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Original poster

Has anyone ever just ignored a parking ticket?

114 replies

BalloonsAndWhistles · 12/05/2022 12:28

Private car park I should add.

Cut a long story short, we went into a car park and were unable to pay. Machine not accepting contactless and RinGo just cutting out when we called them. We were in there for 20 mins.

About 2 weeks later, we got the invoice for £100, reduced to £60 for quick payment. We appealed. They said no, ignoring the fact we couldn’t pay. We appealed again and they declined it and reduced it to £20. We appealed it again and stated that we were unable to pay and have had another demand for £100.

What would happen if we just ignored it? Would we get in a lot of trouble? It’s not the money per se, I just feel absolutely outraged that due to them not maintaining their machines they are now harassing us for money and not listening to us.

OP posts:
Original poster
BalloonsAndWhistles · 12/05/2022 17:51

cookiemonster2468 · 12/05/2022 17:32

The owners of the car park don't owe you anything, though.

If you went into a shop to buy a pair of jeans and the card machine was broken, you wouldn't expect to walk out with the jeans.

Same thing here, unfortunately. It's a private car park offering a service. You can't justify stealing that service because their machine wasn't working.

Presumably you could have paid with coins as an alternative anyway, so I don't think you really have a leg to stand on.

Show quote history

Please don’t call me a thief. Your analogy is absolutely ridiculous as well. I didn’t even get the service if you read my OP. All we got was a 23 minute wait whilst we tried to pay.

OP posts:
NeverDropYourMooncup · 12/05/2022 17:56

Yeah, my ex.

They took him to court. It cost him about four and a half grand (or that's what he admitted to) and the ability to get a mortgage or a job in any way dealing with financial matters for years.

HandlebarLadyTash · 12/05/2022 18:04

cookiemonster2468 · 12/05/2022 17:32

The owners of the car park don't owe you anything, though.

If you went into a shop to buy a pair of jeans and the card machine was broken, you wouldn't expect to walk out with the jeans.

Same thing here, unfortunately. It's a private car park offering a service. You can't justify stealing that service because their machine wasn't working.

Presumably you could have paid with coins as an alternative anyway, so I don't think you really have a leg to stand on.

Show quote history

The OP was using the 23 min to attempt to pay she didn't leave the car park.

Elsiebear90 · 12/05/2022 18:16

Google the company see if they take people to court, if they don’t then ignore. I’ve ignored loads over the years and nothing has happened. Some particular companies like Parking Eye do take people to court fairly often so don’t ignore ones from them.

LondonQueen · 12/05/2022 18:57

Yes then they started court proceedings so I paid up.

Tomikka · 12/05/2022 19:22

BalloonsAndWhistles · 12/05/2022 15:34

We stayed 23 mins attempting to pay. The invoice records the exact time we came and left and states 23 mins underneath the entry and exit times on the ticket. As soon as we realised RinGo wasn’t a goer we left.

In that case continue to dispute.

Don’t ignore, but use the appropriate appeals process with the company & relevant overview body, then ultimately if it goes to court then continue your appeal / Defence on the basis that you never actually parked:

You arrived, spent 23 minutes attempting to pay through all methods that failed to work then left

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/law-and-courts/parking-tickets/appealing-parking-tickets/appealing-a-parking-ticket/

Tomikka · 12/05/2022 19:24

(PS If possible and they are still showing on your phone history, take screenshots of the RingGo call history showing attempts to call with timestamps etc)

Original poster
BalloonsAndWhistles · 12/05/2022 19:24

@Tomikka CAB have been fab in the past, that link looks promising. Thanks.

OP posts:
Original poster
BalloonsAndWhistles · 12/05/2022 19:25

@Tomikka We sent a screenshot of the call log and that was totally ignored. After they ‘carefully considered’ our appeal they made no reference to it which was the reason for our appeal.

OP posts:
DougalToo · 12/05/2022 19:29

my son had 2 fines he was unaware of (letters sent to wrong house).

He ended up with 2 CCJs; he found that out when his mortgage appli action was refused.

either pay or get proper legal advice.

Chakraleaf · 12/05/2022 19:31

Eeek I would have just paid 20quid. I got a ccj from mine.

BashfulClam · 12/05/2022 19:46

I use the RinGo app fairly regularly (and the website) and never had an issue so there were other avenues open to pay.

girlmom21 · 12/05/2022 19:47

BashfulClam · 12/05/2022 19:46

I use the RinGo app fairly regularly (and the website) and never had an issue so there were other avenues open to pay.

Yep there's normally an app, website and phone number plus a different number to call with any issues

iminthebath12 · 12/05/2022 20:37

Yes- my friend has. They don't know his current address as he hasn't updated it anywhere since moving so they keep messaging to say they will start removal of goods but they can't find where he lives, he's an enigma 😂 even if they did turn up they are only a private company so can't really do much as long as you don't grant them access. They can't gain entry like high court officers can do I believe.

iminthebath12 · 12/05/2022 20:37

Unless you leave a door open perhaps?

Sunshineandrainbow · 12/05/2022 20:39

I also ended up with CCJ after ignoring one! I wrongly thought private companies didn't have power.

Original poster
BalloonsAndWhistles · 12/05/2022 21:13

Wow, I’m really surprised at the number of CCJs 😬 I’ve checked the app and it’s giving me the option to withdraw my appeal. However, what it doesn’t say is whether if I withdraw it will allow me to pay the reduced fine that was offered (£20) or whether it will ask for the full £100.

As pressing ‘withdraw’ means I can’t re-appeal it’s quite important! It’s Premier Parking, does anyone have any experience re withdrawing?

OP posts:
BotanistBay · 12/05/2022 21:27

Don't ignore it.

Use one of these websites to write a formal appeal letter - go to POPLA eventually - and I'd be v surprised if they find in the parking company's favour.

www.parkingcowboys.co.uk/appeal-letter/

Tomikka · 12/05/2022 22:25

BalloonsAndWhistles · 12/05/2022 21:13

Wow, I’m really surprised at the number of CCJs 😬 I’ve checked the app and it’s giving me the option to withdraw my appeal. However, what it doesn’t say is whether if I withdraw it will allow me to pay the reduced fine that was offered (£20) or whether it will ask for the full £100.

As pressing ‘withdraw’ means I can’t re-appeal it’s quite important! It’s Premier Parking, does anyone have any experience re withdrawing?

No experience with them.
But it’s a BPA member, so the appeal route you have is with Premier parking, then to POPLA

Ultimately you have a good case if it went to court
There is the alternative to pay Premier parking and then to take them to court - that would cost you the £20 or £100, a court fee of £35 (for claims up to £300) and you would claim for all your costs

No guarantee that you will win, but it seems wrong for you to pay

1Wanda1 · 12/05/2022 23:03

You can't claim for any legal costs in small claims court.

Eyesofdisarray · 12/05/2022 23:17

There are lots of similar threads about this.
It's not a FINE- it's a speculative invoice. Only the Police and Traffic Wardens can issue a fine. Private Parking companies rely on people to paying up to save the hassle. They don't often go to court but some do.
I think they have to send out the invoice within 2 weeks but not sure so do check.
You can appeal; the appeal co was called POPLA but again do check.
Lots of advice online- Pepipoo is a good forum with some expert knowledge. It's an odd name but helped me
Good luck

Eyesofdisarray · 12/05/2022 23:21

And I thought that a CCJ is only issued if you don't pay if it reaches court?

Original poster
BalloonsAndWhistles · 13/05/2022 09:42

I’ve finally resigned myself to the fact that we’re just going to have to pay. However, because we went to POPLA we now have to pay the full amount! This is despite the fact we changed our mind within 48 hours and our case was ‘in a queue’ to be looked at in 4-6 weeks. It’s now gone from £20-£100. I could cry, honestly. That’s a week’s shopping.

OP posts:
Elsiebear90 · 13/05/2022 09:49

Eyesofdisarray · 12/05/2022 23:21

And I thought that a CCJ is only issued if you don't pay if it reaches court?

Yes that’s exactly right, if it goes to court and you lose and pay you won’t receive a CCJ. Personally, other than one company that does take people to court (I contested and won) I’ve always ignored and nothing happens. The key is researching the company and seeing if they actually take people to court, most don’t and rely on scare tactics to get people to pay.

llibrollibre · 13/05/2022 10:00

I have, but it was a different kind of car park - free parking with a time limit.

It was for an event. I parked in the dedicated car park, stayed the length of the event, left, and got a ticket a few weeks later in the post. I should also say the event was at night and the car park had no lighting... Never saw a sign about restrictions but I also wasn't looking for one.

Received a ticket in the post a couple weeks later. Ignored it. They sent another more threatening one. Ignored it. Haven't heard from them for months.

Didn't seem fair to me so I took a chance and ignored it

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