The more I come here ...

Le_Kirk

The_Deep wrote: »

Are you doing it on line? I find it far easier now than with the old paper forms.

Careful old chap! Keep this up and you'll soon know what an "app" is!

NeilCr

peter_the_piper wrote: »

The more I come on here I'm amazed at the number of drivers, wanting help, who have moved and not updated their car details. The number seems to be increasing.

I think, also, it's quite surprising how some people receive one "key" letter but, apparently, didn't get anything before that. I know from my own experience that this doesn't just happen with parking but debts, housing etc.

There is one big postal Bermuda Triangle out there!

Parkingfines

People stick their head in the sand to much

NeilCr

MistyZ wrote: »

But speaking as someone with, ahem, rather 'selective' intelligence, I try to keep an open mind about the cognitive abilities of fellow posters.

Something that intrigues and impresses me is how some folk turn up sounding worse than clueless and then proceed to demonstrate totally unfathomable levels of cluelessness. But .... after getting support and a bit of straight talking, they then produce a decent POPLA appeal .... then they may start talking SARs and LBCs and whatnot with the best of them, then they win!

.

Yes, indeed.

I completely agree with your first paragraph - apart, from saying, I make no judgement on your "selective intelligence"

;)

Where I volunteer one of the things we try to do is to work out just how capable clients would be in helping themselves. And, quite a lot, people expressing little knowledge and confidence can handle things, themselves, with a bit of help and a steer in the right direction. Often they are surprised how straightforward it is. That is a bit easier face to face than online as you can show them websites, answer basic questions etc. And, of course, they know they can come back if they get stuck.

This isn't a criticism at all - it's more a way forums work thing but, while the newbies sticky is really good I do think it looks pretty daunting and impenetrable to someone landing here for the first time and with no knowledge of the subject. Having said that I can completely understand the handful of regular, helpful posters who see the same thing asked time and again

Umkomaas

NeilCr wrote: »

Having said that I can completely understand the handful of regular, helpful posters who see the same thing asked time and again

It can be very hard going some days. At times I feel I've had enough of the same questions asked day in day out and ready to take a sabbatical, but my detestation of the scamdustry forces me on.

Over the past couple of weeks the workload has increased significantly, with often inane questions like 'what do you think a Judge might decide', when there really is no sensible answer anyone can give, showing up more and more. Then there's the significant lurch from dealing with private parking charges, to the expectation that as there is some tangential link with a long-past parking event, we are now a legal advice forum giving posters with no idea some hope they can win at court against an often fielded legally qualified rep.

Today, we have gone from the usual ~80 threads being dealt with to (currently @ 21:42) 103 cases, and the night is young.

Almost unsustainable, but I continue in awe of Coupon-mad's ability to continue with high quality and high volume advice. I think the forum would be near to implosion without her determination and stamina. She is someone who should be honoured in the New Year's honours list, not Prima Donna sports stars who just kick a football around for obscene wages, and not a lot else!

MistyZ

Extremely interesting insights Umkomaas.

This is a very unusual forum I think. Whilst most people who come here after receiving PCNs etc. are not exactly in dire straits, this is one of very few resources that offers specific and practical assistance for free and it is 'staffed' by true volunteers i.e. people who, as far as I can tell, have volunteered themselves.

Given the above, many forums would have gone completely doolally by now, but there's tremendous self-imposed discipline here. And as for the sheer commitment in terms of time and attention to detail .... well, I'm in awe.

I don't want to sound fawning, I just want you to know that I've noticed what you all do and think it's exceptional.

And yes, Coupon_mad really is a force of nature. I guess she could succeed in anything she chose to do and probably does / has done so in addition to her 'work' here, but obviously also chooses to help truly hacked-off and worried people escape the clutches of the scammers. Same as the rest of you, you know who you are LOL. Amazing!

forgotmyname

I consider myself fairly intelligent, certainly not stupid. But some of the things you guys put about the parking charges goes way over my head.

Back in this section because a family member has received a ticket and looking to see what steps we need to take. (UKPC) But i will save that for the another thread if needed.

Thanks to the knowledge here I knew the ticket received from Birmingham Airport last year was only fit for the shredder after my 6 word appeal. My appeal went something like "Not the driver, was not me". They sent new letters stating I had not appealed but they sent me a thank you for your appeal email, ignored everything after that and they appear to have given up.


Big thank you for everyone that helps, may 2019 bring forth your 6 numbers

Le_Kirk

Parkingfines wrote: »

People stick their head in the sand to much

........... or under a mountain of "lost" post.

Guys_Dad

fisherjim wrote: »

I despair at the urban myths that people people rely on when parking, the; " I sat in the car with my engine running for 30 minutes, yes there were loads of signs but I didn't think they meant waiting in the car" excuse for example.

That's the Bill Clinton defence. :rotfl:

beamerguy

Even when the new bill becomes law, we will still be busy busy as the public will be unaware

If the parking cowboys do flaunt the law after the bill is law, they will fear just how many will end up on this forum and what this forum will do about them. We know MSE is like a bible for them

Coupon-mad is certainly the Queen on here. I have heard on very good authority that the traffic wardens in the seaside town she lives in, bow down as she passes, not only in awe but in fear of what she will do next