*URGENT* - PCN Reel Cinemas Port Talbot

Alex_Charles

Hi all,

I do apologise for the tagline *urgent*, however my case may be time sensitive and I would really appreciate your advice prior to taking this matter further.

I have just received a letter from minister Baywatch stating that I owe them £155 for incurring a parking charge on the 20th May.

As I was studying for my finals, I spent an hour outside of the library and the house reading some papers / journals whilst getting a breath of fresh air. I didn't leave the vehicle, the car park was practically deserted and I was completely unaware of it being a pay and display car park (haven't been home in a while). I was parked for 60 minutes total.

My main objection with this case is that this is the very first letter I have received. Apparently I have been sent one previously, but I can definitely say that I haven't, therefore, I have missed the opportunity to pay a reduced fee of £60, or go through the standard process of appeals.

I have already called the number (01904612277) and they were completely useless. Apart from stating that a letter is recorded as being sent on their system on the 21st May, they could not help at all, but could appreciate my anger at not being able to appeal. Needless to say this has only irritated me further. Most PCNs I have received in the past are paid within the grace period if I am truly at fault, or successfully appealed if I was in the right. Whichever being in the right or wrong, I am being forced to pay £155 without the right to appeal. :mad:

So long story short, what should I do? needless to say I believe that the due process has not been conducted properly, however I haven't much in the way of evidence... absence of the 'correspondence' isn't much if the have a record of sending it... I have recorded what was said in the phone conversation just in case I need to present it as evidence in the future.

Thanks in advance for those who can help. I have no idea what the procedure for appeal is, or understand the PoPla process.... I'm new to PCN's on private property.

Kind Regards,

Herzlos

Don't phone them again, it won't help.

What's the breakdown of the charge?

Alex_Charles

The charge value is £100, with the total payable £155. I presume that the additional £55 is for their admin/inconveniences....
The original charge would have been £60, and something that I guess I would pay if I was in the wrong.

They did say I can complain them directly over email (collections@ministerbaywatch.co.uk) but I just don't see what good can come from it. It just seems ridiculous that they couldn't care less about my circumstances!

I guess stating that the letter must have been lost in the post won't be the best defence.. but still. Annoying to say the least!!

Umkomaas

Fire off the initial appeal using the template (in blue text) from the newbies FAQ sticky, post #1. It at least starts a paper trail (something phone calls can never do) to show you are following their process.

See if that can get you a POPLA code - they generally routinely reject appeals and issue a code, they may not notice you passed their deadline. But in reality, there is no time limit on appealing, just their own! ADR rules require a 12 months window for appealing, but the PPCs say they have decided not work within them!

Send the appeal by whatever method the PPC requires (the NtK will tell you), use online/email if possible as you have proof you have submitted one.

Castle

Alex_Charles wrote: »

I have already called the number (01904612277) and they were completely useless. Apart from stating that a letter is recorded as being sent on their system on the 21st May, they could not help at all, but could appreciate my anger at not being able to appeal.

If the parking event happened on 20th May there's no way they could have got your information from DVLA and sent it to you on the 21st; especially since the 21st was a Saturday!

Alex_Charles

Quick question, Should I just use the text written in blue as is? I mean after the phone call I guess they know that I am the driver of the vehicle...

Also, would the process of appealing add additional charge to the total amount payable?

As suggested, I will do all future correspondence by email (where possible). At least I done really well in my degree, otherwise this really would be a kick in the teeth!

Alex_Charles

Castle wrote: »

If the parking event happened on 20th May there's no way they could have got your information from DVLA and sent it to you on the 21st; especially since the 21st was a Saturday!

I do apologise, it was the 25th after looking at my notes again --
God I could deal without this stress right now!! Bloody cowboys!

I don't know whether it be best to seek cancellation, or whether to try and get the fee reduced to £60?

I guess that my largest defence is that I have only just found out about it... but in itself after the phone call I made earlier there's not much point using the post for newbies guide mentioned earlier as it is mostly based on anonymity. Bigger fool me for not reading the forums first I guess

Coupon-mad

Wow calm down! Why the heck would anyone ring this bunch of ex-clampers thinking they could 'help'? Less still, think of lining their pockets and give up because you think they've got you bang to rights (they aren't that clever). You say you were 'studying for my finals' (hope it's not law or any research degree because this scam is easy to research). Have you sussed what private parking firms are? Hope so. On the phone they were secretly laughing because they thought you would pay and that it was a 'real fine' or some sort of threat to your credit rating.

In fact MB are easy enough to deal with, ex-clamper knuckle draggers...what did you expect in the phone call, reasonableness?! They want your money. It's a scam.

We tell you to keep your wallet in your pocket.

I have just received a letter from Minister Baywatch stating that I owe them £155

Even if they tried a small claim and you lost at a fair hearing (where you would have defence points) it would be not much more than £155 - no big fees, well under £200 all told, no CCJ - and no effect on credit rating as long as you defended it then paid if you lost at a hearing. Nothing if you won, and nothing if they don't try a small claim (which are rare).

Point being - DO NOT PAY, it is pointless. Stop being drawn in and getting so hot & bothered about this scam.

I don't know whether it be best to seek cancellation, or whether to try and get the fee reduced to £60?

Well they won't cancel it nor reduce it to £60 so I have no idea why you think either of those are your only options.

As others have said, send the challenge as keeper anyway, like the NEWBIES thread says. If it can be submitted online or by email according to the letter (Notice to Keeper?) then do it that way, not by post which is a last resort with these firms from this despicable 'industry'.

I guess that my largest defence is that I have only just found out about it... but in itself after the phone call I made earlier there's not much point using the post for newbies guide mentioned earlier as it is mostly based on anonymity.

Send it anyway, remember these are not the sharpest tools in the box.

Tell us what happens next after you've appealed as keeper, as long as that doesn't involve you telling us you've decided to support their rip-off and pay them, which means you are funding the next 'fake' PCN against a vulnerable person/poor family/disabled driver.