UKPC ticket in Scotland - driver identity admitted

Primeau

In response to my letter (see above) to Savills, landlords at Gallagher Retail Park in Dundee, today I received this response:


"Thank you for contacting us. First we would like to express our deepest regret for the inconvenience caused by this unintentional and rare mistake.
I would also like to inform you that we will take extra measures to make sure such errors don't happen again in the future.
I apologise again for the inconvenience caused and I can confirm that your parking penalty has now been cancelled.
Yours sincerely,"


While I'm happy that the charge has been cancelled, I'm not too impressed with the phrase " unintentional and rare mistake". Are Savills really unaware of the practices of UKPC?

But at this point let me acknowledge the fantastic support and the knowledgeable responses received from the regular posters on this forum. You have my heartfelt thanks, not only for providing me with the information on the facts of PPC practices and the relevant legislation, but for the support and encouragement to my posts, and especially to Coupon-Mad for the templates that I based my letters on.

The only outstanding issue now is the bill for £184.92 that I issued to UKPC in recovery of my expenses! I was generous and gave them 60 days to pay, but I doubt they will stump up. Would it be worth pursuing them through the SCC I wonder?

Thanks again everyone, this forum really is a fabulous resource.

Primeau

Coupon-mad

It's been done in England so why not research it and try?

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4792779

Well done! Of course Savills know about UKPC's efforts & bad publicity...that apology you got was noticeably VERY grovelling indeed so I suspect something has gone on behind the scenes. Savills don't normally let PPCs call the shots - we have seen them order a PPC to pay compensation before...at least I was made aware of one such incident!

Livery

Do you know if it does not state that this car park is a 24/7 car park that this is unclear signage.
In my stupid appeal to them I stated that most car parks are free between 6 pm and 8.00am. They have ignored my questions as to why the signage should not clearly show that it is a 24/7. Their only response to me was that there are no time restraint in when the wardens patrols and that this does need to be specified on their signage.
After 7pm at night this warden went through the car park putting tickets on nearly all the cars that had recently entered the car park. His pay packet must have been bulging next pay day. He was clearly watching drivers and targeting them.
I went into marks and spencer for 15 minutes. I am also disabled with high mobility of dla. They still want me to pay £60.00. Of course there is also the two hours free parking ambiguity of need a ticket or not.

Do I write to marks and spencer or do I ignore all the letters that are due to follow.

Any help will be very much appreciated

pogofish

Complaining to M&S is viable but just ignore UKPC altogether - these bams only care about making money so any or all of their arbitrary "rules" reflect that first and foremost.

Primeau

Hi Livery,
I took a picture of the signage when I had problems, so I can confirm there is small print on the sign that states "Terms of parking apply at all times". As you have already figured out, they rely on drivers assuming that the charges don't apply after 6pm (like all the council car parks in Dundee) so they can make a killing issuing charges.
When I made my complaint to TK Maxx (who were hopeless) the manager did confirm to me that the attendants sometimes still work as late as 9 pm to catch out motorists.
What to do? Most important, don't identify yourself as the driver. I see you say you have already contacted UKPC, but did you identify yourself as the driver? If not, then there is nothing more they can do.
If you have, then they will start to issue you with threatening letters. However, the only way they can possibly collect is to take you to Small claims court. UKPC don't have a good track record of this, so I wouldn't worry too much.
In the meantime, please read the history on this thread, I had admitted I was driving, but have successfully had the charge cancelled.
I would certainly recommend writing to M&S with a strongly worded letter of complaint. If that doesn't yield results, then write to Savills the landowners. I can give you the address for Savills if you need it.
Good luck,
Primeau

Coupon-mad

Bottom line?

DO NOT PAY. YOU WILL GET LETTERS IF YOU CAN'T GET THIS CANCELLED BUT - SO WHAT?! IT'S JUNK MAIL!

Jampanda

Hi Primeau,

Any chance you could give me a note of the address for Savills. I am in a similar situation that you were in.

Jampanda

Primeau

Hi Jampanda,


I wrote to:




Graeme Clark


Director and Head of Retail Management
Property Management
Savills Glasgow


163 West George Street
Glasgow
G2 2JJ


good luck,
Primeau

Jampanda

Success - PCN now cancelled ☺

Thanks.

Coupon-mad

Great news - I have already added that name/address to the 'Successful Complaints about PPCs' sticky.