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.
Hi guys, I've been through all the usual stuff with ignoring all the letters received from ECP, however they have been getting worse and worse.
I've just received a letter from control account which sounds quite serious, they say I owe them £300+ and it's headed FINAL OPPORTUNITY, they say I have 7 days before they will initiate court proceedings and have given me a phone number to call to dispute it.
Now I know no one on here has ever heard of ECP actually taking anyone to court, but give that it is somehow now £300+ I am quite scared that they actually will.
It also says that they will seek court fees and interest, can anyone tell me how much these fees would be?
Many thanks, I'm quite panicky as I really don't have the money spare to be able to pay that sum of money.
People wouldn't cave in if they asked nicely. The [problem] revolves around 'We WILL take you to court' letters.
Ignore them and don't lose any sleep. You're likely at the end of the process now - when they give up.
Thanks, I know it's likely a bluff it's just that because it is a larger amount and I've been through all the letters I've seen posted on here before, this one seems to be new, hence it's worrying me.
If they are stupid enough to take you to court they won't be able to prove that you as the RK were party to any contract. And thats just for starters.
The reality is that these guys are big on threats and short on action.
Continue to ignore - you are nearing the end of the process.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This does not constitute legal advice and is not represented as a substitute for legal advice from an appropriately qualified person or firm. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The title of this thread alone is so funny, 'Euro Car Parks taking me to court'.
You have more chance of winning this weeks Euro Lottery!!!!
regards
I appreciate all this and that no one knows of a case where they have gone that route, my worry is that I've not seen this letter anywhere online before and it's new to me.
I appreciate all this and that no one knows of a case where they have gone that route, my worry is that I've not seen this letter anywhere online before and it's new to me.
Thanks.
Hi. As the above posters have stated its all a bluff. I have had quite a few dealings with Euro Parks and one of thier DCAs- Control Account-and with sums higher than yours. Youl be fine
If you believe that this post has helped in any way please click on the star to the left
Hi. As the above posters have stated its all a bluff. I have had quite a few dealings with Euro Parks and one of thier DCAs- Control Account-and with sums higher than yours. Youl be fine
Excellent, I was hoping I'd hear that. It's for something like 5 separate parking tickets so I was worried that it would go further. I can totally believe they don't bother chasing up people with 1 ticket but was worried in this case it would be different. Thanks DDWales, out of interest where were yours got?
Excellent, I was hoping I'd hear that. It's for something like 5 separate parking tickets so I was worried that it would go further. I can totally believe they don't bother chasing up people with 1 ticket but was worried in this case it would be different. Thanks DDWales, out of interest where were yours got?
Mine was in a Swansea 'free' car park (albeit for a 2 hour time restriction). I parked there for a few occasions for work purposes and came back within the time limits only to be invoiced. This happened on a number of occasions- but was the reason how i found out about the CAG.
I recieved approx 4 letters for each invoice after that-2 each time from E.C.P and 2 from thier DCA Control Account (although Brinx are used just as much it seems). The invoices from CA upped the amounts to over £400!
A word of caution though. Some PPCs do go to court-its very rare-but can happen. The ones that they do take are for drivers that have racked up huge totals(far greater than yours) so the PPCs believe that the risk is worth going to court for if they were to get a substantial amount in thier favour. Again though though i have yet to see a PPC successfully take a driver to court and win for smaller amounts. They know what the outcomes are and wouldnt dare risk being out of pocket.
They simply rely on those who have a lack of knowledge in this area and through thier threatograms [problem] as much money out of the uneducated person as possible-with assistance from the DVLA i may add. From your case however i believe things will blow over soon enough
If you believe that this post has helped in any way please click on the star to the left
OK, when you say £400 is that per ticket or in total? Currently as I say it's on £318.75 but I believe it will probably be increasing with each letter.
Am I right in understanding that if it were to go to court it would be for the original amount and not for the ridiculous add-ons?
Also if it were to go to court does anyone have any idea of possible extra costs such as court fees and the other side's lawyers fees?
Court fees up to £500 being claimed: £45. Only payable by you if you lose though.
Hearing fee is it does go as far as a hearing: £50. Again only if you lose.
It means that they have to lay out £95 in the hope of recovering £320, plus their costs in going to court in your area (travel etc). That's quite a high-risk gamble.
Bear in mind that they then have to show that the total amount is owed to them and each sum can be argued individually. In the end, even if they won, they could still end up with barely anything.
Wouldn't it be easier and simpler for them if they were able to scare you into paying?
Apologies to people who I was in the process of helping, I may be gone some time.
OK, when you say £400 is that per ticket or in total? Currently as I say it's on £318.75 but I believe it will probably be increasing with each letter.
Am I right in understanding that if it were to go to court it would be for the original amount and not for the ridiculous add-ons?
Also if it were to go to court does anyone have any idea of possible extra costs such as court fees and the other side's lawyers fees?
Cheers DDWales your experience is appreciated.
In total. So the amount you have had for your five or so of tickets is less than just the two i had! This is irrelevent though as PPCs come up with any figure they like-its very random.This is mainly because its (a)more profit (b)it scares people into paying at certain stages because of intended rises or the high figure that they are already at.
It will increase with each letter but dont be fooled by this.
If it did go to court the add ons would not be taken into account and they could only claim for what they have percieved to have lost-nowhere near they figures they have come up with-probably a few pounds! This is why PPCs wont risk court for little amounts.
Dont worry about court costs! If the worst really did happen (it wont) were here to help
If you believe that this post has helped in any way please click on the star to the left
I've not seen this letter anywhere online before and it's new to me
Remember that Euro Car Parks is a business and that they have to adapt to external influences. One such influence is the fact that people are becoming increasingly wise to their [problem] - therefore, to continue profiting they must explore new avenues such as writing different letters. At the end of the day, there is no way that they could prove that you owed £300+ and it all amounts to the same thing - another empty threat.
TFT
09/07/09 Business Studies BA(Hons) 2:1
eCar Insurance overpayment - £325
Settled in full - 15/09/08 NatWest Student A/C bank charges - £260
Settled under hardship scheme - 08/06/09 Natwest Business A/C bank charges - £60
Settled in full as GOGW - 20/04/09 Santander Consumer Finance late payment fees - £60
Part settled for £48 - 01/03/08 Peugeot Finance late payment fees - £50
Settled in full before county court hearing - 01/09/09 Peugeot Finance overpayment of £247
Settled in full - 01/12/08 Valley Leisure - complaint about collections agent
£160 part refund of gym membership in compensation - 01/02/09 HFC Bank - complaint about payment deducted from my account on wrong date
GOGW £10 - 01/05/09
I'm pretty sure the court threatening letter is only for the first 2 or 3, so I think the figure is likely to rise by quite a bit, DDWales you had over £400 for just 2 tickets? I can assume mine will rise over time then. I will continue to ignore for the time being, my main panic I guess is that if the figure they try to claim for is higher than £500 which I can assume it will be at this rate that I will be liable to pay their lawyers fees etc, I really don't have the money to get involved in something like that.
I'm pretty sure the court threatening letter is only for the first 2 or 3, so I think the figure is likely to rise by quite a bit, DDWales you had over £400 for just 2 tickets? I can assume mine will rise over time then. I will continue to ignore for the time being, my main panic I guess is that if the figure they try to claim for is higher than £500 which I can assume it will be at this rate that I will be liable to pay their lawyers fees etc, I really don't have the money to get involved in something like that.
Thanks again guys.
Seriously, chill out - this isn't going to happen. If it were, by the same token I could add on £100 to by bank charges claim and then I would be in the money. The reality is that I would be kicked out the court because I could not prove the loss - the same as Euro Car Park's cannot. PPC's may be idiots - judges aren't!
TFT
09/07/09 Business Studies BA(Hons) 2:1
eCar Insurance overpayment - £325
Settled in full - 15/09/08 NatWest Student A/C bank charges - £260
Settled under hardship scheme - 08/06/09 Natwest Business A/C bank charges - £60
Settled in full as GOGW - 20/04/09 Santander Consumer Finance late payment fees - £60
Part settled for £48 - 01/03/08 Peugeot Finance late payment fees - £50
Settled in full before county court hearing - 01/09/09 Peugeot Finance overpayment of £247
Settled in full - 01/12/08 Valley Leisure - complaint about collections agent
£160 part refund of gym membership in compensation - 01/02/09 HFC Bank - complaint about payment deducted from my account on wrong date
GOGW £10 - 01/05/09
Small claims, they couldn't claim lawyers' fees. They could at most IF they were to win, claim the solicitor's fee for processing the claim form, possibly travelling expenses, but the rule of thumb for small claims is that if they want a solicitor there, they pay for it. the judge could award them higher costs IF you lost and IF he thought you had been unreasonable. Asking them to justify their huge fees or the basis for their claim is not unreasonable.
Apologies to people who I was in the process of helping, I may be gone some time.