Asda/Smart Parking "Fine"

Wragg1

Hi all;

I've seen numerous threads on here where people have been hit with the Asda Smart Parking fines, just want some specific advice please.

The incident happened on 23/03/2013 at an Asda store in Coventry. It was snowing heavily so didn't notice any parking signs (I don't know if they were up or not).

The parking is apparently only for an hour, but we were there for two. About 2 months later, we received a "follow up notice" in the post, stating that we have failed to pay the initial fine or the letter advising us of this - we didn't have a ticket on the car, and didn't receive an initial warning in the post.

The fine was now at £70. I drove to the store to check for signs, and they were there. It said we could appeal if we had receipts, but who keeps receipts from 2 months ago...

I binned the letter and ignored them.

We've now just received another letter saying the case has been passed to a debt collection agency, and it's now £120 to be paid within 14 days (which should have been paid by 16/7) but we've only just got the letter through the door today.

Should I just continue to ignore them? I'm pretty sure if it's been almost 4 months now and it's only just being passed to the "bailiffs" there isn't much to worry about - what would you do?

Thanks all

Guys_Dad

Too late for POPLA now, so keep ignoring till you get genuine Northampton Court papers, or a Letter before Action / Claim if at all, then come back.

atilla

I'll hazard a guess at Jubilee crescent.
If so, their entry sign is well hidden, not that it overly matters, but it's enough to scupper any legitimate chance they may hold on to.
Got a couple ongoing for that site myself. One of which is likely to get them into a bit of bother.

Umkomaas

Wragg1 wrote: »

Hi all;

I've seen numerous threads on here where people have been hit with the Asda Smart Parking fines, just want some specific advice please.

The incident happened on 23/03/2013 at an Asda store in Coventry. It was snowing heavily so didn't notice any parking signs (I don't know if they were up or not).

The parking is apparently only for an hour, but we were there for two. About 2 months later, we received a "follow up notice" in the post, stating that we have failed to pay the initial fine or the letter advising us of this - we didn't have a ticket on the car, and didn't receive an initial warning in the post.

The fine was now at £70. I drove to the store to check for signs, and they were there. It said we could appeal if we had receipts, but who keeps receipts from 2 months ago...

I binned the letter and ignored them.

We've now just received another letter saying the case has been passed to a debt collection agency, and it's now £120 to be paid within 14 days (which should have been paid by 16/7) but we've only just got the letter through the door today.

Should I just continue to ignore them? I'm pretty sure if it's been almost 4 months now and it's only just being passed to the "bailiffs" there isn't much to worry about - what would you do?

Thanks all

Debt collectors ain't bailiffs. The can't send the boys round to eye up your chattels then enter your home to seize goods. This can only be ordered by the court if you fail to meet any costs the court award against you.

Smart Parking haven't done court, and with the mess they've made of exactly who they are Town and City Parking (Ltd), TCP, T&CP, scratching out parts of their name on signs with felt tip pens (now starting to fade!!) etc etc, I don't think they'll fancy court somehow!

wraggone

Thought I'd post an update in case anybody else has the same issue. Again, it looks like they're just scaremongering as they have in every other case I've seen on here.


Just received another letter which states:

As we didn't receive any payment, we've not recommended that the creditor (which is Smart Parking Ltd) appoint their solicitor to commence court proceedings against you.

In order to comply with all aspects of "pre action protocol" and to demonstrate to the courts their attempts to settle this matter before the need for court proceedings, our client is prepared to accept a reduced payement of £96 as a full and final settlement.

This must be paid by 15/08/2013. (Again, I have received this letter later than the date to pay it by??)

If not paid, the amount due will be increased back to the previous full amount of £120.00 and the matter will be referred to the solicitor to consider court proceedings.

Please note if the court orders you to pay the parking charge, we will also seek to recover the following amounts in addition:

Court fee £30
Solicitors Costs £50
Interest of 8% per annum

A court judgement against you could seriously affect your ability to obtain credit in the future.

Coupon-mad

''As we didn't receive any payment, we've not recommended that the creditor (which is Smart Parking Ltd) appoint their solicitor''

Must be a typo, you mean NOW?

Debt Recovery Plus, yes? It will be Zenith letters from the same address next! Read these for lots of info & pics, and the second one is a laugh:

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

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3829727

:rotfl:

Ignore them (but next time you get a fake PCN appeal it, as per current advice, as you could have got this cancelled at POPLA with our help, too late now).

Right now we are encouraging every poster to COMPLAIN to the 'hands that feed' the PPCs, even if you got the fake PCN months ago. Look at all these reported successes I have collated in less than a fortnight!

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/62837690#Comment_62837690

It has the advantages that:

- you have nothing to lose by making an assertive complaint to the Asda overall Store Manager in person (not by phone) and/or sending a complaint letter to Executive relations Manager at the Asda Head Office. And why not? Their agents are harassing you, an Asda customer. How dare they think they can 'fine' people?! Dress smartly, go in meaning business, armed with Asda receipts and all the junk mail. Do not just talk to the jobsworth on the CS desk nor that day's 'Duty Manager' and do NOT believe the lies they tell (Asda seem to think 'we don't own the car park' which is NOT TRUE and Smart are known to be Asda's agents anyway!).

- they may well get it cancelled for you to avoid losing your custom!

- even if Asda do not cancel it, then a complaint about the matter is still most likely logged and added to others; if enough people complain vociferously to Asda about Smart then Asda will notice (in the end the penny will drop!).

HTH

Stroma

Smart have never issued a claim at all despite their toothless threats to do so, can prove that for you. And I don't believe that they have the necessary permission to do so from asda. Though that is my opinion, just ignore debt recovery plus, and zenith when they write

atilla

Latest ruse used by the Asda colleagues is the car park does not belong to them. Asda lease it to not so smart. - as if. This does contradict what the signs say.
To be fair, at least one store where I was told the above, Rushden, they were happily accepting 'tickets' from disgruntled customers for cancellation.