Sorry to start yet another thread...Smart Parking

Ironman2005

I know there must be lots of threads about this but I can't find a relevant one.

My car was used for meeting a colleague at the Hilton Hotel, Newbury and parked in their (?) car park. There were parking barriers there but they were raised at both the entrance and exit so the driver thought they had been taken out of use.

Nevertheless after the meeting (about 1 hour) the driver left and as the Registered Keeper I have now received a PCN from Smart Parking.

I called the Hotel and complained and they suggested that I scan and send the PCN to them and they would ask to have it cancelled.

A couple of questions:

How legit is this PCN? I believe that you cannot just ignore it these days?

Should I send a copy of the PCN to the Hotel and see whether I can get it cancelled?

What is the next step? I have tried reading the advice to newbies but I'm still not 100% sure what I should do.

I'd apprecate any help on this.

Thanks

Fruitcake

Re-read the Sticky thread for NEWBIES then send the BPA template in blue to not-so-smart parking.
Copy and paste, do not edit. Do not miss the appeal deadline.

Do not ignore, the NEWBIES thread explains this.

Send a copy of the PCN to the hotel AS KEEPER and request that it be cancelled. Do no admit you were driving. You should amend your initial post to remove this inference, only saying that "the driver" visited the hotel.
The same applies when you contact the hotel.
Anyone could have been driving and the keeper may not therefore know anything about it until the NTK arrived through the post. Bear this in mind should you need to ring the hotel again, but doing everything in writing/email is better.

Never, ever 'phone a private parking company.

Ironman2005

Thanks Fruitcake...should I wait until the Hotel has had a go or send the appeal now?

Thanks

Redx

as keeper you have 28 days to appeal , so maybe wait a week or two at most and see if the hotel gets it cancelled , in writing of course

if in any doubt use the BPA blue text appeal letter anyway

Quentin

You do need any cancellation the hotel achieve confirming in writing by Smart.


So do follow the timetable advised in the newbies faq thread and keep on with the appeal route unless and until you get a confirmation from smart

Ironman2005

Thanks guys. I will follow your advice on this.

Just out of interest, how successful is the BPA appeal and how successful is Smart Parking at pursuing claims?

Thanks again...

Quentin

Read up on appeals in the newbies faq thread


The BPA appeal is designed to get you a POPLA code for a further appeal

Ironman2005

OK and a POPLA code is important because?

Is this so that it is an officially recognised appeal?

Any idea how much these guys push the process? Do they go all the way to court or give up if you stay with it?

I just wonder how far I need to take this.

Thanks...

Redx

POPLA is the recognised ADR for this , and these scumpanies usually push it to popla , they rarely uphold any appeal, mass rejection is the norm

the popla code is paramount because without it you cannot appeal to popla, the PPC are obliged to provide the verification code if they reject the appeal

if you win at popla its binding on the PPC, end of story (its part of the BPA CoP and no judge would allow a claim that failed at popla)

SMART tend to fold as soon as they see a decent popla appeal go in

Ironman2005

Sorry but what is ADR?

Thanks for the rest of the information.

Can I take it that you experienced guys will help with a decent POLPA appeal?

Do I require any special circumstances to make it a decent appeal?

So many questions...

Quentin

Alternative dispute resolution (Google!)

You need to construct your own popla appeal - no templates

Post it up for comments before sending