I got a PCN!

Brie

Well after months of reading posts here and all the helpful comments I finally am in the situation many other have found themselves.

Went to meet a friend for coffee and today received a PCN in the post.  But having read a lot of posts I already have an idea what to expect so was able to answer confidently when the OH asked me all sorts of concerned questions.  

So just wanted to say thanks to those of you who are habitually hanging about.

I'll see how far I get with resolving this and come back if/when I start hitting any brick walls.

Coupon-mad

Which PPC?

Fruitcake

... and where? It may have cropped up here before.

Brie

The company's called Civil Enforcement.  It was at the Starbuck's in Corfe Mullen BH21 3HA.

My coffee mate has stopped in and took photos of a sign about 4 feet above head level that states the 90 minutes but which neither of us saw.  Inside there's a odd electronic thing by the till with a P on it.  It appears this is intended for people to use to log needing more than the 90 minutes but there is indication that's what it's for so no one would know, unless of course they knew.  And the staff never mentioned anything despite us having more than one cup of coffee.

Coupon-mad

I would appeal and say the signage was inadequate and there was nothing by way of prominent signs to alert people to a hidden keypad inside, and there is no evidence of any such keypad.

Is it a POFA worded NTK?

Brie

Coupon-mad said:

Is it a POFA worded NTK?

yes

dated 17/11 for an "offence" on 8/11

£100 reduced to £60 for payment within 14 days (which won't be happening) and an additional £70 charge for debt collection if nothing is paid by 17/12 (which is contradicted on the next page implying it's 18/12)

Interesting of note to me was that the name of the establishment wasn't named.  There's only Starbucks.  But I suppose it's a standard form that must do for them when it's 1 shop or 40.  

Coupon-mad

I think it will be hard to win at POPLA but worth a try, focussing on £100 being hidden in small print on the outside signs and a LACK of signs inside and how hidden the keypad is.

You'll need photo evidence. No close ups.

Brie

small update...I went to talk to the people at Starbucks who agreed that if I had noticed the signs (outside only, nothing on the way in to SBs or inside by the till) then they would have been able to give me an exemption for staying more than 90 minutes.  But as it was a couple of weeks after the event they couldn't at this point do anything "as we don't have enough spare exemptions available this month".  This means that possibly they might be able to do an exemption for 8th Nov early in December but the individual I talked to said "but you need to pay by then so that's no good".  Except that that's the reduced £60 payment not the full £100 one.   

So I'm considering going back in December (can't until at least 6th due to personal stuff) to ask again.  And then there's another 10 days or so to file an appeal if I need to.  

Or I can pay in the £60 in the next couple of days to make it all go away.  And kick myself for several months after.

Grizebeck

No you dont pay

Brie

Grizebeck said:

No you dont pay

I agree that I shouldn't.  But I better understand now why some people want to just to resolve the problem.  It's easy to say "don't pay" when you're not the individual and don't know what the knock on effects are of a PCN to their life. 

AND  I should have specifically asked....has anyone heard of a place being able to not log something due to having used up their exemptions?  Or being able to then log an exemption a couple of weeks later??

Umkomaas

Some PPCs 'allow' their contracting principal to cancel a fixed number of PCNs per month. Some are free of charge, some where an admin charge (£10-£15ish) is payable, above the agreed number the principal can be asked to pay off the full charge to cancel. Some PPCs allow no principal cancellations.  It's a very mixed bag.