"Smart" Parking fear

Pregocherry

Hi, So I parked in a Matalan car park in Stockport on 24/11/15. Was in a disabled bay with my blue badge clearly displayed. No signs near the space. I was shopping with my son and became unwell (Im pregnant) so I left my son to pay and sat in the car. I was parked for 37 minutes. A couple days ago I got a letter through post (PCN) demanding £85 (£50 if paid by 14/12) It doesnt state what the 'contravention' was and there was no ticket on my car, just this letter. Im so upset & worried as not only do I not have the money, but I dont think its fair atall. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Redx

first read the NEWBIES sticky thread, tells you all you need to know, especially about appealing to not so SMART

complain to MATALAN using the EA2010 , plus the fact you have a BB as well

chances are that the contravention was not putting the VRN into any machine, or incorrectly , or similar

so appeal to not so SMART

dont say who was driving

also complain to matalan and lay it on about your "condition , BB and the EA2010

so a two pronged attack

fear shouldnt come into it, revenge or justice is what you require, so a steely dogged determination to beat them , espevcially as you say you cannot afford it, because they wont care about your financial circumstances as it doesnt help their profits if they did

The_Deep

I disagree with Redx, say that YOU were driving, the POFA has little relevance here .

Read the BPA Code of Practice, then write a "miigation" letter to the PPC, if that fails, go to PoPLA. where you use the Law to beat them on the usual stuff.

Also, complain to the BPA, The Daily Mail, your local Trading Standards Officer, but only in writing, your MP, diasbled charities, your local paper, Mumsnet, Facebook, Twitte, r and Uncle Tom Cobley

There is no way you will have to pay a penny, but you can make the PPC pay dearly.

Half_way

As previous strong complaints should be made to the land owner who hired these parasites (matalan)
Unless you get in there first they will probably try the nothing to do with us, we contract our parking out to smart you will have to contact them So you will need to tell them that their agents smart have ticketed you. You will also need to remind them/tell them that you have a protected charactersitic under the equalities act, they are liable for the actions of their agents ( smart ) and that as principal yolu expect them to cancel and deal with this.

Pregocherry

Thank you, what is an EA2010?😯

Redx

EA2010 is the Equality Act dated 2010 , or EA2010 for short

google it and read up on your lawful rights, about being discriminated against etc

Pregocherry

Thanks, they have big handwritten signs at the entrance stating that they DO NOT DEAL WITH PARKING FINE COMPLAINTS IN STORE, would it be a waste of time to complain to them?

Umkomaas

Pregocherry wrote: »

Thanks, they have big handwritten signs at the entrance stating that they DO NOT DEAL WITH PARKING FINE COMPLAINTS IN STORE, would it be a waste of time to complain to them?

Write to their Chief Exec. Enclose their scabby little membership card and tell them you'll never shop their again. As a result of their defence of the PPC's urge to squeeze £100 from you, it will now cost Matalan thousands in lost business from you, your family and friends. Some business model!

Only return the membership card to you with a confirmation of the cancellation of the charge (which you just may take as an indication that your business is important to them), otherwise place it in their bin, which will also be holding the cards of other members of your family and those of friends who you will now be speaking to.

Pregocherry

I feel so overwhelmed by this situation! I dont know where to start, and am worried my complaint/appeal to smart would not be strong enough. I didnt pay for parking as I have never had to at other matalan stores and tbh I just assumed it would be free for BB holders here too. Theres so much conflicting advice out there...Do I appeal to smart first?! Sorry to be a pain

stephenliverpool1

You have nothing to worry about so rest assured. I have had several PPCs from Smart over the years and I have never paid them a penny.

The last one was a few months ago. Just follow the advice given here, and if you have to appeal to Smart after receiving a NTK, just follow the letter template in the newbie's sticky thread.

I will say again that you have nothing to worry about.

beamerguy

Pregocherry wrote: »

Thanks, they have big handwritten signs at the entrance stating that they DO NOT DEAL WITH PARKING FINE COMPLAINTS IN STORE, would it be a waste of time to complain to them?

What amazes me is that Matalan have put up this sign, clearly they get a lot of complaints.

Everyone here is right, if Matalan want to hold customers in contempt, stop spending money with them and tell your friends about them

FOOLISH MATALAN and an even more FOOLISH CEO OF MATLAN

In matalan we have to wait ages for check out due to lack of staff