PCM - A "Final Notice" received

markyboy

I originally got a parking ticket back in March. I parked in a private car park for some flats durign the day durign the week. I had parked there at the request of the land owners as they asked me to check up on one of their residents of the flats there and if find out if he was living there or not.

When I parked, another car followed me in and the chap got out and went and "waited" (hid) behind a transit. He emerged with me still in my vehicle and wandered about for a minute. i got out not knowing who he was and knocked on the flats front door. After maybe 7 mins with me in the main building trying to find the flaty I needed he attatched a ticket on my car and left. I appealed to the parkign company but they rejected my appeal. i then appealed to POPLA but apparantly they rejected my appeal, although I havent had written notification from POPLA. The only reason is that I have been told by PCM on their "final reminder" that POPLA rejected my appeal. When I wrote my appeal, I gave my address as my employer. The final notice has been sent to me c/o my employer.

I still feel agrieved to pay as I was there on official business at the request of the owners of the flats. Yes, PCM had 1 single notice up that was against a fence that was impossible to see drivign in and out of the car park but i didnt see it until after I foudn the ticket. Possibly strategically placed so more people miss it ???

So basically, should I pay or should I leave it or should I write to PCM?? Family have said they have heard advice to just ignore it as its not legally enforceable but just dont want the hassle if they send me a summons to appear in court or have debt collectors writing to me !! The final notice has the usual mention of debt collectors and additional costs added etc.... the pessimist in me says I wont get away with it unless I pay up !!!

peter_the_piper

I assume you have the popla number so you should be able to check with them, I would never trust a PPC.

markyboy

Will check. Thank for that.

Coupon-mad

You do know you do not have to pay if you lose at POPLA?

And next time come here for help, do not just write stuff to POPLA about 'what happened' as you were pretty much never going to win with that sort of 'appeal' What a sad waste of a POPLA code when almost everyone wins against PCM. A missed opportunity.

POPLA enquiries line = 0845 207 7700 (not free!).

By the way can I say again, DO NOT PAY.

Debt collectors letters are NOTHING and we have been ignoring them for years on this forum. I have examples of debt collector letters here in my handbag which I show colleagues to educate them about this fake PCN scam. Generally nothing happens but if you did end up with a small claim aimed at you, it's not a 'summons' not a criminal offence or anything! It would just be a formal meeting with a judge to decide whether you pay or not, a hearing.

And guess what, I would say as this is ex-clamper knuckle-draggers PCM (and their processes are terrible, tickets non-compliant and they made no attempt to mitigate their 'loss') you'd likely win with a decent defence from this forum or pepipoo forum. Keep all the paperwork safe for a few years in a file marked 'scam', you are no worse off for losing at POPLA - it's just a shame you didn't come here earlier.

Even if you had to defend a small claim and were actually not successful, if they actually won at a hearing, (surely not) you'd only be liable for the amount on the original Notice without the daft 'discount' bribe of course. No debt collector add-ons nor hefty barrister fees!) just an additional £25 court fee and (?similar) hearing fee and maybe expenses like a train fare for the person attending. On the other side of the coin you could claim your expenses if and when you win.

My best guess? You will get debt collector threatograms to ignore then nothing.