OPS refusing payment plan

SavvySaverSam

Hi guys,

Hoping this hasn’t been answered before and I’m not wasting anyone’s time! 

So I received a PCN for an overstay at Vantage Point, Brighton. 

I contacted OPS to reject it however, ended up appealing through POPLA. 

I’m an adult with autism who occasionally has meltdowns. More often than not over the past two years. 

This was my reason for appealing as I wasn’t in a position to drive.  

Anyhow, it was rejected. To be fair, they stated I could have paid for the overstay before I left but I honestly wasn’t thinking. 

I had asked POPLA for more information during my appeal because the process didn’t make much sense to me, neither did OPS defence but was ignored. 

Long story short, I have to pay. 

I have contacted OPS to offer a payment plan of £5pcm. It’s low I know but there is a reason I’m a member here (!!!) 
They have rejected this saying I have to pay a minimum of £25pcm or they will take me to court. 

I genuinely can’t afford it. I’ve explained that rent is a priority, not an extortionate private fine but it’s fallen on deaf ears. 

Any suggestions please? 

KeithP

Phew!! That was lucky that they refused your payment plan.

There are people on this forum that know all about Vantage Point and OPS.

You won't have to wait long for a way out of this.

go-on-then

You dont 'have to pay'  anything until a judge tells you to. That's if it gets that far.

Everything will fall on deaf ears with them as they just want your money,  so please stop trying to reason with the scammers, it's pointless. 

Please read the 'Newbies'  just as everyone else has to for help and guidance on the steps to take with dealing with this. 

ParkingMad

Here are a few other threads about Vantage Point:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6118920/should-i-mediate/p1

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6250903/ops-vantage-point/p1

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6095883/ops-ltd-vantage-point-brighton-claim-form-sent/p1

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6264789/one-parking-solution-vantage-point-2022-court-date-given-finally-at-ws-stage-now/p1

https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/14819206.parking-firm-tells-pregnant-woman-she-must-pay-up/

95Rollers

Good morning, I am currently fighting a claim by O.P.S at Vantage Point.  I would advise you do to the same and I will assist you in whatever way I can. I am just waiting on court now which is scheduled for early 2022. I Echo all the advice above. 

Have you considered the Equality Act 2010?  They are not a reasonable company to deal with. Are you Brighton/ Sussex based? I would also advise you to contact your local MP and the local press. 

Are you able to post a copy of your PCN/ NTK with personal details and reference numbers blurred.  How long was this alleged "overstay"?  Had  you purchased a ticket first or just swung in there due to a medical emergency arising from your condition? I know from having a son with Autism that when he has a meltdown it uses all his energy. Again I would consider looking at the EA 2010 as not all disabilities are visible or physical and autism is covered. OPS nor many parking firms are known for their empathy. 

Popla results are not legally binding on the motorists. Many people go onto win at court despite "losing" at popla

D_P_Dance

Long story short, I have to pay. 

Only if a judge in court says you do.  Nearly all these claims fail as judges recognise them as scams.  Let  them take you to court where you have very good chance of getting money from them.

Ha ve you read thre newbies?    Have you complained to your MP? 

patient_dream

OH WOW, OPS don't belong to the human race, very sad for them ?

And as Keith says ... "That was lucky that they refused your payment plan"

Autism is now a well known medical condition that comes with it's own problems that others cannot see.

You cannot expect OPS to begin to understand, far too much greed.

Why deal with such a disgraceful company when you have a judge to deal with them.

If you lost in court, a judge would agree a payment plan and it could as low as £1 per month

Why would you lose ? OPS have bad history 

Just in case they go further, make sure you have a doctors letter to confirm Autism and the general symptons

Don't be bullied by OPS, let a judge do it

D_P_Dance

Why would you lose ? OPS have bad history 

Correction, a very bad history

fisherjim

They cannot offer you a payment plan of £5 a month by law without registering with the Financial Conduct Authority they can only offer paying in four instalments which must be paid within a year.

But why would you pay greedy muppets that want you to break their rules anyway?

95Rollers

SavvySaverSam said:

To be fair, they stated I could have paid for the overstay before I left

Well that's a lie! 

They issue loads of PCNs where people have overstayed by q matter of minutes despite paying for a full day's parking!  In my case they are going after me because I committed the most henious of acts of driving into a full capacity carpark and cruised the aisles/ waited in my car with the engine running (which the contract between them and the landowner permits! I guess they hoped I'd not find out and just pay through duress!).

If you had done this they'd have still picked up your registration on leaving and try and tax you for the period before this ticket would of been purchased. The various posts that @ParkingMad posted links for will show this. 

There is NO mention of grace periods on the poor signage (entry or otherwise). So what is the definition of an "overstay"?

In my court corresponding I got told by one employee that "no grace periods apply", another said I failed to buy a ticket within 11 minutes and the contract says you get 15 minutes- which they've deliberately omitted from the signs and the witness statements that they've signed off as bing "true"!  So even if you bought a ticket on leaving they'd have done you for not purchasing it soon enough as they have with other visitors to this location. I was also told information I requested was I their signs and privacy policy when it's clearly not! They have also refused me access to evidence that will likely exonerate me from their allegations!

When I hear of cases such as your one I KNOW I'm doing the right thing by fighting them (and DCBL) in court. A disgusting organisation who have little regards for disabilities! They've had over 11 years to grasp the basics of the Equality Act! There is no mention of it on their website! As they say themselves "ignorance is no excuse" - or is it that only applicable to attempting to coerce money from people who don't see their crap signs!?! 🤔 

patient_dream

95Rollers said:

SavvySaverSam said:

To be fair, they stated I could have paid for the overstay before I left

When I hear of cases such as your one I KNOW I'm doing the right thing by fighting them (and DCBL) in court. A disgusting organisation who have little regards for disabilities! 

I would like a pop at the DCBL bunch in court.  Their claims are so flawed