Receive UKPC Parking Charge

RissyMcG

Ok.  Just curious then.  Why does your signature say “don’t pay, but don’t ignore it”, but then you’re now telling me to ignore it?

Umkomaas

RissyMcG said:

Ok.  Just curious then.  Why does your signature say “don’t pay, but don’t ignore it”, but then you’re now telling me to ignore it?

'Don't ignore' relates to the initial parking charge (although a small number of PPCs can be ignored at that stage too), but once you get to DRA stage, it's ignore all of them - there are only two workable options for you at DRA stage - pay them their demands, or ignore them.  All of this is in the NEWBIES FAQ Announcement.

RissyMcG

What is DRA?

So i've not ignored the initial parking charge, i've responded to it.  But then i'm told i shouldn't have done that.

You must see i'm continually being fed conflicting information.  It's no wonder i'm confused.

I'm sorry i need spoon feeding.  This is all new to me unlike yourselves.

KeithP

Have you read the fourth post of the NEWBIES thread yet?

It explains exactly how to deal with debt collector's letters, but to summarise that post - ignore them.

Coupon-mad

RissyMcG said:

What is DRA?

So i've not ignored the initial parking charge, i've responded to it.  But then i'm told i shouldn't have done that.

You must see i'm continually being fed conflicting information.  It's no wonder i'm confused.

I'm sorry i need spoon feeding.  This is all new to me unlike yourselves.

Debt Recovery Agent.  You ignore them.

RissyMcG

KeithP said:

Have you read the fourth post of the NEWBIES thread yet?

I've been attempting to read the whole thing in stages, but it's all very complicated and a bit overwhelming with links everywhere.  I keep losing the place and getting distracted and lose my course through all the links i'm supposed to refer to.

The place where my "violation" occurred has a website and this allows me to email them.

I'm thinking about writing to them (post UKPC appeal, but pre anything else to follow).  Your advice suggests this is good thing to do within the first post.

What exactly should I say there (if you agree to this course of action)?

Is there a template for that some place?

Do i refer to my parking charge reference number, or registration number in my communications to them etc.?

Coupon-mad

Just read the fourth post of the NEWBIES thread only. Very uncomplicated - it laughs at the DRAs' threatograms and clearly says ALL their letters must be ignored.

That advice (FOR THAT STAGE) is clear, not conflicting and has never changed in the 15 years I've been posting on this parking board.

Then for clues as to how to word a landowner complaint, you just read SUCCESSFUL COMPLAINTS ABOUT PPCs (obviously read the LATEST posts not old ones from a decade ago!).

Complaining to the retailers is obviously the first thing anyone would do - at ANY stage - and that's why it's the very first hyperlink I provide in the NEWBIES thread right at the start near the first Q&A.

RissyMcG

Is this the areas you mean?

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4766249/successful-complaints-about-private-parking-tickets-how-to-get-them-cancelled/p82

now up to 82 pages!  This is a lot for me to try to hunt through to find something similar to use, so i've got my own draft email here for the retail park.  Can you advise if this is ok?  My intention was to attach a photograph taken my UKPC which will give them my registration number.  Should i also tell them my charge number from UKPC?

To whom it may concern,

I was on holiday at the beginning of July (5th), and whilst in Edinburgh, my partner and I decided to visit your retail park.  We visited Nandos for dinner and followed this up with a visit to Cineworld to see the latest Indiana Jones movie.  We had a lovely evening there, and were planning to revisit to make use of some of the other amenities you have there.

However,

On the 23rd of July, I received a parking charge notice from UKPC who I believe you employ to represent you at your retail park with regards to your parking facility.

The notice states "Not parked correctly within the markings of the bay or space."

They are demanding £100 from me to settle this matter.

I attach a copy of one of five photographs they have submitted to me to back up their claim against me.

Please see attached.

Whilst I understand and agree with the policing of public car parking facilities and the targeting of violators who are clearing causing an obstruction or preventing the use of a space other than that they have paid for themselves, it is clear that in this case, this parking has not done this.

The choice made to park outwith the designated lines for this particular space was a conscience one as this decision was not going to cause any obstruction, or cause any inconvenience to anyone.  This parking has not prevented anyone from using any space(s) adjacent to this space.

As can be seen clearly in the photograph attached, the vehicle is surrounded by building obstruction whilst parked in this location.

On one side of the vehicle is a concrete wall.

Behind the vehicle is a concrete and steel barrier with no access or egress routes available through this.

On the other side of the vehicle there is a concrete pillar between the space occupied by the vehicle, and the adjacent space.  In fact, this concrete pillar encroaches into the marked parking bay, meaning there is not a full space there without obstruction.

Attempting to keep within the lines pointlessly here when there is so much free space available to utilise on the other side of the marked bay, increases the chance of potential damage to a vehicle where this could so easily be avoided.

In my opinion, there is no good reason why the white parking bay outline should not fall directly in the middle between the two obstructions on either side of where my vehicle is shown; rather than be pushed over to one side, forcing one to navigate closer to an obstruction than is necessary.  Any sensible and practical person can see there is no need for this when only one available space occupies this position.

In my opinion, this is an unfair proposed violation on the part of UKPC.

I am in full awareness of my legal standing on this civil matter and I know that this style of demand for money from UKPC is unjust, unfair and extremely frowned upon in the eyes of the law and the UK government, especially as they are not even a company who operate from within Scotland.

I am writing to you, their employer, to give you the opportunity to request UKPC to drop the charges against me before this matter gets even more blown out of propotion than it already has.  UKPC, nor any of their other employed debt collecting agencies will ever receive any money from me as a result of their demands and harrassments towards me to pay them illegally through their illicit charging and "discount" bribary system.

I am prepared to take this company to court over this matter if this becomes necessary.

I would very much like to continue to use your facilities as my partner and I had agreed in discussions whilst there earlier this month, but I feel that if this matter is not resolved cleanly and quickly with your influence over UKPC, then I fear we will never return again.  We will also have no option but to advise others of the same if our good experience is tainted by this nasty company your estalishment have chosen to employ.

I look forward to hearing back from you regarding this matter.

Best Regards,

I know you guys are all regulars here and you're familiar with how this site has built up and evolved over the years, but from someone who's never done this before, or been here before, I can tell you that this is all too much to take in at once.  My brain is not finding this easy at all.  I don't have long enough to live to get through 15 years worth of posts from many many others.  I, just like many others before me i'm sure, are in need of tapping into your expertise on a more personalised approach which you seem to want to offer, but i'm finding your approach difficult to follow.  I'm very sorry.

pustit

This is MSE, money saving experts. The regulars on here are just that, experts at saving you money. 

Umkomaas

I know you guys are all regulars here and you're familiar with how this site has built up and evolved over the years, but from someone who's never done this before, or been here before, I can tell you that this is all too much to take in at once.  My brain is not finding this easy at all.  I don't have long enough to live to get through 15 years worth of posts from many many others.  I, just like many others before me i'm sure, are in need of tapping into your expertise on a more personalised approach which you seem to want to offer, but i'm finding your approach difficult to follow.  I'm very sorry. 

In which case, please just follow our advice. There's no need to overthink this, as that alone seems to be giving you a real problem. Would you question your Dr so unbelievingly when he/she says you've got an ingrown toenail?  So see us in the same light. And trust me, an ingrown toenail is far more painful than dealing with private parking firms, (especially in the context of Scotland!). Sleep easy, let this thing go, ride out any silly debt collector letters, I doubt you'll hear from UKPC themselves again.