This Forum

[dvoom]

I would like to propose that the parking ticket forum has sub-forums for the different parking companies, so that we can see what are the standard letters etc that they send out, for example I have an invoice from Euro Car Parks, it would be useful to have everything relating to them and controlaccount on one thread. What do you think?

[awf]

I like the idea, it would also be good to have some templates, unless there are templates somewhere floating around?

[Bernie_the_Bolt]

It occurred to me that I have drafted a number of letters and am in the process of pulling them together and was going to post them.

 

I see two problems: I write letters in a certain style (less is more/short and sweet etc) others prefer a different approach and it is a personal decision. Secondly, we know that PPCs look at this forum. Sometimes it seems that their employees crop up in Troll like capacities. What we don't want is it to be obvious to the PPC what the strategy of their "victim" is going to be so they can head it off at the pass.

 

Something I will give some thought to over then next few days - I have some ideas!

[caro]

As long as any material is factually correct, accurate, and the company don't have a leg to stand on does it matter if they are readily available? If it means the companies have to thing again about their actions isn't that a good thing?

 

I imagine there would be too many companies to have sub-forums.

[Bernie_the_Bolt]

I imagine there would be too many companies to have sub-forums.

 

What you could do is to nest it eg:

 

Official Tickets/Clamping

• Local Authority (London) Parking
  
• Local Authority (Ex London) Parking
  
• Police Trafic Warden Parking
  
• TFL Congestion Charge
  
• Bus Lane/Yellow Box and Other CCTV

Private Parking (Tickets)

• [by name of PPC]
  
• Others

Private Parking (Clamped)

[patdavies]

You are probably going to end up increasing the moderators work loads moving threads around as too many new members' first posts are uncertain as to even council/private - never mind which company.

 

Also some companies not only do private tickets (NCP spring to mind) but also act as contracted agents for councils

[Bernie_the_Bolt]

You are probably going to end up increasing the moderators work loads moving threads around as too many new members' first posts are uncertain as to even council/private - never mind which company.

 

Also some companies not only do private tickets (NCP spring to mind) but also act as contracted agents for councils

 

Fair point. Is it something a stick on "how to identify what sort of ticket you have got" will solve?

[caro]

To be honest I don't think it will. The debt forum has several DCA's names cropping up, some of which have multiple identities, and this idea has been mooted there and decided against at the moment. There is also a danger that someone may be familiar with one sub-forum and not feel able to help on another, when their knowledge may well transfer across all areas.

 

I see your point absolutely, but many newbies find the forum difficult to navigate, and we don't want to put them off posting their problems because they are unsure where they should post.

[demon_x_slash]

Trouble with that is you'd have the uninitiated posting all over the place - anyway, subdivision after subdivision can lead to points that are salient to more than one group being missed.

[demon_x_slash]

Is it something a stick on "how to identify what sort of ticket you have got" will solve?

 

Now that would be a good idea

[awf]

If I want to find something specific I usually just do a google, for example:

 

pcn +ealing site:http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/parking-traffic-wardens/

 

or

 

"alliance and leicester" site:http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum

 

What I would find useful is template letters section like set out in Bank Charges forum.

 

I know you said that people can have different styles BTB, but surely some sort of template could be cooked up that sets out the important information/wording to include, with advice that it is to be adapted to each individual case.

 

I always like to go off a template then adapt it to my needs, and I don't always send the same worded letter in different cases (even if it's the same issue).