Apcoa parking charge notice - Tesco carpark, St. Stephens, Hull - Unfair?

CupFan99

Hi,
As the registered keeper of the car, I have had a read of the Newbies thread but they're not sure if the appeal template fits the driver's case, apologised if it does.

The car park signs state 2 hours free parking as long a minimum of £5 is spent in Tesco and the receipt must be validated on the machines before leaving to validate the free parking.
It wasn't immediately clear to the driver that there would be no option to pay if they'd stayed over 2 hours.

The driver had spent over £5 in Tesco but when they came to validate their receipt, they realised they'd overstayed by an hour and when they looked for a machine to pay for the parking, no option was available.
The driver was confused by this and joined a small queue of other people questioning members staff from Tesco who'd said: "A lot of people get caught out by this, just ignore the letter if you get one".

As the keeper of the vehicle, I've received the parking charge notice 16 days after the alleged offence (the date of issue was 10 days after the alleged office).
The driver has provided me with a picture of their receipt to prove the £5 payment in Tesco - is this something that can be used in the appeal?

Thanks

Umkomaas

but they're not sure if the appeal template fits the driver's case, apologised if it does.

Did you miss the 'one size fits all' description?  Just use it, it tells the PPC you are getting forum help. 

Please provide the following:

Date of Parking event
Date of Issue shown on the Notice to Keeper - the first letter you received from APCOA
Does the letter have a paragraph about the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (Schedule 4)?

Redx

Answer the questions above

APCOA usually fail to abide by POFA , meaning an easy win for a keeper and nothing to do with the driver

Fruitcake

What happened when the keeper complained to the store manager and/or CEO? If a lot of people are getting caught by this, Tesco need to sort it out pronto.
Store staff telling people to ignore a PCN is terrible advice.

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.

CupFan99

Here is the letter I received...

Redx

not compliant with POFA, keeper has no liability

try for a TESCO cancellation first , but appeal it within that 28 day window to APCOA, say day 25 following the letter, if TESCO have not cancelled it, using the blue text template from the newbies thread at the top of this forum

no blabbing about who was driving, this will be won on a legal technicality, by the keeper

Umkomaas

As they're only asking for £20 to settle, this seems a case of miskeying (or not keying) your VRM. Seems to fit recent BPA guidelines. 

Do you want to spend a good bit of time trying to save £20, there's some research and work to do. How valuable is your time vs your principles?

CupFan99

The letter states it's £20 within the first 14 days or it goes up to £70, however, when I log in to their website it says "The amount outstanding on the Charge Notice will increase to £70.00 on Wed, 23 Sep 2020. Please pay £20.00 now." so is the letter stating 14 days so that I hurry and pay it or have they made a mistake on the letter?

Redx

The PCN is actually £70 reduced to £20 for an early payment within 14 days , the hurry up and pay us discount

The PCN is nevertheless £70 

If I were to buy a car for twenty grand with a 50% discount for early payment within 14 days , paying only ten grand for it , it's still a twenty grand car !!!

I don't think you understand the concept of a discounted price

What they are saying is that if you do not take up the discounted offer within the timeframe , by that due date , the full amount is due from that date

The PCN is £70 and is always £70 , this is the amount incurred , the charge
The payment is £20 before that due date
The  payment is £70 on and after that date

It does not go up , it's actually come down for the interim period , a bribe to stop you taking it further , easy money

CupFan99

Ok, I've just paid it. For the sake of £20, it's not worth my time to appeal.
Thanks for the advice anyway