Staples parking ticket.

Brit27

I today received a parking ticket throught the post from a contractual company, '24 hr parking' or something like that( I'm away from the leter at the moment). It stated that I parked for 103 mins in a 90 minute time limit on the evening of the 2nd Nov (we was attending a firework display).
I chose the local Staples Car Park as there were a few cars already there, the store had long been closed and I didn't notice any 'No parking' warning signs. There are two photos one of the car just parked and the other as it left, both have a clock underneath them.
I have 14 days to pay £60 or otherwise it increases to £100. I have found another case of somebody receiving a ticket in the same car park one evening, he chose to ignore it and threatened a solicitor or police if the company kept demanding / harrassing him,that apparently worked in his case. A lot of the internet advice that I have read says to simply ignore the fine but I'm not so sure . I dont really have a case for appeal either, althought the store didn't lose any custom due to my being on their premises when they were closed !
Should I just man up and pay it........ thoughts ?

Coupon-mad

Read the top sticky thread 'newbies...read this now!' and wait for any Notice in the post if you are the registered keeper. Then you appeal, then you win (England/Wales).

You'll find it all out on the sticky thread I hope, that's what it's there for.

Brit27

Coupon-mad wrote: »

Read the top sticky thread 'newbies...read this now!' and wait for any Notice in the post if you are the registered keeper. Then you appeal, then you win (England/Wales).

You'll find it all out on the sticky thread I hope, that's what it's there for.

I did have a quick look through before posting and found it quite in depth to be truthful, I'll read through it again with the letter which I take is the Notice with me to consult.
Thank you for pointing that out to me though, it gives me some hope of an appeal

Coupon-mad

Also it's important of course to check the firm is an AOS member. G24 are but I don't think there's a '24hr parking' here:

http://www.britishparking.co.uk/Approved-Operators

If they are not then you'd be demanding why the DVLA released your data for that letter (NTK) to be sent.

It's an in depth subject so the thread needs to cover a lot, but have another look at it tomorrow as it's written to be understood by newbies (hopefully). All feedback gratefully received and I am still tweaking it where there may be a lack of clarity, as it's a new thread.

Brit27

Coupon-mad wrote: »

Also it's important of course to check the firm is an AOS member. G24 are but I don't think there's a '24hr parking' here:

http://www.britishparking.co.uk/Approved-Operators

If they are not then you'd be demanding why the DVLA released your data for that letter (NTK) to be sent.

It's an in depth subject so the thread needs to cover a lot, but have another look at it tomorrow as it's written to be understood by newbies (hopefully). All feedback gratefully received and I am still tweaking it where there may be a lack of clarity, as it's a new thread.

The firm are G24, forgive me for my poor guess at their title ! I have read through quite a few posts that have beenn linked under the sticky and have a clearer understanding of the appeal process, you have been very busy I see and it has paid off too .
I'll construct an appeal using your excellent advice with the understanding that they send me a POPLA code. Some of the appeals are very expansive , perhaps I should try something like that to begin with and see what response I receive.

I'm a nightshift worker by the way, so can find time to read up on my breaks .

Coupon-mad

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4811603

That one should help start your appeal but change the wording so it's not a copy. And get help at POPLA stage.

Brit27

Coupon-mad wrote: »

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4811603

That one should help start your appeal but change the wording so it's not a copy. And get help at POPLA stage.

Advice taken on board and my soft appeal is all typed up and ready to go on Monday morning. I have enjoyed reading throught the various threads and am encouraged by the positive results, I'll post back when I hear from G24.

4consumerrights

Brit27 wrote: »

Advice taken on board and my soft appeal is all typed up and ready to go on Monday morning. I have enjoyed reading throught the various threads and am encouraged by the positive results, I'll post back when I hear from G24.

Get a free certificate of posting when you send it.:)

Brit27

Well I today received a reply from G24 to my soft appeal. They give answers to some of my appeal and then inform me of the POPLA appeal process, I'm guessing that this is a standard template reply ,I can type it out on here if it helps at all though (I have no means of scanning it in and it is quite lengthy) ?
My main point of appeal was that Staples was closed as it was Saturday evening and I only went 13 mins over the allowed 90 minute period due to bad signage.

Here is an extract from their reply :
There are four paragraphs expaining that they have considered the appeal, their procedures, a brief on the POPLA independent appeal process, then they quote the Protection of Freedoms act 2012 , defining ''parking charge''.
They state that in this instance'' a parking charge has been issued based on the fact that the driver of your vehicle entered into a contract with us (by the act of parking the vehicle) and our signage (which states the terms and conditions of parking) having been clearly displayed in the car park.
The act permits parking charges to be rendered on private land, and then quotes the case of 'Parking eyelimited v Somerfield stores limited (2012) EWCA Civ 1338...........cont.....''

It continues stating that the amount of parking charge accords with the recommendations of the British Parking Association, of which they are a member.

This is not applicable , as our Contractual Parking Charge Notice is based on a breach of the terms and conditions as adadvertised on the signage displayed throughout the car park, this is not trespass.

The nature of their contract with our client is confidential but will but will be suplied during any court proceedings.

They confirm that parking management of the site has been contracted to them.

That they manage the car park on behalf of their client and that their client is not involved with the issue or enforcement of their notices to keepers.

''As consideration of the information provided by you , your dispute has been unsuccessful as a proof of purchasefrom the date of contravention has not been supplied, so thereforethe Contractual Parking Charge Notice still applies ''


''As we have extensively investigated this Contractual Parking Charge Notice and provided you with the results of pur investigation, no further investigation will take place''.

It then gives me my options.


They have attached POPLA appeal forms for me to send off with a code, is it best to fill in these or appeal via email ?

I would be very grateful of any template appeal that I could send off, or of any pointers where I can find advice on what to send.

Thanks for any advice .

Coupon-mad

Have a look at the links in 'How to win at POPLA' in the 'NEWBIES READ THIS FIRST!' sticky thread!

spacey2012

A clock underneath them, bet thats reliable source of evidence...