Local Retail Park now has UKPC - Penalty Charge for overstay - Had no idea!

bex88

Hi all, 
Was so shocked today to come home to see a letter from UKPC for a Parking Charge for overstaying the time limit of 3 hours at a local retail park. I have lived here and shopped there for years, never with any issue of moseying around for hours in handful of shops they have there and also sometimes treating myself to a costa too.

Upon entering the retail park on my more recent visit, I was completely unaware of anything different - didn't notice the cameras or any new signage, but then it wouldn't be something I would be expecting to look for since there has not been any problem before. 

The charge of £60 (increasing to £100 after 14 days) for overstaying by 1h 15. I can literally barely afford it (especially as it's the run up to Christmas). The retail park only has half a dozen shops and a Costa, A poundstretcher, OneBelow, B&M, 2 charity shops, Argos and a sports Direct. Many people like myself shop there because it is affordable. The car park itself is rarely ever really busy, in fact, most of the time it's pretty quiet - especially when I went on a quiet midweek afternoon - with just the exception of right before Christmas itself. 

As someone who is very scared to get into any kind of conflict or trouble, I was just going to pay it and struggle the rest of the month with about £2 to my name... but I thought I would have a read up if other's have had the same issue here and ended up coming across this forum section, with some quite inspiring positive success posts.

I have read through the newbie sticky and it's quite overwhelming, but I thought since only just receiving the letter, there is some time perhaps to try out at least contacting some of the shops about it, or the site owner if I can work that out? (Shall I mention on here which retail park?)

Not too sure if there is any grounds for it to be cancelled, really I guess I'm hoping for a bit of compassion and the fact that now I am aware, I will know for future visits (although in all honesty I really don't feel like I want to go there again any more because timed / rushed Christmas shopping when you're on a tight budget is not a fun experience)  

Hope some can lightly advise - sorry to waffle on. If you think it's too much hassle, I will just pay it.

Many thanks in advance lovelies x

Coupon-mad

Welcome!

You don't seem to have taken in the advice in the NEWBIES thread yet.  No link needed as you say you saw it.

Please read that again, to kill this trash off.

  

bex88

Hi Coupon-mad , 

There is a lot to it, I was just hoping maybe someone could tell me in simple terms based on my charge situation if it's worth to complain to the stores/site owner or not? I think people that have been through this themselves may just say yes, but I really want to avoid major hassle, worry and upset for myself - so if it's a real pain and you have to be good with your words, I might struggle and find this all a bit too difficult  
But I shall go back and re-read again, in case I missed anything that might make it clearer to me.
Thank you

Coupon-mad

The NEWBIES thread was written to stop us drowning in threads. It saved us and we are still here because the basic stuff is all there.

Plan A is very clear! 

bex88

I do understand, I'm sorry to seem a bit stupid with all this, I've never had to do it before and as I say, I'm not usually a fighter (though I wish I was more confident in standing up for myself when it comes to this type of thing - hoping others can encourage me along really).

Just re-reading the Plan A section and clicked on the link to success complaints. I understand I need to make a complaint sound polite but angry - It's just I don't know where / who to start with and really, what to actually say for a best chance. I shopped in B&M (Have receipt), Onebelow (Have receipt), Poundstretcher (Have receipt) and Cancer research charity shop and browsed North Norfolk Hospice shop for a good while. Do I visit them, email, FB message, which would be best? Or do I just try to find out the Site owner instead? I couldn't see much info for this in the Sticky, am I missing it?

Jeez, just also noticed that it says reduced price within 14 days of the parking charge date, that was the 15th (last week) and I only just got the letter on the 23rd, so doesn't give me long now!

Coupon-mad

Jeez, just also noticed that it says reduced price within 14 days of the parking charge date, that was the 15th (last week) and I only just got the letter on the 23rd, so doesn't give me long now!

Can I suggest you read the Q&A again please?  14 days isn't a consideration. 

bex88

It says " Q - ''My PCN says the 'fine' will go up after 14 days, so why are you suggesting I wait before appealing?''
A - FORGET THE '14 DAYS JITTERS'. THE 'DISCOUNT' IS A BRIBE NOT TO APPEAL."

However that is if you are planning to go ahead and appeal? - I really don't want to rock the boat - I'm just after advice for trying the Plan A first part of complaining to retailers / site owner, just to at least see if that is at all successful as that is the simplest part and I have seen it can be successful.

Edit: I've found out that it is Avison Young who owns the site, there is a contact email for a Mark Phelps - should I complain straight to him do you think?
Is there any template I can use to help with what to say? 

These are articles from our local newspapers about the place I found when looking it up today:
https://www.fenlandcitizen.co.uk/news/boycott-call-for-fenland-retail-park-over-parking-enforcemen-9328274/
https://www.cambsnews.co.uk/news/shoppers-threaten-boycott-after-parking-clampdown-on-fens-retail-park/14237/

Many thanks!

Le_Kirk

You say you have shopped there for years without any trouble; have you seen any new recent signs advising shoppers that the terms and conditions were changing to limit the amount of time (and therefore money) spent there?

bex88

Le_Kirk said:

You say you have shopped there for years without any trouble; have you seen any new recent signs advising shoppers that the terms and conditions were changing to limit the amount of time (and therefore money) spent there?

I have not personally noticed any signage like that at all. Not to say it wasn't there, but definitely did not know anything about them planning & getting ANPR and a parking attendant in the car park, which is why I was so shocked.

bex88

If there is anyone that can help me with how to word an email to Avison Young and/or the stores, I would be very grateful, I want to get this done Asap as it's Friday and they may take a while to respond. Or if there is a link to someone else's that is similar I can amend, that would be great, or just have some bullet point advise on what to say and what not to? Any help very appreciated x

1505grandad

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

The above post contains 85 pages of successful complaints  -  might provide some inspiration for you. Good luck.