Debt Recovery Ltd & Smart Parking

EMILE5385

Hi folks,

Long time reader... first time poster!

Very similar to some I've read before but this is my story...

I received a letter dated 06/04/2017 from Debt Recovery Plus Ltd denoting that I am to pay parking charge of £155.00. What the hell?!? I have no idea what I am supposed to have done. It's noted on the letter that I was located in MATALAN Romford and reason for issue is OVERSTAYED PAID TIME! Now being a law abiding citizen and I don't mind admitting, been in trouble with parking authorities in the past, I probably would have held my hands up and paid the original fine. However, this is the clincher... I have NEVER received a letter from the original creditor (apparently SMART PARKING Ltd) to say I made a contravention by parking in the car park and not obtaining a ticket and been caught on the CCTV.

So I got in contact with DRP and explained my situation to them stating that if I had received the original letter from SMART PARKING that I would have paid the fine. I was informed by there incredibly rude Yorkshire based operative that paying the original fine (which I am now being told £50) is not an option! Interesting! I went on to tell the DRP representative how can I be held responsible for this? I also said that I will get in contact with SMART PARKING to take it up with them directly, thinking that they would be helpful and more than happy to get payment... Wrong again.
(rudely, again, I was wished success by my friend from Leeds)

I spoke to SMART PARKING rep telling them the situation and I am willing to pay the original fine, which I thought they would be delighted to receive, again after deliberation with her 'manager' (as you can sense I am starting to get sceptical with these morons) she said she was told they are willing to accept £85 for contravention as a good will gesture from the company due to me not informing them sooner.. What was I meant to inform them of?!? (By the way, I was informed, £85 is the sum that was owed to them if I had not paid them within the 14 day period. I told SMART PARKING that I was willing to pay £50 or, as I was told by DRP, 'let it run its course' which I assume to be court action! They were not willing to receive £50 so I told them to have a pleasant day!

The reason for the post is to ask where I now stand?!? I am willing to pay (£50) but with how I have been treated, they will not get a penny out of me!

pogofish

Where you stand is fully dealt with in Post Four of the Newbies Sticky, which you need to read now - fully and carefully, after making the fundamental mistake of contacting a PPC and Debt-knuckledragger.

Coupon-mad

It will help us to know, what wasn't answered when you read the thread 'NEWBIES PLEASE READ THESE FAQS FIRST'? That's why it is near the top and attempts to cover the basics of challenges and/or defences, to stop too many 'what do I do?' and 'do I have to pay?' threads we simply can't keep up with, despite concerted efforts here by regulars.

Please clarify what help you need after reading the sticky (post #4 of the NEWBIES thread is all about debt collector stage so I have no idea why people post new threads again and again). And/or read other Smart threads (just search this board for 'Smart debt collectors' including all the dozens talking about the tedious 'fake Gladstones' debt letter.

I told SMART PARKING that I was willing to pay £50

No, you didn't, now this is just getting silly...if you did, for goodness' sake read other Smart threads. No-one pays them.