Virgin active car parking penalty

clare10a

Can I please have an opinion/advice on the following please. 
I received a car parking charge whilst at my gym - virgin active Twickenham. Members need to enter their car registration details upon entry so that you can use the parking facilities there. It’s run by a separate company. 

The manager of the gym mentions that she cannot see my car reg details entered onto her system but I could of sworn that they were entered. She has sent me a screen shot of my membership and proof of entering the gym and I have forwarded this to the company as part of the appeal process. I have a horrible feeling they won’t accept it. My question is if they don’t accept the appeal, where do I stand? 

Thanks in advance. 

Fruitcake

You have not received a penalty.

Which PPC issued the PCN?

Why hasn't the gym owner/manager instructed the PPC to cancel the charge instead of requiring you to do so. If it were me, I would be looking for a new gym that doesn't penalise genuine members, and letting the gym owner/manager know why you are cancelling your membership.

Have you complained to your MP yet?

Did you reveal the driver's identity in your appeal?

The sticky Announcement for NEWBIES answers all your questions, and tells you what to do if/when the initial appeal is rejected.

Coupon-mad

The NEWBIES thread tells you where you stand at every stage.  Please read it first.

You won't be paying.  Which PPC?

clare10a

Thanks for your response. The company are called total parking solutions. 

I have been told that this happens a lot by front staff even if a customer enters their reg.
Virgin active need to be thinking of a better parking procedure….it’s pretty shocking that they appear to be walking away from it. I have raised a complaint with Virgin. 

Half_way

Is this car park the gyms car park, or is the gym on a retail park with other retailers/units?
is the parking company working for or is on behalf of the gym what do the signs say?
where exactly is it?

Coupon-mad

clare10a said:

Thanks for your response. The company are called total parking solutions. 

I have been told that this happens a lot by front staff even if a customer enters their reg.
Virgin active need to be thinking of a better parking procedure….it’s pretty shocking that they appear to be walking away from it. I have raised a complaint with Virgin. 

If they reject the appeal that's not a 'horrible' situation; it's fully expected from this rogue industry.  Declining appeals is what they do.

See the 3rd post of the NEWBIES thread for next stage, if you bother.

Personally I wouldn't bother.  If Virgin Active won't step in and cancel it, I'd tell TPS to hurry up and take it to court as their system failed (and Virgin have confirmed this is common). As it is a disputed debt, under CSA rules it is not acceptable to farm out to their thug mates to send red demands for an inflated £170. 'Put up or shut up' etc.  

clare10a

So the latest is that Total parking have come back and refused the appeal but as a gesture of good will, they are willing to let me off with a £20 fine. I don’t think this is acceptable as a full paying VA member. 

I sent this across to the VA manager and she said it’s out of her hands now. The car park is owned by RFU (rugby) and they also own the VA gym. I have asked her to check the cctv as I’m sure I signed in! 

KeithP

Clare, you appear not to have noticed @Fruitcake's post.   

Chrisso737

similar issue on my side Clare, unfortunately my plea with VA management also fell on deaf ears - will be escalating to VA head office and letting justice take its course with the car park management company, whatever that outcome may be.

its a shame VA are unable to stand behind its paying members. 

Nellymoser

its a shame VA are unable to stand behind its paying members. 

Unable or refuse to?

Chrisso737

Probably the latter.