Written by John Kruse, one of the leading experts on Bailiff Law, this consumer friendly guide is essential reading for anyone who comes into contact with a bailiff.
The book is easy to understand and clearly explains the rights
a bailiff has, and also what they cannot do when collecting debts and repossessing goods etc.
A private parking company manages our local railway carpark. I had a long trip setting off at 5.30 am and in black dark and lots of rain i paid the daily rate of £3.00. When I arrived back at 8.30 pm I had a parking ticket for £90.00 or £50.00 if paid within 30 days.
My mistake..... 12 days previously the parking firm had increased their daily rate from £3.00 to £3.10. As the next price is £2.00 for 4 hours then my ticket only lasted until 9.30 am. Why I would put £3.00 in for a £2.00 ticket I don't know!!
I have appealed thinking that clearly they would acknowledge that it was a mistake. I was turned down and told to pay the £50 immediately.
I am soooo annoyed at the unfairness of this (as well as the £50 fine which is a great deal of money for 10p!!)
I know that I am wrong as I paid the wrong amount, but there are no signs saying the price was increased, just stickers of 10 over the top of the £3... it was dark and rainy and I made a genuine mistake.
Is there anything I can do, as i feel their behaviour is outrageous!?
Anyone any information..... I want to dispute the ticket and refuse to pay the fine but am aware that if it goes to court FACTUALLY the company are correct I did underpay though the circumstances and the amount imply that this was a genuine mistake. I am concerned that the courts would be forced to uphold Meteor's (the parking company) penalty... also would I be liable for court costs?
Surely parking fines should be there to manage the traffic not to be punitive to individuals who make a mistake.
Post up copies of the ticket. Unless it clearly mentions specific railway bye-laws it sounds like a straightforward private parking company issue in which you might decide to take the 100000 to 1 gamble that they might take you to court by ignoring all future correspondence.
I haven't got a scanner unfortunately! I was considering taking a photo and trying that :s
There is no mention of railway bylaws....
"this car park is regulated by terms and conditions of parking displayed at the car park. By entering the car park you have agreed and contracted to be legally bound by those terms and conditions.....
oh and it is £90 within 30 days and £50 within 15 days so i need to make my mind up quickly about what to do as this was a week ago.
One probem that seems to be an issue is the fact that I have written to appeal to the company (I honestly thought they had made a mistake and would not pursue it).... does this scupper my chances of challenging it/ignoring it?
I am trying to read through all of the info and stickies but there is an awful lot of stuff an i am not sure that my 'underpayment' + appeal will have already created a problem?
I haven't got a scanner unfortunately! I was considering taking a photo and trying that :s
There is no mention of railway bylaws....
"this car park is regulated by terms and conditions of parking displayed at the car park. By entering the car park you have agreed and contracted to be legally bound by those terms and conditions.....
oh and it is £90 within 30 days and £50 within 15 days so i need to make my mind up quickly about what to do as this was a week ago.
One probem that seems to be an issue is the fact that I have written to appeal to the company (I honestly thought they had made a mistake and would not pursue it).... does this scupper my chances of challenging it/ignoring it?
I am trying to read through all of the info and stickies but there is an awful lot of stuff an i am not sure that my 'underpayment' + appeal will have already created a problem?
One probem that seems to be an issue is the fact that I have written to appeal to the company (I honestly thought they had made a mistake and would not pursue it)
Their 'appeals procedure' is non-existent. I've yet to see a successful one, but you never know.
does this scupper my chances of challenging it/ignoring it?
No not at all, it just means they will think they have hooked another victim. From now on ignore any letters.
Thank you for your recent correspondence regarding SR049/090122132651.
I have noted your comments however, I regret to inform you that I have been unable to rescind this notice for you as you have failed to display a valid ticket for parking.
Please note that the price increase has been in place since the 10th of January 2009 and there is clear signage to show this. There was also signage around the car park and on the website two weeks before this change came into effect to make customers aware of the change. Please note that the display on the machine would have also shown that more money needed to be entered before purchasing.
Please make payment for the amount of £50 as soon as possible to avoid any further costs being incurred.
I am kinda worried about the 'ignore' stance, I am a single parent with just my young daughter at home and the idea of getting harrassing letters and possibly visits and bailiffs is frankly really quite scary
Has anyone used a company Roadsidelawyer.co.uk and their 'Ticketshield' offer? £37.50 and all letters and correspondeance is redirected to them where they have solicitors dealing directly with it? Plus legal advice IF it goes to court?
Though this costs, I just desperately want to NOT pay the carpark company this fee as I think it is massively unfair
I can understand what you are saying lamma with regard to it being a [problem] but it is awfully intimidating to be dealing with it on a day to day basis... which is why so many just pay and get on with their lives.
I don't want to deal with the harassment but equally I don't want these companies to get away with screwing innocent people
I can understand what you are saying lamma with regard to it being a [problem] but it is awfully intimidating to be dealing with it on a day to day basis... which is why so many just pay and get on with their lives.
The easy answer is you don't!
You pick up mail at door. Open it. Realise it's from them. Put in drawer. Forget about it. Move on,
you decide to ignore - then the ignoring is easy, real easy. if they ring just laugh quietly and put the phone down (leaving it off hook), hit the mute button so they can't listen in and carry on doing your thing. or put handset on the drawer if one is handy - next to their laughable paperwork would be poetic. read up on the stickies. ignore them and they will go away. if you want to do something about them tel everyone you know that uses that car park about them and read http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk...blems+ppc+face
frustrating parking charge
for £90.00 or £50.00 if paid within 30 days.
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Originally Posted by tulipsblue
