Euro car park

37yroldblonde

Hi. Received an invoice from ECP after the driver didn’t enter the car details into a Wetherspoons car park. Appealed online as the registered keeper using the template. Had an email acknowledging the appeal but then heard nothing sense. 3 months later got the next chain letter. Obviously no POPLA code included so do I now just ignore? Thanks

Fruitcake

Check your junk/spam folder just in case the reply is in there.

Complain to the BPA about the lack of PoPLA code.

Complain to your MP about this unregulated scam.

The_Deep

Indeed, nine times out of ten these tickets are scams so do just that.

Parliament is well aware of the MO of these private parking companies, and on 15th March 2019 a Bill was enacted to curb the excesses of these shysters. Codes of Practice are being drawn up, an independent appeals service will be set up, and access to the DVLA's date base more rigorously policed, persistent offenders denied access to the DVLA database and unable to operate.

Hopefully life will become impossible for the worst of these scammers, but until this is done you should still complain to your MP, citing the new legislation.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2019/8/contents/enacted

Just as the clampers were finally closed down, so hopefully will many of these Private Parking Companies.

MistyZ

Have you checked your spam folder?

What kind of 'chain letter' was this? Who from - debt collectors or ECP?

If ECP have failed to give you a POPLA code you should make a complaint to the BPA. Not that they're likely to actually do anything but it's time to have evidence of being more proactive in case this goes to court.

Something you need to do ASAP and with conviction is to complain to Wetherspoons' manager. Evidence or at least refer to how much was spent on the day / any history of repeat custom and any reasons for failing to input the details e.g. was it particularly busy and crowded? Absolutely insist that they cancel this charge with reference to ECP's failings.

37yroldblonde

Nothing in any spam/junk folder. Spoken to Wetherspoons manager twice and their head office but they weren’t interested as ECP had just taken over the car park so gave out loads of invoices I believe. The driver has evidence of eating in there as they paid for food via the app. They didn’t enter the car details as there was no need to go to the bar which is where the new tablet thing was positioned. The letter is from ECP saying it’s a final demand for payment so only the 2nd letter in. I was all geared up ready with a POPLA appeal but the lack of code meant I couldn’t do this.

Le_Kirk

I would advise the caring Wetherspoons management via an e-mail to the CEO, that neither you, your family nor your friends can afford to patronise any of their establishments if every meal comes with a £100 surcharge!

Fruitcake

As above, complain to the head honcho at Wetherspoons, and make the complaints as I suggested in post 2.

Leave negative feedback on social media to warn others about this scam.

37yroldblonde

Quick update. Complained to Wetherspoons again but they didn’t want to listen. Also complained to the BPA who have contacted me today. My complaint was made because they failed to respond to an initial appeal thus not giving a POPLA code. They have sent evidence to them they did send 1 but it was never received by me. Now getting letters, as predicted, from DRP so is it a case of sitting it out or is there another step? Cheers

Le_Kirk

I would go back to the BPA and say that they (BPA) may have seen the evidence, you have not and you now require a POPLA code in line with the Code of Practice.

37yroldblonde

Le_Kirk wrote: »

I would go back to the BPA and say that they (BPA) may have seen the evidence, you have not and you now require a POPLA code in line with the Code of Practice.

The BPA attached the letter that ECP supposedly sent me 3 months ago which had a POPLA code within it. Can I request a new one or has that ship and date sailed?

Fruitcake

37yroldblonde wrote: »

They BPA attached the letter that ECP supposedly sent me 3 months ago which had a POPLA code within it. Can I request a new one or has that ship and date sailed?

Complain to the BPA that the keeper never received a PoPLA code, and their members have provided no proof they sent anything.
Neither PPCs nor PoPLA will accept documents have been sent without proof/proof of sending, and your position is the same.
Ask why so much post from PPCs seems to go missing compared to other industries.

Also state that it is your right to an independent appeal for up to a year after the alleged event as detailed by the Alternative Dispute Resolution Act 2015. Ask why the will of parliament, and your rights as per the Act are being ignored.

What happened when you complained to your MP? It's not as if they have got much going on at the moment.