Vehicle Control Services Sheffield - small or large company?

jalice2309

Hi all,

Apologies for my delayed response. I have only just heard back from the VCS today and am disgusted with their response. Basically, they have said that they believe there is adequate signage (which there clearly isn't when there is a forum set up here with several people experiencing the same problem).

They have given me the option to appeal to the IAS within 21 days (which is almost like a trading body) HOWEVER if I do this I will lose my 'discount' and have to pay the full £100. But conveniently for them, if I do not take it further I can pay the 'discounted' rate of £60 which I still feel sick to my stomach doing. I am currently researching whether they were legally allowed to take away this 'discount' should I choose to re-appeal.

I too am not going to shop at the area again but feel I will also contact the managers of the shops so they are yet again reminded of the obvious detrimental effect this is having on their businesses.

Sorry we're all in this awful situation but I agree we definitely need to stick together. By paying this unlawful fine, the company are not going to change their ways.

Kind regards,
Jess

jalice2309

simmo01 wrote: »

Hi just joined as I too have been charged this week in this restricted unmarked area next to iceland. there should be a massive sign saying 'no parking' instead!
I'll be following the thread too for help. thanks

I believe this is exactly why they are not putting a sign up or even yellow paint informing it is a 'restricted zone' as they are making so much money. I am trying to think of what to do next. I have rang Trading Standards as emailing was not successful as I just got redirected. I think they are currently closed so I have left a message.

Umkomaas

You won't find anything to say whether they can or can't offer the discount after appeal; save your breath (and research).

The jury is out on whether you should appeal to the IAS as most appeals have failed. My view is you should, as this shows you have connected with the process and no one can accuse you of missing an opportunity to get this charge cancelled (yeah, right!) and you create a paper trail in the (to date, unlikely) event of this going to the Small Claims Court.

In addition to appealing to the IAS, I'd concentrate my efforts on complaining to the landowner, asking them to cancel the charge and writing to/emailing any retailers on site to say that while VCS continue to infest their car park, neither you nor your family (nor any friends you can persuade) will ever shop with them again.

arthurx1234

jalice2309 wrote: »

Hi all,

Apologies for my delayed response. I have only just heard back from the VCS today and am disgusted with their response. Basically, they have said that they believe there is adequate signage (which there clearly isn't when there is a forum set up here with several people experiencing the same problem).

They have given me the option to appeal to the IAS within 21 days (which is almost like a trading body) HOWEVER if I do this I will lose my 'discount' and have to pay the full £100. But conveniently for them, if I do not take it further I can pay the 'discounted' rate of £60 which I still feel sick to my stomach doing. I am currently researching whether they were legally allowed to take away this 'discount' should I choose to re-appeal.

I too am not going to shop at the area again but feel I will also contact the managers of the shops so they are yet again reminded of the obvious detrimental effect this is having on their businesses.

Sorry we're all in this awful situation but I agree we definitely need to stick together. By paying this unlawful fine, the company are not going to change their ways.

Kind regards,
Jess

FROM IPC Code of Practice
14. It is a matter for the Operator whether to allow payment at a discounted rate where an appeal is refused.

Arthur

Klod

I haven't been able t find out who the land owners are but have e-mailed md's of businesses but no reply so far.
Apparently they have put yellow lines in this area now so unless you have photos of the actual area and not just the signage may be difficult to prove when they put the lines down.
Received my ntk this week so will be drafting my appeal letter and will mention the fact that they have only issued me with a pcn for contravention code 81 when there was no indication that this area was restricted. If they want to get me for not parking in a marked bay then they should have issued a ticket with the correct contravention code!
Anybody else contacted trading standards or know the land owners?
Apparently signage isn't at the correct height either from what I've read on another thread.

BigAlC

FYI - Point of contact for Eddisons - Management company for the site

Mr John Padgett - Director

Address correspondence to him and it might make him take notice and do something.

jalice2309

I have the exact same issue! They too put on my ticket that I parked in a restricted area but in the letter they state the problem was parking outside of marked bays! Obviously just a generic letter they have sent to the hundreds they are attempting to scam!

Are you going to appeal then? (despite the risk of losing the 'discount'?

I read on Martin Lewis' blog about private parking that you can just be ruthless and write the company a letter stating that you 'refuse' to pay it rather than stating it is an 'appeal' as an 'appeal' makes it sound optional for the company to accept or reject!

I also tweeted Aldi and Home Bargains about how disgusted I was and how I would never shop there again (trying to ruin their reputation via Twitter). Surprisingly Aldi tweeted back asking me to send proof of purchase to them so this might be worth a shout for you too?

Jess

jalice2309

Klod wrote: »

I haven't been able t find out who the land owners are but have e-mailed md's of businesses but no reply so far.
Apparently they have put yellow lines in this area now so unless you have photos of the actual area and not just the signage may be difficult to prove when they put the lines down.
Received my ntk this week so will be drafting my appeal letter and will mention the fact that they have only issued me with a pcn for contravention code 81 when there was no indication that this area was restricted. If they want to get me for not parking in a marked bay then they should have issued a ticket with the correct contravention code!
Anybody else contacted trading standards or know the land owners?
Apparently signage isn't at the correct height either from what I've read on another thread.

I have photos of the tarmac without lines! I can't believe they have put lines down. I am going to have to make a purposeful journey down there today to see and take photos! If anyone would like me to send photos of the tarmac floor without lines I will be more than happy to.

Jess

jalice2309

After some research, primarily off John Lewis' website, I have found out that this is technically not a 'fine' it is simply a 'breach of contract' as I have obviously parked in this 'restricted zone' but it is not a fine in the sense that I owe money as no money was paid and no money was lost to the business due to this parking!

As it is a 'breach of contract' and not a fine it must go to a court and cannot be passed on to debt collectors as technically there is no 'debt'.

So I am going to leave it there and ignore any future correspondence and just wait and see if they demand a court hearing which I am more than happy to do as I have bags of evidence and I can imagine a magistrates court has seen plenty of cases like this!

This does not mean I am going to stop spreading the word about this issue via email and twitter!

Jess

enfield_freddy

all very well , however you say " which I am more than happy to do as I have bags of evidence and I can imagine a magistrates court has seen plenty of cases like this!"


no a magistrates court will not have seen plenty of cases like this , however the Small Claims Court might have