Zipcar PCN - 75 days after alleged offence

bobbybobbo

Okay, thank you so much! I've replied as you've advised.

bobbybobbo

Got a less than favourable reply from Zipcar:

In the member contract it is stated that members are responsible for any PCN issued during or as a result of their use of a Zipcar vehicle.

The company that issued the PCN was "TNC Parking Services"and they are an Approved Operator and member of the British Parking Association and any PCN issued by them is valid.

This issue has been reviewed at a managerial level and it is our understanding that we have dealt accordingly, as such I am afraid that you are liable for this and we will need to charge your account for this PCN.

I understand that this is a frustrating situation, but we need you to remember that PCNs are not issued by Zipcar, but by the local authority. We try to accommodate our members as best we can, but we, as a company need to recover the costs of these fines from the members responsible.

Immediately afterwards got an automated email saying that a PCN has been paid on my behalf and the charges added to our monthly invoice. The invoice amount is charged to the account on file at the start of every month, so it will be charged in a few days.

KeithP

I understand that this is a frustrating situation, but we need you to remember that PCNs are not issued by Zipcar, but by the local authority. We try to accommodate our members as best we can, but we, as a company need to recover the costs of these fines from the members responsible.

They still don't understand, do they?

"local authority"??
but they've already said:

The company that issued the PCN was "TNC Parking Services"

"fines"??

twhitehousescat

TNC are not a parking Co , they are a debt collection company , TNC never issued a ticket on the car

bobbybobbo

twhitehousescat wrote: »

TNC are not a parking Co , they are a debt collection company , TNC never issued a ticket on the car

Yup, they really don't get it.

twhitehousescat

TNC have not got authority from the BPA / DVLA to issue tickets on cars

bobbybobbo

So what options do I have now? How do I go about escalating to the BVRLA? Is there any formal procedure or do I just write an informal email?

KeithP

Google is your friend:

www.bvrla.co.uk/consumer-advice/making-a-complaint-adr.html

bobbybobbo

Thanks Keith. Any tips on the content of the letter? Things to include are: the fact they did not let me know within the 28 days as advised by BVRLA and POFA 2012, their terms do not cover private parking invoices, they did not provide a shred of evidence of the contravention other than a letter from a debt collector, their delays meant a £60 charge turned into a £140 charge. Anything else I should be mentioning?

nosferatu1001

Start with the terms do not cover parking charges from private firms, and Zipcar cannot fail to understand this point as they are large enough a firm to have taken some advice.
You then mention that despite this being none of your concern, tehy have also failed by....

As these are secondary to the core issue

Chargeback I would suggest.