Received 2 PCNs today and unsure what to do

kingdave82

Hi all,

I received two PCNs today relating to two different car parks (and there is the possibility of a third coming through) and I'm unsure what to do.

First one; parked in a hotel car park for an hour while I went to a nearby event. At the entrance there was a sign saying that tariffs applied, but I couldn't find a pay machine, or any signs that told me what the charges would be. I probably should've backed out at that point before entering, but didn't and I've been stumped.

Now, I wasn't a customer of the hotel, just parking there to attend something nearby so appreciate that you may well want to say I was in the wrong here. But is this one worth appealing? I can't appeal to the hotel to cancel it as I wasn't a customer/guest. It has been issued by Parking Eye.

The second one; happened on the same day (and this one may also get a follow up for a separate day but in the same car park) where I had paid a fee to park but it wasn't enough. I misread the charges that said £3 for all day parking, when it was actually only valid on Sundays. I parked mid week before 8am and left after 5pm.

The normal fee for that period is £7.50 (for up to 12 hours) as I found out today when I returned and noticed that the ticket it printed out ran out mid morning. I appreciate here (and the second possible charge that may come through from the same place) I didn't pay the full fee, but is it worth appealing this one and paying the extra £4.50 plus the offer of a small admin charge (say £10)?

I've read through the newbie thread and am aware of the letters I need to send out to appeal and what to ask for in terms of POPLA codes and so on, but if it were you, would you appeal?

If I do appeal and lose, with the time going over the 14 days limit would my charges then jump from £60 per charge to £100?

Thanks for your help

Fruitcake

Don't consider paying the PCNs at all.


I assume this happened in England/Wales otherwise you wouldn't be asking for advice.
Appeal both tickets using the template in the NEWBIES thread exactly as it is. Appeal each one as keeper ensuring you don't reveal who was driving.


You mention PoPLA so I'm assuming one of the PPCs was a BPA member, but we need to know the name of both companies and a timeline of events. When did the events happen and how long was it before the NTKs arrived?


You could offer the landowner the amount you should have paid, but not the PPC, nor offer an admin fee. They (the PPC) want the lot and won't consider anything else.

kingdave82

So first one was ParkingEye and second was from EuroCar Parks.

Both were on the 30th July and in England and PCNs arrived by post today.

Fruitcake

kingdave82 wrote: »

So first one was ParkingEye and second was from EuroCar Parks.

Both were on the 30th July and in England and PCNs arrived by post today.

Right, so appeal each one using the template in the NEWBIES thread exactly as it is writ. Don't miss the appeal deadline. Both are BPA members so should be fairly to beat at PoPLA if/when they reject your initial appeal.

kingdave82

You are probably going to hate me for asking these questions, but I feel like I have to!

What are the chances of getting them both thrown out? I appreciate I was probably in the wrong for both of them, but don't feel like the £60 charge was justified (especially on the one I paid, but misread their signs).

And will they likely reject my appeal first of all? Then what happens?

Fruitcake

kingdave82 wrote: »

You are probably going to hate me for asking these questions, but I feel like I have to!

What are the chances of getting them both thrown out? I appreciate I was probably in the wrong for both of them, but don't feel like the £60 charge was justified (especially on the one I paid, but misread their signs).

And will they likely reject my appeal first of all? Then what happens?

Both companies are likely to reject your first appeal to them. This is quite normal so don't worry if they do. They must then provide you with a PoPLA code for your second stage appeal. Come back to this thread if/when that happens.
The chances of you winning at PoPLA, provided you follow the advice on here, is as near to 100% as you can get.


You may have short changed the landowner but you may be able to redress that if your conscience dictates it, but you don't owe the parking scumpanies any money because they have not suffered any loss by your actions.


If you misread the signs then it is obvious that they are inadequate. That is how these scammers operate. That is why it is one of the appeal points you will use in your appeals.

kingdave82

Thanks.

The newbie thread mentions contacting them electronically rather than via post if possible. Both companies have an appeal form on their websites but I worry that they may claim these messages haven't arrived, and since it is a form rather than an email in the traditional sense, I have no way of proving I sent them.

Is it worthwhile sending via Royal Mail/registered post too?

Just to add one extra level of complexity, the PCNs were obviously sent to the RK, however, I am not the RK and live at a different address to the RK. Does it look suspicious (in the sense I am telling them I am the driver - without saying "hey! I was driving that day!") if I ask all correspondence to go to a different name and address from the NTKs?

Fruitcake

kingdave82 wrote: »

Thanks.

The newbie thread mentions contacting them electronically rather than via post if possible. Both companies have an appeal form on their websites but I worry that they may claim these messages haven't arrived, and since it is a form rather than an email in the traditional sense, I have no way of proving I sent them.

Is it worthwhile sending via Royal Mail/registered post too?

Just to add one extra level of complexity, the PCNs were obviously sent to the RK, however, I am not the RK and live at a different address to the RK. Does it look suspicious (in the sense I am telling them I am the driver - without saying "hey! I was driving that day!") if I ask all correspondence to go to a different name and address from the NTKs?

Take screenshots before you submit appeals online. If you post, do it first class from a post office and get a free certificate of posting. Do NOT send it recorded delivery/registered post as they may refuse to sign for it and therefore have proof that they didn't receive it. Sneaky barstewards ain't they.


The idea is for you to appeal these ASAP as keeper (not registered keeper) with your current address.

kingdave82

Thanks Fruitcake.

The vehicle is registered with my parents and at their address, and I do need to change it, but since the changes to "road tax" came in, I was waiting to do it at the tax renewal date to avoid all that faffing around with refunds and being double charged for a month.

Not long to go though until it runs out!

Redx

you can use any serviceable address that you wish to, for example , an appeals company would use their own p o box or business address , so as long as you can get the mail, any suitable address will do

Parking-Prankster

The keeper should appeal; not you the driver.


You can appeal for them, (with their permission) and do all the paperwork.


This is because it is likely both NTKs are not compliant, meaning keeper liability does not apply