Gladstones Solicitors Letter

Keyboardpen1

Hello,

Newbie here! Go easy.

Here's a little backstory - This is in relation to a parking charge notice i received earlier in the year. The offence was for parking in a parent and toddler bay and not exiting the vehicle with either of my children. However the kids were in the car and are visible in the picture, it was a really hot day during the heat wave and my youngest was out for the count and my eldest was going to leave with me then decided against it as I was exiting, my partner was in the car so I nipped into the store for 15 mins to buy what we needed and then left.

It's not a car park I have been to often and didn't see any notices all I knew was it was for the co-op and other stores that I was utilising and was free. Unbeknown to me Co-op or the land owner had just employed NPE to control the parking and that their 'rule' was you are not allowed to park in the parent and toddler bay without the child leaving the vehicle.

I'm sure people will agree or disagree with my stance on this however I'm allowed my opinion. I scoured through the internet and found that this website and many others were advising to appeal these as invoices. I felt that the invoice was unfair due to a few reasons.
- The carpark having improper signage
- The alleged space not being fit for purpose ie not widened for ease of access for the family
- Disproportionate fine for the offence. £100 (Reduced £60) for 15 mins £6.66 per minute seems a little high in my opinion and excessive for losses incurred by the firm.
- After i found an article online about the car park or NPE 'fining' 500 people in 10 days for improper use of parking spaces i felt this was excessive and a scaremongering tactic.

The appeal was obviously rejected. I didn't follow it up as i had read to just wait it out... Not sure where i read it but such is life. Any way i have had 3 letters from DRP and was advised to ignore as it would go no further. No i have had a letter from Gladstones Solicitors with a similar stance. "We have been instructed by NPE" yarda yarda yarda. "It is our clients case that you are liable"...

I'm quite happy to go to court however have i weakened my argument by lack of communication? Is my case likely to not stand up in court? They threw in the Beavis vs Parking Eye however my main argument is lack of signage and parking space not being fit for proposed purpose. Shall i just give in and pay the now inflated £160??
Sorry for the looooong post
Any advice welcome.

Coupon-mad

I hope you haven't used your real name as a username...yet again...Noooo!

Please change it - contact the forum team like everyone else who does that. Parking firms read this forum!

I doubt that NPE will try small claims. That letter was probably a DRP version...does it tell you to pay DRP? If so, no solicitor has been involved. we see that fake Gs letter all the time.

Shall i just give in and pay the now inflated £160??

Only if you are a mug...!

Seriously, don't be daft! NPE operate the same 'outrageous scam' that all parking firms do - and they are beatable if a small claim was tried.

Read the 3 wins posted on the forum today. Two of them v Gladstones cases.

KeithP

OP, have you used your real name as your forum username?

Then your really should ask MSE to change your username to something totally anonymous.

To help with that, you might like to read this short extract from The MSE Forum Guide - Frequently Asked Questions & Rules:

Q. How can I change my username?

A. In most circumstances, this is not permitted.

The only reason we will change your username is if it puts your privacy at risk. This usually means you've inadvertently registered using your name, email address or something that gives away your identity within your username.

If you fall into this category, email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com and request that it is changed, giving three alternative usernames in order of preference.

Keyboardpen1

Hi coupon,

Yes the letter does say to pay DRP and the amount which has been inflated since DRP's involvement is the same! Which i found odd! Would you advise making any contact with either DRP, Gladstones or NPE? Sorry for asking so many questions just starting to doubt my mindset.

Also i've taken yours and Kieth's advise and requested a name change. It didn't occure to me at the time that it was a bad idea.. I do now though.

Many thanks.

KeithP

Ignore debt collector's letters - is a summary of the guidance offered in post #4 of the NEWBIES FAQ sticky thread.

Keyboardpen1

Hi Keith,

Thanks for the link. I'll get reading!

Cheers