MET Parking Query (and YES I've read the forums but need help)

Coupon-mad

Next steps = nothing.

hazysunshine

Coupon-mad wrote: »

Yes I would send it then, as is. The links shows you the calibre of MET though, and the depths this industry sinks to!

OK so MET got back to me saying: -

"Thank you for your correspondence received XX/XX/XXXX.
We note your comments however we can confirm that MET Parking are not in breach of any regulations.
This case is currently with our debt collection agents Debt Recovery Plus blah blah blah......."

What's the best course of action now?

Thanks

Coupon-mad

Nothing - as I said already. You've said your piece and they were never going to stop the DRP letter chain! So you ignore that letter chain of course, like people have done for a decade on here. You missed the appeal chance so you are now following the old advice = ignore the scumbags, which is surely what you expected all along having read other threads? You were only writing to make your point, there is no other step worth bothering with.

Only take seriously real court papers, not stupid letters from DRP or Zenith (same firm).

hazysunshine

Thanks Coupon-mad

I knew I had missed my chance to appeal but I thought I could demand a POPLA code at any time, regardless of any supposed 'deadline'?

Also, to be clear, *if* this did go to court (unlikely I know as I have read and understand that MET Parking aren't very litigious), what would happen then? The parking 'fine' was due to being 'out of bay', but I didn't take pictures at the time showing the lack of signs, and in the meantime they have put up signs stating the designated bays.

Again, thank you for your help.

Coupon-mad

hazysunshine wrote: »

Thanks Coupon-mad

I knew I had missed my chance to appeal but I thought I could demand a POPLA code at any time, regardless of any supposed 'deadline'?

Yes you *could* ask...and you did ask...but PPCs don't give the POPLA code late because no-one is going to force them apart from a Court Judge (happens sometimes!). The whole point was just to state your case, ask for POPLA and to look reasonable in case a claim ever starts. Looks bad on the PPC that they refused ADR so early, gives leverage to ask a Court to order POPLA instead if a case was set for a small claim (which this won't be).

Also, to be clear, *if* this did go to court (unlikely I know as I have read and understand that MET Parking aren't very litigious), what would happen then? The parking 'fine' was due to being 'out of bay', but I didn't take pictures at the time showing the lack of signs, and in the meantime they have put up signs stating the designated bays.

We would help you put a defence together. Apart from the lottery of ParkingEye cases I can't recall a well defended forum-assisted one where the defendant lost recently, at all. People we help either win or the claim is dropped or the case is stayed for POPLA instead or stayed for the outcome of PE v Beavis (the CoA decision due in Spring 2015).

If someone loses the amount is capped by the POFA, so that only the PCN amount can be claimed from a keeper (plus small court fee maybe £50). So it's no big deal and doesn't even go on your credit record at all if paid within 28 days of a Judgment. No CCJ, nothing happens if a person loses and then pays a typical £150 if they lose in court. But that's the worst case scenario!

Lots of people get their cases cancelled by complaining to the landowner so is there scope for that with your car park? Retailer? Managing Agent? Is it a site with a name that you can Google and find who owns or runs it? You could send a written complaint (as keeper of course) about the harassment and also ask when the extra signs were added exactly, as you believe the signs and lines before they were recently updated, were inadequate and that the driver would never have parked in any obstructive way nor in contravention of any clear signs/lines. And you could conclude by asking that they consider cancelling the PCN under these circumstances (if it's retail site, mention your family previously being regular shoppers there but now feeling hounded and put off ever returning...).