Parking Charge Notice

Guys_Dad

I don't disagree with the advice to include charge being extortionate or not a genuine pre-estimate of loss with your appeal to the PPC.

I don't think that that will cause them to fold, though, but if they have been watching the POPLA Decisions thread, they might just want to save themselves £27.00

So add that you also do not believe that their charges are contractual and are definitely not a genuine pre-estimate of loss and you will be appealing on that point as well.

However, that will tip them off immediately that you are receiving forum help and watch out for dirty tricks such as not sending you a POPLA code, telling you that your appeal is invalid, claiming they did send a POPLA code and the letter went missing etc.

There is no single right way to appeal to the PPC and you decide what is best for you.

Iamthestig2

I think the signs meet the criteria though? Therefore would mentioning the signs put them off a POPLA appeal?

Iamthestig2

jeanraffio wrote: »

The aim of the first appeal to the PPC would clearly to show them that a) you feel the charge is unjust and b) to indirectly show them that you are aware of your knowledge and inclination to not let this drop.

PPCs extort money through fear, and that is how they generate their revenue - by misinterpreting legislation and asking for money without any legal basis. Send out enough of these tickets and some will just pay up.

It may be the case that they cancel the ticket, if not POPLA is your friend and it has been proven many times over that with the correctly worded appeal you have a fantastic chance of getting it turned over. Not over that you have broken 'the laws', but the money they ask for is crazy (genuine pre-estimation of loss) and with no real basis why this is.

As for the signs, maybe they were not displayed clearly, dirty and unable to be read, situated behind an overgrown tree, vandalised etc etc. Maybe they haven't been updated recently and mention out of date legislation?

This is great- thanks. The signs are pretty recent and appear to meet
All the necessary criteria re size, prominency, info given, legibility etc. I guess the charges being unreasonable are the way to go. They have so failed to identify the creditor in their notice and failed to advise they will recover charges from the keeper after 28days if driver info not supplied. So these are my three points. Question is, do I mention all three in my appeal? Or just the genuine pre-estimate of loss point? I am referring to my appeal to the company, not to POPLA (hoping it won't reach that stage!)

Thanks so much for all the help everyone- things are slowly becoming much clearer!

jeanraffio

As Guys Dad said, I don't think there's a 100% 'right' way to make a soft appeal. Just make sure all that you think is relevant is included (I personally would mention genuine pre-estimation of loss etc), though I also wouldn't overdo it. I would also personally mention the signage, but that's me. Who goes to supermarkets etc to read signage??

As said, unless they fancy saving themselves £27 they will probably turn the appeal down. Most important thing is that you get the POPLA code (don't let them fob you off). That code only lasts 28 days. If unused, it's gone for good, no second chances.

There are numerous people on here much more experienced and with some wonderful advice re: the POPLA appeal process, though a good hour or two spent reading RECENT threads on here will be a good starter for 10.

PPCs are scum, and I don't use that term lightly, a semi legal extortion racket that should be challenged and fought against all along. Also, COMPLAIN TO THE RETAILER / LANDOWNER! They CAN get these tickets cancelled all the way up to the point of court action. You may wish to think about this the next time you shop in one of the corporations that knowingly employ these companies to manage their car parking.

Guys_Dad

You are being far, far too indecisive and not reading the advice you are being given.

The purpose of your appeal to the PPC is to get a POPLA code. Their business is based on motorists contravening their so-called rules and contracts. Your opening post confirms that you are "Guilty as charged" and broke their rules.

The chances of them saying "Yes, Stiggy, we agree that our charges are extortionate so we will cancel the charges" are so remote that they make MARS look like your next door neighbour. It's their income, for heaven's sake. If they agree to cancel, they go out of business.

Yes, get the retailer to put pressure on them to cancel the ticket by all means.

But you need to appeal and get a POPLA code. Some PPCs will not give a POPLA code on the point of punitive charges saying they are within BPA rules and then you get in an exchange with them that erodes your POPLA window.

It doesn't matter if you think their signs are 100% compliant. Most are not and have deficiencies that people with more experience than you might detect.

It comes down to this. If you don't want to pay and you get no help from the retailer, your best bet is POPLA. Currently it's easy with 100% wins from people following out advice.

If you think the PPC will fold because you tell them that their source of income is invalid, then you are being very naive.

Please pick an appeal point that encourages them to give you a POPLA code such as signage (as they think they will win that at POPLA).

And stop !!!!!footing about, !!!!!!.

jeanraffio

Have to agree with Guys Dad on this.

You have to go against these companies aggressively and want to win - otherwise roll over, admit your 'guilt' and pay up. The law (not the law that these companies make up by the way) is on your side. Every PPC routinely flout their agreed BPA code of practice because:

a) they present their findings as law, through bizarrely worded letters (illegally)
b) a lot of people see 'parking ticket' - panic and pay it to make it go away
c) rely on people like yourself to admit your 'guilt' (against what?!), then see b)

I wonder if I wrote a 100 letters to people asking them for money for something that I have made up, official looking paper, how many would send it back to me? This is their business method, nothing special or clever about it.

Hovite_2

You just need to send a quick and simple appeal as suggested. Stop thinking about it in so much detail. That comes later.

Iamthestig2

OK- thanks again for all the advice- my ideal outcome would be they cancel the charge on the basis they think I will win a POPLA appeal- if I have almost 100% chance of winning one as some have suggested then I would ideally like to convince the company of this so I don't have the hassle of said POPLA appeal...!

Hovite_2

Iamthestig2 wrote: »

OK- thanks again for all the advice- my ideal outcome would be they cancel the charge on the basis they think I will win a POPLA appeal- if I have almost 100% chance of winning one as some have suggested then I would ideally like to convince the company of this so I don't have the hassle of said POPLA appeal...!

Unlikely to happen but if you want to give it a try then use the genuine pre-estimate of loses appeal point. That's what is currently winning at POPLA every time.

jeanraffio

Iamthestig2 wrote: »

OK- thanks again for all the advice- my ideal outcome would be they cancel the charge on the basis they think I will win a POPLA appeal- if I have almost 100% chance of winning one as some have suggested then I would ideally like to convince the company of this so I don't have the hassle of said POPLA appeal...!

It would be nice but that's unlikely - you have to be fully prepared to go to POPLA level - as stated this is winnable 100% of the time with the correct appeal.

Am I right in thinking that PE have previous for sending a 'reduced' without prejudice 'fine' after the soft appeal in order to put you off going down the POPLA route? Again, do not pay!

And finally, COMPLAIN TO THE RETAILER. This includes personal visits to the store manager in question, naming and shaming on Facebook / Twitter, formal complaints, writing to the CEO etc etc