Paid by phone - got parking ticket

Wizlon

I parked in Stanborough South car park in Welwyn Garden City over the weekend and paid for parking by phone. The car park is operated by APCOA.

When I returned to the car I had a Parking charge notice with the breach of “No Valid Payment” – timed at 14:30.

The payment did go through I have a copy of the VAT receipt that I printed from APCOA website with the correct registration timed at 12:06 (£3.30)

I contact APCOA and they said that I have to post proof to them to appeal the PCN ticket even though this information is available on their website – they have no email contact available.

I asked if they would refund my postage costs if the appeal was successful and they said that they would not.

Do they have a right to make me incur additional postage costs just because their attendant was too lazy, or too stupid to check that I had paid for parking by phone? I assume I would have to send it "signed for" in case they later state it wasn't received - despite them having all the information available to them.
Any advice, much appreciated.

ColliesCarer

It's never advisable to phone a parking company.
Have you divulged you were the driver and given details of who you are?

fisherjim

Unfortunately that's what happens in an unregulated scam industry, you should send them you appeal (as keeper) with a copy of the receipt with prof of posting and complain to the BPA about their abysmal administration and harassment even though you conformed to their unregulated made up procedures!

Wizlon

Hi. No I haven't done anything apart from phone them. Obviously they have my registration. I would be so cross about it if I could submit via email.

ColliesCarer

Have a read of the sticky NEWBIE thread and look for the 1st appeal template letter.

You should add an additional point along the lines of
"The alleged event did not occur as parking was paid for by phone (copy of receipt enclosed)"

You could send that now as keeper (as fisherjim has said) in response to the windscreen ticket or you could wait for the postal notice to keeper to arrive to the reg keeper and then send the appeal (which is what the NEWBIES thread would advise )

Whichever you decide to do - do not reveal who the driver was.

Take to the post office and ask for free certificate of posting - no need to waste money on recorded del/signed for.

ampersand

Wizlon - on this ' I assume I would have to send it "signed for" in case they later state it wasn't received', rest easy.
NEVER USE RECORDED DELIVERY - it can actually work against you, as a pp scumpany can refuse to sign for it.

Any letter+1st class stamp is deemed delivered within 48hrs. Retain your free COP from any PO, that's enough.
cc - that's why we emphasise No RD, not just 'no need to waste money':-)

Also, to cc and op - 'a copy of the receipt is enclosed'. Never send ANY original ANYTHING - &'s rule.
#
op - I'd also be sending something close to your #1. as a straight complaint to [FONT=&quot]Steve.C@britishparking.co.uk and your local rag.

[/FONT]Stress:
'I feel helpless before this shocking and deliberate misdemeanour and will not engage with them further. I await your assurance that the oicks [ feel free to omit:-)] will rescind this shabby attempt to extort money by daring to issue a fakealike invoice and apologise for such behaviour, especially in light of two television expos!s screened this week. The proof of my payment was evident from the moment it was made and remains so.' etc.etc.

There's plenty against stevec. on these Threads. I'll simply say he worked for me. A strong, well-written, Penelope Keith-ish email, perhaps plus follow-up, will bring a good response.

Please try.

Wizlon

Many thanks Apersand. I will follow your advice regarding posting. I am cross that I have to pay for any postage just because or their lazy or incompetent patrol man. No email address for complaints. I guess hey just hope some people pay quickly. Wasters.
Thanks again.

ColliesCarer

ampersand wrote: »

NEVER USE RECORDED DELIVERY - it can actually work against you, as a pp scumpany can refuse to sign for it.

Any letter+1st class stamp is deemed delivered within 48hrs. Retain your free COP from any PO, that's enough.

cc - that's why we emphasise No RD, not just 'no need to waste money':-)

Thanks Ampersand - that's what I thought too but every time I have posted that someone corrects me and says it makes no difference and that proof of posting (whether just the free certificate or recorded ) is enough.

bazster

You could always email the CEO :

http://goo.gl/sl5jBu

Guys_Dad

Have they not got an email address you could use for free with an attachment?

Just one thing. Have you ever used a payment by phone to APCOA before? The reason I ask is that I nearly got caught before when I rang to pay a parking ticket and they were going to use my old car registration (automatic system not a person). They also have systems that remember previous parking spots.

If everything is 100% correct, then I would tell them that you have the ticket and bank statement and they should recheck their system. If they still maintain that they have no record, then send you a POPLA code, you will use it and it will cost them £27 to lose at POPLA as you have all the evidence.