MET Parking Services at McDonalds

Frootshoot_2

I've read a lot about these charges on here, so thought I would share my (ongoing) story.

I visited a local McDonalds drive thru twice in a three hour period on 1st September 2013. A couple of weeks later, I received a parking charge notice for £100/£50 stating that I had overstayed. The images that they captured were of my car driving in the first time, and driving out the second time.

I appealed within the 14 day period explaining that I had visited twice. I also called the McDonalds branch to explain to them. The manager said he would write to MET to get the charge cancelled. However, I recently received a response from MET saying that they couldn't find evidence of me driving out, then driving back in again over two hours later, and asked me to produce further evidence.

I called them and asked for the PoPLA reference. Customer Services told me that the appeal hadn't been rejected - I just had to supply more evidence. This is when I started to have my doubts about them, so I Googled them. Surprise, surprise - I found lots.

So now I'm on a mission. I contacted the McDonalds branch again, and this time I was copied on an email to someone at MET asking for the charge to be cancelled. I then fired off an email to that person and the general info email address at MET basically telling them that they are in the wrong and I want written confirmation that this charge has been cancelled or I will take this further. I gave them 24 hours to respond to me via email (it's been a month since the charge was issued).

I then called them this morning to confirm that the email has been received and that I would receive a response from them. For good measure, I asked for the email address of the CEO and was assured that he reads all emails addressed to the generic info email.

A letter clarifying my position is going in the post today.

If the charge isn't cancelled by the end of today, I will submit a subject access request as is my right under the Data Protection Act to view the CCTV footage that I know will show me visiting the drive thru twice.

Thanks to everyone who has posted their stories - it's certainly helped me understand that I do not have to be afraid of them (which, to be honest, I initially was), and I hope that my story will also help someone. I'll post updates as and when I get them.

Coupon-mad

Well done - if it isn't cancelled simply reply immediately, tomorrow, to MET saying that you have no further information to add to your challenge, which was lodged in time and so they are obliged under the BPA code of practice to give you your POPLA code. Say that if they fail to provide a POPLA code or cancel the charge then you will be making an official complaint to the BPA and DVLA as you feel such sharp practice should result in sanction points for an AOS member.

Frootshoot_2

Thanks for that.

Update: I've received an email from McDonalds telling me that the charge has been cancelled, but I want it in writing from MET too. Even though their letters are meaningless, I don't want the stress of having them continually send them to me - I just want a final end to the matter.

If I don't hear from them by the end of today (my 24 hour deadline to them actually ends at 10.30pm tonight!) they will definitely be hearing from me.

I did mention to them that I found out they had been suspended from access to the DVLA's database for 3 months due to misleading practices. I've also found the CEO's twitter account, so I'm not prepared to go away without a fight!

It has to be said that the management of the McDonalds branch have been really helpful about this, and I would urge anyone in the same position to speak to the retailer as well.

Coupon-mad

I have added your thread to the successful complaints about PPCs, linked here:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4766249

Yours is the third successful 'McDonalds manager complaint about MET' that I have collated in just a few weeks!

Frootshoot_2

Update 2: Success! I've just received an email from MET Parking Customer Services saying that my PCN has been cancelled, and apologising for any inconvenience caused by its issue.

Thanks again to everyone who has posted their experiences on here and, to anyone who may be unfortunate enough to encounter these cowboys: don't ignore the notices, be aware of your rights and stand up to them.

Stroma

Well done on getting this cancelled

pogofish

krent88 wrote: »

Same thing happened to me last week.I visited McDonalds at Alperton twice on the same day and they sent me a letter saying I've overstayed. I've appealed and Surprise surprise...they can't find my car leaving the parking and coming back again later on their system. They could only see my car entering the parking on my first visit and leaving on my second visit..conveniently!!

SORRY I CAN'T POST THE LINK ON THIS WEBSITE BUT IF YOU GOOGLE "MET PARKING SERVICES WATCHDOG" - you will find a you tube video. Watch this and you won't regret it.

Hope it helps.

This does not help one bit!

It is far better to get a challenge/POPLA appeal together and quash this once and for all instead of leaving the PPC with a route for further action.