not BPA AOS but using logo?

spex86_2

Hi all and apologies if this has been addressed or not.
Bit of background info - there is a patch of private land across from our old place of work where we often parked without displaying tickets, this has apparently been going on for 2 years or so with no contact.
However a colleague of mine came to work today with a NtK from Sheriff Enforcer Ltd. Now I read the sticky etc but I've parked in this particular car park before and have had one ticket which I ignored (I realise now I shouldn't have but only just read up on tickets!) and noticed at the bottom the ticket stated that they were members of the BPA.
Now when I googled them and searched on here they are members of the IPC - am I right in understanding they are different from the BPA? If this is the case, are they allowed to state on their signage and tickets that they are members? If not - is this used as another reason for appeal or can this go via Trading Standards for fraud?

Thanks for any help on this matter - trying to reassure her that she can still go through an appeals process using the letters on this forum but she's a bit panicky and is thinking of paying the £75!

Stroma

Well it's a matter of semantics, so don't worry too much about it except to complain to various people, IPC, bpa and dvla. You need to appeal this as normal using the sticky thread by coupon mad for that.

Do you have any images of the signs?

spex86_2

not at the moment as I'm at work. My colleague is parked there again today but has paid for a ticket as she is so concerned. I have asked her to take a picture of the sign and to dig out her ticket - it was issued in March and she thinks she might have thrown it in the bin.

nigelbb

You should report this to Trading Standards as it is a criminal offence to claim to belong to a Trade Association when you do not. If they are now in IPC they should have replaced all their stationary & signs.

spex86_2

thanks @nigelbb - do they have a period of grace to replace this? they've been a member since 13/12/13.

nigelbb

spex86 wrote: »

thanks @nigelbb - do they have a period of grace to replace this? they've been a member since 13/12/13.

Why would there be a grace period? They are claiming falsely to be members of the BPA Ltd when they are not. The offence started as soon as they stopped being members but continued to use the logo. Complain to the BPA Ltd too as they don't like ex-members claiming to still be members.

spex86_2

I thought I'd read somewhere that they had made a similar complaint about signage but the BPA had said a grace period being allowed...might be about something else though - been reading up a lot in case it happens to me next!! thanks for the advice

nigelbb

Claiming to be a member of a Trade Association when you are not is a criminal offence i.e. it's against the LAW. Adherence to the made up rules of the trade association that aren't even policed is just optional in their cozy club.

spex86_2

the joys of private car parking eh? camera phone armed and ready to send off photos to DVLA, BPA and TS later on today. A couple of colleagues have also said they will send photos too - in for a penny, in for a pound!


EDIT - and letters of course!!

Umkomaas

spex86 wrote: »

I thought I'd read somewhere that they had made a similar complaint about signage but the BPA had said a grace period being allowed...might be about something else though - been reading up a lot in case it happens to me next!! thanks for the advice

That grace period was in the context of bringing signage up to date to reflect requirements of the BPA Code of Practice. Nothing to do with jumping ship to the IPC.

spex86_2

thanks for clearing that up Umkomaas - knew I'd read something about grace periods somewhere.