Ludicrous PCN from Vehicle Control Services Ltd.

Hot_Bring

Umkomaas wrote: »

1. Set up a re-direct service with the PO. OK, I know 6 years is unreasonable, but certainly for an affordable stretch of time.

In theory you are only allowed to re-direct for 2 years. That said the Royal Mail systems are so shoddy that I managed to get 3 years before they spotted it.

HermanMunster

bazster wrote: »

If the way they've described the location is really that vague, be careful in anything you send to them not to give away that you do actually know what it's about. You are in complete ignorance as to the basis of their speculative invoice and you cannot be expected to consider an invoice which so manifestly fails to explain what it is for.

You might even try an IAS appeal along the same lines.

The way they described is something akin to saying it occurred 'in the privately operated car park at Sainsburys' with no more detail than that. It's not Sainsburys, I probably shouldn't say where it actually is, but it's just as vague as that. Could be anywhere. Worth even sending the usual template, or should I just tell them to poke it because it's meaningless? And, of course, I have a permit for the place I guess they are actually referring to, so it couldn't possibly be there, otherwise they've requested my details from DVLA without reasonable cause.

HermanMunster

The more I think about this the more utterly bizarre the whole thing seems. I think I will go for the IAS simply because it really is so clear cut, if they do anything other than uphold the appeal it will be a great one to take up with the DVLA. Might even make a comment to that effect in the appeal :rotfl:

HermanMunster

So, heard back from VCS and rejected as expected. Still no photographic evidence... they seem to be relying entirely on the 'statement made by [their] Patrol Officer' :rotfl: because, of course, there is no photographic evidence because it never happened :rotfl:

I want to appeal to the IAS, not because I expect a fair result, but just to illustrate what a farce the whole thing is and take it up with the DVLA, but doesn't seem to be a way of doing it by post. I don't want to give the IAS my email address or 'phone number. Anyone know of a way of doing it by post?

Failing that I'll just write back to VCS telling them that if they want to rely on the statement from their patrol officer versus my actual parking permit in court then to get on with it, or stop harassing me with their junk mail. All fun and games.

Umkomaas

I don't want to give the IAS my email address

Set up a 'throwaway' on Google Mail with a gobbledegook user name just for the purpose of this PCN. Very easy. Ignore/delete once your case is done!

HermanMunster

I like it, thank you

HermanMunster

IAS appeal rejected, as expected. From the comments I can only conclude that the ‘IAS assessors’ don’t even bother to look at the statement or evidence submitted, for example:

a) They conclude that ‘the Operator does not pursue the Parking Charge following a breach of contract. The Parking Charge has been issued pursuant to a specific contractual term and therefore the question of loss is not a relevant consideration for this appeal’ even though the response from VCS to my initial appeal (also submitted to them and quoted in my statement) clearly states that ‘we can confirm that they represent a sum for liquidated and ascertained damages in respect of a breach of the parking contract’

b) They also conclude that ‘the Parking Charge Notice makes it clear that the reason for issuing is that the vehicle is ‘parked without displaying a valid ticket/permit’. No arguments are put forward by the Appellant in this regard’ despite the fact that a large part of my statement was exactly that a valid permit was displayed, and photos of the permit, clearly on display in the windscreen, were also submitted.

Quite clearly a farce, as everybody knew anyway.

Of interest, they are now making the ‘evidence’ submitted by the operator available so it’s even clearer just how farcical the system is (photos of the car with the permit on display in the windscreen, for instance!)

So I’m torn now... The sensible part of me just wants to ignore, but another part wants to write back to VCS challenging them to try it in court just to expose the whole nonsense and strengthen the case against the DVLA. Decisions decisions....

HO87

Don't disturb the sleeping dog. As much as you might be up for the fight the simple truth is that regardless of how strong you are a small claims court appearance is still an unnecessary hassle.

The IAS is a joke and their assessment in your case demonstrates that it is no assessment at all. VCS are hamstrung - so make sure you retain their letters. If, and I say if, they issue proceedings you will have them in something of a bind.

Herzlos

I'd save off and take screenshots of their evidence just in case it were to disappear later. Maybe host it online somewhere, just in case.

Do they still have that completely unenforcable clause about not sharing the evidence with anyone?

nigelbb

Herzlos wrote: »

I'd save off and take screenshots of their evidence just in case it were to disappear later. Maybe host it online somewhere, just in case.

The WayBack Machine http://archive.org/web/ has a handy Save Page Now feature that will save a webpage to their archive to Capture a web page as it appears now for use as a trusted citation in the future.