Armtrac Security Parking Charge Notice

Rambo77

Just to let you know - I heard from the owner today who has spoken to Armtrac and they have cancelled the PCN, he is going to meet with them to discuss appeals generally. He is very much in the view of supporting commonsense for people that have bought tickets to use the appeal process successfully etc. The operative 'number 25' will not be allowed to work on there site again. I have edited my previous posts to take out his phone number and email address. Thank you to MSE forum for the wealth of information and support, this gave me the information, courage and confidence to tackle this problem from a better angle!
I did report the threatening gesture to the police on the day that it happened, they called me back, but frankly they were not interested and would not take it any further. What can I do next to 'petition' against private parking companies?? Forgive me If I said this already.....Armtrac were the company that gave my elderly aunt and uncle (in their 80's) a PCN for accidentally displaying their ticket upside on the windscreen. they paid it out of fear but it was ridiculous, it was the right way around, legible, but upside down. I want to do something useful! Any pointers greatly appreciated.

pappa_golf

yup thank the chappie and mention the case of your aunt/uncle , rub it in , he will be getting cheased off by now and may (after more stories) dismiss them completely

Castle

Aggressive and misleading practice perhaps?https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/409334/bis-14-1030-misleading-and-aggressive-selling-rights-consumer-protection-amendment-regulations-2014-guidance.pdf

As for the lack of interest by the Police; perhaps a letter to your MP questioning not only Armtrac, but also the failure of the police to act. Maybe the local Newspaper would like to run the story, especially with the Tourist season just around the corner.

Umkomaas

What about your local Police Commissioner? They don't seem to have much to do (across the country) since appointment. Get him/her on the case if you're getting apathy from the local bobbies!

Essingeviken

Rambo77 wrote: »

Hi Beaver24, sorry to hear that and I am sorry that I interupted your thread, I am trying to learn the ropes.
I spoke tothe owner on Wednesday and have subsequently emailed the info to him, at his request.
He was very concerned about Amtrac operative threatening gesture, I think he intends to speak to them directly and he was interested to know that they no longer belong to the BPA and I explained that the appeals system with the IAP are not regulated etc and always in favour of Armtrac. In brief; he said that they need parking enforcement for obvious reasons, and that some of the operatives are reasonable and he much prefers them to take a common sense approach, so I hope he would be sympathetic to your situation. I found him to be thoughtful and helpful. From what I gather his family own the buildings and some of the businesses in the Ben Tunicliffe Restaurant side beach car park....is that where you parked? I assume (but don't know) that they also own the other car park by the harbour as they are both Armtrac. If you are fairly local I would suggest going down to see him or calling, as it may be more 'personable' than sending an email as first point of contact, but that's just my approach. Please let me know how you get on and I will keep you posted of any developments. BTW I am adamant that I will not pay Amtrac and will not cave in to them, I hope you agree!

Very interesting.

I had a run in with Armtrac in this car park. It requires you to enter your registration number but in some unique circumstances it didn't prompt you for this. My appeal to POPLA was rejected but I had an e-mail discussion with this guy. If all car parks had landowners like this guy, the system might actually work. Like you, I found him to be very reasonable and constructive. Basically, he HAS to have someone to monitor his car park otherwise motorists just wouldn't pay. He gets none of the revenue from fines though, and basically I think he knows that Armtrac themselves need to be monitored. He has no interest in the location getting a bad reputation.

In my case, Armtrac wrote to me and dropped my case. To be fair to them they were polite at all times. Whether they dropped it because the land owner told them to or whether they knew they had zero chance of every getting the money, I am not sure.

And no...he doesn't own the other car park, even though that is also managed by Armtrac. Maybe they don't have many car park managers to approach to do the job.

Well done Rambo with your course of action.

MothballsWallet

Castle wrote: »

Aggressive and misleading practice perhaps?https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/409334/bis-14-1030-misleading-and-aggressive-selling-rights-consumer-protection-amendment-regulations-2014-guidance.pdf

As for the lack of interest by the Police; perhaps a letter to your MP questioning not only Armtrac, but also the failure of the police to act. Maybe the local Newspaper would like to run the story, especially with the Tourist season just around the corner.

Complaint to the police force in question and the Police & Crime Commissioner (PCC) as well? (At least it would make a PCC earn that huge salary they get for sitting on their arris a lot.)

Coupon-mad

Basically, he HAS to have someone to monitor his car park otherwise motorists just wouldn't pay.

Who told him that, Armtrac? There is no evidence at all that the vast majority of motorists look to avoid paying in a P&D car park. It is a myth spread by the protection racketeers themselves.

A few weeks ago someone posted a picture of a lovely polite sign asking people to pay the parking fee and explaining why it was needed. No PPC, no problem.

Castle

Essingeviken wrote: »

He gets none of the revenue from fines though, and basically I think he knows that Armtrac themselves need to be monitored. He has no interest in the location getting a bad reputation.

Whilst he may not keep any of the revenue from the "fines"; as far as the tax man is concerned he would have to show all of the "fines" in his accounts as revenue, with a corresponding entry for car park management fees payable to Armtrac.

Essingeviken

"Whilst he may not keep any of the revenue from the "fines"; as far as the tax man is concerned he would have to show all of the "fines" in his accounts as revenue, with a corresponding entry for car park management fees payable to Armtrac. "


How does that work then if Armtrac does the management for nothing if they keep the fines. Does the total of the fines correspond to the car park management charge`?

pappa_golf

*fines are classified as income , and the "agent" is working for the landowner , and should hand over all takings to them




* in an ideal HMRC case






PS , they are not fines




perhaps the PPC should not work for nothing , or should that read , there only income should not be from parking tickets , if the landowner hired staff and sent out the charges and then realised the lack or repeat bookings , then things would change a lot