Not parked wholly within bay: Tesco

Noto_PCN's

Hi there

I've been going this alone for a while and thought I best get some advice to ensure I don't get myself in too much trouble, any help is appreciated

I had a PCN issued to my car on 26th March 2017 which was parked next to some barriers that had been erected in a free Tesco car park.
The barriers were there for no apparent reason and the photo's they took show this a little. The bays themselves were not really bays as the barriers stopped any car parking in them correctly but I parked across the front of the barriers thinking I'm causing no harm or danger or blockage.
I appealed to Park Watch which refused it and I missed the deadline for POPLA. I received the first letter from DRP advising I need to now pay the £160 by 14th June or they would recommend their client to take me to court. I phoned them and advised I'm not paying it as the charge was excessive and said I didn't agree to the contract and refuse there invoice.
DRP then contact me via text asking to contact them, (harassment?) I did so advising I spoke to someone the previous day and they apologised.
DRP have now sent me another letter advising I need to pay £160 by 26th June.

Am I right in thinking that Park watch have passed the debt over to DRP for them to collect it from me? If so, is there a link back to park watch? I'm also considering just ignoring the letters and seeing if they do take me to court.
What about sending the below email to DRP, I'm not sure.

"Ref: Your letter dated 14th June 2017
Dear sirs. I would like to engage with one person who is responsible and can make the decision to drop the money you say I owe due the PCN that was issued to the said vehicle on 26th March 2017.
You advise that I am late to challenge the charge but you also have set demands previously (Pay £160 by 14th June) which has been moved (Pay £160 by 28th June) so it seems you can change dates when actions need to be completed by.
Please advise who the independent adjudicator is, with full contact details, so I can appeal to them.
Your sincerely
Rob Cox"

I'm happy for it to go to court as long as I don't incur to much costs as I hate bullies. I think I have a good case on the definition of the words parking bay indicates a whole car has to fit in it. It's Park watch's "sole responsibility to provide space maximisation" (signage) which the photo's prove they have not.

Please let me know your thoughts on all the above and what you think is the best way to proceed.

Thanks
Rob

Quentin

Drp are debt collectors.

You should ignore debt collectors

Noto_PCN's

I love it when it's nice and easy like that, thanks Quentin.

beamerguy

Rob, it's been said 1000's of times ....

IGNORE DRP ... DON'T PAY THEM, DON'T CONTACT THEM

DRP are one of the useless companies in the UK

If you are a Tesco's customer, contact the TESCO CEO, saying that you are being harassed by debt collectors for simply shopping at Tesco.
Request that Tesco's cancel the charge so you can continue spending money with them

Quentin

Come back and check the newbies FAQ thread for advice on dealing with a court claim should you get any real Court correspondence or letter before court action from the ppc

Noto_PCN's

Email sent

fisherjim

Noto_PCN's wrote: »

The barriers were there for no apparent reason and the photo's they took show this a little. The bays themselves were not really bays as the barriers stopped any car parking in them correctly but I parked across the front of the barriers thinking I'm causing no harm or danger or blockage.

I hate these scamming PPC's as much as anyone but; it really is worth noting that when a private landholder invites you to park on their property, they do have the right to decide where you can and can't park.

Maybe the barriers were to allow a contractor to start work later that day or what ever only they would know.

Flouting their wishes is exactly why they think they need to engage a PPC.

Noto_PCN's

I see your point and it does make sense but Park Watch are solely responsible to maximise the area and by offering no signage on or in the close proximity of the barriers advising whether I can or cannot park there gives me a case I think, do you agree?

fisherjim

Noto_PCN's wrote: »

I see your point and it does make sense but Park Watch are solely responsible to maximise the area and by offering no signage on or in the close proximity of the barriers advising whether I can or cannot park there gives me a case I think, do you agree?

Of course, it's just that when you see so many people caught out (and lets be honest that's what makes PPC's profitable) it makes you very careful where you park, unless you like a good fight

Umkomaas

Park Watch and Tesco don't fit. Highview is Tesco's preferred parking-monger. I suspect a MA will have engaged PW. See how your complaint to Tesco goes, but don't be surprised if you get a 'nothing to do with us' reply.

PW try the occasional court case, but they've petered out with a solid defence (which we help with, if it gets that far).

Coupon-mad

Stop responding to DRPLus:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5035663

Come back if the PPC try a small claim.