Gladstones UK CPM LBC - Settle/Concede?

mintzy

Hi I have done as this forum suggests re a private parking charge including doing an SAR when I got an LBC through from Gladstones.  But to be honest - and I know this is what these private parking cowboys want - I am disinclined to carry on.  I haven't yet received a county court claim but if I do I do not think all the effort involved in disputing it is worth it.  Even if it takes up only a few hours of my time (and I am very aware a lot of the work has been done for me on this forum).  Life is too short.  I hate to let these guys win but that's how it is.  So the question I have is can I get away with paying the original fee of £60 (the sum now is £160)?  Would Gladstones have a without prejudice discussion?  Should I wait for the court claim (which of course might not come..) or have this discussion now? And if anyone wants to persuade me not to give in I am (slightly) open to persuasion.  I should note that the 'offence' in question was parking on a (private) road where there was a sign at the entrance to the road (not seen by the driver - it was not very obvious!) saying that vehicles could only park in marked bays.

fisherjim

Why do you think Gladrags will give up their bung when they have you on the hook and the PPC have handed it over so won't break their contract with them or give up their extra payment.

It's your decision at the end of the day, but all these bottom feeders are hungry and extra greedy at the moment.

Coupon-mad

 I hate to let these guys win but that's how it is.  So the question I have is can I get away with paying the original fee of £60 (the sum now is £160)? 

Nope.  If that was an option the NEWBIES thread would say so and in some cases it might have been worth it.  No chance.   There is no easy 'out'.

Many Gladstones cases see a discontinuance before any hearing and you only need to spend half an hour editing the template defence when the time comes.  So if you can't get the landowner to cancel it then just do what the NEWBIES thread tells you to at LBC stage and get a SAR from the PPC, etc. 

mintzy

Thanks.  Ok feel more bullish today.  I'll wait for the claim to come in.  

D_P_Dance

Have you complained to your MP?

KeithP

mintzy said:

 I'll wait for the claim to come in.  

No, don't do that.

Instead, read again the last sentence of @Coupon-mad's post.
Here it is again...

So if you can't get the landowner to cancel it then just do what the NEWBIES thread tells you to at LBC stage and get a SAR from the PPC, etc. 

mintzy

I have got a SAR.  It's come back now.

mintzy

re the complaint to the landowner can you point me to a good example on the forums?  I am not a customer..

D_P_Dance

I am sure that one of these would be useful.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Complain-Essential-Consumer-Getting/dp/0993070426

mintzy

Thanks.  What I would say btw is that as a result of the SAR I have been sent all the images they have of the alleged "offence" taken at the time.  These include a photo of the parking sign.  However the photo they have sent me (which has the date and time on it) of the sign is blurred so you can't read anything on the sign.  Does that mean their case is bound to fail?  The person who took it couldn't even be bothered to get a clear legible image so where is the proof of what the sign said at that time?

Le_Kirk

That is good evidence that you can use in your witness statement to the effect that it is not possible to prove the claimant's case (if indeed they are stating that signage is clear and legible) or for your defence support if you are saying that the signage is not clear and legible.