Euro car parks PCN during COVID-19 Lockdown

DimDi

HI there,
Newbie here(NEWBIES FAQs checked).As I coudn't find any related threads I'm posting a new one with my case and hopefully others can benefit from your help too:)
In the end April I park on M&S parking operated by ECP.It's paid and up to 2 hours which you can reclaim in store if you spend £5 or more.Anyway at this time due to the COVID situation,the two payment machines was off and there was note on them from M&S/ECP stated "To enable all our customers time to carry out their shopping during this Period,the customer car park will be free for all users fo 2 hours effective Wednesday the 1st of April."There was no way you can pay as the machines was switched off(Have photos of that).As I was 30 weeks  pregnant I had an appointment with the midwife ( surgery is about 5 min. away from the car park) which was done for about 20 min. and then I went to M&S .Due to COVID lockdown measures the queue was huge,the 2 meters rule was on and the organisation in the store wasn't great.I can't recall but most of the things I wanted to buy was out of stock and I end up buying a pack of nappies and some other small things for which I unfortunately paid cash(Once again the queues on the tills was huge too).Then I left the store,took the car from the car park and went home.Due to the pregnancy as well  I'm slower and everything takes much more time than normal.A week ago I received a Final Notification Letter stating that I have an outstanding balance of £85 for overstaying for 45 min.On last Friday I went to the M&S store and spoke with the manager,but I've been told that because the COVID there is quite huge amount of complaints and they do not have the resource to deal with ECP.He said that the only way is to appeal with ECP and the PCN should be cancelled as at that time the parking was free of charge and therefore there was no loss for the company at all.I've been left frustrated and with baby due soon that's the last thing I want to be worried about .
Hopefully the above makes sense as now I'm not sure how to proceed,despite reading the NEWBIES thread. I'll be grateful if I can get any help dealing with that matter.
It's disgusting that even in this uncertain times,companies like ECP has been left to do whatever they want with people,which lives,jobs  and day to day tasks are changing dramatically- especially with relation to time.
Thank you all in advance and stay safe.
Di

KeithP

I'll repeat what I wrote on another ECP thread about half an hour ago...

The registered keeper should send the already written for you blue text template appeal easily found in the first post of the NEWBIES thread.
Send it unchanged - no additions or alterations needed.
Send it as the keeper. Do not disclose the driver's details - ever.

DimDi

KeithP said:

I'll repeat what I wrote on another ECP thread about half an hour ago...

The registered keeper should send the already written for you blue text template appeal easily found in the first post of the NEWBIES thread.
Send it unchanged - no additions or alterations needed.
Send it as the keeper. Do not disclose the driver's details - ever.

KeithP ,thanks for your quick response.So the facts doesn't matter at this stage and I should proceed with the normal steps - ECP appeal,POPLA appeal etc.? I'm on it then and  keep the thread updated.

KeithP

There are too many complaints? That local manager needs to find a way of reducing the number of complaints to a manageable number.

Complain higher up through M&S. I'm sure their CEO would love to hear how a local manager doesn't have time to deal with customer complaints.

DimDi

KeithP said:

There are too many complaints? That local manager needs to find a way of reducing the number of complaints to a manageable number.

Complain higher up through M&S. I'm sure their CEO would love to hear how a local manager doesn't have time to deal with customer complaints.

I'll do that then and in the same time I'll appeal with ECP as keeper.
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3774243/complain-to-ceo/p1 I wonder if that's still up to date?

KeithP

From 2012? Unlikely.

Find any CEO's email address on www.ceo email.com
(remove the blank)

Le_Kirk

KeithP said:

There are too many complaints? That local manager needs to find a way of reducing the number of complaints to a manageable number.
Complain higher up through M&S. I'm sure their CEO would love to hear how a local manager doesn't have time to deal with customer complaints.

....especially when that customer tells the CEO that neither they, their family nor their friends will be using that particular M&S store (or any M&S store) EVER again.

Umkomaas

On last Friday I went to the M&S store and spoke with the manager,but I've been told that because the COVID there is quite huge amount of complaints and they do not have the resource to deal with ECP.

He only needs to send ECP one letter - 'Please cancel all parking charges from xx/yy/2020 to xx/yy/2020', which will reduce the parking-related complaints he has to deal with by 100%. 

D_P_Dance

Nine times out of ten these tickets are scams, so consider complaining to your MP., it can cause the scammer extra costs, and in some cases, cancellation. 

Parliament is well aware of the MO of these private parking companies, many of whom are former clampers, 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 later this year,

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

DimDi

I just wrote to M&S CEO and also complete the appeal with ECP. I'll update as soon as I have any answer.
Thanks again to all of you

DimDi

Got a response from M&S telling me the same  rubbish things.I guess that I’ve never visit their store again.That’s the answer:

Thank you for taking the time to write to Steve Rowe. As a member of the Executive Team, I am responding on his behalf. 

I am sorry you have received a parking fine following your visit to our St Albans M&S in June. I understand the upset this has caused and why you have brought it to our attention. 

 

The car park in the location is operated by a third party, Euro Car Parks. There is clear signage on display throughout the car park advising of the terms and conditions. There is a two hour maximum time frame to use the car park and this has been the limit since before the pandemic. I am sorry, but you would have to contact Euro Car Parks to appeal this directly, as we would be unable to intervene. 

 

I apologise we are unable to assist you further in regard to the parking charge notice, but I would like to thank you for taking the time to bring it to Steve's attention. 

Kind regards

Executive Team
Your M&S Customer Service

I’ll wait now for ECP appeal response.