G24 pcn

Tinamc66

I need some advice please . My daughter received 3 PCN's from G24 and being a student paid them straight away so that she could pay the lower price , I really feel for her as I can see how she was intimidated by the official looking letter. I want to appeal these charges as she frequently shops in the retail park and the uni were holding an event adjacent to the car park and as many of the students were also using the shops there they assumed they could park for a while, they do not remember seeing the notices that stated about the parking regulations as the car park was not very well lit . What can I do about this ? Am I likely to get her money back for her? I have read the relevant threads but don't know what to do as the PCN's have already been paid. Thanks T

Hot_Bring

Sadly, the only way you will realistically see the money back is to sue G24 in court by claiming your daughter felt intimidated to pay. During the claim you could also highlight the poor / inadequate signage and that the charge wasn't a genuine pre-estimate of loss.

It costs around £85 to bring the claim via Money Claim Online which you get back if you win.

For the future please tell your daughter that G24 charges are unlawful and easily beatable with a single email.

Tinamc66

So does that mean there is no point in an appeal ?

Hot_Bring

Afraid so - G24 will ignore it. Paying effectively ends their involvement.

Do you think a Nigerian scammer would pay you back if you appealed to his good nature ? It is this sort of company you are dealing with - thieves and scammers.

Coupon-mad

You could try the Parking Prankster's reclaim service:

http://parking-prankster.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/reclaim-service-launched.html

Seems a shame for a student to be conned out of money - please help her to 'wise up' about scams. Just because a letter (or email) looks official, don't make it so these days! I would have thought Google should be her friend before she parts with money ever again, just because some random firm has written a letter that looks a bit like a parking ticket, pretty picture of her car and all (so what). You could also try a complaint letter to the CEO of the retailer, not an 'appeal', so I have changed your words as a basis for your complaint email to the CEO (or Centre Manager if several shops are there):


Dear {name of CEO of retailer or Retail Centre Manager, find it out},

Complaint re: name of car park/store and the three fake PCN numbers
I want to COMPLAIN about these charges as my daughter is a student who used to frequently shop in your retail park and the Uni were holding an event adjacent to the car park. As many of the students were also using the shops there they believed they could park for a while as customers; moreover, they do not remember seeing any notices as the signs here are too high, not prominent and not lit. Unfortunately, although I know these are not real parking tickets and can be appealed/quashed easily, my daughter was completely taken in and scared of having to pay more - she thought they were real parking tickets and is out of pocket to the tune of £xxx which is a lot for a student, as I am sure you will agree.

Frankly, I am disgusted that you are allowing this firm on site and are harassing customers this way with a notorious BPA member (they all are, doesn't make them OK) who use sneaky cameras and impersonate 'PCNs' as if they have some level of authority. I expect you realise that G24 only make money from people who 'breach' their jumped-up terms, hence why they use unlit signs; they have to make their money from unsuspecting customers of yours who inadvertently stay too long with no idea of any restriction until it is too late. At least if she had got a 'PCN' on the windscreen the first time she would have known; instead she received 3 scary letters which fooled her into thinking she was in some sort of trouble with the authorities. I think the least you or G24 can do is to refund her. There is no point alienating your local student community who are regular customers and a captive audience living locally to the retail park - it beggars belief that a customer service orientated store can allow this extortion. I also suggest you need to tell your agent to install lit signage because the current set-up is sharp practice and a breach of the BPA Code of Practice.

As proof that my daughter is a genuine regular customer (as are we when visiting the area) I attach receipts from recent weeks {if you have some, or if her friends can dig some out of the bin!} or a copy Bank statement.




P.S. obviously this is NOT for G24.

Tinamc66

Thank you coupon-mad for taking the time to write out that letter for me , I have now sent it to the CEO/Director and I will let you know what happens.

Tinamc66

Well thanks to coupon-mad I sent an email to Staples UK about this disgraceful company running their car parks and here is what I got back :-


Thank you for your recent email addressed to our Vice President, Carlos
Maia regarding the parking fines your daughter received at our Chatham
store. This has been passed to me to investigate and respond on his
behalf. I am sorry to hear that she had received these.

The Chatham branch is rented from a private landlord who has an
agreement with the company in question to monitor the car park and
unfortunately, Staples do not have any authority over this. The parking
company claim that the parking restrictions are clearly signposted
around the car park and give clear indication of the restrictions in
place. Having checked with the store you can park there for 1 hour
before a fine is issued, this amount of time is usually more than
sufficient for a visit to Staples.

Unfortunately, as the fines have been paid we would not be able to
assist you any further. Staples receives no financial payment from any
fines paid to G24 therefore we are not in a position to refund the cost
of these.

Staples can only apologise for any inconvenience this has caused you but
we are unable to assist you with this matter any further.


I don't know why I thought they would want to help and now not only do I feel upset for my daughter paying PCN's I now feel dismissed by Staples so it's left bad feelings all around

Hot_Bring

Reply back :

Dear xxxx,

Thank you for replying to my correspondence. It is very disappointing that Staples has no control over such an immoral situation. As the registered keeper is considering legal action as a remedy to the situation, please provide the landlords details by return. Failure to do so will mean Staples will be named as a party in any action.

Regards,

Coupon-mad

http://parking-prankster.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/reclaim-service-launched.html

Tinamc66

I have decided to try and sue G24 to try and get my daughters money back as I am so disgusted at what this company is getting away with. Can anyone give me an idea of what to write for why I am claiming the money back , and thank you all for your help so far .

Hot_Bring

If you do this ( and I'm not discouraging you ) make sure you name ALL parties. Too many people just try a sue a single dodgy company and fail. So parties you need to name include G24, Adrian King ( director of G24 ), Staples if they don't provide the landlords details, the landlord and the land owner.

If you just sue G24 they are likely to just accept a CCJ and you'll never get your money back.