Machine took my money, ticket wasn't issued. PCN issued, appeal failed. Help!

Bertie1236

Hi all. Please can anyone advise? I was issued a PCN when I parked at a theatre and went to pay at the machine. The machine registered my payment on screen then didn't issue a ticket. I pressed for a refund but the machine kept the money. I had no more cash and there were no other machines so was out of options. I thought the machine must be out of order and went in.
Went I came out, of course there was a PCN on my car. It is a legitimate parking company (I checked). I appealed, explaining as above. My appeal has been rejected. The letter states that if I appeal to POPLA then the early payment option will be rescinded.
What should I do? Ultimately, I did not display a valid parking ticket, but how could I? The firm obviously thinks I am a liar but the truth is I paid my parking and have now been charged £75 or £45 if I pay quickly without further appeal.
Can anyone advise me please, or do I have no leg to stand on? Thanks.

KeithP

Bertie1236 wrote: »

It is a legitimate parking company (I checked).

What is the name of this legitimate parking company?

Bertie1236 wrote: »

What should I do?

Appeal to PoPLA.
Read post #3 of the NEWBIES FAQ sticky thread for comprehensive guidance on how to go about that.

Coupon-mad

IMHO (and in the minds of most MPs who were at the Parking Bill debate on Friday) there are NO 'legitimate parking companies'.

Bertie1236

CSPM Corporate Services Parking Management.
Thanks for the reply.

The_Deep

I suggest you contact your local Trading Standards Officer.

It is the will of Parliament that these scammers be put out of business. Hopefully that will take place in the near future. In the meantime involve your MP, the poor dears are buckling under the weight of complaints about these scammers. Read this one which I wrote earlier

This is an entirely unregulated industry which is scamming the public with inflated claims for minor breaches of alleged contracts for alleged parking offences, aided and abetted by a handful of low-rent solicitors. Is has been suggested by an MP that some of these companies may have connections to organised crime.

Parking Eye, CPM, Smart, (especially Smart}, and others have already been named and shamed in the House of Commons as have Gladstones Solicitors, and BW Legal, (these two law firms take hundreds of these cases to court each week), hospital car parks and residential complex tickets have been especially mentioned. They lose most of them, and have been reported to the regulatory authority by an M.P. for unprofessional conduct

The problem has become so widespread that MPs have agreed to enact a Bill to regulate these scammers.

Sir Greg Knight's Private Members Bill to curb the excesses, and perhaps close down, some of these companies passed its Third Reading in late November, and, with a fair wind, will become Law next year.

All three readings are available to watch on the internet, (some 6-7 hours), and published in Hansard. MPs have an extremely low opinion of the industry. Many are complaining that they are becoming overwhelmed by complaints from members of the public. Add to their burden, complain in the most robust terms about the scammers.

Bertie1236

Thank you so much. I shall do as you have advised. In the meantime, what about paying the reduced amount before the time period lapses?

Umkomaas

Bertie1236 wrote: »

Thank you so much. I shall do as you have advised. In the meantime, what about paying the reduced amount before the time period lapses?

Why are you here if you are thinking about paying? We are offering advice on how to beat the charge which is of nil value to you if you are going to pay.

Once you pay it, it's over, you cannot get it back. POPLA offers you the best opportunity to get this killed off - but your choice.

Coupon-mad

Bertie1236 wrote: »

Thank you so much. I shall do as you have advised. In the meantime, what about paying the reduced amount before the time period lapses?

Don't be ludicrous.

:eek:

Bertie1236

Went to the car park again today. Guess what? People there were experiencing the same problem with the machine taking money but not issuing tickets! I took their contact details and went to see the theatre manager. I went in and explained what had happened and that I knew there were others experiencing the same. I told him I thought he knew too. He actually admitted it and told me the parking company had been aware of the problem for weeks!!! He promised me he'd get the PCN written off!!
But what the hell is CMPS playing at refusing my appeal then, when they know about the fault with their equipment and they knew I'd paid my parking!?!?!?
I shall write to the Head of Trading Standards, the MPs for the whole area, POPLA, and the local media about this. I am both relieved for myself, but furious about all the other victims of this disgusting company. Thanks for all your advice everyone! :T

Coupon-mad

Trading Standards is a good idea - and the local Media would be useful to spread the word!

Tip the journalist off to read Friday's Parliamentary debate first, to understand this comes from the background of a scam, detested industry, and is not a 'mistake or oversight', if excuses get bleated by the PPC.

https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2018-11-23/debates/005F9F65-57E5-4AD0-B6EC-C26C75A7AAA2/Parking(CodeOfPractice)Bill

In your case you need that Manager to confirm to you by email that ALL PCNs are cancelled that allege the person didn't pay, and that ''the parking firm has been aware of the problem for weeks''.

Please also complain to the IPC and do an IAS appeal (in this case...with evidence of the non working machine and the Manager's comments in writing). You probably need video evidence (got to be worth it). Drop the PPC scumbags in it from a great height.

HTH

fisherjim

Bertie1236 wrote: »

But what the hell is CMPS playing at refusing my appeal then, when they know about the fault with their equipment and they knew I'd paid my parking!?!?!?

Do you really need us to answer that one?