Parking Ticket - human error

annmrt

Hello,

I received a parking ticket from MET Parking Services Ltd. The day that I received this ticket I used their call and pay system. To use this system you ring the number provided on the ticket machine, enter your car type and registration and your payment details. I did this before leaving the carpark, received a confirmation text, and the money was taken from my bank account.

Unfortunately I entered one digit wrong on my number plate (6 rather than a 5) and therefore received a parking ticket.

I have emailed MET Parking Services Ltd and explained that I did pay for parking and they have taken the money from my account but they have said that I am still expected to pay the charges.

Does anyone have any advice for what I should do next?

Thank you

Marktheshark

Let us get one thing straight.
You entered your details correctly, their faulty system registered it incorrectly.

Get that in your head now, this is called "your defence" do not admit anything.

Redx

just read and follow the advice in the NEWBIES sticky thread

bargepole

annmrt wrote: »

Does anyone have any advice for what I should do next?

Yes.

You paid for your parking and owe them nothing.

Ignore any further correspondence unless and until they issue a Court Claim. Then defend it, and if it goes to a hearing, trash the stupid muppets in Court, and claim your full costs for unreasonable behaviour.

You might even persuade the Judge that their solicitor should be locked in the cells for 24 hours for arguing such a ridiculous case.

annmrt

Thank you. The problem here is that I attested the ticket via email and in the email I admitted that I entered the number plate wrong. I see now what an error that was!

annmrt

Thank you for your reply.
If I am taken to small claims court then would this have to be something I physically attend?
I am moving to the Middle East for 2 years very soon so I don't know if this changes things?

bargepole

annmrt wrote: »

Thank you. The problem here is that I attested the ticket via email and in the email I admitted that I entered the number plate wrong. I see now what an error that was!

That's not a problem, it works in your favour.

Defendants are often criticised by Judges for not engaging with the PPC at an early stage, and possibly avoiding the need for court proceedings.

You have paid the correct amount, and alerted them to the mistake so that they can allocate the payment to the correct vehicle.

Any reasonable company would adjust their records and that would be the end of the matter. But this is a PPC, so normal logic doesn't apply. If they are stupid enough to pursue this, you can spank them in Court with help from the regulars on here.

DoaM

IF they raise an MCOL claim (small claims online system) ... which they can do at any time between the date of the incident and 6 years thereafter ... then you can defend it online and opt to have the case heard "on the papers" (where neither side attends a hearing).

But let's cross that bridge if/when we come to it.

Q: Are MET with the IPC kangaroo people?

bargepole

annmrt wrote: »

Thank you for your reply.
If I am taken to small claims court then would this have to be something I physically attend?
I am moving to the Middle East for 2 years very soon so I don't know if this changes things?

Normally you do have to attend.

But if both sides agree, the hearing can be held on papers only, which seems the best option in this case.

You need to make sure your mail is forwarded from your UK address, otherwise they may get a default CCJ without your knowledge.

DoaM

DoaM wrote: »

Q: Are MET with the IPC kangaroo people?

Just checked. Their website says that are BPA AOS members. Did you get a POPLA code with your appeal rejection?

If yes then get working on your POPLA appeal (see post #3 of the NEWBIES thread).

If No then complain to MET that they haven't issued a POPLA code, therefore they are in breach of the BPA code of practice. Complain also to the BPA about this.

You can almost certainly win this at POPLA (if you tackle it properly) and that will kill this stone dead.

Alternatively ... offer them (without prejudice), say, £10 for their admin costs in respect of the PCN in full and final settlement, given that there has been no loss - parking was paid for. If they accept this then this would be the least-effort route to a resolution.