Excel “final demand”

Camelia123

Hello everyone,

I have tried to read as much as I could here as I’m new, but I’m really desperate.
I parked my car at Media City, Manchester in July this year, when I payed for the ticket I didn’t noticed that wasn’t valid, actually was already expired. I left and when I came back I found a funny yellow thing on my car. Also, I have spoken with the man which put that parking charge and he told me that in all Salford area is a problem with the machine ticket and we should just appeal and that should be fine. I did so in that night and nothing heard from them since 2 week ago. First I received an invoice with £100 tried to contact them several times and no answer. Yesterday I received a final demand of £160, contacted them finally they responded to my calls and said that is my responsibility becausr I didn’t called the helpline in that night to let them know about the machines error and I’m liable to pay the charge ... I just need some advice, please if someone could help me, I am thinking that’s just unfair as I’ve paid my parking...



Thank you!!!

onlyfoolsandparking

Of course its unfair you are right, unfortunately parking scammers like Excel don't care about things being fair in fact they model their despicable business on things being as unfair as possible.


Its good you are reading the newbies section and you need to carry on, learn more about the game you are now firmly involved in. Scammers can be beaten but you wont beat them by trying to bargain with them, realise now THEY DO NOT CARE!!!


You can beat them legally and good news is you are in the right place here to do that. DO NOT bother appealing to their flawed appeal system IAS you are wasting time and effort, you are basically in ignore mode now unless you receive a LBA/LBCCC which you must respond.


You say you paid for ticket and machine was flawed this is a valid defence should the scammers want to try their luck in Court but don't worry it may never get to Court, find threads here similar to yours and follow the advice.


ps: Ignore ANY debt collector scum that contacts you DRP etc.

The_Deep

when I payed for the ticket I didn’t noticed that wasn’t valid, actually was already expired.

I do not understand, can you explain please.

beamerguy

Camelia123 wrote: »

Hello everyone,

I have tried to read as much as I could here as I’m new, but I’m really desperate.
I parked my car at Media City, Manchester in July this year, when I payed for the ticket I didn’t noticed that wasn’t valid, actually was already expired. I left and when I came back I found a funny yellow thing on my car. Also, I have spoken with the man which put that parking charge and he told me that in all Salford area is a problem with the machine ticket and we should just appeal and that should be fine. I did so in that night and nothing heard from them since 2 week ago. First I received an invoice with £100 tried to contact them several times and no answer. Yesterday I received a final demand of £160, contacted them finally they responded to my calls and said that is my responsibility becausr I didn’t called the helpline in that night to let them know about the machines error and I’m liable to pay the charge ... I just need some advice, please if someone could help me, I am thinking that’s just unfair as I’ve paid my parking...



Thank you!!!

EXCEL trying to scam people again

If the warden knew there were problems with the machines around Salford why is he issuing tickets and it is his responsibility to report the problem. It is NOT the responsibility of the motorist to know about failed machines around Salford is it

Excel should manage the car park which we know they don't.

A judge would really whoop Excel (again)

The £160 is a fake amount and a try on by debt collectors.
Were you chased by DRP

Clearly this is yet another scam by Excel. You need to explain this scam to the landowner and get your local press involved as you will not be alone.

In the meantime you ignore idiot debt collectors who are powerless .. NEVER CONTACT THEM

fisherjim

Camelia123 wrote: »

Hello everyone,
Also, I have spoken with the man which put that parking charge and he told me that in all Salford area is a problem with the machine ticket and we should just appeal and that should be fine.
Thank you!!!

Unfortunately you have fallen for their Muppets little scam, they lie to make out they are helping you, and the appeal system is fair and above board.
The reality is he doesn't want conflict, and makes out he's your cuddly parking attendant, just doing an honest job, and helping you in the bargain. None of which is the truth he's just a scamming muppet after an easy life.

Castle

Camelia123 wrote: »

Hello everyone,

I have tried to read as much as I could here as I’m new, but I’m really desperate.
I parked my car at Media City, Manchester in July this year, when I payed for the ticket I didn’t noticed that wasn’t valid, actually was already expired.

Was there a "Time printed" or "Time Issued" stated on the ticket?

Camelia123

So I paid my parking at 21:00 and the ticket expired at 21:00. They are saying that I am responsible to display a ticket that’s valid and I didn’t saw that wasn’t obviously valid. I should have called the helpline, but I asked if I don’t have my phone with me ? The response was : “You shouldn’t park there then” ... is just speechless... I also read on internet - many people are saying that as long as is not a council or dvla charge I don’t have to pay it and worry about it...
I’m just thinking if they are going in court 😖😖
Also I don’t understand what means those shortcuts, sorry I’m not from the UK.


Thank you guys, much appreciated your help!

Camelia123

No one contacted me, as you asked about DRP ? What is it?
I have only received a “final demand” from excel.

Camelia123

How can I contact the landowners?
How can I defend myself?
I just don’t know and feel so helpless...

The_Deep

It is not an easy subject to grasp, especially if you are not a native English speaker, but, unless you take ownership of the problem, you could find yourself severely out of pocket.

The complex is probably owned by The Peel Group, you defend yourself by following the advice in the stickies/FAQs.

Have you complained to your MP yet?

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.

MistyZ

Hi there.

I've noticed that the people who start off feeling totally bewildered often end up really digging their heels in and fighting the parking companies successfully. So don't think that the way you feel now will last, you'll get plenty of support here as long as you try to help yourself too.

I googled 'Media City' and found that it is owned by the Peel Group as The Deep mentions. Have a google yourself and see if you can find a number or email for them. I am not the best at locating owners / managers of premises, but in your shoes I'd contact someone from the Peel Group in the first instance. Other more experienced members may come along with better ideas but by then you'll have your email complaint ready to go to other personnel if necessary.

You explain the situation pretty well. So tidy it up a bit and compose an angry yet more or less polite email of complaint. If phoning is the only option, you can use your written complaint to guide the phone call, but email is better. This situation is entirely unfair, the driver (use that term, not 'I') was lulled into a false sense of security by the Parking Attendant. If money is tight, emphasise that. If the driver has spent any money at Media City or has some ongoing connection with the place, emphasise that too. If the driver is normally very careful about parking (and it does sound as if they are) emphasise that.

Finally, demand that the landowner cancel this exorbitant and entirely unjust charge. Are you good to go? Keep fighting! You have very good grounds on which to get this invoice cancelled.

Also, if the fact that English is not your first language causes any problems, please post here for help with the best words to use etc.