Impound Company Acting Illegally?

[skyman98]

Okay, resolved the issue in my other thread, now got a whole new can of worms regarding the impound company.

 

Basically, on the police ticket it states that the Impound companies charges are; £105 removal and £12 a day storage.

 

I phoned them to find out what I'm due and they are now claiming it's actually £20 a day storage. I told them that's incorrect as the police and their ticket both state £12 a day. Impound company say that £20 a day is the new fee, when asked when this came into action they told me October 2008!!!

 

That's 6 months ago, surely this is more than enough time for the police to be issued with up to date tickets with the correct prices on?

 

i've sought advice from my solicitor and he says they have to honour the price that is shown on the ticket and if they don't I'm to complain to the police that this company, whom the police have a contract with, are trying to fraudulantly obtain monies by deception.

 

I phoned the police to inform them and they insist it's a civil matter, despite telling them I'd already sought legal advice and him saying otherwise.

 

As I'm going to be collectig my car shortly I'd appreciate any further advice anyone could give. thanks

[buzby]

Your only way is to pay up under duresss, and sue them for the overpayment. If you don;t they won;t release the car. I'd also make the police a party to the action for the recovery of the overpayment. Keep all the receipts and before paying, advise them that you will seek reimbursement through the courts if they stick to their £20 demand.

[skyman98]

Crikey, what a complete and utter con.

 

When I phoned this afternoon I was told it was £190 to release it. got there and after arguing over the £20 / £12 a day debacle said I'd complain to the police for reimbursement and to just release it. "No problem, that's £250".

 

Explode? I almost went supernova. I queried this new price and told them that the woman behind him had already told me £190, at which point he turned to his computer, clicked away and then said "sorry, it's £210".

 

Now, if I had been a mug I might have handed over £250 without questioning it. It was at this point I said this was a complete [problem] and clearly they just pull whatever figure they like out of their arse.

 

i ended up paying £210 but I'm still going to persue the price that was printed on the ticket the police are issuing.

[buzby]

This is a commercial transaction (foisted on you by the police). Incompetence (with or without use of a calculator) needs to be watched - but all the more reason the consumer needs to verify the price of everything!

 

Keep us posted on your challenge.

[raydetinu]

the other thing to watch is they may try and VAT and I think this is vat exempt.