Vehicle control services Ltd. PCN Help!!

hard_steel

Hello everybody, New member hear looking for a bit of guidance.

I got a PCN yesterday from a company called Vehicle control services Ltd.

I have been a bit of an idiot really, I was picking my daughter up from her flat in derby and parked in the car park at the back of the flat, it’s parking for the tenants, I went up to get her and help her down with her things, away 10 mins no longer, and I was banged with a £100 PCN or pay up in 14days for £60.

There are some signs around but never took any notice as daughter is resident. I thought not a problem. Anyway I have read the newbie sticky and just wanted to clarify a couple of points.

I work for a major car manufacturer and have a car on a scheme with them, I know from colleague’s experience that the NTK will go to my company who will forward on to me to deal with.

I plan to appeal to the ppc with the template in the sticky ASAP, and I will be contacting the landlord of the flats with a firm request to cancel.

Now this seems a daft question and I’m quite embarrassed to ask it but should I include my address and phone No on my appeal to the PPC? I would normally do this on all letters, but am I asking for a world of pain if I give the details?

To be honest I’m 50/50 at the moment of what to do, pay up and forget it or challenge it, it’s not the money it’s principle that is hurting me at the moment.

The IPC thing is worrying me a bit, feels like I’m the underdog , I have read a lot of posts and still unsure the best action! Payup or fight:(
I could really do with some of your views on this.
Thanks!!

Grimble

If I send you an invoice for £60 will you pay me? I will huff and puff and make all kinds of worthless threats if you do not. Does this answer your question? One of the more knowledgeable members will tell you your next step.

Redx

you challenge the invoice in your own right as driver so they dont hook the owner into paying and invoicing you

yes you give them a valid service address (notice my careful wording there)

they are likely to turn down your appeal, and the IPC is a waste of space so for 6 years you ignore the begging letters and threats, UNLESS you are sent an LBC or an MCOL

Coupon-mad

Now this seems a daft question and I’m quite embarrassed to ask it but should I include my address and phone No on my appeal to the PPC? I would normally do this on all letters, but am I asking for a world of pain if I give the details?

Yes, you MUST give your full name and address as driver so that VCS cannot revert at all to the company. Then when you get a reply, ignore the kind offer of IAS or write back declining it, saying you will use an ADR only when the IPC come up with one that is seen to be transparent, unbiased and independent. Second option is perhaps more likely to stir them to try a (very rare) small claim as it's like prodding a wasps' nest - so most people would probably prefer to stay under the radar and wait and see, once you have merely sent the first challenge as driver.

A VCS small claim is straightforward enough to defend (no GPEOL, etc.), ask Mr Ibbotson! (one of the older cases won by defendants, linked in post #5 of the NEWBIES thread). I would also get pictures NOW of the entrance sign (or lack of) and the wording on the nearest sign. And of course keep the PCN and all the silly letters that arrive in between. Only take seriously, real small claim papers or a Letter before Claim from VCS or Gladstones Solicitors (basically the IPC). NOT debt collector letters!

Remember that ParkingEye v Mr B is happening in Feb 2015, which should publicise these charges and bring the shady dealings out into the open, whatever the outcome. Should have a knock on effect on any other cases/other PPCs.

hard_steel

Hi All

I have sent the ppc who have denied it, they have offered me the £60 reduced fee or give me the opportunity to appeal to IAS. They have sent some pics of my car parked in front of one of their notices. As i said in my first post i never bother to look as going to be 10mins collecting my Daughter. I'm upset with myself for getting in this situation. Anyway i'm thinking of paying up as i don't think i want the grief. but it hurts to line the pockets of these idiots. I would aureate some advice.

The_Slithy_Tove

hard_steel wrote: »

I would aureate some advice.

Huh?

Anyway, don't pay, just ignore them if you don't want to go to IAS. Or appeal to IAS and then ignore in the likelihood of the non-independent and highly biased IAS ruling against you.

Guys_Dad

hard_steel wrote: »

Hi All

I have sent the ppc who have denied it, they have offered me the £60 reduced fee or give me the opportunity to appeal to IAS. They have sent some pics of my car parked in front of one of their notices. As i said in my first post i never bother to look as going to be 10mins collecting my Daughter. I'm upset with myself for getting in this situation. Anyway i'm thinking of paying up as i don't think i want the grief. but it hurts to line the pockets of these idiots. I would aureate some advice.

I understand the temptation, but really, you should not pay. It's not a discount - it's a less extortionate theft.

The maximum they can charge you is £100, but it would cost them more than that to take you to court.

Appeal to the IAS with forum help expecting to lose but costing them money.

Then expect debt collector letters (the have no standing) and only come back after that is you get genuine court papers.

But keep an eye on the papers and this column for the result in the Beavis case that has gone to the Court of Appeal.

hard_steel

Well i did the appeal to IAS and it got turned down. I haven't paid the charge, however yesterday i received a letter from VCS saying they they were disappointed that i hadn't paid the charge. they have given me until the 23/03 to pay or they state that they may commence debt recovery or legal proceedings. any court costs will incur costs and interest. They also make great point that a CCJ would affect my credit rating. I know they are scare mongering, but i have a good credit rating and i don't want this spoiled by these a-holes.

Not sure what my next step is!! The wife thinks i should consider paying, this will hurt as i feel i have been mugged, but it's an option. I would appreciate any advice. I do not want to go to court over this and spoil my good name that is my big worry, also i do not want the costs to start spiralling out of control. really not sure of the nest step.

Grimble

This does not affect your credit rating unless they take you to court and win and then you do not pay. Costs cannot spiral out of control at small claims court. These scammers will refuse all appeals all they want is your money. VCS are on very thin ice if they take this to court and they know it. What was the loss erm nothing!

The_Deep

If the IAS has refused your appeal, you have little to worry about. You will now have written proof that the Red Cow gang are a bunch of conmen.

Show that unsigned supposedly independent decision, which drives a coach and horses through the concept of natural justice, to any County Court Judge and he/she should laugh the case out of court.

I would say that you can now safely ignore all further correspondence about this matter, except genuine court papers, with impunity.i

Ralph-y

Did you ever contact the landlord?

as with the good advice above with VCS / IPC you have a couple % chance of a win

the only way IT might go away is if the landlord overturns it ....... go through your daughters lease to see what if anything it says about parking/visitors

Ralph:cool: