Vcs letter before claim...mistake of calling VCS when receiving NTK...Help!

Suggii

Hi, I’m a little worried as my husband received a Letter before claim from VCS.
His a private hire taxi driver and dropped a passenger in a VCS car park. However his car started to give problems while trying to drive off. So he stopped to check his car bonnet. He even cancelled the next job he recieved to try and see if he can fix the problem. It took him I think 29minutes while he was there.
He recieved a NTK and made the mistake of calling and explaining the situation. My husband even asked to check CCTV footage to see him trying to fix his car, to which they replied we don’t have CCTV at the car park.
We realised later this mistake after checking Online forums and knew we shouldn’t have called them.

My husband appealed and it was unsuccessful, to which he called them and they demanded the payment. He was told to email them and ask for the appeal result and demand the reason for the decision. Which he got no reply at all.
They sent letters increasing from £60 to £160, then debt collector letter from companies like zenith. We ignored all that from online advice.
We now have recieved the dreaded letter before claim, which they are claiming money and estimated amounts of £192.27 including court fees and interest.
They have not mentioned any advice on PD or how to respond. They just demand a response to pay them the £160 within 30days of the letter. They sent a reply form to fill In details and a standard financial statement.
I am dead worried how to work around the fact we called them and told them the situation.
What are our options? Please help anyone.

Coupon-mad

We now have recieved the dreaded letter before claim, which they are claiming money and estimated amounts of £192.27 including court fees and interest.
They have not mentioned any advice on PD or how to respond. They just demand a response to pay them the £160 within 30days of the letter. They sent a reply form to fill In details and a standard financial statement.

So they have enclosed the PD reply forms.

So your husband just writes back with proof that the taxi broke down (any repairs later paid for that week? Any work record or letter from the taxi firm, confirming the taxi broke down and that he cancelled the next fare).

AND:

It's a retail park, yes? Must be, if he dropped someone there.

So it's not at court stage yet, so complain by email/phone to the managing agents of the site, Google the place and get in touch with a MAJOR complaint saying you are so desperate, if they do not cancel this harassing PCN you will go to the local papers.

Suggii

I will get him to check with his taxi firm to confirm it for him.

It a just a private car park in the City Centre (Albert Street in Birmingham) And the passenger found it easier to get off at the car park then to go around the centre to drop off point.
My husband did send them screen shots of the the route of his journey. But he didn’t get any reply at all from the email.
So, what do I do about the letter of claim? They have given 30days to reply. We recieved it on 28/09/2018.
What does my husband have to say to the managing agents. Any advice along the lines of what to say? (Explain the situation)

Coupon-mad

What does my husband have to say to the managing agents. Any advice along the lines of what to say? (Explain the situation)

Forget that, now we know it's Albert Street Bham. It's leased by Excel Parking Services, sister firm to VCS. Seen it loads of times, and seen loads of cases won at hearings.

Instead, search the forum for Albert Street and read up on how the signs often let them down in these cases, as the signs had Excel on them instead of VCS.

Also Google Albert Street VCS Parking Prankster and read his blogs about cases won.





P.S. DO NOT follow any commercial link on PP's website, sadly it suffers from a dodgy link to a so-called Appeals firm with the worst TrustPilot reviews anyone has ever seen on this forum. I am embarrassed to say that but it is true. I expect the 'new' poster Eljayjay2 might rock up with a comment on that issue, albeit the firm appear to be phoenixing/using another website instead, according to contacts of mine. Anyway, just avoid links there, but you can read the Prankster's blogs.


PPS: So glad to see the dodgy link on ParkingCowboys website has gone:

https://www.parkingcowboys.co.uk/fighting-back/

Now people can be directed there for certain advice on relevant subjects.

Suggii

I did read up on the parking prankster blog, it mentioned that VCS have changed their excel signs to VCS now. I’m confused now whether that would work if they have updated their name.

Coupon-mad

Doesn't matter if it *works* or not, it is just one line of defence and it makes it hard for VCS to prove what signs were there, and when.

It's the Claimant's claim to prove, not your husbands to prove, (except for his breakdown defence).

Have you read the Albert Street cases on here by searching as I suggested? Read them.

We've seen them discontinued recently, same sort of time as your OH got his PCN I expect. When was his parking event?

Suggii

2nd Feb 2018 was the parking event.

Another thing online they say they have CCTV but when my husband asked them to check his footage they said they don’t have any. Can that be a point to raise in his favour? False advertising.

I’m reading the Albert Street cases. I’m so confused how to go about this.
And what step to take next.

Coupon-mad

They don't have CCTV.

They have ANPR, did he not think to cover his number-plate when leaving, he's a taxi driver, has he never thought of that? It avoids PPC scammers. He just covers it with a carrier bag or something then removes it as soon as he's back out on street away from the scam ANPR.

I’m so confused how to go about this.
And what step to take next.

No idea why people say this, when higher up their thread I've already said what to do...

KeithP

Read this thread in its entirety:

forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=5672277

Suggii

Coupon-mad wrote: »

So they have enclosed the PD reply forms.

So your husband just writes back with proof that the taxi broke down (any repairs later paid for that week? Any work record or letter from the taxi firm, confirming the taxi broke down and that he cancelled the next fare).


So write to VCS basically regarding the above.

Coupon-mad

Yes, if they are not using a solicitor, write to VCS.

Not you though, the Defendant (your OH).

No need to fill in the forms and CERTAINLY don't start thinking you need to divulge financial information for an 'outrageous scam' PPC to read!

Nothing to worry about. We fully expect a claim to follow, and we expect your OH to win!