Ohhhh yes, wasn't gonna fall for the old "lost in the post" routine! Signed for alright, day after I posted it, same day as the part, although suspiciously the signatures for both items were EXACTLY the same (even overlaid perfectly on top of each other..hmm) Funnily enough, I emailed 24/7 this morning & was shocked to get a phone call later in the morning from Claire at their office asking for more details. Then she called back stating that she had spoken to FPS in Romford who claimed to have paid the money back onto my card yesterday! Yeah right..guess what, no money in there yet! She seemed keen to get rid of me when I told her I wasn't settling for anything less than a full refund..

Yep, gave them 14 days (although I know they have 30 under the DSR) which is up this week, planning to write again to push for a non court resolution, with a warning re court action if they don't answer. When is the best stage to involve Trading Standards ie before or alongside any court action?

Lastlaugh, just wondering what issues you had with 24/7 Spares, as I am having a lot of problems with one of their scrapyards who are trying to charge me a handling fee for a part I have returned because it was the wrong one for my car (yep I paid with a debit card...). Did complaining to your local TS get things moving then? I've written directly to the scrapyard demanding a full refund etc, but heard nothing so far.

Roger, just for your info, if you have any difficulties gettign your ststements (as I did) I strongly suggest emailing Sheena Small as per Lulas email above, she couldn't have been more helpful - certainly the best Abbey employee I've ever dealt with - almost made me feel guilty about preparing a 4th claim (5th if you include the wifes) but then I came to my senses, phew!

Unfortunately roger, it's all about playing the game with these people, however if you do it their way, you WILL ultimately get your money back!

Thanks Lula, top advice as always!! Email sent this morning.

Don't know if anyboy else is having problems or if it's just me, BUT...I sent 2 SAR letters off in July for accounts for me & the wife, sent follow up letters a couple of weeks ago, & am just about to sent the SAR LBA template letter. Looks like Abbey are going for the "bury head in sand" approach. What is the process re the County Court if they still don't reply?

Is there no maximum distance limit on where the nearest sign should be? Otherwise a CPZ could be huge with only a few signs at the perimeter?!

Hi all, I'm usually more involved in the bank charges side of the forum, however, would appreciate any help from the experts over this side.. My wife parked her car on Lydia Ann St in Liverpool yesterday & was given a PCN, which appears to be all in order in terms of wording & layout etc. It was issued by a Civil Enforcement Officer working for Liverpool City Council. She was apparently within an Outer Restriction Zone (whatever that is). However, the sign is at LEAST 150 meters from where she parked, (on the junction with Duke St & Kent St for those that know the city) & the actual street she parked on has no signs whatsoever on it, although it has a single yellow line on it. Given that the sign is so far away, is this reasonable grounds for an appeal?

My case was stayed until March 31 or the outcome of the test case "whichever was the sooner". Obviously the case has not been resolved yet, can I apply to have the stay lifted & does anybody have a decent template which takes into account the test case? cheers!!

No problem mate, wasn't an experience for me, I was the poor sod investigating it, believe me I wouldn't wish it on anybody!

Hope this is of some help.

It SHOULD do, yes. But let's say the guy who is selling it to you (call him no. 3) has acquired it in good faith from somebody (2) who has rented/leased it from somebody else (1), then stopped paying & not returned the vehicle. There is a delay in (1) reporting it to the police while he tries to sort things out with (2), who has already sold it on to (3). Meanwhile you come along & fall in love with the car & buy it from (3) with no V5. You get stopped one night by a police ANPR check, showing the vehicle is stolen. (1 has now reported it as such). You WILL be arrested on suspicion of taking a vehicle without the owners consent. HPI won't be interested because at the time of the check, it wasn't reported stolen - they have kept thier side of the deal. Although it is not proof of ownership, a V5 will certainly help show that you acquired the vehicle in good faith & are not trying to hide anything. The above scenario might sound far fetched, but it isn't, trust me - unfortunately I can't go into further details on a public forum. I really really would not purchase without a V5. If the guy is legit, he won't mind sorting it out. If not, there is ALWAYS another bargain to be had.

Sure. I was granted judgement with an order to pay forthwith on 13/8. By 22/8 I'd heard nothing so went to the court & applied for the warrant of execution. Technically you can apply for it immediately, but I figured 9 days was enough for a company the size of Abbey, & I was fed up with their messing me around (I got judgement because they never bothered replying to my N1 claim form). Unfortunately I never got the chance to go watch the bailiff in action, but I think they coughed up with just a quick visit/phone call from him. Obviously it's another £55 (in my case) but that is just added onto the total - my claim ended up costing them 30% more than if they'd just paid up in the 1st place!

Quick update, cheque for £55 arrived from Abbey yesterday (via Ashurst), took a while but got there in the end! However, from the lack of replies to my most recent preliminary & LBA letters, round 3 appears to be looming, stay posted.....