Daft Scottish resident receives a PCN while in England and commits a boo-boo. Any advice?

Mr_Bean

Hi everyone, first time poster that I would like some thoughts on.

Disclaimer: I’m daft, I started actioning things before I started doing research, which hence led me to this site. In hindsight, I should have researched things first. I have also read the newbies thread, and several other threads on this site; but I’m still a bit unclear and would like some opinions if you all don’t mind.

Situation: Scottish resident who took a family trip down to England. We visited a living history museum, where we had to pay parking within 48 hours of leaving the site. Of course, I naturally forgot about this and ended up getting a PCN in the post from a company that belongs to the IPC. Fee of £60 that is reduced to £35 if paid within the first 14 days.

Dummy Moment: Being the nice guy that I am, I made a potentially fatal mistake (again, I started acting before researching). I went through their online appeals process, to explain the genuine mistake. I offered to pay the full daily rate but didn’t agree with the extortionate fee they were asking for. After all, we spent a lot of money on entry and within the site, so it’s a matter of principle more than anything. Digressing, during the appeals process it asked if I was the registered keeper, and I selected ‘yes’. It also asked if I was the driver, to which I also selected ‘yes’ – this was my fatal mistake.

So, my queries are:

1. Since I did admit that I was the driver, I suppose the Scottish argument of ‘no registered keeper liability’ would no longer pertain to this situation?

2. This is my first and only PCN, and the amount is only £60 - I understand that the chances of an English company bringing this into a Scottish Simple Procedure process is very very low, regardless to me admitting to being the driver?

3. If statement two is correct, then I should have no fear of ever having this affecting my credit score? Asking, as we are looking to buy a bigger house next year.

4. Bottom line, is this something I should just go ahead and pay, or ignore fully as the English company has little they can do since I am a Scottish resident?

Thanks for all that took the time to read this, and for those that responded. Apologies if I have asked silly questions that are probably littered on the board. Again, I read quite a bit last night around this topic but thought I would reach out for some peace of mind.

Sincerely,

Mr. Bean

Coupon-mad

No paying it!

This is correct:

 I understand that the chances of an English company bringing this into a Scottish Simple Procedure process is very very low, regardless to me admitting to being the driver?

If statement two is correct, then I should have no fear of ever having this affecting my credit score? Asking, as we are looking to buy a bigger house next year.

Yes, in Scotland you are safe to Ignore them and the debt letters but (as it is imperative that you see every letter to be sure)  do tell the PPC and their daft DRA your new address when you move, and tell them to erase the old one. And to stop threatening you with the English County court!

Mr_Bean

Update. As expected, next notice came through as £60. Then today I got a 'last notice' letter with a fee of £120, which was unexpected as last letter made no mention of the £60 increasing further after another 14 days.

Is £120 the max they can go since the original fee was £60? And should I be expecting letters from a debt collector next threatening me with an English county court?

Gr1pr

They can assume any figures they like in this currently unregulated industry, its just figures on paper, not real

What they say is irrelevant, its what they can prove and enforce that matters , the typical debt collectors figure is £170

The original PCN letter and the signage would not have been £60 , £60 is usually the 40% discount offer for a £100 PCN

Only Scottish solicitors and sheriffs have the powers in Scotland, neither have written to you, and probably won't 

Never take any notice of debt collectors letters, we don't in England and Wales 

Mr_Bean

Gr1pr said:

They can assume any figures they like in this currently unregulated industry, its just figures on paper, not real

What they say is irrelevant, its what they can prove and enforce that matters , the typical debt collectors figure is £170

The original PCN letter and the signage would not have been £60 , £60 is usually the 40% discount offer for a £100 PCN

Only Scottish solicitors and sheriffs have the powers in Scotland, neither have written to you, and probably won't 

Never take any notice of debt collectors letters, we don't in England and Wales 

First letter stated - "Parking Charge Amount Due £60. Payment to be made within 28 days of date issued. This parking charge is discounted to £35 if paid within 14 day of the date of this notice."

Second letter stated - "Parking Charge Amount Due £60. Payment to be made within 28 days of date issued."

That's why I am surprised, as that second letter made no mention of charge doubling to £120 if not paid within 28 days of notice.

Thanks for your info btw

Gr1pr

Very unusual, they tend to be between £70 and £100

Seems to me that they added £60 debt collectors fees to the £60 on the pcn

LDast

So, which firm of intellectually malnourished eejits have decided that you are low-hanging fruit on the gullible tree and should pay into their scam even though you are a resident of Scotland? They can only sue you in your jurisdiction. They won't because it is in Scotland and it is not worth their while and it would cost them more than they could ever hope to recover for a single PCN.

Mr_Bean

LDast said:

So, which firm of intellectually malnourished eejits have decided that you are low-hanging fruit on the gullible tree and should pay into their scam even though you are a resident of Scotland? They can only sue you in your jurisdiction. They won't because it is in Scotland and it is not worth their while and it would cost them more than they could ever hope to recover for a single PCN.

This is straight from their website... Yea, try not to laugh...

About Us

What is Park with Ease?

Established in 2012, Park with Ease is the UKs ethical parking management system. Its aim is simple; to make parking as simple and fair as possible and eradicate the issues associated with traditional parking systems such as fines and penalties.

Coupon-mad

Yes they would say that, wouldn't they?!

Hot air.