Private parking fine now they threatened me with the letter from GCTT

Minime25

Hi, can somebody give me some kind of advice before I decode what to do. In December I parked in what it calls" private car park" which is located in front of the charity shop. I parked there because I wanted to donate my kids clothes but the shop was closed. This is a building with 4 shops, not vwrh big long building that has a car park in front. So while I was there I decided to go to the shop next to the charity shop, did some shopping. When I came back few minutes later there was a guy taking a photo of my car, he said that I shouldn't park my car there and I need to pay fine, he wasn't very nice. I explained why I parked my car, showed him bags of clothes I wanted to donate but the shop was closed, I was there with my children. He said he can't cancel and I need to appeal. I was really angry. Few weeks later I got ticket. I appealed, I was pretty sure if I explained what happened they would just cancel my ticket. But they haven't. Now I received the ticket from GCTT saying that they will pass this to the solicitors if I don't pay in 14 days. I don't know what to do now, I've never been in this situation before. Can you help or advice me please? 

Minime25

Just wanted to add that each store (now I know) have a poster in the window saying its a private land and belongs to such and such store if I park there I'll have to pay fine. I didn't see this poster at the time, I am not going to lie, I went to the shop next to thinking it's the same building and the same car park, there is no clear lines, boundaries, nothing just a single post in the window. 

Fruitcake

Who issued the ticket, an unregulated private parking company or a council?

If the former, it isn't a fine.

GCTT are powerless debt collectors and can safely be ignored. Do not ignore a letter of/before claim or a court claim. Come back to this thread if that happens.

Get photos of the site and signage in case you need them later.

Further advice will depend on who issued the ticket, but if it was an unregulated private parking company then please read the sticky Announcement for NEWBIES then complain to the landowner and your MP.

GrumpyDil

Firstly don't panic, it isn't a fine, it is a speculative invoice and those letters are from debt collectors who have no powers other than to send you threatening letters.

I'd suggest you need to read the guide at the top of this forum so you know exactly what to expect going forward.

Minime25

Fruitcake said:

Who issued the ticket, an unregulated private parking company or a council?

If the former, it isn't a fine.

GCTT are powerless debt collectors and can safely be ignored. Do not ignore a letter of/before claim or a court claim. Come back to this thread if that happens.

Get photos of the site and signage in case you need them later.

Further advice will depend on who issued the ticket, but if it was an unregulated private parking company then please read the sticky Announcement for NEWBIES then complain to the landowner and your MP.

It's Key Parking UK who issued the ticket literally in front of me. No chance to explain well I tried but this guy didn't listen to me. I went to the charity shop asking for help when I got the ticket, I explained what happened but they said they can't help, they don't own the car park. I was speechless. I wanted to donate the clothes to their shop. When they rejected my appeal they said that the man who issued the tickets go to the shoo and ask if people own the car that is parked outside. I've never been asked and I parked there on few occasions. This is nothing but lie. How to prove if if they take me to the court? 

Coupon-mad

You'll never have to pay this and the burden of proof in court lies with them, not you.

But I've never heard of Key Parking UK. They must be quite small/new and they've never featured here.

Show us BOTH SIDES of the postal PCN, redacting all QR Codes, refs, your data but leave dates and location showing.

Minime25

Coupon-mad said:

You'll never have to pay this and the burden of proof in court lies with them, not you.

But I've never heard of Key Parking UK. They must be quite small/new and they've never featured here.

Show us BOTH SIDES of the postal PCN, redacting all QR Codes, refs, your data but leave dates and location showing.

Can ypu see the letter?

Ralph-y

strange .... they say you cannot use POPLA but can appeal to the BPA?

ChirpyChicken

Coupon-mad said:

You'll never have to pay this and the burden of proof in court lies with them, not you.

But I've never heard of Key Parking UK. They must be quite small/new and they've never featured here.

Show us BOTH SIDES of the postal PCN, redacting all QR Codes, refs, your data but leave dates and location showing.

Been around a few years. Pretty harmless.  Very small as you say . Had a few dealings with them

Minime25

Ralph-y said:

strange .... they say you cannot use POPLA but can appeal to the BPA?

I have no clue about both if I am honest. Ive just read about the POPLA maybe its because it is too late? I have no clue, you can tell how new I am to this whole situation. I think it's ridicilously, there is no clear boundaries, nor lines by any of the shops so how do I know on which property I am? And if the shop is closed who would move the car by a meter to go to another shop that is located in the same building? I don't get this at all. I have 3 kids and all of them were with me, moving my car by a meter to go to another shop if needed would be very difficult.

Minime25

ChirpyChicken said:

Coupon-mad said:

You'll never have to pay this and the burden of proof in court lies with them, not you.

But I've never heard of Key Parking UK. They must be quite small/new and they've never featured here.

Show us BOTH SIDES of the postal PCN, redacting all QR Codes, refs, your data but leave dates and location showing.

Been around a few years. Pretty harmless.  Very small as you say . Had a few dealings with them

What would you suggest to do please?