DCBL: I might be cooked.

ForumFollower

I have received the DCBL Final Reminder (I've read much about the order of escalation from DCBL). They are seeking payment against three unpaid parking tickets from 2022...£510. 

I can't understand why these are not paid. They assure me Notice to Keeper and Final Notice were sent. I have requested all DATA and can see the forms. I just don't recall getting them and this was a shock to me. I'm not the type to throw things out and it's hard to recall 2022. 

The charges are £170 each. 3x£100 + 3x£70 late payment. I disputed adding 3x£70 'fee' to each ticket as they are treating this as one case. DCBL informed me that this is a reasonable late payment charge and made sure they were clear to state it isn't a debt collection fee. I have since read up and see that this is all 'reasonable' in relation to charges. 

They have seen their proof were sent, so it's irrelevant if I received them or not. 
This car park was used regularly so its quite probably mistakes on payment were made. 
I have no argument then I didn't know. 

What bothers me: the loss of earning is across all three PCN is £40. 

I offered DCBL £150 by email stating that, though I can't be sure who the driver was and have no recollection of receiving notification, I would see this as a reasonable offer to cover any loss of earnings. They refused stating: 

"DCBL is not in a position to reduce your overall balance as we act on direct instruction from our client to collect the amount on each Parking Charge and it is not possible to provide a discount as your accounts have been moved to DCBL by our client for the purposes of debt collection only."

The whole thing is really frustrating (deliberately). I am unable to communicate with EURO CAR PARKS and DCBL stone wall any attempts to discuss of offer settlement. We could solve this civil matter without the courts and I have tried. 

I am now quite happy to let this run out to the courts and argue that I have tried to settle this matter outside of courts. As soon as I was made aware by DCBL, I tried to communicate and resolve the matter. I don't recall notification though have seen Euro Car Parks notifications. 

I feel £510 against £40 of potential loss of earning is outrageous. 
I know that these fees are in line with Parking Code of Practice. 


I wont be paying £510 to DCBL. I would consider a settlement. I am more likely to let this run to the courts and argue that I have tried to communicate and resolve the manner but these companies deliberately make this difficult and are pushing for over-zealous charges well beyond any loss of earnings. 

I'd appreciate hearing your thoughts of feedback. Many thanks in advance 

Umkomaas

Have you read this thread?  ECP are the most frequently mentioned parking firm in it.  The fact that yours is a 3-ticket affair might slant things towards a court hearing, but let's cross that bridge when a formal claim arrives. Come back on this thread then. 

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6377263/dcb-legal-record-of-private-parking-court-claim-discontinuations/p1

PS - if you have no recollection of receiving original paperwork, is your V5C (logbook) up to date with your current address, often the cause of non-receipt?

Gr1pr

Ignore powerless debt collectors letters like from DCBL,  but not when DCB Legal write to you in the future 

Meanwhile,  study the newbies sticky thread in announcements,  plus that discontinuations thread by Umkomaas too

ForumFollower

Umkomaas said:

Have you read this thread?  ECP are the most frequently mentioned parking firm in it.  The fact that yours is a 3-ticket affair might slant things towards a court hearing, but let's cross that bridge when a formal claim arrives. Come back on this thread then. 

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6377263/dcb-legal-record-of-private-parking-court-claim-discontinuations/p1

PS - if you have no recollection of receiving original paperwork, is your V5C (logbook) up to date with your current address, often the cause of non-receipt?

Thanks. Yes, seen this and I will keep you updated. They had my correct address on everything. All seems legit and I have now seen (due to DATA request) all the notifications. That would have been 6 rather daunting letters I can't recall, which isn't like me. I would have them on file. I had to check as I first thought it was a scam. 

I wondered how a judge would see someone trying to resolve the situation without their involvement, yet these companies pushed on. I would have thought my offer was reasonable and more than compensate for loss of earnings. 

Gr1pr

Leave making offers until the mediation stage in any future claim 

Ignore DCBL

Coupon-mad

ForumFollower said:

They are seeking payment against three unpaid parking tickets from 2022...£510. 

The charges are £170 each. 3x£100 + 3x£70 late payment. I disputed adding 3x£70 'fee' to each ticket as they are treating this as one case. DCBL informed me that this is a reasonable late payment charge and made sure they were clear to state it isn't a debt collection fee. 

I wondered how a judge would see someone trying to resolve the situation without their involvement, yet these companies pushed on. I would have thought my offer was reasonable and more than compensate for loss of earnings. 

I don't know why you are intent on offering money and said that: "I have since read up and see that this is all 'reasonable' in relation to charges."

Errr...no it isn't!

Don't 'read up' the self-serving industry Code of Practice that they wrote themselves!  Certainly stop offering money. You will not be paying these. 
 

I can't understand why these are not paid.

What do you mean?! Of course you would not have paid private parking charges all the time that the industry remains unregulated...!