Totall confused by conflicting advise on these threads. Debt Recovery Plus, Gladstone

Vivtalk

I am totally confused by the conflicting advise and outcomes on private parking tickets. I literally don't know what to do next and would really appreciate some clear direction....


Parked at Matalan in October 2015, in the evening. Wasn't aware that this car park was now pay & display. Didn't see the one sign (which was not facing me as I turned into the car park.)
Received a PCN from Smart Parking with a photo of us entering and leaving the car park. Charge was £80.
Ignored it, as per all the advise.
Received letters then from zenith - ignored
about 3 months passed with nothing.
Received a letter from Gladstone Solicitor acting on behalf of Debt Recovery Plus, saying I must pay them £150 or they MAY take county court action. - Ignored
Now have received another letter from Debt Recovery plus saying I must pay £150.


I have ignored everything exactly as advised. BUT now I am reading threads where people are indeed being taken to court. I DO NOT WANT county court action, regardless of who is right or wrong.


So, what do I do? Pay the now doubled charge? Ignore it still? Pay something but not the full amount????


Debt recovery will not allow me to appeal as they say the time has passed. Its pay up or face court.

Quentin

The DRP thread is quite clear - ignore debt collectors and no need to start a new thread about them.


They have 6 years to commence court proceedings.


If they do then you can decide to pay or negotiate a payment if you still are determined not to defend in court.


No point doing this now!

fisherjim

Where on here does it tell you to ignore ppc's?

You can ignore Zenith, and Debt recovery plus they are the same scummy debt collectors, who cannot take you to court, and as such neither can a solicitor on their behalf.

The ppc could but that's a way off, do not ignore court claims on their instigation.

Vivtalk

Thank you Quentin - that's a bit clearer now.


So can I just confirm (as I've never had country court action)...


Before I would be classed as having 'county court judgement' against my credit file, I would be given one last option to pay?

Quentin

You won't get a CCJ against you even if you went to court and lost - as long as you paid in full within a month

Louling06

Sorry to jump on,
I'm currently having the same issues.
Car park controlled by Excel, PCN issued by Vehicle Control Services Ltd, then passed on to DRP.
My last letter was a 'Letter before referral for legal action'.
Am I right in thinking that this isn't the same as a letter before legal action?
Just want to double check so I don't ignor the wrong letter.
Thanks

Vivtalk

So I guess the question we're all asking is ... at what point would you actually know they are truly taking legal action? and by that point is it too late to just call and make a payment or would you actually have to attend court?

beamerguy

Louling06 wrote: »

Sorry to jump on,
I'm currently having the same issues.
Car park controlled by Excel, PCN issued by Vehicle Control Services Ltd, then passed on to DRP.
My last letter was a 'Letter before referral for legal action'.
Am I right in thinking that this isn't the same as a letter before legal action?
Just want to double check so I don't ignor the wrong letter.
Thanks

Best to study on here all about the EXCEL wild bunch of scam practitioners

DRP are simpleton debt collectors and can only refer back to EXCEL who take it further if they wish.
DRP are scare mongers who cannot take you to court. DRP = IGNORE

Quentin

Vivtalk wrote: »

So I guess the question we're all asking is ... at what point would you actually know they are truly taking legal action? and by that point is it too late to just call and make a payment or would you actually have to attend court?

You will know about a letter before court action if you get one!


It will clearly indicate that if you don't pay within x days legal action will be taken


As already advised you can pay (if you don't intend defending) when you get an initial claim from court.


You only would have to attend court if you chose to defend the claim

Quentin

Louling06 wrote: »

Sorry to jump on,
I'm currently having the same issues.
Car park controlled by Excel, PCN issued by Vehicle Control Services Ltd, then passed on to DRP.
My last letter was a 'Letter before referral for legal action'.
Am I right in thinking that this isn't the same as a letter before legal action?
Just want to double check so I don't ignor the wrong letter.
Thanks

You need to start your own thread, but read this one on why you can ignore drp and why no new thread is needed regarding their correspondence:





https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5035663

Louling06

Thanks Quentin,
I did start a thread yesterday and was pointed in the direction of certain threads to read, but I just wanted to double check what I though was right.
There is so much to read and some of it is a little confusing.