Sounds like a typical tactic from UKPC. I once found UKPC giving me a ticket in a parking bay despite there being free parking for 1 hour - I had been in the shop only 5 minutes.. I'll echo the comments from the people above - ignore any subsequent letters from 'baliff companies,' 'lawyers,' or UKPC. Eventually they will go away... Tell everyone in your neighbourhood the same - think how much money they will be generating from people who are simply scared by the threatening letters and just pay up?

Hi Darren, Although I've not been on here for a while, I do always get notification e-mails - just picked yours up! As the other members have advised nothing ever came of it. When I first got one from UKPC I wrote back to them contesting it because the date was wrong, but they just ignored me and kept sending me more and more threatening letters (from various 'debt collection agencies'). Eventually they went away. When my girlfriend got one we never even replied to them once. We got a couple more letters I think but then they eventually left us alone. From experience, I would say just file them in David Brent's "Special Filing Cabinet,' - the bin. aeloen

Dust in the lens is a known 'issue,' which has no appreciable impact on the IQ of the lens. This was not so much the issue, but there had been significant build up very quickly and also the lens hood would not fit on the end of the lens properly, hence the first trip to the repair centre. So I took lens down to Canon Repair Centre. Not completely happy, but this is the situation. Engineer took a look and came to have a chat with me – he couldn’t find any fault with the locking mechanism and we couldn’t reproduce the problem (typically.) He said they cannot do replacements through the repair centre, it has to be done through the retailer. On the plus side, he said he would replace the front of the lens assembly with a new part so hopefully I shouldn’t have any issues with it again. He also said that Jessops use that repair centre, so if I had taken it to Jessops they would have received it, found no fault and sent it back to Jessops with a ‘no fault found,’ note. So this wouldn’t get me anywhere with Jessops. So I’m having the front of the lens assembly replaced, I will also get an invoice for this ‘repair.’ Hopefully, once I get this back, I can take this and the other repair invoices down to Jessops as further evidence of the unit being inherently faulty and try to demand a refund/replacement. Best course of action with Jessops once I get the lens back with invoice?

OK, so I spoke to Jessops Customer Services and to Canon Repair Centre this morning. First up, Jessops. They advised me to take the lens back into store. The store would then send it away to Canon for repair and get an engineering report. Once they have received this they will 'be able to make a decision,' on what to do. They advised this would take 4-6 weeks.. I asked what the possible outcomes could be as what I don't want to happen is for it to be repaired and then sent back to me - I'll have an additional 6 months warranty on what was repaired, but not on the whole lens (so if the same fault reoccurs I'm covered, but if a different fault occurs I am not..). They said they couldn't say and that they'd just have to 'make a decision when the report comes back.' I explained that I had two previous engineers reports for different faults and asked if this would be sufficient - they said no and they'd have to send it away themselves. I then spoke to Canon repair centre - I live near the repair centre so when I've had repairs done before I can get the item back in a couple of days. I explained the situation and they were generally sympathetic - though they did note that the retailer should be liable through SoG Act, but I explained I didn't want to be without it for 4-6 weeks. They said I could bring the lens down and speak to one of the engineers there to see what they can do. What do you think my best course of action would be? Thanks again

Just to follow up on this. Eventually Currys paid for the repair of the console directly to Microsoft. There were some issues because Currys required an engineers report from Microsoft in order to clarify that the fault was not due to me (e.g. water damage) and Microsoft refused to provide this after previously agreeing to. However, I think once Currys had made the commitment to pay for the repair they stopped caring - they never got an engineers report, I got the console back and Currys paid the repair..

Just to clarify what happened for anyone looking at this thread - we passed the letter to our insurer who told us to disregard it and that they would sort it out. We've had no further follow ups so consider the matter closed.

Hi, I was wondering if I could get some advice regarding a photographic purchase from Jessops in June last year (still under manufacturers warranty). The item was a £1260 Canon Professional Lens (EF 100-400mm L f4.5/5.6 if you are interested). The item has only had light amateur use and has always been well looked after, cleaned and kept in the supplied case when not in use. In August 2010 I had to take it to the Canon repair centre in Borehamwood for two (related) reasons. Debris had built up on the inside of the front element (dust in the lens) and also the Lens hood had never sat correctly. They replaced the front element and subsequently I have had no problem with dust and the lens hood fits perfectly. This was repaired under warranty. In October 2010 I again had to take it to the Canon repair centre because the Image Stabaliser Switch Assembley had failed (the switches had disintegrated, so I couldn't turn the Image Stabiliser on or off). Again this was repaired under warranty. There is a zoom locking mechanism which tightens to allow you to lock the zoom at a particular range (for example if you are taking distance photographs from a tripod). At the weekend this jammed several times. When it was jammed, I could also feel the focus ring grating inside. Although I managed to un-jam this I now feel the need to take it to the repair centre again to get the locking mechanism checked/replaced (it should never jam in the first place!) This is supposed to be a pro series lens and I feel that three distinct failures to occur in less than a year is unacceptable. I spoke to my local Jessops store about getting a replacement (I don't want a refund, I want a copy of the lens that does not fail regularly) and they said that all they can offer through the store is to send it away to Canon for repair (which I can do easily myself). If I do this, and get it repaired again, I have no guarantee that further failures will not occur with the lens - of course you never have this guarantee, but I am 3 months away from my manufacturers warranty from expiring. Given the history of this lens, this does not fill me with confidence. I'd rather have a replacement lens with a new 1 year warranty.. The store advised me that I'd have to talk to customer services on the phone so I am going to do this today. However, I was wondering where I stand in this situation in terms of my rights? Thanks in advance for any advice. Additional info: I have repair invoices for the last two times I had to have the lens repaired, original receipts, box and packaging.

Hi, My girlfriend was involved in a pile-up on the M1 in November 2008. As she went into the back of a 4x4 (she was in a Clio) she was held liable for damage to the 4x4. Her insurers (Tesco) paid for the damage and her premium went up accordingly. Now, out of the blue dated Jan 2010 we have received a letter from 'Camps Solicitors,' regarding (what we think is) a personal injury claim. We received this letter at the end of February, even though it is dated Jan. To be honest, we do not fully understand the letter (please see full text below). She thinks the person named was not the driver of the vehicle - she seems to remember him having an English firstname and polish surname, however the letter names someone with a very polish firstname too - of course he may be using a 'english,' name for day to day use.. We haven't contacted her insurers at this point - what do you advise to do? Thanks! Letter:

Hi pin1onu, Thanks for the advice. I managed to get through to someone in Currys CS who could help me (after being passed through 4 other areas). After speaking to the agent on the other end and after some discussion (including SOGA) this is what he agreed on: 1.) Send the xbox off for repair and pay for the repair up front (£82). Once I have received the invoice and xbox back from microsoft (which lists the fault) and assuming it is not my fault (e.g. being dropped) they (Currys) will refund the cost of the repair. If the product is beyond repair they will replace the product 2.) He will escalate internally today to the team which can offer me a refund (unlikely to be full refund) and avoid having to send the console off for repair at all. He said this would be in store credit. He also advised that he thought they would probably want me to try and get it repaired first. I was quite happy with this outcome at this point - considering previously everyone had basically told me 'tough.' Do you think this is a reasonable offer - i.e. that I have to pay for the repair up front and then reclaim if it is found to be a hardware fault I'm not responsible for? Thanks again..

Hi labrat, Thanks for your response. Just to clarify the issue is with multiple (all) discs - Games, DVD's and Audio CD's. I have tried using a commercial DVD lens cleaner - one of those cd's with the small brush on it - this did not help at all. Thanks

Hi, I bought an XBOX 360 in November 2008 from Currys. This week (2 months outside of the 1 year warranty) the DVD drive seemed to fail - the XBOX will boot up normally but I am unable to play any games/DVDs/CDs in the drive. Ocassionally one will start up (probably 1 in 20 attempts). After calling Microsoft yesterday they informed me that because it wasn't the 'dreaded red ring of death,' it was not covered by the extended 3 year warranty and they would charge £82 to fix it! £82 for a hardware fault I had no control over and which happens to be about half the price of the console. I took it back to Currys (with original receipt) and the run down is: 1) They refused to replace it 2) They called Microsoft and confirmed again if I wanted it fixed it would cost £82 3) When referring to SOGA they said I would have to prove it was an inherent fault of the machine - this would require me to get an independent engineer to assess the XBOX 4) The store manager said they have no power of 'Goodwill' in the store and could not offer me anything. 5) They told me to call Currys' head office 'Aftersales Support' line, to see if there was anything else they could do for me, but did not sound hopeful of a positive outcome. Has anyone got any advice? I want to be armed with as much information as I can before calling their Aftersales Support line. Thanks!

Thanks for your response Richard - are any of the other companys listed known to be associated with UKPC, e.g. Rossendales Collect or the like? Thanks again.

Address for Debt Recovery Plus Limited is: PO BOX 259 Ashton under lyne OL6 0ES. Registered office: 5 Grange Park Road, Cheadle, Cheshire SK8 1HQ. Comp Reg: 6774510 Address for UKPC: UK PARKING CONTROL LIMITED Unit 29 1-2 Denham Parade Oxford Road Uxbridge UB9 4D They seem to be all over the place and at different addresses. Any opinions?

Hi, I used the valuable advice from this forum myself about a year ago concerning a matter with UKPC. I subsequently ignored all their corresepondance, got letters from Rossendales Collect and then they eventually left me alone. My girlfriend, a few months back got a parking ticket when parked in her numbered bay (from UKPC again) and following my advice simply ignored it. However, she's just got a letter from 'Debt Recovery Plus Ltd' threatening: "Unless you pay us the amount in full within 7 days or contact us immediately with your proposals......this could result in: *A COUNTY COURT JUDGEMENT BEING ISSUED AGAINST YOU *AN ATTACHMENT OF EARNING ORDER *YOUR PERSONAL EFFECTS BEING SOLD TO PAY THE AMOUNT AT JUDGEMENT Seemed like pretty standard stuff to me, I'm just concerned because I've googled/searched the forums and can't find anything out about "Debt Recovery Plus Ltd." Can anyone advise? Anyone heard of the company? Thanks,

Dear all, I have received a second letter from UKPC. I Responded to their 'Charge Certificate,' with the template Barnsley Boy sent me a link for. The new letter I received said, in a nutshell: -------------------------------------------------------------------- Further to recent letter, there is no unauthorised parking in [location] There are sufficient signs warning vehicle owners etc. On the parking charge issue date you were the registered keeper/owner of the vehicle. Your PCN has been on hold whilst on appeal and may be settled in full at the reduced rate of £40.00 provided payment is received at the above address within 7 days of this letter. Yours faithfully, PCN Appeals Department -------------------------------------------------------------------- Well it looks like they are considering me for an 'appeal.' I was going to reply with the following; what does everything think? Dear Sirs, Re: Your letter dated 20th August 2008 Reference 018081#### I refer to previous correspondence. I note that you refer to me as owner. I have acknowledged only that I am the keeper. You appear to claim that I, as keeper, am legally responsible for this alleged debt. I deny this. Please substantiate this claim with appropriate citations of case and/or statute law. Similarly, as previously stated, I can provide evidence to refute your penalty charge issued at the date and time stated on your Civil Traffic Enforcement Note. Unless you provide evidence to substantiate your claim against me I shall be unable to assist you further in this matter and I restate my denial of this claim. Yours faithfully aeloen Any other advice? Thanks again!

Hey BB, Again thanks - I don't recognise my letter as being a "Notice to Owner," but it does name me, my vehicle registration etc. so that suggests they already paid the DVLA for my info. I'm going to send a letter just because I'll feel more comfortable doing that than *nothing* - though I agree ignoring them is probably the best best. I was just going to send the standard template from that thread - should I add something around the point I was at work in a different car park at the date/time on the Civil Traffic Enforcement Notice? Cheers, A As a footnote - is the letter I received in fact a 'Note to Owner,' as I never had a parking charge stuck to my windshield?

Thanks Barnsley Boy - it is indeed a PO BOX Number. After reading a number of threads on this site what I am concerned about is that fact that if I do not reply/appeal and just ignored all incoming letters/notices that if it did go to court it would look 'bad,' that I had not done anything about it. What does everyone think? Should I send a written reply? Thanks again

Thanks Barnsley Boy - I have been scanning the UKPC parking fine thread. How can I tell if it is a private ticket or council ticket? I had nothing on my windscreen at the time (in fact at 10:14 on the 4th August I would have been parked at work). That being said, I have parked there before so they probably took the photo on a different date and then dated it incorrectly. It says on the letter it is a: CHARGE CERTIFICATE Civil Traffic Enforcement Notice. Has registered Vehicle Number, Parking Charge Notice number, Parcking Charge Issue Date and Enforcement Notice Issue Date. Thanks again,

Also, just want to note that where it was parked is more of a kerb than a car park, it's a raised area which is at the same height of the road and is useful for stopping to quickly run into the shops/pickup the girlfriend. There is a car park adjacent to it however.

Hi, I received a 'CHARGE CERTIFICATE,' in the post on the 12th August - I have only just read the letter as I have been away. It shows a photo of my car parked in an unauthorised area (I do not contest that I have parked there before) however it is dated the 4th August @ 10:14am. I have been racking my brains but I can't see how I was parked there on that date (a Monday) at that time (when I would be in the work carpark). The Letter says I can only appeal by written letter within 7 days of notice which is this tuesday. However it also says that if I pay within 14 days it will be £40 and not £80. I want to appeal based on the date, however I also don't want to end up forking out the £80 instead of the £40. Should I pay the fine and then appeal, or should I wait before paying etc.? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!