I called PCM after receiving debt collectors letter in panic. Have I messed up?

Coupon-mad

You are still wondering whether to pay even though you know PCM were outed on Watchdog, and feature in endless Parking Prankster Blogs about 'Mrs Sunglasses' and other predatory employees, and NEVER win a defended case here?

PCM are lying about Vine. You can find that by searching the forum for 'Vine'!

In the case Vine v Waltham Forest LBC (2000) the precedent was set that once is it established that sufficient and adequate warning signs are in place, a driver cannot be heard to say they did not see the notice.

beamerguy

Villager1 wrote: »

I'm a 32 year old female so scotch isn't really my drink plus everyone should be on dry January!!

That's positive, keep it up

Egbert_Nobacon

Hi Villager1,

Hope this may give you more courage.
My daughter got a parking invoice from PCM which went to court last November.
We didn’t find this site until about a week before the court case and made a right pig’s ear of the procedure relying purely on inadequate signage.
However the DJ found in our favour dismissing the claim ����
PCM didn’t attend which probably helped.

I would suggest that you will not only win this on quoting “Grace Periods “ but could claim unreasonable behaviour costs and also a claim for acquiring your data without justification as this claim is so weak.

This could well amount to 4 figures so go for it and punish the scammers for the grief they have caused you.

The excellent regulars on this site may guide you through this if they agree with my remarks.

GOOD LUCK you can easily beat the PCM scum.

Villager1

Thank you for the feedback on your daughters case that’s very promising! I felt vulnerable dealing with this initially but have had a lot of encouraged support on here so will pursue it to court (as that’s how PCM seem to deal with their claims).

My only worry I guess has been that I may go work abroad for a while and i could miss some important post if this gets dragged on... Also haven’t had a chance to go back and take photos and worry they put up new signs before I get round to doing that..

Le_Kirk

If you go to work abroad for any length of time, just inform the PPC/solicitor of your address for service.

mnkut

Villager1 wrote: »

Thank you for the feedback on your daughters case that’s very promising! I felt vulnerable dealing with this initially but have had a lot of encouraged support on here so will pursue it to court (as that’s how PCM seem to deal with their claims).

My only worry I guess has been that I may go work abroad for a while and i could miss some important post if this gets dragged on... Also haven’t had a chance to go back and take photos and worry they put up new signs before I get round to doing that..

Do take pics, but also remember Google street view has a(in most cases) year on year view. So you can illustrate to the judge using this as well.
I won today at court against PCM and I'd be happy to assist you, it's definitely an easy win and great experience!

Villager1

Thanks all, I’ve got photos now from google maps (which definitely confirms ridiculous signage and nothing specifically around the bay I dropped off) and also has the creepy attendant stood on the other side of the road. Funny enough 2 cars parked there on google maps are also “outside of bay” so that’s also proof the signage is absolute rubbish.

I’m eager to get prepared for court! How long will I be waiting? Should I hang fire till I do hear from court? It’s like an assignment I want to start early and pass with flying colours!

Coupon-mad

Wow you have come on in in leaps and bounds, regarding your approach to this case and exposing the scam. Jolly good!

mnkut has offered to assist you as well, as he/she has won PCM cases. They are one of the easier firms to beat as they operate such a predatory model, with most PCNs issued in minutes having given a driver no hope of having read the signs that they then rely on.

No contract = no case.

As steve1500 said:

...this is so easy to win. Even at the appeal, you stopped for 30 - 60 secs

You have to be allowed to read the signs - The plant life are just trying to bully you.

Remind us what stage you are at, as this thread is soooo long?

Parkingfines

They have up to 6 years in England to issue a claim from you.

If you get a letter before claim let us know. Ignore any further debt collector letters.

CM the OP has had a debt collector letter so nothing else to be done now

Umkomaas

Will you have someone handling your post here while you are working abroad? How long do you anticipate being abroad?