Just received a "Parking Charge" even when we had paid
Discussion
Hello from a long time lurker finally posting.
Just had the wife on the phone on floods of tears. She has just got back to the car to find a Parking Charge (fine) on the windscreen. The attendant (if that is what they’re called???) who put the ticket on the car on was still in car park (parked just in front of her, almost as if waiting for her???) so she challenged him. As she had “paid by text” and was within the time period she had paid for.
The attendant replied that it was a valid fine, as the text message only had the “AB12” part of the number plate, not the full “AB12XYZ” of the number plate. It turns out that the text message she got asking for her number plate did say “enter your number plate without spaces” i.e. AB12XYZ not AB12 XYZ, and she had put a space between the first and second half (just as it is spaced on the real plate).
At this stage we plan to appeal, as we believe that the charge is not valid. Although I’m concerned they will reject our appeal on the basis that the text said to send the number plate without spaces, and she added a space.
Although it’s too soon to check on-line banking to confirm, we assume they have taken payment from her debit card as she got a text confirming she had paid from 18:15 to 21:15 (the fine or “Parking Charge” was issued at 20:48)
The car park in question is on private land and the parking company is UKPC (UK Parking Controls)
It looks like they are members of BPA which may help???
Just wondering what people think our chances of success are at:
A) appealing UKPC and
B) assuming UKPC reject the appeal, our chances with BPA?
Any advice gratefully received..
Just had the wife on the phone on floods of tears. She has just got back to the car to find a Parking Charge (fine) on the windscreen. The attendant (if that is what they’re called???) who put the ticket on the car on was still in car park (parked just in front of her, almost as if waiting for her???) so she challenged him. As she had “paid by text” and was within the time period she had paid for.
The attendant replied that it was a valid fine, as the text message only had the “AB12” part of the number plate, not the full “AB12XYZ” of the number plate. It turns out that the text message she got asking for her number plate did say “enter your number plate without spaces” i.e. AB12XYZ not AB12 XYZ, and she had put a space between the first and second half (just as it is spaced on the real plate).
At this stage we plan to appeal, as we believe that the charge is not valid. Although I’m concerned they will reject our appeal on the basis that the text said to send the number plate without spaces, and she added a space.
Although it’s too soon to check on-line banking to confirm, we assume they have taken payment from her debit card as she got a text confirming she had paid from 18:15 to 21:15 (the fine or “Parking Charge” was issued at 20:48)
The car park in question is on private land and the parking company is UKPC (UK Parking Controls)
It looks like they are members of BPA which may help???
Just wondering what people think our chances of success are at:
A) appealing UKPC and
B) assuming UKPC reject the appeal, our chances with BPA?
Any advice gratefully received..
Cotswold Jim said:
Just wondering what people think our chances of success are at:
A) appealing UKPC and
B) assuming UKPC reject the appeal, our chances with BPA?
Any advice gratefully received..
Ah the company which employed staff who doctored timestamps and denied it was possible until it was proven beyond a shadow of doubt. Only interested in the money, not parking management. It was sanctioned by the BPA (which didn't have much choice when the full extent of the company's dodgy practices was exposed) and the Association was compelled to revise its own CoP - https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/parking...A) appealing UKPC and
B) assuming UKPC reject the appeal, our chances with BPA?
Any advice gratefully received..
To answer your questions:
A. None whatsoever but you will need to go through the process.
B. Again none but that's because the BPA is the PPCs trade union. The appeal body for BPA PPCs is POPLA - http://popla.co.uk/
That said, PH is not the right forum to get specific help with this. Try these and do nothing until you have done your homework:
http://forums.pepipoo.com/index.php?showforum=60
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php...
I can't see the exact VRM format (which I strongly suspect is to do with the way the 'pay by text' system is configured: it ought to have error trapping which automatically rejects a supposedly invalid entry) being sufficient grounds for refusing to cancel a PCN. Does the signage say that what she did is a breach of the T&Cs? One of the more knowledgeable people on those sites will be able to advise you (or her if she is the RK).
Cotswold Jim said:
“enter your number plate without spaces”
This kind of stuff it automated systems really boils my p1ss. Any competent programmer should take one look at the requirements for the software input to not include spaces and automatically think 'you know what.. I'm going to parse the input and remove any spaces'.It would only take one extra line of code and perhaps three or four additional unit tests to get it implemented properly and solve all of this type of misery.
It should be inexcusable in this day and age.
TheExcession said:
It would only take one extra line of code and perhaps three or four additional unit tests to get it implemented properly and solve all of this type of misery.
But if you don't bother you save a bit on dev costs plus you catch a few unwary fish. Win, win! ETA. Just seen this on El Reg Who said shoddy work costs money?
Edited by Dogwatch on Saturday 27th February 14:03
TheExcession said:
This kind of stuff it automated systems really boils my p1ss. Any competent programmer should take one look at the requirements for the software input to not include spaces and automatically think 'you know what.. I'm going to parse the input and remove any spaces'.
It would only take one extra line of code and perhaps three or four additional unit tests to get it implemented properly and solve all of this type of misery.
It should be inexcusable in this day and age.
And if the requirements explicitly state that the system shall only accept registration numbers without spaces, then your "competent programmer" has just written software that doesn't satisfy the requirements. Sadly, sometimes software designers have to do what the customer has asked for, rather than what they think is right.It would only take one extra line of code and perhaps three or four additional unit tests to get it implemented properly and solve all of this type of misery.
It should be inexcusable in this day and age.
Cotswold Jim said:
Hello from a long time lurker finally posting.
Just had the wife on the phone on floods of tears. She has just got back to the car to find a Parking Charge (fine) on the windscreen. The attendant (if that is what they’re called???) who put the ticket on the car on was still in car park (parked just in front of her, almost as if waiting for her???) so she challenged him. As she had “paid by text” and was within the time period she had paid for.
The attendant replied that it was a valid fine, as the text message only had the “AB12” part of the number plate, not the full “AB12XYZ” of the number plate. It turns out that the text message she got asking for her number plate did say “enter your number plate without spaces” i.e. AB12XYZ not AB12 XYZ, and she had put a space between the first and second half (just as it is spaced on the real plate).
At this stage we plan to appeal, as we believe that the charge is not valid. Although I’m concerned they will reject our appeal on the basis that the text said to send the number plate without spaces, and she added a space.
Although it’s too soon to check on-line banking to confirm, we assume they have taken payment from her debit card as she got a text confirming she had paid from 18:15 to 21:15 (the fine or “Parking Charge” was issued at 20:48)
The car park in question is on private land and the parking company is UKPC (UK Parking Controls)
It looks like they are members of BPA which may help???
Just wondering what people think our chances of success are at:
A) appealing UKPC and
B) assuming UKPC reject the appeal, our chances with BPA?
Any advice gratefully received..
You wont be paying this but only if you follow advice from the MSE and Pepipoo links already provided. The appeals system is very much designed to make it very difficult to appeal and make most people cave in - especially if they start off the appeals in the wrong way. Just had the wife on the phone on floods of tears. She has just got back to the car to find a Parking Charge (fine) on the windscreen. The attendant (if that is what they’re called???) who put the ticket on the car on was still in car park (parked just in front of her, almost as if waiting for her???) so she challenged him. As she had “paid by text” and was within the time period she had paid for.
The attendant replied that it was a valid fine, as the text message only had the “AB12” part of the number plate, not the full “AB12XYZ” of the number plate. It turns out that the text message she got asking for her number plate did say “enter your number plate without spaces” i.e. AB12XYZ not AB12 XYZ, and she had put a space between the first and second half (just as it is spaced on the real plate).
At this stage we plan to appeal, as we believe that the charge is not valid. Although I’m concerned they will reject our appeal on the basis that the text said to send the number plate without spaces, and she added a space.
Although it’s too soon to check on-line banking to confirm, we assume they have taken payment from her debit card as she got a text confirming she had paid from 18:15 to 21:15 (the fine or “Parking Charge” was issued at 20:48)
The car park in question is on private land and the parking company is UKPC (UK Parking Controls)
It looks like they are members of BPA which may help???
Just wondering what people think our chances of success are at:
A) appealing UKPC and
B) assuming UKPC reject the appeal, our chances with BPA?
Any advice gratefully received..
Why did your wife put a space in the number plate? There isn't a space on the plate?
Why is she "in floods of tears" it's only a parking ticket, it's not even points?
At worst you pay what, £40
As you've had a receipt / confirmation text I fully support your appeal, just tell your wife to not worry so much about stuff like this.
Why is she "in floods of tears" it's only a parking ticket, it's not even points?
At worst you pay what, £40
As you've had a receipt / confirmation text I fully support your appeal, just tell your wife to not worry so much about stuff like this.
http://www.driving.co.uk/news/dvla-stamps-on-parki...
I got a ticket from these cowboys before christmas, ignored, heard nothing since.
I got a ticket from these cowboys before christmas, ignored, heard nothing since.
John145 said:
http://www.driving.co.uk/news/dvla-stamps-on-parki...
I got a ticket from these cowboys before christmas, ignored, heard nothing since.
They must be back in business now as the DVLA gave them your details.Not really a good thing to do put your head in the sand and think it will go away as in the future you may have bailiffs knocking on your door with their charges added,CCJs or be summonsed to court.You will probably wish you paid the half price 30-40 fine.I got a ticket from these cowboys before christmas, ignored, heard nothing since.
Dr Mike Oxgreen said:
TheExcession said:
This kind of stuff it automated systems really boils my p1ss. Any competent programmer should take one look at the requirements for the software input to not include spaces and automatically think 'you know what.. I'm going to parse the input and remove any spaces'.
It would only take one extra line of code and perhaps three or four additional unit tests to get it implemented properly and solve all of this type of misery.
It should be inexcusable in this day and age.
And if the requirements explicitly state that the system shall only accept registration numbers without spaces, then your "competent programmer" has just written software that doesn't satisfy the requirements. Sadly, sometimes software designers have to do what the customer has asked for, rather than what they think is right.It would only take one extra line of code and perhaps three or four additional unit tests to get it implemented properly and solve all of this type of misery.
It should be inexcusable in this day and age.
I could code a fix in 5 minutes it and I'm not a developer.
Hackney said:
Why did your wife put a space in the number plate? There isn't a space on the plate?
Why is she "in floods of tears" it's only a parking ticket, it's not even points?
At worst you pay what, £40
As you've had a receipt / confirmation text I fully support your appeal, just tell your wife to not worry so much about stuff like this.
No, no and no again.Why is she "in floods of tears" it's only a parking ticket, it's not even points?
At worst you pay what, £40
As you've had a receipt / confirmation text I fully support your appeal, just tell your wife to not worry so much about stuff like this.
It doesn't matter one jot that it's "only a parking ticket", or "only £40"
These highway robbers shouldn't be allowed to get away with a single penny!
Hackney said:
Why did your wife put a space in the number plate? There isn't a space on the plate?
Why is she "in floods of tears" it's only a parking ticket, it's not even points?
At worst you pay what, £40
As you've had a receipt / confirmation text I fully support your appeal, just tell your wife to not worry so much about stuff like this.
Some people get very easily distressed, especially at the idea that they have broken the law or not followed the rules. An ex was like this and broke down into floods of tears at anything like a parking ticket. You couldn't reason with her that it wasn't worth worrying about - some people are serial worriers and some people don't give a stuff about anything. Why is she "in floods of tears" it's only a parking ticket, it's not even points?
At worst you pay what, £40
As you've had a receipt / confirmation text I fully support your appeal, just tell your wife to not worry so much about stuff like this.
Hackney said:
Why did your wife put a space in the number plate? There isn't a space on the plate?
Do what? Have a look at the cr14ppy plates thread.I always get caught out when paying online with a credit card when the site says "Put in your name exactly as it appears on the card." Well it appears as MR.A.B.CEE including the points. Systems generally only accept alpha characters and so I get rejected and have to go round again.
btcc123 said:
John145 said:
http://www.driving.co.uk/news/dvla-stamps-on-parki...
I got a ticket from these cowboys before christmas, ignored, heard nothing since.
They must be back in business now as the DVLA gave them your details.Not really a good thing to do put your head in the sand and think it will go away as in the future you may have bailiffs knocking on your door with their charges added,CCJs or be summonsed to court.You will probably wish you paid the half price 30-40 fine.I got a ticket from these cowboys before christmas, ignored, heard nothing since.
Hackney said:
Why did your wife put a space in the number plate? There isn't a space on the plate?
Eh? 
Are you suggesting she has a non-compliant plate?The space is a legal requirement for displaying a VRM.
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2001/561/regula...
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2001/561/schedu...
btcc123 said:
John145 said:
http://www.driving.co.uk/news/dvla-stamps-on-parki...
I got a ticket from these cowboys before christmas, ignored, heard nothing since.
They must be back in business now as the DVLA gave them your details.Not really a good thing to do put your head in the sand and think it will go away as in the future you may have bailiffs knocking on your door with their charges added,CCJs or be summonsed to court.You will probably wish you paid the half price 30-40 fine.I got a ticket from these cowboys before christmas, ignored, heard nothing since.
The PPC in question got an early Christmas present. Its suspension period lasted less than 2 months.
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/300308/resp...
John145 said:
btcc123 said:
John145 said:
http://www.driving.co.uk/news/dvla-stamps-on-parki...
I got a ticket from these cowboys before christmas, ignored, heard nothing since.
They must be back in business now as the DVLA gave them your details.Not really a good thing to do put your head in the sand and think it will go away as in the future you may have bailiffs knocking on your door with their charges added,CCJs or be summonsed to court.You will probably wish you paid the half price 30-40 fine.I got a ticket from these cowboys before christmas, ignored, heard nothing since.
A) Your car is not registered to anybody?
Or B) Your number-plate is illegal?
Or C) Your car is foreign registered?
If not, please enlighten me as I cannot think of another way to arrive at your claimed situation?
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