Parking Eye Charge appeal - South Mimms Welcome Break

MST_UK

Dear all,

I need some advice on this please, having already sent an appeal to parking eye. I realise that I should have drafted my response on here or pepipoo first..

In brief, I got sent a charge for overstaying. I stated that I was not aware of a parking limit, did not see the signs, had a meal and coffee, and exceeded the time as there was a queuing traffic on the motor way due to a collision (sent a link for the incident).

I received a reply from PE asking for either proof that parking was purchased or to provide evidence of the visit for consideration e.g. receipt or bank statement showing date and amount spent at site. Unfortunately I paid by cash and didn't take the receipts. Not long left before I need to reply or they have stated they will reject and send a POPLA code.

What is the best course of action ?

Many thanks

System

Contact the services and say that due to heavy traffic that day, you appear to have overstayed. Can the get it cancelled.

If PE are sending out lots of letters for that day, the manager will be getting lots of hassle and they can get PE to cancel. So always make the site the first point of contact.

Also tell PE that you want a POPLA code as you are a cash payer and not used to keeping every receipt.

MST_UK

Thanks

Will continue and try reaching the service station manager.

Strangest this is that the phone number on the Welcomebreak website keeps going through to Days Inn!

catfunt

You will need to get that POPLA code and sort out an appeal. Have a look on the NEWBIES thread and on the forum, put a POPLA draft together and post it on this thread for critique and tweaking.

Also, complain strongly to Welcome Break as well as doing your POPLA appeal, i.e. do both incase WB don't play ball.

Don't take your eye off the appeal deadlines.

Coupon-mad

Did you pay by card for petrol? If not, do as IamEmanresu says, easy to Google the South Mimms webpage which has a 'contact us' email. I think they've been helpful before at cancelling these, unlike Birchanger Services who don't give a stuff.

You don't have to reply to PE. They'll send you a POPLA code anyway when you don't respond by next month.

MST_UK

Thanks

Used the 'contact us' form on the welcome break website.

MST_UK

Hi just an update....

2/2/16 - Sent message to south mimms welcome break via online contact form, received a standard reply telling me how their parking charges and time limits are fair etc... which shoes they didn't even read my message.

2/2/16 - Sent email to Mimms.enquiry@welcomebreak.co.uk

4/2/16 - Got reply to email from Site Ops Manager (mimms.siteoperationsmanager@welcomebreak.co.uk) to send him a copy of the fine receipt and he will get it sorted for me. I replied same day with a copy of the charge invoice.

15/2/16 - Received rejection letter from Parking Eye (dated 10/2/16) with a POPLA Ref number and a sheet briefly explaining POPLA appeal.

15/2/16 - Sent a follow up email to the site operation manager - no reply.

7/3/16 - Called ParkingEye on 0330 555 4444 to check if the charge has been cancelled. However it appears to be an automated line only for payments and cannot speak to anybody. But when I enter the charge reference I get the response:
'I'm sorry but we are unable to locate the amount due for this parking charge. please note you will have to wait 24 hours from the event before paying your parking charge.'

Does this mean that the charge has now been cancelled or should I still quickly get in a POPLA appeal? Is there any way of contacting Parking Eye to check?
I haven't been able to get in contact with the South Mimms manager by telephone, usually no answer or when someone does pick up it has been diverted to the Days Inn Hotel.

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks

Coupon-mad

Do prepare for POPLA anyway and don't try to phone people.

You can email PE on info@parkingeye.co.uk and ask for confirmation it's cancelled because you are putting in a POPLA appeal otherwise. Tell them you need to know within 24 hours or POPLA will be used which you understand costs them £27 plus VAT.

MST_UK

Thanks email sent.

Will prep for POPLA this evening

BTW, need to appeal within 28 days of the date of the operator's notice of rejection - does this mean by 8th March or by 9th March if the date on the letter was 10th Feb.

Coupon-mad

You have technically 28 days from 10th Feb but in fact POPLA allow at least 30 days to allow for postage so any time this week would be OK.

Doesn't sound like you will need it but just in case, you need to look at recent POPLA appeals on the first few pages of the forum, look for PE examples from January/February (not earlier).

MST_UK

Didn't have to submit POPLA appeal - parking eye responded to my email within hours to confirm the charge has been cancelled :beer: