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AIBU?

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Original poster

What is it with being poor..

181 replies

scaryclown · 07/11/2016 21:31

That makes everything more expensive??

I'm fuming/despairing at the moment. I've just managed to get control of my money after a period with no income and no soon as i get my first month finishing with £10 spare the fucking DVLA have written to me to trap me thus...

pay £300 or so quid NOW or we will take you to court where you will have to pay £1000. You cant pay in installments.

so because i'm poor, i'm forced to go to court to be charged £1000 because the court CAN enforce installmemts to pay...

fir a wealthier person, this is inconvenient and manageable, for the poorest its MORE EXPENSIVE ..

what the hell?

Also the reason is that i was clamped for pulling up on my 'to the MOT station' journey to collect the numberplate that i needed to pass the MOT and PAY THE DVLA ...they also charged me £260 to unclamp the vehicle.

UTTER BASTARDS...

my food bill is £120 a month

WIBU to put their windows in?

OP posts:
Original poster
scaryclown · 07/11/2016 23:13

Oh great. the government are assholes and the solution is 'hey lets not join together and fight this, lets all EAT LESS ?!?!Hmm

OP posts:
notrocketscience · 07/11/2016 23:16

www.askthe.police.uk/content/Q600.htm

Sadly I think you will have to chalk this one up to experience. My local garage would have charged you £12 for a new number plate and fixed it for you during the MOT test so I don't think you can argue it was a necessary diversion in your journey to your MOT test. Also the garage must have your phone number with your MOT appointment in their diary so DVLA can (and do) check it out.
Having said that, the fine of £1000 is the maximum penalty and I think if you went to court, representing yourself, I think you would get some sympathy. I'm not a lawyer though.

AgainPlease · 07/11/2016 23:17

I've been there. You will get through this FlowersFlowers

Graphista · 07/11/2016 23:18

Can I ask why you left it till after expiry to sort mot and tax?

Scaredycat3000 · 07/11/2016 23:19

They will say it was two journeys as the OP parked her vehicle probably. As you have no choice but to go to court at least you have a chance of me being wrong. People on medium income would cough up the £300 and not risk the £1000. Rich people would have got their Lawyer to send a letter and it all be over by now.

Stickerrocks · 07/11/2016 23:22

Presumably because they're both expensive, especially if you're already driving an older car & are likely to need work done. It could have been worse though, as your insurance is usually invalid without an MOT as well. At least it was only DVLA.

Scaredycat3000 · 07/11/2016 23:23

No The OP has already said, repeatedly, that her MOT center DOES NOT DO FUCKING NUMBER PLATES.
What is wrong with people? Read the thread properly.

UnderseaPineapple · 07/11/2016 23:25

Can I ask why you left it till after expiry to sort mot and tax?

Because she had no income at all and people can't pay for things when they have no money at all.

Is it so hard for some on MN in general to read OPs and subsequent posts properly to gain the information needed to process all the idiotic questions they have? Or is it a case that they do read the posts but just like to be judgey and want to make the OP feel bad?

Imbroglio · 07/11/2016 23:30

It sucks. Even things like my garden centre will give you vouchers which get you a fantastic discount if you spend, say, £50. But to spend that much you probably need to buy a lot so if you haven't got £50 to spare in one go and a car to lug it all home, you won't get the discount. But of course the retailer spreads the cost over all of the goods so they end up being more expensive.

TroubleinDaFamily · 07/11/2016 23:32

I still don't get this.Confused

5OBalesofHay · 07/11/2016 23:33

Why run a car if you can't afford it? They are prone to financial drains. It's often cheaper to use public transport plus taxis when needed than all the on going costs

DeleteOrDecay · 07/11/2016 23:34

MOT Garage would have done you a new number plate if needed.

Can I ask why you left it till after expiry to sort mot and tax?

Both helpful responses, notHmm

Is it really so difficult for some people to understand that there are people out there who are genuinely living on the breadline and that every thing down to the last penny is accounted for?

Muddlewitch · 07/11/2016 23:37

Totally agree with you op, it's utterly shit.

Being poor is expensive, prepayment meters, being charged more for not being able to pay things like council tax upfront, not being able to get a mortgage so paying extortionate rent, huge interest payments, no bulk buying discounts, it's all a massive head fuck and makes me furious.

SpunkyMummy · 07/11/2016 23:40

50Bales

The OP may genuinely need the car. For work, a disabled family member, because there are only 2 buses a day where she lives...

Imbroglio · 07/11/2016 23:42

The point of the post is that lots of things are more expensive when you are poor. Eg Richer people can get discounts for paying up front rather than by installments. Or buying in bulk. Or having to get all your food at the local shop at a premium price because a trip to the supermarket is impossible.

Scaredycat3000 · 07/11/2016 23:42

50 If I caught a local bus a return ticket costs £7:50. Buses are sparse, very slow going though every village. Last year one bus company folded at 5pm. All their buses stopped running with no notice at 5pm. Passengers who tried to save money by having a return ticket or season ticket suddenly had to pay the other bus company to get them home, assuming the other company cover your route. Bus problems have already been explained on this thread. Maybe the reason you don't understand is because you haven't read the thread properly? Your world sounds lovely, I can't imagine not even being able to understand being short of money.

5OBalesofHay · 07/11/2016 23:43

But if yo can't afford it then you can't afford it and picking up fines doesn't help

Muddlewitch · 07/11/2016 23:44

The 'public transport is cheaper' idea is not often true either - taking myself and my children to town (not far away but too far for children to walk) costs over £10 on the bus. When the bus actually comes that is.

It would be far cheaper to drive it (if I could afford driving lessons which I can't because I spend a fortune on public transport as well as all the other things mentioned on the thread.) The cost would of course be cheaper if I got a season ticket, but I can't because I don't have enough money up front as per the boots scenario.

This is how everything is when you are poor. It's a never ending cycle.

Scaredycat3000 · 07/11/2016 23:45

Are you being deliberately hurtful 50?

LookMoreCloselier · 07/11/2016 23:46

[http://www.rjerrard.co.uk/law/cases/richards.htm]

In this case a guy stopped for petrol and fags on the way to the MOT and the court ruled in his favour. Good luck anyway!

PickAChew · 07/11/2016 23:47

50bales, public transport is only cheaper if you're in a city or area with subsidised travel. Or have more than 2 buses per day.

DeleteOrDecay · 07/11/2016 23:47

Obviously, but it's a bit late for that now isn't it 50? It's not like op can turn back the clock to avoid it. It's done and now she has to try and figure out the best course of action that won't result in her going hungry and/or potentially losing her home.

Clankboing · 07/11/2016 23:48

Its crap OP. I agree.

Memoires · 07/11/2016 23:51

Some places in the UK have completely ineffective public transport, and a car is the only way to get children to school and yourself to work, let alone getting to shops and other services. There are villages round here with 2 buses a day, neither of which would get you to work before 10am and would get you hom before 3.30. That's not going to help you work from 9 to 5, is it?

Op Flowers it's a bugger.

Graphista · 07/11/2016 23:52

1 I just asked a question

2 I certainly know about poverty, I'm a disabled lp on benefits

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