Don't want to pay but starting to worry...

BigUn

It's at a very early stage to most on here but briefly, the driver's car was issued with a PCN by Parking Solutions 24 on a car park the driver had parked on before prior to being managed by PS24. The old "informal" arrangement used to be to sweet-talk the security guy on the exit barrier as a visiting maintenance engineer (true) and he'd give a nod and a wink and let you out, buckshee. The driver wasn't pre-warned about the new arrangements with the PPC when asked to come to this site to remedy an issue but it was mentioned during the 45 minute visit and as predicted, the PCN was under the wiper blade on return. First one ever.

The driver didn't even notice the signs on the way into the car park, didn't even think to look for them but on return, they're pretty much all over the place but nothing was visible from the parking space, just the walls, etc.

The driver has tried speaking to the land owner's estate administrative staff who claim there is nothing they can do, it's the drivers fault for agreeing to the contract and basically tough luck buster, ner ner na ner ner. Land owner is a large University. It's currently being looked at by a much higher level at the Uni and a response is still pending following pushing it further than the "jobsworth" level of phone drone.

PCN is £100 reduced to £60 for payment within 14 days. Parking fee via paybyphone thingy would have been £1.60, driver has tried the argument with the land owner that payment would have been made and had no reason not to pay given that these costs are met by the driver's employer.

The driver reckons they've not got a leg to stand on if this goes further but the driver's spouse is adamant they're not going to pay this disproportionate invoice.

Not asking for help with drafting evidence (yet!), just whether it's a fair cop based on ignorance not being a valid defence or should the driver dig their heels in and fight back? What's the worst that could happen in the forum's opinion? The driver's time on this scam has already cost more than £60 but it's the principle....

BigUn

Additionally, the sign that IS very legible on the way into said car park states clearly, readable from within a car that the car park is for use by permit holders and official visitors only. Not sure if that carries any weight?

fisherjim

Of course the landowner can cancel this stupid charge, they put the Muppets in to pretend to manage the car parking they can cancel it. Though they may have a £20 cancellation fee included in the contract, and a similar bung back to them for any charge paid.

Surely you come in the latter description on the signage anyway as an official visitor?

Meanwhile read the newbies thread on page one of this forum and follow the instructions.

Coupon-mad

What's the worst that could happen in the forum's opinion?

Nothing awful at all. Worst case: The keeper defends a small claim and if they lose, they pay about £175 all told, no CCJ, nothing, no need to even sit on the naughty step. We don't see court losses very often on this forum; I know of a couple won this week in fact. But that's waaaaay down the line, fun & games unlikely to even happen.

So, you are nowhere near that and PS24 are in the BPA AOS. Most cases are easily won at POPLA by following the process with templates set out in the NEWBIES FAQS thread (post #1 of that sticky has the blue writing BPA appeal and post #3 of it has the POPLA appeal templates to build together and win.

Important thing is NOT to appeal as driver. So read the NEWBIES sticky thread and in goes the template appeal at day 26 (if online or email appeal is allowed) or a bit sooner if postal appeal is the only option.

BigUn

Yeah, driver is going to wait for the director level response first then wait for day 26 actions. Been lurking all week and it's very bewildering at first that newb guide but it's starting to gel.

Most of the advice from friends, etc, seem to be stuck in the old "just ignore it" camp, no wonder these scummers are proliferating..... Disgraceful, it really is, needs napalming.... What's more stomach churning are the attitudes of the low level staff at the University, Driver was left waiting for two days for a callback from an estates admin assistant for him to inform, admittedly by himself and his supervisor, that his reply was always going to be to point the complainant to the PPC's appeal procedure as they falsely claim to be powerless to do anything else. Pure self important indulgence!

Umkomaas

Here's your chances of this getting to court.

http://www.bmpa.eu/companydata/Parking_Solutions_24.html

Present performance is not a guarantee of future performance (and they have 6 years to change their habits), but doesn't look likely at present.

Other points to bear in mind is that their contract with the landowner must provide permission for the charge to be pursued through the courts - and not all of them do. In order to recover £100 it's likely they would have to spend a largely unrecoverable £300 (maths don't add up for a small fry provider to be doing this). And they might lose and you'd recover your costs (around £100) from them, so potentially they are risking £400 to try to get their hands on £100 from you.

BigUn

Day 26 (maybe day 27? What is day 1?) appeal submitted, website says PCN is now on hold pending review, response within 14 days via email or writing.

Fruitcake

BigUn wrote: »

Day 26 (maybe day 27? What is day 1?) appeal submitted, website says PCN is now on hold pending review, response within 14 days via email or writing.

Day 1 is the day after the alleged event. The appeal is sent by the day to day keeper (the person in charge of the car on the day in question) who may or may not be the registered keeper.

BigUn

I've had a reply from the PPC basically saying they cannot accept the appeal from the keeper in days 1-28, I must get a letter of authority from the driver with the drivers name and address on or have the driver make the appeal. Do I ignore anything like this from the PPC now until NTK is received?

The_Deep

The driver reckons they've not got a leg to stand on if this goes further but the driver's spouse is adamant they're not going to pay this disproportionate invoice.

There are many reasons why you should not pay this, but the most valid one is this is a scam. Be guided by your spouse and the scambusters on here.

Redx

BigUn wrote: »

I've had a reply from the PPC basically saying they cannot accept the appeal from the keeper in days 1-28, I must get a letter of authority from the driver with the drivers name and address on or have the driver make the appeal. Do I ignore anything like this from the PPC now until NTK is received?

they are phishing for the drivers details

IGNORE them until the NTK arrives