ParkingEye- I'm paying

MartinsGirl_3

Loving the last few posts thank you, just what I needed. Nice to have someone in the same boat Ray!

MartinsGirl_3

Greatest Player what are you going to do? Would you mind also sharing what happens in your court case? You're a step ahead and sound pretty confident!

prowla

Curiously enough, the big retailers who encourage these companies don't seem to realise that they are driving away business in doing so.

Meanwhile, the fake PCN is not a fine.

Greatest_Player

MartinsGirl wrote: »

Greatest Player what are you going to do? Would you mind also sharing what happens in your court case? You're a step ahead and sound pretty confident!

I shall most definitely reveal the outcome!!! No giveaway clues for the time being, know what I'm saying MartinsGirl?

MartinsGirl_3

Ok so I've followed Daisy solicitor's (amazingly helpful) advice on replying to ParkingEyes quote 'stinky' template letter, waiting for a reply. Have I really forsaken any right to go via POPLA now that an LBA has been issued?

Coupon-mad

MartinsGirl wrote: »

Ok so I've followed Daisy solicitor's (amazingly helpful) advice on replying to ParkingEyes quote 'stinky' template letter, waiting for a reply. Have I really forsaken any right to go via POPLA now that an LBA has been issued?

You have missed the POPLA deadline, yes, but there's no real reason why a PPC cannot send a POPLA code later on (and at first, PE did in a couple of cases). Hence why we advise banging on about it as the most suitable ADR, because it certainly is and it looks very reasonable for you to be saying you are happy to abide by a POPLA decision instead of taking the matter to Court. Looks bad on PE to deny you that ADR; we think a judge would be unimpressed especially when added to all the other sharp practice.

According to the Parking Prankster's website, the BPA Ltd stated that "POPLA is an ADR service which can be used to offset the County Court system, and can be offered or withdrawn at any time".

Not quite how they would want their words quoted - but to me that sentence is quite useful!

Traindriver4

MartinsGirl wrote: »

These forums are very helpful but unfortunately the first advice I took, ignoring the PCN, wasn't the right thing to do. Now that I have forsaken my opportunity to appeal via ParkingEye and POPLA, I really cannot see myself winning in court. I broke the rules, end of. Didnt see the massive signs, too busy going to a meeting in the services. Yes the charge is unreasonable but unless anyone on here can reassure me that that argument will win well I'm likely to be paying £165 instead. I won't look good in court having ignored the appeals process.

There are lots of people encouraging court on here but they are not the ones under pressure, and no one ever seems to post after they have won a case, each thread ends without conclusion. It seems that people probably are paying at the last minute, and ParkingEye are following through. I don't dare risk waiting for court papers to drop. I have no defence. I've written to the services, I've written an acknowledgment. No one can tell me exactly how likely I am to go to court and I can't cope with the stress.

I totally agree with you. Am in the same boat as you. Followed the ignore advice and now submitted defence using forum arguments as well as advice which was received through PM. I now intend to fight this through to the end and notify this forum of the result.

However the bottom line is this. I work full time (adding commute time makes it 10 hours away from home) and have family duties. To date, I estimate I have spent around 20 hours - since November, reading the forums and preparing my defence. If it goes to a hearing, I'll have to set aside another day and incur some hefty printing costs creating a 'Court Bundle'. The chances of a victory in court is 50/50 - depending on my ability to speak up convincingly and the Judge's view on the day. I now ask myself this - would I have been better off paying the initial £60. In hindsight, and I am sorry to disappoint all the good and helpful people on this forum, my answer is YES. If you work full time, have a family and can afford to pay at the £60 stage - THINK LONG & HARD. It becomes a personal decision - Time and Stress versus £60.

PS - I am a great fan of MSE and have a lot of respect for the dozens of helpers who give time consuming advice on the forum day after day and have been doing so for years. I take my hat off to you all and do not wish to undermine your efforts. But this has to be an individual decision.

Custard_Pie

Traindriver4 wrote: »

I totally agree with you. Am in the same boat as you. Followed the ignore advice and now submitted defence using forum arguments as well as advice which was received through PM. I now intend to fight this through to the end and notify this forum of the result.

However the bottom line is this. I work full time (adding commute time makes it 10 hours away from home) and have family duties. To date, I estimate I have spent around 20 hours - since November, reading the forums and preparing my defence. If it goes to a hearing, I'll have to set aside another day and incur some hefty printing costs creating a 'Court Bundle'. The chances of a victory in court is 50/50 - depending on my ability to speak up convincingly and the Judge's view on the day. I now ask myself this - would I have been better off paying the initial £60. In hindsight, and I am sorry to disappoint all the good and helpful people on this forum, my answer is YES. If you work full time, have a family and can afford to pay at the £60 stage - THINK LONG & HARD. It becomes a personal decision - Time and Stress versus £60.

PS - I am a great fan of MSE and have a lot of respect for the dozens of helpers who give time consuming advice on the forum day after day and have been doing so for years. I take my hat off to you all and do not wish to undermine your efforts. But this has to be an individual decision.

And that's why these parasites exist, because good old British stiff upper lip is a load of bollox. It's not nice having too go to Court and put up with an overload of harassment, but at the end of the day, the motorist needs to make a stand.

AltheHibby

Traindriver,

You're right, it is personal. Your post perfectly illustrates what these parasites rely on. I had a friend pay in Scotland rather than face the stress of continually writing back to them. I had told her to simply ignore and it would go away. It frustated me no end, but I had to let it go.

Al.

ps I hope you do end up paying £60; preferably at a decent restuarant with your family while celebrating your victory. :-)

Traindriver4

Custard_Pie wrote: »

And that's why these parasites exist, because good old British stiff upper lip is a load of bollox. It's not nice having too go to Court and put up with an overload of harassment, but at the end of the day, the motorist needs to make a stand.

I have stated I am going to make a stand even though the outcome is not clear cut. Previous judgements for and against the PPC's are not precedents. The whole thing sucks and becomes a lottery. I can understand yours and other people's hatred of the PPC's but they are conducting their business LEGALLY and their court threats are REAL. Until such time as when motorists can collectively take these PPCs to court, it is going to be down to the individual to make decisions based on their own circumstances. So please stop being judgemental!