Smart parking fine for not entering correct registration at machine

mr1980efc

Hi - hoping someone can help. I bought a ticket on 7/12/18 for Lymington Ferry car park which is run by Smart parking. 4 days later i received a letter saying that i didnt have a ticket, so i went to the car and found the paper copy, which i had entered the wrong registration as i missed the first 2 letters. I challenged the letter and sent a copy of my ticket and theyve come back saying that they are upholding the PCN as it was my fault for entering the registration incorrectly and pressing the green button. They have kindly extended the discount for an extra week. Fumming at them as i didnt exceed my stay, paid over the odds for the time in their and have proof, yest they are saying i have to pay.

Can someone advise the best approach for this?

Thanks

KeithP

mr1980efc wrote: »

Can someone advise the best approach for this?

Yes, I am happy to do that...

For the best guidance please read the post immediately above yours.

mr1980efc

Hi apologies for my stupidity but i cant see anything above my post relating to this problem ive got?

Umkomaas

mr1980efc wrote: »

Hi apologies for my stupidity but i cant see anything above my post relating to this problem ive got?

Please read the big writing in the post above yours!

Crabman

Posts have been moved from the newbie thread

Redx

POPLA, using the code they should have provided

but the error on the VRM wont help at popla

so the legal arguments will have to be tried at popla, and in court if it went that far

keep that ticket safe and scan it, take a picture of it etc

a judge may see this differently, in your favour


meanwhile , replace your VRM with an adaptation of this example


AB123CDE & 123CDE

KeithP

OP, you would be wise to remove your vehicle's registration number from your opening post.

Redx

the OP also reposted a new thread here


https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5941527/smart-parking-fine-for-not-entering-correct-registration-at-machine

The_Deep

Entering an incorrect VRN in a machine is regarded by many judges as a trifle, certainly not a breach of contract that has so damaged the PPC that they merit the award of £100 damages.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_minimis

Read what an MP said about Smart Parking in the HOC last month,


Pete Wishart (SNP, Perth):

"I am sick and tired of receiving emails from people complaining about the behaviour of parking companies, telling me that they will never again visit Perth city centre because of the negative experience they had when they had the misfortune to end up in a car park operated by one of these companies. I have received more complaints about one car park in the city of Perth than about any other issue. That car park is operated by the lone ranger of the parking cowboys: the hated and appalling Smart Parking—I see that many other Members are unfortunate enough to have Smart Parking operating in their constituencies. It has reached the stage where one member of my staff now spends a good part of each day just helping my constituents and visitors to my constituency to navigate the appeals process.
…
The BPA does not have the ability to regulate these companies and has shown no sign whatsoever that it is trying to get on top of some of the sharper practices. The BPA gives a veneer of legitimacy to some of the more outlandish rogue operators by including them in their membership, allowing them to continue to operate. The Bill will oblige
operators such as Smart Parking to amend their practices."

Why not complain to your MP about them


It is the will of Parliament that these scammers be put out of business. Hopefully that will take place in the near future. The Bill has passed through the HOC without hitch, and goes to the Lords soon. 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.