Fine for "overstaying" despite proof

Draiggoch26

Hi - I received a fine from Workflow Dynamics for "overstaying", together with photo evidence from them that my car was in the car park for just over 2 hours. However, arrival and departure were both within the evening time zone, which is a flat rate for 12 hours parking.

So, I assumed it was an admin error, appealed to them - and lost! No information given as to why/how they think I overstayed, I emailed them to clarify 10 days ago without response.

Obviously I need to appeal to POPLA within the deadline, but just wondered if anyone else had a similar situation? Is it just a moneygrab?

Thanks in advance

Gr1pr

Nobody has received a fine, magistrates issue fines, not private parking companies

We do see the odd case on here for Workflow, I think most are the Trafford Centre

There are some 17 million private parking company pcn invoices issued every year, nearly all of which are moneygrabs ( if victims are gullible enough to pay them. )

Overstay pcns are extremely common, accounting for perhaps 25% or more

Study the 3rd post in the newbies sticky thread in announcements near the top of the forum for popla advice, plus the Popla Decisions thread too

GrannyKate

Smaller outfit but they have been on this site before and they have negative reviews on line. You need to give a little more information including which car park.

James_Poisson

There is no "obvious" need to appeal to POPLA it's mostly a sham anyway and they will bend towards their paymasters if they can.

But are you sure this isn't a keying error rather than a plain over stay, also these devious scammers like to convolute the timings to make the charging periods purposely confusing, where exactly was this?

Bazarius

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82171575#Comment_82171575

£50 reduced to £25 PCNs - and they’re one of the rarest we ever see across 5 FB groups. It pretty much shows that the level of the parking charge doesn’t drive compliance.

Draiggoch26

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82171575#Comment_82171575

Thanks for reply - I did know it isn't legally a fine, I guess I was just using shorthand.

Draiggoch26

My understanding is that if it WAS a simple keying error, they would have acknowledged this when I did my appeal to them and provided evidence of payment also I would presume they would have accused me of non-payment rather than "overstaying" if that was the case? I didn't keep the receipt from the day so they hold any evidence if that was the case…..

Coupon-mad

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82178026#Comment_82178026

They wouldn't.

Car1980

You're taking their internal "appeals" process far too seriously 😀

Everybody "loses". Everybody gets the same templated "shut up and pay us" response.

You can Popla it (although you'll probably lose because it's corrupt, so don't spend too much time).

Can't recall this bunch of cowboys ever trying court. Ultimately ignore is likely to be the best course of action.

Draiggoch26

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82171673#Comment_82171673

Update: After waiting 2 weeks for a reply, and 4 hours after submitting my POPLA appeal, I fiinally got some more information from them: they are claiming that there is no night tariff in operation. This is truly bizarre, as the night tariff is a) on their website and b) on the signage in the care park itself. Other than being a money-grab for people that can't be bothered, it's surprising that (at this point at least) that they haven't backed down and acknowledged their "mistake"….so not a keying error….

James_Poisson

Why do you think "they haven't backed down and acknowledged their mistake"?

It's because 1) they have paid the POPLA fee and 2) think you will now pay up as they think you will give up.

You can dispute their lies to POPLA but only against their submissions you can't add any thing new of your own.

But POPLA is a sham, and the private parking industry is a scam, don't fall for it.