Read the Newbies thread but still need advice

stubby1980

Hi - I've read the Newbies thread but unfortunately I'm not quite clear as I can't see my situation covered.

1) Parked in a private car park on a retail estate, didn't realise there was a limit and over-stayed by a distance. Stayed for 5 hours, didn't realise limit for free parking was 2 hours. Genuinely didn't even realise it was a private car park.

2) Haven't received any communications off Euro Car Park to date

3) Then received a letter from Debt Recovery Plus demanding £130

4) I called ECP - they claim they've sent me 2 letters, first offering the discount and 2nd offering the full fine - they passed to DRP because I didn't respond. However - I didn't receive any letters and told them this and they said they were sent and don't need to provide proof.

5) ECP now refuse to discuss this with me and say I cannot appeal as this is passed to DRP - I've had that verbally from ECP.

6) I then called DRP - they refuse to negotiate and say that I've been sent two letters by ECP, I ignored them, and the debt is now theirs. DRP are also citing some legal case recently that determines this is a valid claim from them.

What do I do know? Do I just pay DCP? Do I ignore them? I've the Newbies and can't quite see what to do as the first I ever knew about the PCN was when DCP sent me a bill this week.

Help/advise please.

System

I called ECP - they claim they've sent me 2 letters, first offering the discount and 2nd offering the full fine - they passed to DRP because I didn't respond. However - I didn't receive any letters and told them this and they said they were sent and don't need to provide proof.

Subject Acccess Request will get it.

ECP now refuse to discuss this with me and say I cannot appeal as this is passed to DRP - I've had that verbally from ECP.

Tell DRP either to swivel or in the alternative that you have engaged with their principal and they need not contact you OR process your information until such times as their principal complies with the Data Protection Act 2018.

Parked in a private car park on a retail estate

Contact the estate and ask them if they can cancel. If not ask when ECP changed the signs to 2 hours as they are not clear.

All of the above are just skirmishes in winning the war against them. Information is what you need and you have to hustle for it.

Fruitcake

Above all else, stop 'phoning scammers!

Ignore debt collectors. Post 4 of the NEWBIES tells you why it is safe to do so.

Also complain to your MP about this unregulated scam.

stubby1980

Thanks - so basically it sounds like I ignore everything until I get a Small Claims Court summons ??

waamo

Have you contacted the retail park to ask them to cancel it? If not then do so.

Edit to add odds of court are here http://www.parkingappeals.info/companydata/Euro_Car_Parks.html

stubby1980

Thanks Waamo - I will try that tomorrow as well.

Coupon-mad

And an email complaint to Steve Clark at the BPA (NOT TELLING HIM WHO WAS DRIVING) but explaining that the first you heard was a daft DRP begging letter:

steve.c@britishparking.co.uk

stubby1980

Hi,

So, I've taken above action and also contacted Steve Clark who deferred to a colleague. The BPA have come back and basically said they're not getting involved;

"Thank you for your patience whilst I contacted Euro Car Parks for further information. Euro Car Parks have responded to advise that they sent the attached Notice to Keeper on xx/yy/zzzz along with the attached Final Reminder on xx/yy/zzzz.

Whilst I note that you advise that you did not receive the attached documents, it is Euro Car Parks!!!8217; position that they did send this to you. As we are unable to ascertain whether mail was or was not sent or received, we cannot become involved in a dispute on this point.

In conclusion, I have not identified a breach of our Code of Practice and as such, this case has been closed.

I hope that the above information is of assistance to you.

---

I've now got DRP sending me text messages and calling me (then hanging up) and chasing this.

What should I do here? Do I ignore them? Would really appreciate some advice as I can't quite work out what to do based on the Newbie thread.

waamo

Ignore Drp. Come back for further advice should you get a genuine Letter Before Claim.

stubby1980

Thanks Waamo - much appreciated. My only concern is that I'm going on holiday in 11 days and I'm away for nearly 3 weeks, I'm fearing getting a letter the first day I'm gone that has a 14 day response notice.

Umkomaas

stubby1980 wrote: »

Thanks Waamo - much appreciated. My only concern is that I'm going on holiday in 11 days and I'm away for nearly 3 weeks, I'm fearing getting a letter the first day I'm gone that has a 14 day response notice.

ECP have issued around three quarters of a million tickets in the past two and a half years and have appeared at the small claims court on just 3 occasions.

http://www.parkingappeals.info/companydata/Euro_Car_Parks.html

Now, get your calculator out and work out what the chances are of you being involved as their 4th court case, then put it to bed - and go and enjoy your holiday!