APCOA Parking Charge Notice - Payment System wasn't working

user_21

Hi there

On 14th April I parked the car at Chippenham train station for a couple of days, as I do often when I use the train to travel for work.
As per my usual habit I parked the car, then phoned the payment line whilst walking to the station. Unfortunately, when it got through to the payment bit (using my stored card details) I got a message saying "the online payment system was currently unavailable please try again later". I tried again 3 or 4 times, by which point I'm sitting on the train, with the same result. I tried again a couple of hours later and again for the same message. I then completely forgot about it until I returned the next day to find a yellow ticket on my car.
I wrote to APCOA explaining why I hadn't paid and that they can see from my online payment history that I am a regular user and have no reason to swerve the ticket payment (I claim it back off my expenses anyway!)

They have today written back saying that they have "no record of my payment (obviously!) And that there were no reported faults with the APCOA Connect phone line on the day in question and numerous other customers were able to successfully make payment using it." They then go on to state that there are other methods of payment available such as texting or using the app. (I wasn't aware of this, but would have assumed that if the online payment system was broken it would be broken for all methods, be it text, app or phone?)

They've said I can pay £50 in 14 days or make an appeal to POPLA.

Just wondering if I've got a leg to stand on with a further appeal? Or are APCOA one of these firms with no teeth that I can just ignore? (I've successfully done this in the past with other operators)

I welcome your thoughts...

Umkomaas

Just wondering if I've got a leg to stand on with a further appeal?

You have almost two legs to stand on (although you might have blown off a few toes by identifying the driver).

Or are APCOA one of these firms with no teeth that I can just ignore? (I've successfully done this in the past with other operators)

Never underestimate a PPC by ignoring them. Just so you know, there are many PPCs who are now resurrecting cases going back to 2011 and pursuing these through the small claims court, so if any of yours were 2011 or later, claiming 'success' might be a bit premature!

Turning to APCOA, you can beat their charge easily via POPLA. Put a good POPLA appeal together and often APCOA cancel the charge without contesting it - you win.

You now need to do some good research by:

1. Reading the NEWBIES FAQ sticky, particularly post #3 which covers POPLA appeals.
2. Doing some forum searches on 'APCOA Railway' and read other successful appeals that have worked.
3. Using the templates in post #3 of the sticky and relevant paragraphs from successful APCOA appeals, putting together your own draft.
4. Posting it here for critique and fine tuning.
5. Not missing your POPLA deadline.

Coupon-mad

http://forums.pepipoo.com/index.php?showtopic=113351

Same advice as there, where I post as SchoolRunMum. APCOA are very easy to beat by a registered keeper who doesn't say who was driving.

Just do this:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5612169

APCOA are similar to Highview and we'll eat our hats if you don't win at first appeal or POPLA, as long as you write as keeper (not driver). At POPLA stage you also have the added bonus of the 'bylaws/not relevant land' argument as seen in ALL other train station POPLA appeals.