EXCEL PARKING - FEETHAMS LEISURE CAR PARK

Twinkle91

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

Gr1pr

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

Twinkle91

A well known trap site and app

Sorry, being a bit thick - can you explain what this means?

Gr1pr

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

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.

Twinkle91

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

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/

Twinkle91

Coupon-mad 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'!

Umkomaas

As DCB Legal are involved, hope the following thread is on your 'to read' list. 

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6377263/dcb-legal-record-of-private-parking-court-claim-discontinuations/p1

Coupon-mad

Twinkle91 said:

Coupon-mad 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!

Twinkle91

Just trying to manage my expectations here? If I provide a good "I dispute this claim because...." section in my LOC reply is there a chance that this could be knocked on the head at that stage of is it pretty certain that they will ignore whatever I say at this stage and progress with a claim?

Thoughts welcomed