I unfortunately didn't read the forums here when I initially got a parking ticket. I very natively (in hindsight) thought when I produced my paid ticket that all would be straightened out.
The basic facts are - I parked in a private multi story. I paid for a ticket and displayed it on my dash. I stayed for less time than I paid for and left. When I initially received the PCN the letter states that the charge was for non-payment and I was relieved to know I still had my paid ticket and thought once I scanned it and sent it through to their appeals department that the matter would be dropped. It was only when I received their letter in return saying the charge still stood because I did not have the proper number plate entered in on my ticket that realised the number plate was indeed not correct and there was only a letter B in the space for a number plate. I honestly don't know how it happened, I had my two daughters with me and was in "auto pilot" mode buying my ticket. Even when I received their response after I submitted the copy of the ticket I thought common sense would prevail as I did purchase a ticket, produced it for them and made no other violation than not checking my ticket to ensure my number plate had printed out correctly.
I continued with their "independent" appeals site volleying back and forth. I do admit I did not check my ticket to ensure my number plate was correct but their machine also should not have issued me with a ticket that obviously could not be legal, being only one digit. Had the machine alerted me to the error when I was purchasing my ticket I would have corrected it, why in the world would I pay for a ticket and not want it to be legal?
I think what they are doing is wrong and only meant for sheer profiteering and don't want to pay for the ticket but the appeals site has come back to me and said they have ruled that the ticket is legal because my number plate was not entered correctly. Obviously by letter of the law I am in the wrong as their signs state it is my responsibility to check my ticket. But don't they have a responsibility to provide a machine that doesn't issue illegal tickets? I see that many people on the forum just ignore these private tickets. Is this what I should do now or am I too late after going through the appeals process? I have real reservations about doing nothing but also feel very strongly about paying 100.00 for a ticket that I don't feel is legal. If I do not pay the ticket, can you please give me an indication as to what will happen next? I'm assuming from what I read that they will continue to hassle me with letters threatening court proceedings. Any other insight from someone who has been through it if this is all and for how long it goes on? Again, I wish I'd read this site in the beginning but didn't so just have to work with where I am now. Thank you in advance for any advice you have to give!