Cheers Rae - I note also that Equita are members of ACEA, and again are in breach of their code of conduct. I shall also complain to them if this isn't resolved.

Great - they are clearly in breach of the standards as details of charges levied to date were not included on the later. Cheers Rae.

With reference to the other recent thread on Equita, I have sent them a complaint e-mail pointing out their mistakes and once again offering to settle up the charges of £68.14 plus any REASONABLE (i.e. 20% of debts up to £100) extra charges next Friday. I'll see what happens...

I failed to pay a parking fine last year - my mistake, I thought I had done so, although was at a time when I was waist-deep in debt and just sorting my finances out. I got a letter from Equita in April telling me I needed to pay £168.14. I called them and arranged to make 3 payments. I made the first two, but again an oversight meant I failed to make the final payment. My fault again, no problem. This week I got a letter hand-delivered from a bailiff from Equita. On the letter it said that I need to discuss this within 24 hours or he would seize my vehicle, which would cost £140. At first I e-mailed Equita, apologising for my oversight and offering to settle in full next Friday when I get paid. Having heard nothing back by the evening, I rang them up. They said to speak to the bailiff, but he would have no problem doing this. I phoned him, but he didn't answer, so I left a message for him explaining the situation. He phoned back this morning, saying that the amount outstanding was not £68.14, but in fact some way over £400. Not including the £140 should he seize the vehicle, nor the £50 per day while it sat at auction. I phoned Equita back, but they were most unsympathetic. Now, in none of the correspondence I have received from Equita does it explain their bailiff charges - nor is there any mention of this arbitrary figure on the letter I received the other day. The only mention of additional charges was the £140 for seizing the vehicle. Looking elsewhere it suggests that bailiff fees should be no more than 20% of debt for the first £100. Am I therefore in a position to dispute the charges, given these were not published? Should I, like the previous poster, refer this to the Council? Bearing in mind the clock is ticking for my car being seized, I need to act very quickly!

OK, will do - thought as this thread referred to the company I was dealing with it might "tie in", but will move to another thread.

Wow, first time on this site and I see someone having a similar problem to me with exactly the same company. I failed to pay a parking fine last year - my mistake, I thought I had done so, although was at a time when I was waist-deep in debt and just sorting my finances out. I got a letter from Equita in April telling me I needed to pay £168.14. I called them and arranged to make 3 payments. I made the first two, but again an oversight meant I failed to make the final payment. My fault again, no problem. This week I got a letter hand-delivered from a bailiff from Equita. On the letter it said that I need to discuss this within 24 hours or he would seize my vehicle, which would cost £140. At first I e-mailed Equita, apologising for my oversight and offering to settle in full next Friday when I get paid. Having heard nothing back by the evening, I rang them up. They said to speak to the bailiff, but he would have no problem doing this. I phoned him, but he didn't answer, so I left a message for him explaining the situation. He phoned back this morning, saying that the amount outstanding was not £68.14, but in fact some way over £400. Not including the £140 should he seize the vehicle, nor the £50 per day while it sat at auction. I phoned Equita back, but they were most unsympathetic. Now, in none of the correspondence I have received from Equita does it explain their bailiff charges - nor is there any mention of this arbitrary figure on the letter I received the other day. The only mention of additional charges was the £140 for seizing the vehicle. Looking elsewhere it suggests that bailiff fees should be no more than 20% of debt for the first £100. Am I therefore in a position to dispute the charges, given these were not published? Should I, like the previous poster, refer this to the Council? Bearing in mind the clock is ticking for my car being seized, I need to act very quickly!