Parking charge for overstaying at petrol station services

Joedavis

He has now accepted that it’s an invoice and not a fine and has agreed to leave letters with me. 

The only thing is I received a PCN over a year ago and followed the advice on the newbies thread, and the legal firm hasn’t stopped sending me threatening letters. So I am aware these go on and on. 

Thank you for the links and the advice. I can’t actually speak to euro car parks because the PCN was issued by GroupNexus. I don’t want to get involved with them as they seem to be scammers. 

kryten3000

Under contract law the companies have 6 years to bring a claim, but any excessive delay doesn't help them unless you move and don't tell them.  Even then there's the binding Court of Appeal judgment in Vehicle Control Services v Carr to beat them with

Car1980

GroupNexus cases go the DCB Legal route for a claim and discontinuance, so no problems there.

Come back when you get a Letter Before Action from DCB Legal because there are options to do with driver ID.

Le_Kirk

Joedavis said:

1.  He has now accepted that it’s an invoice and not a fine and has agreed to leave letters with me. 

2.  The only thing is I received a PCN over a year ago and followed the advice on the newbies thread, and the legal firm hasn’t stopped sending me threatening letters. So I am aware these go on and on. 

3.  Thank you for the links and the advice. I can’t actually speak to euro car parks because the PCN was issued by GroupNexus. I don’t want to get involved with them as they seem to be scammers. 

1.  That's good
2.  irrelevant to this claim - except it gives you knowledge of the rpocess
3.  GOOD - never speak to a PPC or a Debt Collector, everything in writing.  A phone call is worth the paper it is (not) printed on!

Coupon-mad

The Successful Complaints About PPCs thread includes a success in 2025, where MFG initially fobbed off a person but they escalated the complaint by stopping dealing with the guy who fobbed them off and instead they emailed the CEO of MFG.

Do a complaint to the CEO of MFG.

Joedavis

I’m continuing to pester MFG as well as Pret A Manger (apparently their staff hold the power to extend your parking stay if you purchase hot food).

Ive also emailed the MP to let her know that if a 68yo man orders coffee and pastries in Pret A Manger and doesn’t consume it and leave within 15 minutes, he gets a £100 parking fine.

Coupon-mad

Coffee is a hot beverage! This is appalling.

Make sure the complaint went to your local MP, not the one nearest the location.

Did you go and read the case from last year that I signposted you to go and find? It says who to contact at MFG if the first guy is useless.

Joedavis

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81856626#Comment_81856626

it’s interesting to read because it’s the same person at MFG (Prabhakar) who is trying to fob me off.

I’ll continue to press and will escalate to CEO if necessary.

Coupon-mad

I knew it would be him!

You should complain about him because he is fobbing you off and even told you to contact a completely unrelated parking firm!

Joedavis

Update on this - I emailed the CEO and, miraculously, I’ve now been informed that the PCN has been cancelled.

So that’s good news but I’m thinking about persisting with this and trying to get them to review the policy as they must be scamming thousands of customers who take over 20 minutes to order and consume food and drink and then use the bathrooms.

Thanks for all advice and assistance.