Premier Park PCN

Seatrout

Last Saturday a PCN was attached to my car at xxxxx car park. Very briefly, I put £5 in the ticket machine for a period of time not exceeding 8 hours and received a ticket for 3 hours. The machine did not return any coins. Stupidly I did not check the details on the ticket and on returning to the car some 6 hours later found the notice. I knew that cars were checked regularly by the attendant because I spoke to him on arrival. Knowing that cars were checked I was hardly likely to buy a ticket for less time than I needed. I took the notice to the car park office where the attendant said that the ticket machines sometimes had problems with £2 coins due to their variable magnetic properties and if that was the case the machine would reject the coin. This certainly did not happen on this occasion.
He was sympathetic but said there was nothing he could do and suggested that I appeal.

The car park is managed by Premier Park Ltd.

Before appealing I shall be grateful for answers to the following.

1. Is a faulty machine a good reason appeal. I know it could look like an excuse to try and avoid the penalty charge.

2. The flow chart states appeals should be sent with proof of postage not by recorded delivery. Is there good reason for this?

3. I have prepared a letter to the land owner who also owns the caf!/restaurant adjacent to the park. Should this be sent in advance of my appeal?

4. Have any forum members had experiences involving faulty ticket machines.

I found this site by accident when trawling the internet for information on the subject and am grateful for the advice it contains and I'm sure I will need more in the days to come.

Many thanks

Dee140157

Hi

First of all the NEWBIE thread will take you through what to write in your appeal.
1. You must include the main points as well as adding a point about the faulty machine. However it is unlikely you will win on that point alone.
2. A free proof of posting will be evidence that you sent the appeal. They could refuse to accept a recorded delivery.
3. Send appeal to land owner at same time. They may get it cancelled for you in which case you win. They may ignore it in which case you lose nothing.
4. I can't answer.

In the meanwhile wait for the a notice to keeper to arrive before you appeal. They may never send it to you anyway.

Stroma

On number 4, what happens on the day has little relevance, your situation is not unique, don't look for problems in a particular car park as it doesn't matter, it's the same in every car park, an invoice issued that is not the actual loss.

Just appeal when you get the NtK, you may want to appeal early as little companies like these try and circumvent your right of appeal.

nobbysn*ts

Report it to the local trading standards. Wouldn't be the first machine that's been rigged, and they do go and investigate themselves.

Seatrout

I have now received a NtK from Premier Park dated xx/yy/zz.

I shall be appealing but Premier P now use the Independent Appeals Service, not POPLA.

Presumably the soft appeal in the Newbies thread is still appropriate in this case.

I will draft my appeal and post it here for the kind experts to check.

This is the first parking ticket that I have ever had and until searching this forum I had no idea of the scale of the "problem". It has been an eye opener and I'm grateful for the time and trouble people are putting in to help those of us who are a little bewildered by it all.


Seatrout

Dee140157

Still appeal as newbies thread. Add your extra point too, although probably won't make a difference.
When rejected the important things to remember is that you will only have 21 days to appeal and that the appeal may need to be worded carefully depending on what NTK and rejection say, so do keep the NTK and post back here when you get your rejection with a draft IPC letter.

Seatrout

Thanks Dee140157 - I'll draft an appeal for comment on here before posting.


Seatrout

Coupon-mad

I have just amended the template first appeal in the NEWBIES thread to keep PPC World on their toes!

Seatrout

First of all may I say what an extremely helpful forum this is. Secondly, due to various things going on in my life at present (time consuming, not worrying) I have decided to engage Parking Ticket Appeals Service to handle my appeal.

Apparently the process may take up to ten weeks and when the result is known I'll post it here.

My thanks to all who have encouraged me so far and let's hope that the scourge PPCs comes to and end soon.

Dee140157

That is why we recommend them sometimes. Whilst a little patience and reading can easily get you up to speed, occasionally life can get in the way. But at least we were able to help you in that direction and you are happy. At least you have the satisfaction of chosing who is going to get your money instead of the PPC!

Seatrout

PTAS have confirmed that my PCN issued by Premier Park has been cancelled. I don't yet know the reasons for the cancellation as the person handling my case is on holiday. If it was a successful appeal at IAS I'll post the details on the forum.
I have to say that the very reasonable fee of £16 charged by PTAS has been worth it. I recommend them to anyone who does not wish to do the work themselves.