IMPORTANT: Please make sure your posts do not contain any personally identifiable information (both your own and that of others). When uploading images, please take care that you have redacted all personal information including number plates, reference numbers and QR codes (which may reveal vehicle information when scanned).

EXCEL PARKING - FEETHAMS LEISURE CAR PARK

Hi all - thanks for leading the way against these rogues!

My case, in summary:

  • Received NTK from Excel 12 Aug (for not paying within time allowed)
  • Appealed to Excel - Rejected
  • Appealed to IAS - Rejected
  • 2x Debt Recovery letters (£170) from DCB Ltd - ignored
  • Several phone calls from DCB Ltd - ignored
  • Letter of Claim received from DCB Legal dated 2 Dec - that's where I'm currently at.

I've read lots on the Newbie Thread and others and so I think I know what the process looks like from here and I understand that I have 30 days from 2 Dec to reply to the LoC stating that I intend to defend the claim. The advice on here appears to be that I should not use the link in their letter to submit my response but instead should email them a letter - can anyone confirm that is the way to do it and, for the benefit of my own curiosity, explain why not to use their portal (not sure that I've come across a good explanation of that - apologies if I've missed it)?

Also, is their an optimum date for me to be responding to the LoC within the 30 day window (assuming that I've got this correct)?

If anything above worries anyone that I actually don't know what's going on, and about to make a huge error, then please shout out! Happy to supply any further information if it would be useful.

Thanks
«13

Comments

  • Gr1pr
    Gr1pr Posts: 6,810 Forumite
    1,000 Posts First Anniversary Photogenic Name Dropper
    edited 9 December 2024 at 10:09PM
    Email your response to the Letter of Claim, same as everyone else 

    You are not under any obligation to fill in their site or system, stick to the tried and tested methods for private parking company notices 

    You could delay the response until nearer the deadline in order to delay the next stage until after the new year 

    A well known trap site and app


  • A well known trap site and app
    Sorry, being a bit thick - can you explain what this means?
  • Gr1pr
    Gr1pr Posts: 6,810 Forumite
    1,000 Posts First Anniversary Photogenic Name Dropper
    edited 9 December 2024 at 10:19PM
    Twinkle91 said:
    A well known trap site and app
    Sorry, being a bit thick - can you explain what this means?
    It means that the site has a notorious reputation, including that rubbish app, the 5 minutes rule, many complaints, MPs have probably complained about it 

    As soon as I saw the 2 words Excel and Feethams it made me think of all the stuff I have read about it 

    The currently unregulated private parking industry sets up motorists to fail and therefore receive PCNs 
  • Nellymoser
    Nellymoser Posts: 1,339 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    Gr1pr said:
    As soon as I saw the 2 words Excel and Feethams it made me think of all the stuff I have read about it 
    You should read the news articles too Google Excel Feethams car park. Then email details of your car park experience to your MP important your issues are added to her long list.
  • Yes, I've read those - thanks. I've emailed Lola McEvoy (MP for Darlington who appears to be on a bit of a mission with this) and my own MP. I've struggled to find out who the Landowner is for the Feethams/DL1 Leisure Complex (to raise a complaint) but believe that the site management company is Workman LLC so I've e-mailed them also. I've also e-mail Premier Inn - it's part of the complex and I was staying there when I got the PCN. Can't really think of anyone else to e-mail!?
  • Gr1pr
    Gr1pr Posts: 6,810 Forumite
    1,000 Posts First Anniversary Photogenic Name Dropper
    edited 9 December 2024 at 11:23PM
    Workman LLC may know who it is, seeing as they work on behalf of the landowner 

    The MP may know who it is 

    If there is a WhatsApp group or FB group, they may have information 

    The Northern Echo certainly know 

    https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/24481306.concerns-raised-long-term-future-darlingtons-dl1/
  • Coupon-mad
    Coupon-mad Posts: 148,371 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    If you are only at LBC /LoC stage then send the usual reply and please don't show it to us (we hate our own templates being posted on individual threads like we are expected to check them!).

    Not sure why you are asking about the MCOL portal if you aren't at Court Claim Form stage yet?  And the answer to your question is already in the section under the red capitals heading: 'IMPORTANT: KNOW WHAT HAPPENS WHEN' in the NEWBIES thread.
    PRIVATE 'PCN'? DON'T PAY BUT DON'T IGNORE IT (except N.Ireland).
    CLICK at the top or bottom of any page where it says:
    Home»Motoring»Parking Tickets Fines & Parking - read the NEWBIES THREAD

  • Not sure why you are asking about the MCOL portal if you aren't at Court Claim Form stage yet?  
    I didn't realise that I had asked anything about the MCOL portal? 

    Where I have used the term 'portal' then it relates to to the link provided in the LoC (www.dcblegal.co.uk/response) where they want you to submit the response (and the advice on here appears to be not to use it).

    Apologies for any confusion and for any incorrect use of the term 'portal'!
  • Umkomaas
    Umkomaas Posts: 42,895 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    As DCB Legal are involved, hope the following thread is on your 'to read' list. 

    Please note, we are not a legal advice forum. I personally don't get involved in critiquing court case Defences/Witness Statements, so unable to help on that front. Please don't ask. .

    I provide only my personal opinion, it is not a legal opinion, it is simply a personal one. I am not a lawyer.

    Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; show him how to catch fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.

    Private Parking Firms - Killing the High Street
  • Coupon-mad
    Coupon-mad Posts: 148,371 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Twinkle91 said:

    Not sure why you are asking about the MCOL portal if you aren't at Court Claim Form stage yet?  
    I didn't realise that I had asked anything about the MCOL portal? 

    Where I have used the term 'portal' then it relates to to the link provided in the LoC (www.dcblegal.co.uk/response) where they want you to submit the response (and the advice on here appears to be not to use it).

    Apologies for any confusion and for any incorrect use of the term 'portal'!
    Ah, sorry! I misunderstood this question:
    for the benefit of my own curiosity, explain why not to use their portal (not sure that I've come across a good explanation of that - apologies if I've missed it)?
    Thought you meant defence stage (why not to put a defence in on the MCOL portal).

    TBH you can contact the solicitor any way except by phone which is to be avoided!
    PRIVATE 'PCN'? DON'T PAY BUT DON'T IGNORE IT (except N.Ireland).
    CLICK at the top or bottom of any page where it says:
    Home»Motoring»Parking Tickets Fines & Parking - read the NEWBIES THREAD
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 349.9K Banking & Borrowing
  • 252.6K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 453K Spending & Discounts
  • 242.8K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 619.7K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 176.4K Life & Family
  • 255.8K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.