Need Advice - ParkingEye, DRP and MET Parking Services

fine_to_park

So I've managed to get myself two parking tickets. One was around Christmas last year with ParkingEye, and the other was about a month ago in McDonalds with Met Parking Services. I've read the Newbie post, but I didn't feel like I understood it completely, so apologies if I've got some stupid questions.

1. ParkingEye - we stayed at a hotel as part of a large family group. I assumed parking was covered (as it would have been difficult to get to the hotel otherwise).
There were some discrepancies with the info they gave - I know we left for a wedding and were away for about 4-6 hours, though they only showed the initial entry and exit times).

I wrote a response, but on reading advice on the internet I decided it was better to ignore - now I'm not sure if that was the right decision, as I've now received a letter from DRP (Debt Recovery Plus).

2. MET Parking Services - after a long journey I dropped my friend off at Gatwick Airport and felt tired, so went into McD's, and on returning to my car, I went for a nap. I woke up and then felt safe to drive, so continued on my journey. The notice claims I was there for more than an hour.

I've not formally addressed this one either, but I have messaged the UkMcD twitter account and have also sent a query to customer services.

Can anyone advise on if I'm doing the right thing, and next steps for both?

Carthesis

Well, ignoring isn't the right thing to do when you first get a Notice to Keeper through the post - that hasn't been the case since 2012.

For the MET Parking once, simply send off the appropriate appeal letter from the **NEWBIES** thread - they're BPA, so you want the letter for that organisation that includes the text about a POPLA code etc.

For the PE one, you're possibly out of time for an appeal, so write to DR+ telling them you deny the debt and to refer it back to their client. Then you just carry on ignoring until and if you get an MCOL from Northampton County Court Business Centre. Sounds like that might be a "double-dip" case, which is defendable.

fine_to_park

Okay, made a mistake there then... I was probably reading through some older posts.

Right, I'll do both those things. What's the likely outcome ?

Thanks for the advice.

Coupon-mad

MET: you will win at POPLA if you use our templates. DO NOT say who was driving.

PE: show us that PCN, the PE one. And complain to the Hotel (surely you've done that).

Do you live in Scotland or was this in Scotland? Odd that PE have not sued you.

I wonder if the original PCN was not a POFA one (not served in time/different wording), did you keep it? Normally PE sue people so I'm wondering why they have not, and have gone for a debt collector letter chain instead. You are lucky...

fine_to_park

Hi Coupon,

Thanks for getting back to me.

MET - I should know the result in a few days.

PE - Can I ask someone a Q via PM? I'm perhaps a little paranoid - I'm happy to post here after, just aware that these companies likely monitor these boards...

fine_to_park

So, I've received a response from MET, saying my appeal has been denied with my POPLA. I'll find a letter on the boards that seems suitable and maybe ask for advice on here once I've got it together.

RE: PE, I have complained to the hotel, but they've stopped responding. I'm thinking of copying someone from central office into future correspondence, or perhaps calling the hotel.

With this one, is it a good idea to go down the line that I never received anything from PE?

fine_to_park

This is just an update - I don't need any more help, just wanting to say thanks to everyone here! I might hang around a bit as I think it's a worthy battle to be fighting, and I might be able to pass on a little that I've learnt.

1. ParkingEye - I spoke to the hotel manager about this one and they said they would have the debt removed. I'm assuming this is now dead and buried.

2. I never found time to deal with the MET one through POPLA and it has now been passed onto DRP. I've read on the forums that I can either ignore, or robustly respond - I'm going to stick with the former, and if they don't give up, I'll send them a cease and desist as per coupon's draft (though I might be back to get some advice before sending it off).