Appealing when you've already paid PCN

LiviaCalibri

I just wondered if anyone had encountered a similar problem to this - I know it's a long shot but the situation has irritated me. It might act as a cautionary tale for others too. 

I (stupidly - admittedly) paid a £100 parking charge from UKPC in a panic (when I returned home from a holiday to two threatening letters). Within days I realised that I actually had good grounds for appeal. I'd miskeyed a 0 instead of an O when I entered my registration number in the ticket machine but still had the physical ticket that I'd displayed on my car. The advice on the POPLA site suggests this could form the basis for a successful appeal.  

However, UKPC refused to generate a POPLA appeal code for me because the matter is closed as far as they are concerned. I queried this with POPLA but they have just responded saying: 'Unfortunately, once a PCN has been paid it cannot be appealed and therefore we are not able to be involved in this matter.'

Can I take any further steps on this or are all doors closed to me now?  

And just as a message to others ... don't pay up instantly in a blind panic like I did!   

 

Coupon-mad

NEVER just pay any private PCN!

Put in a formal complaint that UKPC breached the Code of Practice by negligently issuing a PCN for a "0 or O" (non existent) unjustified keying error, which the Joint CoP says must not lead to a PCN, because human checks must be done first. Tell them you will report them to the BPA and your MP (name your own MP) if they don't admit their error, apologise and refund. 

LiviaCalibri

Just an update on my PCN. I took the advice from Coupon-mad (thanks very much) and reported UKPC to the BPA, quoting the relevant clause in the code of conduct. They've conducted their own investigation and have just contacted me to say that my appeal was not reviewed properly by UKPC.  I quote: 'UKPC have acknowledged the minor keying error and cancelled the charge.  A full refund will be issued to you for the payment made.' 

It's taken a while but I feel vindicated after being stonewalled by the complaints dept at UKPC for so many months. So, if you feel you've got good grounds for an appeal, just persevere!!!

 

Coupon-mad

LiviaCalibri said:

Just an update on my PCN. I took the advice from Coupon-mad (thanks very much) and reported UKPC to the BPA, quoting the relevant clause in the code of conduct. They've conducted their own investigation and have just contacted me to say that my appeal was not reviewed properly by UKPC.  I quote: 'UKPC have acknowledged the minor keying error and cancelled the charge.  A full refund will be issued to you for the payment made.' 

It's taken a while but I feel vindicated after being stonewalled by the complaints dept at UKPC for so many months. So, if you feel you've got good grounds for an appeal, just persevere!!!

 

Great! Thanks for the update.

Pleased that the complaints worked. 

Umkomaas

Great outcome, and thank you for giving us your feedback. It's in cases like yours (which are not our usual run-of-the-mill fare), it's vital we get feedback on how our (non-standard) advice pans out - positive or negative.  I'm sure we'll use your case as a 'template' for others in similar positions as time progresses. Every win against a PPC is a good win!  Well done. 👍