Wing Yip/UKPS overtime charge

Jonhneoman

Hello All, newbie here! I have seen a few threads in here about Wing Yip, but only after I appealed, which makes things a bit complicated...

I've parked, bought stuff and eaten at the complex on the day, of which I have kept receipts of. Thinking back, I think there's a sign facing the entrance that says there's a 2-hour limit, but I don't recall seeing other signs, so if drivers missed that one then that's probably it. I happened to have gone over the time limits, and a few days later was sent a PCN (letter) with photographic evidence of my car leaving the car park late, asking for 60 pounds within 14 days or 100 pounds within 28 days.

I have then appealed the charge, stating that there is a lack of signage, and that I happen to be parked right behind the sign so that it doesn't look obvious to me. I have also stated that the PCN and the online payment portal made no mention of the time limit (2 hours), and that it is written vaguely and causes confusion. I have also mentioned that I will be writing to management on this (which doesn't seem too "useful" according to earlier comments in here). In this appeal I have mostly said "we" have been driving, but there is one instance which I mentioned "I have parked", which seems to be a big no-no... Shame really that I have discovered this forum too late!

I should note that when I appealed online, the form stated that it is the 12th day, and when I submitted the appeal, it was just over midnight, so this would be the 13th day (since the PCN was issued). One of the small prints at the back of the PCN stated if I appeal within 14 days, and that it is unsuccessful, I would have another 14 days to pay the discounted rate.

Took them about one business day to reject my appeal. saying that the signs are clear about a 2-hour limit, and now demanded a payment of 100 pounds within 28 days.

My questions are as follows:
- Given that I have appealed before the 14 days deadline, on what grounds are they increasing the charge from 60 to 100 pounds, contradicting their small prints? Would I be able to challenge that?
- It seems like I have mentioned that I am the driver in the appeal, is that Game Over for any further appealing actions?

As per previous threads I will of course mention this on other platforms such as TripAdvisor, and I'm also happy to include any management in further comms, but I am just wondering if there is anything else that I can do apart from giving up (which is obvs not ideal and costs a lot)?

Many thanks for reading and any suggestions will be welcomed!

ChirpyChicken

the charge level is irrelevant as your not paying it .  why would you challenge something your not paying.  You shouldn't even think about paying them. 
There was never any appeal with this firm.  I assume this is is Wing Yip Supermarket in Nechells.
Dont bother trying to contact them , landowner cancelation wont work
Just come here if you get a letter from claim from a firm like Moorside
Forget until then or if you change address inform the PPC
***the end***

Coupon-mad

Seconded.

Doesn't matter if they want £60, £100 or £170, because you will never pay it. 

Jonhneoman

Hello, thought I'd just post an update on here as it's been a while (would be useful for me to note down events in here as well it seems). Apologies as I've been stuck with work commitments and illness and I've only really caught up just now.

Since the rejection of the appeal, which also stated that after 56 days this would be passed onto the debt recovery agent. This has been very prompt and a letter from Trace has been sent out on the exact date, now demanding £170 (as expected) with 14 days from "you" (so no distinguishing between driver/keeper etc). Not sure if it's deliberate or not, but the letter was only received 5 days later which technically means we're left with 9 days for anything.

So this would be the second letter - First from UKPS (PCN), appeal was done via their portal and rejected via email, and then this letter from Trace.

ChirpyChicken said:

the charge level is irrelevant as your not paying it .  why would you challenge something your not paying.  You shouldn't even think about paying them. 
There was never any appeal with this firm.  I assume this is is Wing Yip Supermarket in Nechells.
Dont bother trying to contact them , landowner cancelation wont work
Just come here if you get a letter from claim from a firm like Moorside
Forget until then or if you change address inform the PPC
***the end***

I've not done anything so far (not even further appeals as per ChirpyChicken), as my interpretation of the Newbies thread (as a second language speaker) is that this is ignorable. If helpful I am happy to upload pictures of the letters - though I assume they would have been the same templates anyway.

I've been keeping all the documents/receipts relevant and will take pictures of them in case they fade. As advised I'll probably skip the landowner appeal bit given it's useless. Not managed to leave comments on Tripadvisors etc. though - will do that later this week.

This is the one in Purley Way - though I suspect they are similar up north? I've went onto streetview and the latest streetview does not even show a sign from the outside.

Many thanks for now - I'll keep an eye on this thread should any further advice appear.

ChirpyChicken

Irrelevant 

Car1980

Do nothing, unless you receive a Letter Before Claim from a solicitor.

Then show us that letter.

Jonhneoman

Hi - just to give a quick update again.

I've since received a second Trace letter (demanding payment in 14 days) which I have ignored.

Last weekend after a week abroad I have received my first letter from Moorside Legal, dated late April, asking for the 170 pounds. The content is very similar to the Trace letters, and also includes the usual ML "estimated cost incurred if going to court". Unlike other ML letters posted in here though, it does not include a payment timescale (pay within 30 days etc.).

I just want to check that this is not a LBC, as I assume this should be spelt out clearly in the heading of the letter? And if it is - I would have to draft a response as per the Newbies thread? Many thanks!

Gr1pr

Yes it "should " be spelt out in the letter, if it was an LoC   ( LBC  ) it would have the 30 days notice deadline and include financial forms  ( which you don't fill in  )

Its a legal company chasing an alleged debt, but not one to respond to  ( the next letter from Moorside Legal may well be the LoC,  or the one after that   ) it's a deliberately slow,  drawn out process, to wear people down,  sometimes over a period of several years 

Eventually you should expect the LoC to arrive in the post and then you should email the response template like everyone else 

ChirpyChicken

Then you will get the court claim in due course

Umkomaas

The Trip Advisor reviews are pretty damning and primarily about the parking scam at this venue, almost every one states the customer will never return after suffering at the hands of UKPS. 

Is the landowner/retailer totally blind/insensitive to the obvious affect this is having on their business?  Where are the positives for the business?  I'm really struggling to think of any!