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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to not pay this parking charge?

37 replies

MrDobalina · 19/09/2012 16:55

was sent a parking charge notice for parking whilst at work back in May. I didn't even read the letter properly Blush because i use the car park regularly (maybe 2x a month) for the last 5 years (although it changed ownership/management a few years ago) and I always pay by text £6.50 for the 6 hours i am there; I assumed there had been a mistake and they would catch up with themselves and all would be forgotten

I've been referred to debt collectors and am expected to pay £115

I phoned the company and they say that I paid at 11.30am by text, the parking charge notice was issued at 11.02am and therefore it stands

I can see that I was wrong to pay late (I got distracted as i entered work and forgot) but surely they can see my intention was to pay/ i always pay/ i DID pay?

they are refusing to waver the charge

AIBU or are they?

OP posts:
WaxyBean · 19/09/2012 16:58

YABU. You've admitted you hadn't paid at the time the ticket was issued, and ignored the payment demand when first sent.

MrsTerrysChocolateOrange · 19/09/2012 16:58

The problem is that it would look the same to them if you had got back to your car, gone 'oops' and paid then. They probably think you're trying it on.

SoupDragon · 19/09/2012 17:01

So, you parked without paying and expect to be let off the fine?

nickeldaisical · 19/09/2012 17:03

ask this in Legal - there are reasons that you shouldn't pay, as some charges aren't enforceable.

but they'll know more.
and i don't want to give wrong information

valiumredhead · 19/09/2012 17:04

If it's a NCP 'fine' or the like -then don't pay it!

Original poster
MrDobalina · 19/09/2012 17:09

no mrsterry its not the same as going back to my car and going oops...i left the car at 10am and returned to it at 4pmish

if i have a payment system set up with them, surely there should be some good faith involved

I think parking fines are to catch out the chancers...it is clear that i always pay...they have at least 2 years of records to show that, if not 5!

valium its Euro Car Parks

thanks nickel ill ask in legal too

OP posts:
valiumredhead · 19/09/2012 17:13

If that's a private car pan then it's not a real 'fine' - look on Martin Lewis' money saving site, he explains in great detail why no one should pay these fines.

If it's a council fine - then pay it!

MrsTerrysChocolateOrange · 19/09/2012 17:13

I don't think that's what it WAS, MrDobalina just that it could look like that. Maybe appeal to the fact that, as you say, you always have paid. I think parking fines are there to make the most money possible. I don't think a lot of them care about whether you are a chancer or not. They probably write it into their budgets. X amount of people forget, that's X amount of pounds. [cynical]

VivaLeBeaver · 19/09/2012 17:15

If the ticket was issued by a private compnay then they're not legally enforceable.

I also thought they're also only supposed to charge for the amount of lost revenue by you not paying. So if its £2 a hour and you overstay by an hour then they shouldn't charge more than £2???

Anyway, the bit about private companies is definetly right. Martin Lewis has a lot of info on his website and there are dedicated forums for this.

I got a ticket from a private company months ago. I'm not paying, I ignore the letters and just don't engage with them. Soomeone at work owes them over £5000 of fines going back quite a few years and they just drop it after a bit. The latters get worse, my last one mentioned baliffs but its all a load of bollocks.

lancaster · 19/09/2012 17:15

if it's a private company, they can not enfore payment/debt collection no matter what their threatening letters may say.

valiumredhead · 19/09/2012 17:17

Apparently they are good at sending out what look like letters from the court but they aren't actually stamped... cowboys!

Socknickingpixie · 19/09/2012 17:20

if its a private company not employed by the police/la and debt collecters are involved you do know that its just like a random person on the street asking you for money dont you? they have no more of a legal right to ask you to pay than i do,dont let them in your house

Original poster
MrDobalina · 19/09/2012 17:22

oooo...thanks for info everyone

I assume Euro Car Parks is a private company...it isnt council

They've referred me to Control Account Plc...which appear to be real debt collectors? I did ask the advisor what would happen if I just ignored their correspondance, she sputtered a bit, but did eventually say i would get a CCJ (Im not really sure what that means Blush)

OP posts:
valiumredhead · 19/09/2012 17:25

County court judgement - but I doubt very much it will get that far.

Original poster
MrDobalina · 19/09/2012 17:25

oh...haha...yes i do...just looking at the letter again...it explains it! Smile

...means bailiffs or court

I've sent an email to Euro Car Parks, asking them to reconsider

If they still don't, Ill send them a second email telling them to shove it up their arse and just ignore them

OP posts:
valiumredhead · 19/09/2012 17:26

www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?44410-Euro-Car-Parks-Illegal-tickets

I just googled but not read - is there anything on here that is useful?

VivaLeBeaver · 19/09/2012 17:29

You can't get a CCJ unless they actually take you to court and the case is found against you.

I doubt they'll bother as it costs them so much.

Even if they do then go to court and argue your case and it may well be found in your favour. Even if not the court won't say you have to pay £115.

Don't email them, just ignore them. Next time don't admit it was you drinving. They contact you as the registered owner, but its the driver who their case is against. You're not legally obliged to tell them who the driver is.

ErikNorseman · 19/09/2012 17:29

They can't enforce it however if you have admitted the offence in writing they may be able to. Look on money saving expert for advice.

VivaLeBeaver · 19/09/2012 17:29

Oh and Control Acc Plc is very likely to be a sub group of Euro Parks.

SauvignonBlanche · 19/09/2012 17:31

Don't pay!

Original poster
MrDobalina · 19/09/2012 17:32

great valium that is really helpful

Seems it is Euro Car Parks who are the chancers!!

OP posts:
valiumredhead · 19/09/2012 17:32

Don't bother writing to appal against their better nature either - waste of time, they charge everyone regardless.

valiumredhead · 19/09/2012 17:33

IIRC there is a standard letter on The Money Saving website that you can copy and send to them basically telling them in legal terms to fuck off.

Original poster
MrDobalina · 19/09/2012 17:34

What pisses me off about these things (and why i ignored the first letter) is the amount of time you waste phoning/emailing/writing letters

Dont they know I am a busy women?! I like to fill my precious spare time with fun and relaxation, not trying to decipher whether i should pay the wankers....grrrrr.....

thanks to mumsnet though....just cut time wasted in half (and half again probably) Grin

OP posts:
Blu · 19/09/2012 17:41

The first letter will have said appeal within xxxx days.
You could have just appealed and explained then...and saved yourself this time.

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