Euro Car Parks - POFA stated and appeal text box character number limit!

Coupon-mad

just for info and an interesting point. In the last paragraph, I didn't know that companies could 'opt out' of the independent ombudsman's dispute resolution service.

No that's not what that means.

It's not new and it's meaningless. Firms have to state under the ADR regs whether there is an ADR even if they don't use it. Them's the rules. Ignore that bit. Not interesting!

You actually have 33 days to do POPLA (please don't tell us otherwise... it's not a flat 28 days even though it looks like it). Trust us, we know what we're doing! 

Car1980

"Parked without authorisation" is the reason for issue. It doesn't tally with the signs at all and they've shot themselves in the foot with that.

They mean you failed to register the VRN. But they didn't charge you for that, so tough luck ECP. You can quite easily be authorised but failed to have entered your details into ECP's computer.

Authorisation is at the discretion of the landlord. A regular drinker who is mates with them would obviously be authorised. As would the postman, drayman etc etc.

If it was a council ticket you'd tick the "the contravention did not occur" box.

Coupon-mad

Sadly I can't see POPLA accepting that though. Not that it matters! No paying it.

Squirrel_Nut

I'll be going to see the land owner manager tomorrow with the evidence printed out to give them: 1. Proof of purchase of internet banking from the day in question (so, a paying guest of the establishment and car park). 2. Proof that I have already sent this evidence to ECP by email and then 'contact us' form. 3. The appeal rejection letter. 

If they do ask if I also added it to the appeals page, I'll state that as I'd already sent it to ECP twice, there was no point sending it again. In hindsight, I probably should have but it doesn't change the fact that I was a paying guest on that day (so, 'authorised to park' to use their terminology) and they know it.

I'll simply ask the Manager to call ECP (as they already said they would do and know me and my family quite well) to get the PCN (invoice) cancelled. I'll report back what they say. Thanks again to all who have helped already and commented on this. I'll continue to take the kindly offered advice on here and won't pay anything.

Squirrel_Nut

Good evening all. 

It seems like this has resulted in a win. I haven't received an official confirmation yet from ECP but I have seen the email back from them confirming that they would cancel the PCN. 

I simply printed off the evidence (as I said above) and took it in. Then arranged a meeting with the person who could get it cancelled. Left it with them for a few days and then went back in to check that all was done. 

The staff told me that it is more and more common that (especially with elderly customers) come in for a drink or something to eat forget to use the registration screen or don't know how to use it and end up with PCNs. They then get the chasing letters of costs mounting up and some probably just pay it but the ones who come and tell them are a daily occurrence. I heard that no matter what evidence you give ECP, they will never cancel it and so the manager has to step in (I was told that a large percentage of their day is taken up by cases like mine). This is just ridiculous that they ignore proof that the PCN's are invalid and still push for the crazy over priced £100 a time.

Although the staff were great about the situation, with all of the time and inconvenience it has cost me - I'll be thinking twice about going there in the future. Thanks again to all who helped and I'll continue to give support to any people who post about this same company in the future (to give back), like I did last time

Coupon-mad

Please could you pm me a contact email for that business?

When the public consultation starts soon, I want to do a mass contact of wronged landowners, retailers, etc. to encourage them to answer & tell the MHCLG how a PPC has ruined their business and taken away repeat custom. 

Le_Kirk

Squirrel_Nut said:

The staff told me that it is more and more common that (especially with elderly customers) come in for a drink or something to eat forget to use the registration screen or don't know how to use it and end up with PCNs. They then get the chasing letters of costs mounting up and some probably just pay it but the ones who come and tell them are a daily occurrence. I heard that no matter what evidence you give ECP, they will never cancel it and so the manager has to step in (I was told that 2) a large percentage of their day is taken up by cases like mine). This is just ridiculous that they ignore proof that the PCN's are invalid and still push for the crazy over priced £100 a time.

Although the staff were great about the situation, with all of the time and inconvenience it has cost me - I'll be 1) thinking twice about going there in the future. Thanks again to all who helped and I'll continue to give support to any people who post about this same company in the future (to give back), like I did last time

1) You should let them know about your decision.  2) Proof, if it were needed, that pubs don't need PPCs in their car parks.  Why can't they see how it damages their business.

Castle

Squirrel_Nut said:

Good evening all. 



Although the staff were great about the situation, with all of the time and inconvenience it has cost me - I'll be thinking twice about going there in the future. Thanks again to all who helped and I'll continue to give support to any people who post about this same company in the future (to give back), like I did last time

Put it on Tripadvisor-they say there's no such thing as "bad publicity"!