Marston Group.....Help!!

[WilliamBowman]

This morning an "enforcement officer"/bailiff from Marston group knocked on my door wanting to speak to my wife. He told me that she owed 403.71 but could not speak to me so left a letter for her. Naturally I opened it as soon as he left and was staggered to see a financial breakdown.

 

3/10/10 Pre-enforcment letter 11.20 +VAT (Never received)

1/11/10 09:50 1st visit/attendance to levy 54.94 +VAT

1/11/10 09:50 Attendace to remove goods 120+VAT

 

The original fine was from the congestion charge and was £185 - We had just completely forgotten to sort it as my wife has only just had a baby and my mother has been in hospital with terminal cancer.

 

There is also another piece of paper with a different breakdown of fees:

 

PCN £185

Admin Fees £77.71

attendance costs £141

Total Due 403.71

 

This is all very confusing and seems SO excessive - especially since my wife never received a letter from marston group. At first I thought this was a hoax or [problem] as the costs are so ludicrous.

 

Any help would be much appreciated

 

Thanks

 

Will

[rebel11]

Hi William

 

Welcome to CAG

 

The guys will respond shortly.

[Voxter]

sounds right tbh

 

aint the 2nd quote the same with vat added

[ploddertom]

Have they levied/seized any goods? Have they left a Notice of Seizure?

 

PT

[Voxter]

its parking dude. attendance fees can be added without a levy

[WilliamBowman]

No - There is no notice of seizure - and there is no way I would let him take anything!

 

Are these just empty threats - has he got the right to take anything? What a sad, demoralising world we live in where an £8 congestion zone bill can be distorted into a £403 bill

 

My wife spoke to him as he left his mobile number on the piece of paper - he said he would only accept payment in full - and when questioned about the fact we never received the letter he just side stepped the matter by asking how we were going to pay and he would give us time.

 

Is it worth speaking to the london congestion zone people? Shall I get my solicitor involved - is what they are doing legal?

 

How come the first visit/attendance to levy was charged at 54.94+VAT but the attendance to remove goods was charged at 120+VAT - surely they should visit first?? Do they have any regulations they have to stick to? Especially as we did not receive the letter .

 

Thanks again

 

Will

[sillygirl1]

Yes, contact the congestion zone people and ask about putting in an appeal. Out of interest did you know that 80% of the warrants handled by this company are incorrect.... that is why they do not like you seeing them.

 

If the warrant is in initials and surname only it is invalid.... it needs to be in your full name.

[WilliamBowman]

Thanks for your quick response

 

Transport for London are no use at all - they said it was out of their hands at that the bailiffs charges were uncapped!!!! Marstons say I need to write to their "customer care team" - for the warrant and also to dispute the ridiculous fees.

 

Whilst speaking to the girl at marstons she also confirmed to me that the letter was sent by 2nd class post?!

 

W

[tomtubby]

Thanks for your quick response

 

Transport for London are no use at all - they said it was out of their hands at that the bailiffs charges were uncapped!!!! Marstons say I need to write to their "customer care team" - for the warrant and also to dispute the ridiculous fees.

 

Whilst speaking to the girl at marstons she also confirmed to me that the letter was sent by 2nd class post?!

 

W

 

Your wife should have received a Notice to Owner, Charge Certificate and Order for Recovery BEFORE the debt is passed to a bailiff.

 

If none of these documents had been received then it would appear that there has been a problem with the address. This could be due to moving premises, having an odd address or errors at DVLA.

 

What you need to do is call the Traffic Enforcement Centre on 08457 045 007 (wait on the line to speak with an operator) and ask them to confrim to you the address on the warrant. They will then email a copy of an Out of Time Application.

 

This will CEASE all enforcement until the matter has been determined.

 

On the matter of the fees, as far as I am concerned, the bailiff should NOT be charging an ATTENDING TO REMOVE fee at a first visit!!!

 

Also, how can they possibly justify such a fee UNLESS they know in advance that there is anything to remove !!!

[WilliamBowman]

Tomtubby thanks for taking a look so quickly

 

Currently trying to call them - have been on hold for 15mins! Will let you know the outcome.....

 

I agree about the fees, the only issue is there doesn't seem to be any regulating body. I spoke to the bailiff on the number he gave and he couldn't have been more unhelpful, he said that was the amount, he was allowed to charge the removal of goods fee under the contract guidelines between Marston and TFL and unless I paid there would be subsequent visits/charges.

 

W