Missed appeal with parking firm, now with Debt recovery firm. Who do I respond to?

GreyPhalarope

Any tips on who I should negotiate with, please?

I’m certain I paid for some parking a couple of months ago.  The first I knew about being chased for a parking charge was when I received a letter from the debt recovery firm asking for the maximum parking charge plus an amount for its services.

I checked unopened post that I had assumed was regular correspondence and found I had received two letters from the parking firm claiming I, ‘Failed to make and/or validate payment.’  

I’ve missed the appeals period so I’m left with the decision of who I respond to.  Is it the parking firm or the debt recovery firm?

I intend to argue I did pay.  I’m prepared to go to court over this if ultimately necessary.  

Many thanks for your help, in anticipation.

Merry Christmas.  

Gr1pr

Neither 

Follow plan A,  trying to get a cancellation via the business or landowner 

Ignore the powerless debt collectors 

Which parking company ?

Which nation are you in   ?

GreyPhalarope

Thank you, Gr1pr,

I’m in the U.K.

The land appears to be owned by the local authority/council. I’d rather not disclose the parking company.

My instinct is to be proactive, to contact whoever is likely to pursue me to court for a county court judgement.  The court would expect that parties attempt some resolution.  Alternatively, I can just wait and see who is going to up the anti and respond in due course but I don’t want to fall behind in the process.

Anyone with experience of this situation who can inform me of what to expect would be most appreciated.  

A quick pointer as to why I can ignore the debt collection agency would be helpful.  

Just to recount.  I missed the formal appeal period but know I paid and displayed.  

Much appreciated.

Gr1pr

I asked for Nation,  there are 4

If it is local authority,  then its leased out if a private parking company are involved 

Just because a driver paid doesn't mean that no breach of the parking contract occurred 

Post 4 in the newbies FAQ sticky thread in announcements deals with ignoring powerless debt collectors

Debt collectors cannot take it further,  only the claimant parking company can, because the alleged debt stays with the claimant, they cannot negotiate,  they have no power,  its the claimant chasing the alleged debt 

Until you reveal more information,  nobody can predict your future 

Eventually a court claim would decide the outcome 

Coupon-mad

Anyone with experience of this situation who can inform me of what to expect would be most appreciated.

A quick pointer as to why I can ignore the debt collection agency would be helpful. 

This is already covered in the NEWBIES thread post 4. Different if you or the car park is in Scotland.

Here's someone who asked is the same question yesterday:
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6575257/debt-recovery-plus-uk-parking-admin

Read the replies. You can trust us. You are in the hands of experts, even though I say so myself.

GreyPhalarope

OK, thanks both Gr1pr and Coupon-mad,

To clarify, it’s in England.  

Right, I can ignore the debt collectors, I now understand that.  After I have ignored them, what can I then expect to happen?  Who will contact me and what will they say?  That’s what I need to know.  At what point during the subsequent sequence of events would I begin to challenge the validity of the charge, given I have missed the appeals period?  Will it be the at a letter before claim stage I might receive from the parking company or something else? 

The merits of my argument and likely success is something that I’m just going to have to work through as things progress.

Thank you.  I very much appreciate your time.

Grizebeck

It doesn't matter what they say.
Read the newbies

Gr1pr

We don't know who will contact you,  or their wording,  but I gave you a quick synopsis of the future 

Its unlikely to be the parking company,  but its certainly a possibility with some 

You will put your defence into the defence of any future court claim,  challenging the enforceability of the PCN with the merits of your case against rebutting the claimants case

Your story and Exhibits bundle are submitted a few weeks before any court hearing 

If it gets to court,  the judge will decide the outcome 

Meanwhile,  study the newbies FAQ sticky thread in announcements,  and read a few recent cases where the same claimant is chasing other victims,  your answers are within those similar cases