UKPC - 4 tickets - my mistake

Qwertyman1234

I've read the newbie thread, and can't see anything along the same lines, but please let me know if I'm mistaken.
TL;DR - I got 4 parkcing charges, and I am at fault, but the owner was abroad, and it's too expensive, is there anything I can do?

A month ago, I parked in a retail park (3 hour free parking) for 4 1/2 hours.
I was driving my mum's car, while she was abroad.

I realised when I got back to the car park that I'd overstayed, but didn't see any cameras, and thought maybe I'd get away with it...
When I hadn't heard anything after a week, (my parents normally open each others post, so I thought my dad would pass anything on if it came) I thought I could get away with it, plus read an old forum post somewhere saying that these companies were illegal and could be ignored.

So I got cocky parked there again 3 more times over the course of the last 4 weeks.

Mum got back to the UK a couple of days ago, and had 4 UKPC parking charge letters waiting for her, £60 within 14 days or £100 after that.

I was way over the 3 hour limit in all cases, used the shops there a couple of times, but basically was chancing it (again, stupid, I know).

2 of them are already more than 14 days ago, 2 are 11/12 ago.

I'm happy to pay some amount for these, I was in the wrong, and I'm not looking to get something for nothing.
But I'm wondering if there's any way to negotiate a lower price to pay them all, or if I can use the fact that the owner was abroad for the duration and I didn't get them until now to pay less.

Thank you.

Coupon-mad

Did they all arrive within 15 days of the parking event day they relate to? Check.

Qwertyman1234

Thank you.
I've got a feeling the envelopes will have gone out when the recycling got collected this morning, but the latest 2 certainly have arrived within 15 days. Will check.

If I can't show that they didn't arrive within 15 days, is that case closed?

Umkomaas

If I can't show that they didn't arrive within 15 days, is that case closed?

No, but it could get your mother out of the loop with a significant of work that you've 'gifted' her.

List each parking charge - the date of the parking event and the date of issue of the respective Notice to Keeper.

Coupon-mad

I didn't ask you to look at the envelopes, which rarely help. Look at the date sent.

Qwertyman1234

- parking event: 22/01/19
- date of issue: 28/01/19

- parking event: 23/01/19
- date of issue: 29/01/19

- parking event: 04/02/19
- date of issue: 13/02/19

- parking event: 13/02/19
- date of issue: 20/02/19

Thanks

fisherjim

Qwertyman1234 wrote: »

So I got cocky parked there again 3 more times over the course of the last 4 weeks.

That attitude is one of the reasons these scammers exist, you are now in it for the long haul.

Qwertyman1234 wrote: »

But I'm wondering if there's any way to negotiate a lower price to pay them all, or if I can use the fact that the owner was abroad for the duration and I didn't get them until now to pay less.
Thank you.

Not a chance, and the fact you have amassed so many makes a court claim a 99% certainty.

Coupon-mad

OK, and is there any scope to complain to the retailers, or were you abusing the car park and not even shopping there?

Qwertyman1234

That attitude is one of the reasons these scammers exist, you are now in it for the long haul.

Yep, fully accept it was my stupidity - no arguments there - was in a rush and paying the price.

any scope to complain to the retailers

I did shop there on occasion - grabbed a sandwich, bought a razor... but I had a look at my bank account and can only see 1 relevant payment made by card - the rest must've been cash.

Coupon-mad

OK so you could try a complaint to some of the Managers there. Worth a try, take the PCNs in and ask if they can cancel any as you were a genuine shopper but paid cash.

You never know, you might find a Manager who hates this scam.

Qwertyman1234

I'm not going to be there in person until after the 14 days is up, but I'll call them tomorrow.

Thanks for your time