Family member received parking charge notice and is worried

GreatBritain

The family member was not the driver. The family member received a letter demanding that the fine be paid or it will rise. They also sent along pictures of the vehicle and alleged entry and exit times.

I have been searching for advice all across the Internet but receive contradictory advice.

I was advised to ignore the letter as they can't prove the vehicle remained for that duration, as they can't prove that the vehicle didn't leave and return later. Others said that an appeal needs to be made, contradicting the advice of others to make no contact whatsoever.

I had a flick through the FAQ sticky for this problem and I'll be honest, I don't understand much, and the family member has depression and can't deal with long drawn out processes.

As far as I can understand, there's the 'legal' advice, as in follow the process, and the 'practical' advice, and I've seen many people say they ignore all their letters from private companies and nothing happens. 

Am I better off ignoring it and telling my family member not to worry? 

bargepole

I've seen many people say they ignore all their letters from private companies and nothing happens. 

I can't believe that there are still people spouting this advice, which has been wrong since October 2012.

Next, there will be a story about a Japanese soldier hiding out in a jungle, unaware that WW2 has ended.

GreatBritain

bargepole said:

I've seen many people say they ignore all their letters from private companies and nothing happens. 

I can't believe that there are still people spouting this advice, which has been wrong since October 2012.

Next, there will be a story about a Japanese soldier hiding out in a jungle, unaware that WW2 has ended.

Thanks, do you recommend phoning up the superstore and asking them to get the charge removed? The family member shops there often. 

Redx

GreatBritain said:

bargepole said:

I've seen many people say they ignore all their letters from private companies and nothing happens. 

I can't believe that there are still people spouting this advice, which has been wrong since October 2012.

Next, there will be a story about a Japanese soldier hiding out in a jungle, unaware that WW2 has ended.

Thanks, do you recommend phoning up the superstore and asking them to get the charge removed? The family member shops there often. 

Yes , is the simple answer , it's plan A in the newbies FAQ sticky thread near the top of the forum in announcements

Complain to the retailer , or managing agent , or the actual landowner , preferably in writing by email

A customer complaint with cancellation is ALWAYS the best option , shouldn't need to ask , it's obvious !

Anyone who says ignoring and nothing happens should clarify the timescales

So nothing happens after 6 years in England and Wales , or 5 years in Scotland , would be a better statement

There are tens of thousands of court claims every year against people who have ignored parking charge notices !!

All of them are within those timescales , unless the claimant has made an error and tried it when out of time , as a few morons might do , but easy to state the Limitations Act 1980 in any Defence , or the Scottish version in Scotland

Get that complaint in , ASAP , no taking NO for an answer

Every PCN should be appealed ( or paid ) , NEVER ignored !!  Never !

If the relative is worried now , they will be apoplectic if they receive a court claim pack from the CCBC in Northampton within 6 years of the incident

Nobody should be advising them to ignore and not to worry , that would be foolish advice

Get it cancelled , by any means necessary !!

Coupon-mad

Yes, we recommend that.  It is PLAN A in the NEWBIES thread.

You haven't told us which PPC and it could be an easy one like Highview, APCOA, Smart Parking or Horizon, who are named in the NEWBIES thread which explains in layman's terms why those ones are a cinch to beat.

Could even be ParkingEye who cancel when people show a receipt over £30, or who might also have sent a non POFA NTK 'golden ticket' a picture of which is shown with a straightforward explanation in the 3rd post of the NEWBIES thread.

You perhaps just need to read it again, now you know what you are looking to read.  It is there to save us and you time.

GreatBritain

Coupon-mad said:

Yes, we recommend that.  It is PLAN A in the NEWBIES thread.

You haven't told us which PPC and it could be an easy one like Highview, APCOA, Smart Parking or Horizon, who are named in the NEWBIES thread which explains in layman's terms why those ones are a cinch to beat.

Could even be ParkingEye who cancel when people show a receipt over £30, or who might also have sent a non POFA NTK 'golden ticket' a picture of which is shown with a straightforward explanation in the 3rd post of the NEWBIES thread.

You perhaps just need to read it again, now you know what you are looking to read.  It is there to save us and you time.

Hi, it's Parking Eye at Asda. We've got the receipt here and the family member spent £97 at Asda. Will Asda cancel it for us? 

Coupon-mad

Of course.

D_P_Dance

Asda at very helpful.  

GreatBritain

Coupon-mad said:

Of course.

Coupon-mad said:

Of course.

Thanks guys, I'll head there now (telephone number not working), but I was concerned some jobsworth would say that they won't cancel it as we're supposed to pay for the ticket. The family member has heart problems and felt unwell so we took our time around the store and rested for a bit, forgetting about the parking. 

Redx

Complain to the store manager , but they may say that it's head office in Leeds , which it probably is

In which case fill in the customer complaint section online on their website with parking company and PCN reference number and mention frequent customers and the £97 spend , with proof if possible ( redacted bank statement or asda receipt )

Do the same with parking Eye in the appeal box or by email , with proof of patronage , so same again , as coupon mad mentioned

Add the medical issues etc , just basic details

One of them should cancel it

Ps , in my area asda parking is free , no payment required , but you have to be proactive with these things !!

Coupon-mad

Don't hand over the PCN. (only a copy, obviously) and if they fob you off that "ASDA don't own the car park, there's nothing we can do" then escalate the complaint to the Store Manager then Head Office.

Don't come back reporting a fobbing off or that you left the PCN with them.