine" of £40 if settled within 14 days for the crime of parking and spending £120 in Asda. FYI, I've written to Asda, they told me to go away.

Since then I've had a letter from Smart parking telling me the "fine" is now £70 since I didn't settle in 14 days and I've had two letters from Debt recovery plus telling me that its' now £130 and I really should pay. The second letter says they're going to send the file to their client (Smart parking) solicitor with a recommendation that they begin court proceedings against me. I've got to pay (which I won't) next week "or else".

I've essentially followed a lot of advice on these types of forums and ignored everything sent to me and not given them any kind of response.

My questions are as follows:

Has anyone else got to this stage and if so what is the next step? I will not ignore any kind of court summons and will happily use the mediation service provided by the County Court.

Do you think it is worth an email to them to tell them that I am happy to take them on in court and that I intend to vigorously defend myself. I'm thinking this may make them not bother taking things forward.

Does anyone have any other advice they'd like to share, especially since the law changed (although not that much) in October 2012?

Many Thanks

Vim

Stroma

Smart Parking will not take you to court, so get that out of your head now, they just write threatening letters, and pass on your details to debt recovery plus to write threatening letters, then the scam finishes after zenith collection write you some threatening letters, they are in fact debt recovery plus pretending to be someone else

As for asda, I would go on their social media presence and put complaints for them on there, they hate negative feedback.

Also I would seriously consider taking them to court for the harassment you are having off THEIR agents, don't be fobbed off. Send them a notice before action below, but only do that as a last resort and if you would seriously go for it.

http://www.facebook.com/asda/
http://twitter.com/asda/


Asda House,
Southbank,
Great Wilson Street,
Leeds,
LS11 5AD

Coupon-mad

Vim_Fuego wrote: »

Do you think it is worth an email to them to tell them that I am happy to take them on in court and that I intend to vigorously defend myself. I'm thinking this may make them not bother taking things forward.

NOPE, do not do that.

http://forums.pepipoo.com/index.php?showtopic=78495

I post as SchoolRunMum on pepipoo and look at the links I gave that poster in minutes; shows how many times a week I post the same answer to people who have missed the appeal deadline and are now just getting DRP and Zenith letters. Stay as an 'unconfirmed' name on the debt collector's huge scamming database.

Vim_Fuego

Thank you for your assistance. If anyone else has any advice then let me know.

Cheers

Vim