Is it too late to ignore my fine after losing the IAS appeal process?

EddieRonald64

Hi everyone. OK, so I should have read the sticky newbies thread before starting my appeals process as mistakes were made, but I'm wondering if the community thinks I should pay the £100 fine or ride it out? In a nutshell:

I received a notice on my window telling me I hadn't paid for parking at a private car park. I thought I had paid for parking via the 'pay by phone' app but it turns out that I paid for parking for the council-owned car park across the street. In my defence, I don't think it was clear that the two car parks we're separate entities.

I appealed via My Parking Charge which I was advised to do in the letter I received through the door. It was at this point that I admitted I was the driver (another mistake, I know!). I explained that I thought I had paid for correct parking because there was a dodgy sign stuck on the private payment metre that stated: "tickets could be purchased at either machine" with an arrow pointing in the direction of the council-owned car park.

This appeal was rejected, basically saying tough luck - you should have paid and displayed using the correct machine.

I then appealed via the IAS, but this was also rejected and I have been informed to pay the £100 fine for what was a 40-minute stay. Obviously, I don't think this is fair but I fear that if they were to take me to court I could end up paying fee's and ending up paying out way more than £100. I have photo's of the offending signs and all transcriptions of the appeal if anybody wants to know more.

Thank you. How should I proceed?

nosferatu1001

What parking company?

DoaM

Ignore everything except a real Letter Before Claim (will probably come from Gladstones with a 1xxx reference) or an actual court claim.

Certainly don't pay!

EddieRonald64

The company is the Vehicle Control Services - they're IPC accredited. If it gets to the point where (or if) I get a letter with a reference, should I pay it then? My concern is if they pursue it and decide to take me to court - I'd have little defence after losing the IAS appeal.

Thanks for your help guys

beamerguy

ianjfergie wrote: »

The company is the Vehicle Control Services - they're IPC accredited. If it gets to the point where (or if) I get a letter with a reference, should I pay it then? My concern is if they pursue it and decide to take me to court - I'd have little defence after losing the IAS appeal.

Thanks for your help guys

VCS will use the incredibly useless BWLegal

Forget "IPC accredited" ... The IPC is simply a scam
VCS and sister company Excel subscribe to the scam

But, do read up on BWLegal, you will see all about them.
For other VCS and BWLegal losses, check out the search
on the Parking Pranksters Blog

Here is one
Excel / BW Legal Incompetence Hits New Low
http://parking-prankster.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/excel-bw-legal-incompetence-hits-new-low.html

Coupon-mad

My concern is if they pursue it and decide to take me to court - I'd have little defence after losing the IAS appeal.

Why do you think we tell people NEVER to try IAS?!

Because everyone loses, it is considered biased and worse, it makes you feel on the back foot, when in fact OF COURSE you have a defence, everyone does, and we almost always win in a well-defended case, regardless of a lost POPLA or IAS 'decision'.

By doing IAS you've upset yourself and made yourself feel like you have no chance. WRONG.

EddieRonald64

I really wished I'd read the newbies guide before I started the process, it has been an onslaught on the senses - a very cleverly worded template system to make you feel incompetent. To the point where I think; F' it, I'll just pay. I probably would have paid if it was a £30 charge, but £100 is pure greed.

The Parking Pranksters site is quite amusing and reassuring. I want to fight the charge on principle but there's still that niggling at the back of my mind that want's to get rid of the hassle and threat of court dates, taking time off work etc. I'll wait until I get the letter and keep you updated

beamerguy

ianjfergie wrote: »

I really wished I'd read the newbies guide before I started the process, it has been an onslaught on the senses - a very cleverly worded template system to make you feel incompetent. To the point where I think; F' it, I'll just pay. I probably would have paid if it was a £30 charge, but £100 is pure greed.

The Parking Pranksters site is quite amusing and reassuring. I want to fight the charge on principle but there's still that niggling at the back of my mind that want's to get rid of the hassle and threat of court dates, taking time off work etc. I'll wait until I get the letter and keep you updated

No point in the past

You have used the magic word incompetent

BWLegal are incompetent, proven time and again

If you found the Pranksters site amusing then have a read
of this thread which highlights the ultimate incompetence
of this bunch ...and when you win, your success will be added
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5672664

The known path that BWLegal follow is

1: Threatening letters about what they are going to do to you.
Fabrication of past cases where they are so mis-guided
2: Once they understand that you will defend and know
you are serious, they try a special offer and then shortly
after, they discontinue.
Does not happen all the time but then they run the gauntlet
of being whooped in court

A leopard does not change it's spots and this is akin to
the boring repeats on BBC TV

Snakes_Belly

Ian,

If its any consolation I did exactly the same as you. I did not even wait for the letter but logged in after I found a notice on my car. Appealed to Excel which was refused and went through the bruising exercise of appealing to IAS. As someone whose last ticket was over 20 years ago when I was a carer I find this all now a bit of a minefield (That ticket was cancelled btw.) I have to decide now whether to put up or shut up. I did take a look at the amount that the directors of Excel took in dividends last year (not salary) and I am angry.

Whatever I decide to do and even if I pay up I shall use every opportunity I get to take a shot at these legalised scammers. I shall write to my MP and encourage my relatives and friends to do the same.

Ralph-y

Snakes Belly , you will need to start a new thread to get the help to overturn this ...

Do Not Think Of Paying!

mean time

try your MP

this is a copy of a post by Bargepole ....

"Some action at last:

http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2017-19/parkingcodeofpractice.html

This Private Member's Bill has Government and cross-party support, and stands a good chance of making it into statute.

The full text of the clauses will be published nearer the date of the second reading, but my sources tell me it's something we should support.

Now would be a good time to write to your MP urging them to support it."

let here know that there have been many complaints about this car park scam

he/ she may well help intervene

good luck

Ralph:cool:

Snakes_Belly

Thank you Ralph. I already have a thread but I felt for Ian as the IAS rejections are quite bruising. You wonder if they have read your side of the case.

As a matter of interest some of my family know the chief whip.