UKPC charge in Scotland - what should I do next?

Coupon-mad

UKPC do not do court.

This is Scotland and they are NOT going to even try.

The idea of complaining to the retailer or retail park is a good one but it is all already covered in the sticky threads, including how to find out who to contact. That's what to sticky threads are at the top for, so you can see what to do and so we don't have endless 'same old' questions on thread after thread...oh wait...

Umkomaas

chickadee13 wrote: »

it's the 'almost' part of 'almost certainly' that worries me. Can you tell I am an anxious personality?!

Going to see the manager is a daunting prospect but I will try to do it next week (the receipt is in my flat and I won't be there till later this week). Maybe I should wait till I receive another letter? I know there are a lot of 'what ifs', I'm just keen to have a plan of action in my mind so I can stick to that and not get worried and tempted to give in. I really don't want to, the whole situation makes me so angry!

Look, if you're going to get so stressed up about all of this, just ignore everything from here on. Yes, we'd like you to make a complaint as this will add to the pressure on whoever engaged the PPC to reconsider their position when the contract is up for renewal. But your complaint in isolation isn't going to change the world.

You seem to be seeing problems around every corner, just chill as you're taking this all too seriously. Just be grateful you live in Scotland not England or Wales.

Don't look for problems that probably don't exist. Have you heard about that space ship that's run out of fuel and will crash to Earth in the next day or so, and scientists haven't got a clue where it will fall - it could be on your house; are you worrying about that too?

chickadee13

Guys, I do appreciate the advice and what you are saying, and I am going to ignore their letters, etc. You have to understand that worrying is something I do all the time, even about tiny things! I'm actually working on trying to cut that down at the moment because it does get ridiculous sometimes. But I hope it explains my reactions here. I haven't got anyone close to me to really discuss this with as they don't understand the situation and the fact that you're not supposed to pay up, so I'm probably venting here too much, but there you go!

I will get stuff together to make a complaint because even if it doesn't affect my own 'fine', it will let them know someone isn't happy. I guess they probably get a good few complaints about this because it must have happened to others, especially going by how common it is on this forum.

chickadee13

Iceweasel wrote: »

I can understand that you are anxious, but it would be wrong of me to say that they would never try it a stage further.

They haven't done so far and I'm pretty sure they wont - just as I'm pretty sure that the sun will rise tomorrow morning.

You actually have nothing to lose here and everything to gain. If the worst were to come to the worst and they went down the road of a court action you will get plenty help on here to fight it and win.

Winning is pretty much a certainty too - but again it's an almost certainty.

Also I have to say that you could stop it at any point by paying them. There can be no repercussions on credit ratings or anything like that - even if you go to court and lose.

But why pay now - go all the way up to the letter before action stage and even then you can re-consider the situation.

That would be several months away at the earliest, and I really don't think it will ever get to that.

It's your money and your decision as you are the one under pressure and I do understand your fears but I would still advise you to don't pay now - or later.

Thanks Iceweasel. I appreciate your diplomatic way of telling me to stop whining and deal with it.

I will do as you suggest, which is what I was wanting to do anyway. I just wanted to have an idea of what to do next if for some reason it didn't work. I am sure it'll all be fine. I am someone who likes to know what my back-up plan is!

Apart from anything else I really can't afford to pay any of that money right now, even the £60. It's been a tough month money-wise especially with my car needing stuff done, and there's no way I could stretch to that for no reason at all.

chickadee13

Coupon-mad wrote: »

UKPC do not do court.

This is Scotland and they are NOT going to even try.

The idea of complaining to the retailer or retail park is a good one but it is all already covered in the sticky threads, including how to find out who to contact. That's what to sticky threads are at the top for, so you can see what to do and so we don't have endless 'same old' questions on thread after thread...oh wait...

I know, I have been reading the stickies and I haven't actually asked for help regarding contacting the retailer - I've got all that researched myself. I just wanted to know how effective/how much point it would have. If it helps the 'greater cause' I'm all for doing it. I just didn't know on a local level if it would help my situation. I think it's probably better to do than not. And I will!

The stickies are really useful, so thanks to all who contributed to those.

chickadee13

Umkomaas wrote: »

Don't look for problems that probably don't exist. Have you heard about that space ship that's run out of fuel and will crash to Earth in the next day or so, and scientists haven't got a clue where it will fall - it could be on your house; are you worrying about that too?

Er, yes. How did you guess?

Actually, no, I managed to not worry about that...

chickadee13

Just a small update: I've started tweeting M&S about this. They have started off with "although the parking is free, you have to display a ticket". I am disappointed. I thought they are supposed to be interested in their customers? I've asked for an address if they'd like an official letter of complaint. I doubt it'll get anywhere, but I think Twitter can be very useful for publicly bothering companies who otherwise would ignore you.

I know it's not their 'fault' but I am interested to see their take on it.

Coupon-mad

Next tweet could be 'so how is there any loss caused, or is this a penalty?'

MimosaDR

Coupon-mad wrote: »

What?! Nope! :eek:

UKPC's website can't say that, they have never taken anyone to court. No-one expects the Spanish Inquisition from UKPC! (ask your Mum...!).

Are you sure you didn't look at the UKCPS website by mistake, or are you wasting your precious time looking at the debt collection firm's website - which OF COURSE isn't just about fake parking tickets! They (as a general debt collection service) will have been able to pursue SOME real debts such as store cards/catalogue defaults etc. and that's what they have on their website.

UKPC DO NOT DO COURT. EVER. I WILL EAT MY HAT IF THEY START WITH A SINGLE LITTLE FAKE PCN IN SCOTLAND!

Haha I really don't think any hat eating will be needed !

Ukpc do quote court cases but coupon mad you are right - they weren't involved in any of them! A couple of parking eye cases and parking solutions. One case quoted is parking eye vs somerfield! Not even a parking victim and something to do with the contract termination clauses if I mind right!

chickadee13

Hello, sorry to say I'm back!

I have received a Notice to Keeper letter from UKPC stating that as the driver hasn't paid the £60 'early discount' charge, I now have to pay the £100. They tell me that I have 28 days in which to do so or they will forward my details on to a debt recovery agency (which I don't believe will be genuine after reading posts here). They have even enclosed a payment slip for my convenience! The letter has typos throughout and is fairly shabby. They have however also included a photo taken of my car and say that there are other images online, which I am not entirely happy about.

Basically, just checking - still ignore, right?