Parking charge for Manchester Airport

PaulJM

Hello,  

A couple of months ago, just as the ANPR drop off parking occurred at Manchester Airport, I went through the system.  As I was then away with work, I didn't try to pay until 3 nights after - which it doesn't allow you to as you that's over their timescale. Although I think this is a con, I'm not here to argue that it should have been clearer, or it's not fair - I am where I am.
I emailed them to tell them, but I got nothing back.
2 Months later, I received a letter from Debt Recovery Plus, telling me I could either pay their £160 in instalments, the full amount, or it would be seen as me ignoring it which would look bad to a court etc.  I'm not too concerned about court, but I don't think I'd have much of an appeal, it's sign posted and I didn't follow their T&C's.

They also stated that they've sent out previous letters - but this was the first contact I'd ever had with them - maybe because I have a lease car and their letters may have gone to VWFS?
I've tried to engage with them since a number of times-  3 one hour queues on the phone, 2 emails, a webform, and even tried Manchester airport and APCOA - all to no avail.  I have screenshots of all these attempts.

I need to discuss payment - I'm currently running a DMP - I'm ok to pay, but I'd like to have easier terms, but I literally cannot get through to do so.

Any suggestions?

Gr1pr

You should ignore the powerless debt collectors letters 

I dont think that APCOA will pursue them ( were they Parking Charge Notices  ? Or Penalty Notices  ?  )

Apcoa would have sent the letters to the leasing company VWFS, not to you 

It was up to VWFS to name you as the lessee hirer,  the day to day keeper,  to Apcoa,  only then would Apcoa write to you using the details provided by VWFS

How many charges were there in total   ?  One  ?  Or more   ?

Do not contact the debt collectors again,  ignore them,  do not pay them a penny 

PaulJM

Gr1pr said:

You should ignore the powerless debt collectors letters 

I dont think that APCOA will pursue them ( were they Parking Charge Notices  ? Or Penalty Notices  ?  )

Apcoa would have sent the letters to the leasing company VWFS, not to you 

It was up to VWFS to name you as the lessee hirer,  the day to day keeper,  to Apcoa,  only then would Apcoa write to you using the details provided by VWFS

How many charges were there in total   ?  One  ?  Or more   ?

Do not contact the debt collectors again,  ignore them,  do not pay them a penny 

Hi

Yeah, I'm pretty sure they would have gone to VWFS, which is why the first I heard of it was from these Debt recovery plus ejits, who are most likely just a department of APCOA, who I can't reach either.

I was pretty genned up on all this a few years ago, and I know the advice went from DON'T pay to be slightly more responsive to them.  I'm not bothered about the debt collection letters and I'm comfortable dealing with a court if it ever came to that, but I don't want it to appear to a court that I haven't attempted to resolve the situation - after all I was in breach of contract, whether I think it's a huge con or not.

It's only one charge, one occasion.

doubledotcom

APCOA don't litigate. You need to ask yourself why you have not heard from VWFS and check that they haven't simply paid it and charged you for the privilege.

PaulJM

doubledotcom said:

APCOA don't litigate. You need to ask yourself why you have not heard from VWFS and check that they haven't simply paid it and charged you for the privilege.

Great thanks.  I'm really doubtful they have paid and charged back - I'm sure they'd have mentioned it and it's not in my online account.  I'll check though.  

Gr1pr

PaulJM said:

doubledotcom said:

APCOA don't litigate. You need to ask yourself why you have not heard from VWFS and check that they haven't simply paid it and charged you for the privilege.

Great thanks.  I'm really doubtful they have paid and charged back - I'm sure they'd have mentioned it and it's not in my online account.  I'll check though.  

As above,  it's not your problem until Apcoa send an NTH in your name,  so an Invoice with your details on it, regardless of your perceived liability

Until VWFS have named you as the hirer,  it's their problem as the Registered Keeper , so their Invoice,  not yours 

All you have is a powerless debt collectors demand for an invoice that you have not seen 

I would have expected VWFS to have followed the BVRLA guidelines and named you as hirer,  unless they have an old address if you have moved and not updated VWFS  ?

You need to get the complicated background details in order first, especially as a lessee ( not an Owner,  not a Registered Keeper like me   )

PaulJM

Gr1pr said:

PaulJM said:

doubledotcom said:

APCOA don't litigate. You need to ask yourself why you have not heard from VWFS and check that they haven't simply paid it and charged you for the privilege.

Great thanks.  I'm really doubtful they have paid and charged back - I'm sure they'd have mentioned it and it's not in my online account.  I'll check though.  

As above,  it's not your problem until Apcoa send an NTH in your name,  so an Invoice with your details on it, regardless of your perceived liability

Until VWFS have named you as the hirer,  it's their problem as the Registered Keeper , so their Invoice,  not yours 

All you have is a powerless debt collectors demand for an invoice that you have not seen 

I would have expected VWFS to have followed the BVRLA guidelines and named you as hirer,  unless they have an old address if you have moved and not updated VWFS  ?

You need to get the complicated background details in order first, especially as a lessee ( not an Owner,  not a Registered Keeper like me   )

I presume VWFS has named me as keeper, that must be how Debt recovery plus have my details. 
But it's weird I didn't ever hear from APCOA.

Not moved house in years, everything is current.

Gr1pr

Check with VWFS what they did after receiving the NTK PCN letter,  don't presume anything,  especially don't presume on debt collectors letters,  Check, as mentioned earlier 

Check if VWFS gave your details to Apcoa, as LESSEE or as HIRER, if they did then Apcoa should have sent you an invoice in the post,  that you claim hasn't been received 

But regardless,  ignore the debt collectors 

hallwok

Manchester airport parking - asking for advice please.    I dropped off my luggage for a Virgin Airways twilight suitcase drop - I eventually found the drop off - it was bedlam and off I went on holiday.  However, I have just returned to two invoices from APCOA with photos of my car specifying  entry time 17.00.04 with an exit time of 17.01.11 for drop off forecourt T2 and the second one shows entry 17.03.05 and exit 17.06.54 for pick up zone only T2.  I did struggle to find the my way out of the car parking area but for a total of 6 minutes 50 seconds I’ve been hit with fines totalling £200!!!!    Any help in advising where I stand?    Thanx 

ChirpyChicken

Use this to beat both

This is an appeal by the registered keeper - No driver details will be given. Please do NOT try the usual Group Nexus Trick of asking for driver details in order to get around the fact your NTK does not comply with POFA. As there is no keeper liability then liability cannot flow from the driver to the keeper and thus is an auto win @ POPLA. Please therefore cancel the notice or issue a POPLA code where you will auto withdraw
**not relevant land for POPLA**

Gr1pr

Please start your own thread, for specific advice,  as required in the MSE forum guidelines or rules

Thank you