Smart Parking/DCBL /DCB Legal parking charge 5 years later- unclear tariff

aimee2810

Hi all, I’d really appreciate some advice on my situation.

Back in 2021, I received a parking charge after parking at a gym car park. I had paid for my parking using the machine in the car park itself. However, the gym had introduced a separate machine inside with different tariffs, which I was unaware of at the time.

The car park machine charged £1.60 for 2 hours, so by paying £1 I had technically underpaid according to that tariff. However, the machine inside the gym advertised 2 hours for 80p. There was no clear signage explaining that gym users had to use the machine inside, or that different tariffs applied depending on where you paid.

Because of this, the pricing structure was misleading and unclear. I genuinely believed I had paid correctly for 2 hours and had done nothing wrong.

At the time, I disputed the charge directly with the parking company and provided proof of payment along with screenshots showing the conflicting tariffs. I never received any response, and the matter went quiet for over 5 years.

Recently, I received a letter from DCBL (debt collectors) demanding £160. They stated I could no longer dispute the charge. I did not pay and instead emailed back formally disputing the debt, explaining that I had paid and that the pricing was unclear.

I have now received a response from DCBL saying they are no longer handling the case and that it has been passed to DCB Legal for potential legal action.

I still have all my original evidence from 2021, including proof of payment and screenshots of the different tariffs.

I’d really appreciate advice on:

• Whether this is likely to proceed further
• How strong my position is given I paid and the tariffs were inconsistent and unclear
• What I should do when/if I receive a Letter Before Claim from DCB Legal

Thanks in advance for any help.

Gr1pr

Yes it will proceed further

Probably, but it will never get to a court hearing

Respond with the LoC response template to their info@ email address

Coupon-mad

You do what post 2 of the NEWBIES thread says. Dead easy. The LBC then claim is what you want.

EVERY DEFENDED SMART PARKING CLAIM IS DISCONTINUED.

aimee2810

Really sorry if I sound stupid here.

So I should wait until I receive another letter and respond from there? Bear in mind this new sister company (DCB Legal) haven’t even sent me a letter yet. I was informed by DCBL today when they responded to my email that it’s been passed on after I had challenged them.

Coupon-mad

Yes you wait.

Surely you've seen @Umkomaas thread about DCB Legal and know what happens in the end in EVERY case & how easy it is? If not, you should read some of the Smart Parking successes posted this past year on it. No link!

aimee2810

No I haven’t seen as I have come here for advice on something that hasn’t happened to me before. I’ll have a look, thanks

Coupon-mad

You will laugh out loud when you see and read some linked Smart threads at the end.

aimee2810

Yeah it seems as if a lot of people go through this process. Annoying and inconvenient if you ask me, especially when I paid! It’s not my fault they have poor visible guidelines on what to pay.

This is all the evidence I have. And after speaking on the phone and then following up my email I have heard nothing from 2021 until 2 weeks ago. Crazy!

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Coupon-mad

Not really crazy at all. Not for them.

Smart Parking signed up with DCB Legal and are handing over batches of legacy case data to the tune of hundreds of thousands of cases worth over £1million.

aimee2810

Well I will not let them win and evidently they don’t normally have a leg to stand on. The charge is currently at £160 which I will not pay

Coupon-mad

You never will! Relax. Bring it on. 😀