Parking Charge Notice and confused by how to proceed.

Preston_Guild

Hi

I'm another newbie, so please go easy.

From reading other posts and comments, I'm aware it is best not to ignore this PCN. Could you please advise me, as to what I should do.

A quick history of my case.

On **/11/2013, I bought an article of clothing from a well known store and parked on the car-park in front of their store. Later I decided I didn't like the fit of the article of clothing, so decided to return it the following day.

On **/11/2013 (the following day), I returned to the store with the article of clothing in the boot of my car and again parked on their car-park. I didn't enter the store, I sat in my car 5 mins listening to the news on the radio. I had a letter to post on the seat beside me and also decided I needed to use a toilet. I left the car and walked off their car-park to a relatively nearby post box (500 yards away, but across a very busy main road), posted my letter and popped into a nearby toilet on my way back to the car-park.

I was away 15 minutes maximum and when I returned, there was a PCN stuck to my windscreen. I spent the next 5 mins, reading the PCN and reading their signs, a bit bewildered as to why I had received it. The reason for issue, given on the PCN, was ''Parking and Leaving Site'' and fair enough, when I thoroughly read their boards/signs, it does say midway down it, you mustn't leave site. I did and I hold my hand up to that charge (hardly a hanging offence).

As I was now running a little late for another appointment, I didn't enter the shop to return my purchase at the time, but did return 5 hours later and got my refund.

I have my receipt for my purchase on the **/11/2013 (dated) and have the receipt/voucher on the **/11/2013 (dated).

I was on their car-park for a perfectly legitimate reason on the **/11/2013, to return my purchase from the previous day and although I didn't return it at the time the PCN was issued in the morning (for the reason mentioned above, I was running late), I did return the item later the same day (**/11/2013).

My dilemma is, what to do next?

I have copied both receipts (one for the **/11/13 and the other for the **/11/13). Should I send these to the PPC, with a copy of their PCN and an accompanying letter, telling them I don't intend to pay, as I believe I was there for a legitimate purpose and hope they accept my case and dismiss it (I wont include my name and address).

OR

Should I just wait for them to trace me via DLVA and contact me and then send copies of my receipts, PCN and letter.

OR

Should I return to the store, ask for the manager, show him/her the receipts/PCN and ask them to get the PPC to drop it.

Your advice would be much appreciated.

By the way, it was **:** in the morning when they stuck the notice on my windscreen and the car-park was only a third full. There are no payment machines, it is free to park for customers.

Something else, the operative that filled out the PCN, has put the time as **:**. It wasn't, it was approximately **:**. Does that mistake alone, invalidate their PCN. I was at my next appointment, visiting my mum in her care home, 11 miles away, at 11:20. Not too sure I could prove that in a law court, but I did sign in at that time and at least 5 members of staff saw me.

The PPC is an outfit called C M Services Ltd (Comprehensive Management Services Ltd) and as I can't find them on the BPA list, am I right to assume they wont be able to request my details from DVLA.

At present and after reading your own forum and other pieces online, I am determined not to pay anything.

Thanks for your help.

PG

PS - For anyone reading this after 18/11/13, apologies for the asterisks. I had originally put the actual dates. Amended a few days later, as I now realise the dates aren't necessary and could even be helpful to the PPC

Guys_Dad

Try 3 first. Tell manager you left site if you must but the him you are a customer and expect better treatment. Make sure you see manager.

If he refuses ask for his name and tell him you need to get it right for your complaint to head office.

Umkomaas

These aren't on the BPA AOS list, although in their website a picture of one of their (old?) signs shows the BPA logo. I suspect they are lapsed members.

So do nothing and see what transpires. I certainly wouldn't be contacting anyone at CMS, that's for sure.

They won't have any electronic link to DVLA for keeper details, as most BPA AOS do.

Preston_Guild

Thanks for your replies, I really appreciate it.

I will do as Umkomaas suggests and do nothing. If they somehow do trace me and contact me, then I'll first do as you suggest Guys Dad and head into the store and ask for a manager (well THE manager).

I will be holding on to the PCN and the receipts and will keep some notes, as time progresses.

Hopefully they wont contact me.

Thanks again.

PG

Stroma

Part of this lot of dissolved companies and owned by William Ideson
http://bizzy.co.uk/uk/director/1912215345/william-ideson

Preston_Guild

Thanks Stroma

It says in the second link that two of his five companies are in liquidation and another two (one of which is C M Services Ltd) are 'non trading'

Stroma

Actually the info was incorrect, now post has been updated

Preston_Guild

Thanks again.

I realised too, reading the advice at the bottom of your posts, that I slipped up by including dates etc in my original post. Any other newbies reading, please take note and learn.

I've now amended my original post (to some degree).

Cheers

bod1467

A. You can edit your own posts if you wish. See the button at the bottom-right of your posts.

B. You haven't identified the car park or store so mentioning dates doesn't really matter.

Preston_Guild

Now edited.

Cheers

Coupon-mad

Preston_Guild wrote: »

Thanks for your replies, I really appreciate it.

I will do as Umkomaas suggests and do nothing. If they somehow do trace me and contact me, then I'll first do as you suggest Guys Dad and head into the store and ask for a manager (well THE manager).

I will be holding on to the PCN and the receipts and will keep some notes, as time progresses.

Hopefully they wont contact me.

Thanks again.

PG

Discussed here and no NTK has arrived:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4790799

which if they are not AOS members, will remain the case!

Also featured in a new thread here:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4823585

HTH