MET parking thieves

[Jamesgt]

Just read I have 28days from first correspondence to appeal. Way out!! I didn't even open the first letter until the day I started this thread so it was probably sat at home a good amount of time while I was on holiday and working abroad.

So my choices are, go to court or pay up. I still might be able to get cctv from work to prove I wasn't there for that alleged overnight stay they say I did. Regardless I understand I cannot claim expenses for the day, loss of wages etc.

[kiethton]

Very unlikely to actually take you to court.

When/if they do so they will lose if you submit an actual defence detailing the issue and even vaguely confirming it (2 different days - sign in sheet at work for the gap in the middle etc.)

[Jamesgt]

Sorry, I have no actual knowledge of this process. Let's say I'm going to gather all the evidence I possibly can for defence. Cctv maybe, signing in sheets for work, letter from manager, evidence I work just two miles away with a free car park. How will this process work? Do I get to submit my evidence prior to court, then MET will likely not proceed as I have a good wedge of evidence?

[kiethton]

Jamesgt said:

Sorry, I have no actual knowledge of this process. Let's say I'm going to gather all the evidence I possibly can for defence. Cctv maybe, signing in sheets for work, letter from manager, evidence I work just two miles away with a free car park. How will this process work? Do I get to submit my evidence prior to court, then MET will likely not proceed as I have a good wedge of evidence?

Exactly - wait for the actual court forms.

You will be able to submit a defence then including all of the above, their admission that system isn't perfect and more besides (seek more help then) but the chances of it even getting that far is pretty slim.

They're in the "try to scare them into paying up" stage, near the end you'll get one offering a "last chance" settlement offer of the original penalty (or even half that), again ignore it - it's all pressure tactics

[pavarotti1980]

timetex said:

Crap advice. Sorry.

PPCs have powers to go after the RK these days, as 'I wasn't driving, I can't possibly have entered a parking contract with you' was an easy get-out in the good old days.

OP - I just hope you aren't outside the POPLA appeals window.

If you are, I'm afraid you've only yourself to blame. This is the correct route, and always worth doing as it costs the PPC money to defend thus hitting them where it hurts anyway.

You are giving the OP conflicting advice.

OP drop me a message and I will give you some help

Edited by pavarotti1980 on Monday 21st August 17:24

[S11Steve]

The good news is that it has gone to DRP - this means that MET are not likely to spend any money on legal costs.

You can choose to ignore DRP as they work on a commission basis for any debt collected, but they are not the creditor or Principle, therefore they can not take any legal action. Their letters are very vague, but read carefully and they say "may take legal action" "could result in a CCJ" "might affect your credit score" - all wishywashybks designed to scare you.



In regards to contacting McDonalds, that is often the easiest course of action. Met have a contract with McD - if McD say they want the ticket cancelled, then there is no way on earth MET would take this as far as a court claim knowing that their Principle has asked for it to be cancelled.

In similar news, Travelodge have a similar agreement with UKPC, as I found out after a friend and I took the social media method of getting a ticket cancelled last week.

[anonymous-user]

There are signs in the Starbucks car park specifically saying they will charge people who park there and use the Macdonalds. I was there about 3 hours ago. If you drive in to Starbucks, the spaces on the left hand side have the sign behind them. I read it from the car and thought of this thread.

[Jamesgt]

OpulentBob said:

There are signs in the Starbucks car park specifically saying they will charge people who park there and use the Macdonalds. I was there about 3 hours ago. If you drive in to Starbucks, the spaces on the left hand side have the sign behind them. I read it from the car and thought of this thread.

Thanks for that. I've never bothered to read those signs. Reality is I didn't park over night in either car park. I've spoke to someone in work who says they have cctv for 6 months. This will show my car and me turning up to work at the time MET accuse me of settling in for the night at the car park.

[anonymous-user]

Jamesgt said:

OpulentBob said:

There are signs in the Starbucks car park specifically saying they will charge people who park there and use the Macdonalds. I was there about 3 hours ago. If you drive in to Starbucks, the spaces on the left hand side have the sign behind them. I read it from the car and thought of this thread.

Thanks for that. I've never bothered to read those signs. Reality is I didn't park over night in either car park. I've spoke to someone in work who says they have cctv for 6 months. This will show my car and me turning up to work at the time MET accuse me of settling in for the night at the car park.

Bob given what I think your line of work is if the OP follows the sign pictured (the small black and white one) from the A120, If he was parked 'on site' less than 2 hrs (doesn't sound like it though ?) I would have said the Starbucks sign is irrelevant, otherwise the OP could challenge Highways England under their policy and signing a facility that does not meet the requirements. Table B1 page 17 otherwise the Trunk road signing should come down.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/strateg...

[timetex]

pavarotti1980 said:

You are giving the OP conflicting advice.

OP drop me a message and I will give you some help

Edited by pavarotti1980 on Monday 21st August 17:24

What have I said that is conflicting?

I said that pretending he wasn't driving was crap advice, and to go through the proper appeals route.

You get the POPLA referral paperwork from MET as part of the appeals process.

But if the OP is just speaking to McDonalds and has let the appeals process timeout, then...

[pavarotti1980]

timetex said:

What have I said that is conflicting?

I said that pretending he wasn't driving was crap advice, and to go through the proper appeals route.

You get the POPLA referral paperwork from MET as part of the appeals process.

But if the OP is just speaking to McDonalds and has let the appeals process timeout, then...

mentioned going to POPLA without engagin with MET and that the POPLA appeal framework will have elapsed

[Ekona]

I told you exactly what to do here.

First, you appeal to MET. They reject, and on the back of that paperwork is the POPLA code. You take that to POPLA and appeal that way, and then you go from there. Again, I had a similar issue with the EXACT same company in the EXACT same car park and they simply didn't even bother fighting it as it wasn't worth their time.

I don't understand why you came on here asking for advice, and then promptly ignored all of it. Bonkers.

[silverfoxcc]

OP i have just seen this

It may not be too late to register with pepipoo.com and put a thread in the private parking forum

Put down EVERYTHING as it happened and DO NOT tell porkies or embellish the situation

ALSO DO NOT say in any circumstances DO NOT say who the driver was ALWAYS put 'The driver did this' the driver saw this '' the driver paid this' The PPC crims read that and will be on you quicker that a fly on a turd

The guys at pepipoo are all top quality amateurs who will, in 90% of the cases get the PPC off yout back, and by doing that , you will keep a wedge in your pocket.

The ones who are good on there are,in no particular order

Gan,Lynnzer ,hcanderson, incandescent,s choolrunmum, The Rookie.

They will be totally honest with you if you are with them. Double dips are well known and they love playing with the PPC

AND as others have said,

It ISNT a fine it is a speculative invoice

DO NOT ignore any correspondence, that advice is 6 years too late, as they can now chase the Reg Keeper

And let the forum know how you get on.


T

[Red Devil]

Jamesgt said:

The actual order of events,

Received first letter along with photos in April. I rang them to say check your cameras. They say appeal it via their website. So i immediately appealed it via their website with "check your cameras". Then I receive a letter yesterday from PPC stating final demand of payment before it passes to legal team. So I rang them which is when they stated the technology isn't perfect so I need to provide further proof of my cars whereabouts during the period I say I wasn't at the car park. Vehicle tracking was used as an example.

I guess I'm just naive. I'm not sure wtf they think I was going overnight in McDonald's?! If I was a mini cab driver it would also make zero sense to stay there for that amount of time.

No, The PPC just wants your money. It doesn't care whether its technology is flawed (the Parking Prankster has explained at length in his blog the weaknesses of the system that PPCs use).

Jamesgt said:

Reality is I didn't park over night in either car park. I've spoke to someone in work who says they have cctv for 6 months. This will show my car and me turning up to work at the time MET accuse me of settling in for the night at the car park.

In which case, game, set, and match to you. Were the PPC to take this to court (which is unlikely imo) they would lose. Stop getting stressed over this.

[jdw100]

Out of interest, how much is the fine?

I have no idea what the fines are these days so would be good to know if we are talking about £20 or £200.

Thanks.

[Jamesgt]

It's currently at £160. I think even if it was £20 I'd want to fight it on principle. The cheek of just send invoices out and threatening court action! I was naive to think they would even check their cameras to prove my innocence.

I will find out more about the work cctv tomorrow night hopefully.

[silverfoxcc]

OH FFS IT IS NOT A FINE

It is a speculativre invoice and mugs who pay it without a fight are keeping these buggers in business to screw other motorists
DO AS I SAY and get onto pepipoo.com NOW

Did i say NOW?

[MitchT]

I recall something similar happening in my neck of the woods ... found the article:
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/local/l...

[silverfoxcc]

James

Good to see you re now on pepipoo

Hopefully you could well keep the money in your pocket

They dont hold your hand all the way along ,but the advice is spot on. They do, in certain circumstances epect you to do a bit of your own work. stick with it mate

It is a pity the Mods dont make the PPC thread a sticky and point to people at once to either MSE or pepipoo ('schoolrunmum' is 'couponmad' on that site)

[Jamesgt]

Thanks for that silverfoxcc. I did fight a PCN from another company about two years ago. I overstayed the free 10 minutes by a minute or two so I had actually done wrong. In that case I put the effort in finding out how to fight it. This time because I haven't stayed anything like the seven hours they suggest I just thought it would be simple for them to cancel the ticket once they look at the cameras. They are just a bunch of hateful cowboys.

At least I know now first hand they don't play fair. I'm fully expecting more tickets as the new hotel I stay in employs a PPC.