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Post by shrewsace on Jun 1, 2013 14:17:48 GMT 1
shut up you fool, got my £60 letter yesterday straight in the bin. Downie is spot on. hardly compares with parking on your drive does it! I parked 7 minutes over the allowed 3 hours whilst shopping on the bloody retail park. Ignored 3 letters and nowt happened. Don't correspond with company..IGNORE LETTERS,,!! Correct.
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Post by SY3 on Jun 1, 2013 16:01:19 GMT 1
I got there at 3pm, and the ticket was recorded as being placed at 4.20pm. If it's a 3 hour parking time then surely i am within the time allowed. How do they know i didn't go for a coffee and a mooch in the shops?
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Post by Matster on Jun 1, 2013 16:03:05 GMT 1
Keep us all updated with the situation with the tickets as it will affect many other time.
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Post by Matster on Jun 1, 2013 16:05:57 GMT 1
I think the sign says 90minutes, but I might be wrong on that.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 1, 2013 16:17:46 GMT 1
I got one at the Meole Retail Park last year, did a bit of shopping then went over the waiting time because I was waiting for my lad who was working at Sporting Direct at the time and he was kept over for about half an hour, so I got a ticket while I was having a nose in Curry's to kill that time. To be honest I did not even think about the time (it was a Saturday when the Town were away as well).
I have had 3 letters, the last one from the debt collectors and the cost has now gone up from £100 to £160, so I assume the additional £60 is the debt collectors cost. I shall continue to ignore and will keep you updated of any further developments!
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Post by Bordershrew on Jun 1, 2013 20:43:05 GMT 1
I have had 3 letters, the last one from the debt collectors and the cost has now gone up from £100 to £160, so I assume the additional £60 is the debt collectors cost. I shall continue to ignore and will keep you updated of any further developments! 2 more letters in the chain of "invoices"then you're free! FAO original poster PLEASE do not pay these people, they have absolutely no power and rely on scaremongering for money. The only parking ticket you should ever pay are from the Police or a local authority.
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Post by mattmw on Jun 1, 2013 21:34:06 GMT 1
Coming at this from a slightly different perspective I live in an estate where there is residents off street parking, which is owned and maintained by the residents. We do get some non residents parked there occasionally and looked into the possibility of issuing fines as happens at the retail park. As others have said its not really a fine, more an invoice for a service. Looking at the new legislation, and based on discussions with parking such invoices can be issued legally. The legislation changed last year so if looking for advice on this online check the date the info was added. Companies issuing tickets bank on people paying straight away, but if you don't they have the ability to seek redress for the none payment of the "invoice" through the small claims court. Just as any company can if you don't pay an invoice owed However to be successful in winning a case the company must show proof of the car park being used by that car, that the car park was suitably signed, and that the parking "broke" the rules in the sign. So in practice only a few cases have gone to the small claims court and been successful. However where cases have been won the person appealing the ticket has been left paying the costs of the case which can run into a couple of hundred pounds. The legislation relating to this only changed towards the end of last year so still hasn't really been tested out that much in the courts. My guess is if the companies start to get successful cases through the small claims court they will up the number of "invoices" they chase up. If they lose lots in court they will give up and just bank on the first time offenders paying up and making their money that way. Ultimately it's up to the individual to decide whether to pay up or not, but there is a small possibility the company could take the case all the way to a small claims court. So just be aware of that However I'd have thought at Meole if the match day parking doesn't get too bad on the retail park the shops will just use the threat of a charge to deter people from parking there. It's not going to be great PR for them if lots of people get claims made against them. Link below might be of help www.britishparking.co.uk/Public-Advice
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Post by venceremos on Jun 1, 2013 22:10:19 GMT 1
I've recently been taken to the small claims court by a parking company. At stake was their claim (£100), plus the court fee of £25. They lost, so all was well.
The case concerned the position of the car rather than non-payment or overstaying. They lost on inadequate signage - I'd advise anyone ticketed to take lots of photos at the time, showing what the signs say and where they're located in relation to your car.
Be careful - the parking companies monitor internet forums so make sure you keep it anonymous until it's over. I wouldn't ignore it if it goes to court either - think you'd probably lose if you didn't defend the claim. Hard work but very satisfying to win.
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Post by Matster on Jun 1, 2013 22:25:16 GMT 1
To prove the car had broken rules they would surely need photographic evidence of the car being parked for longer than the maximum stated time so I guess a photo of a car on discovery of it in the car park and a photo of it after the maximum time. I'm sure that they could cheat by changing the time on the camera's clock but could be in deep doo-doo if found out in court.
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Post by ThrobsBlackHat on Jun 1, 2013 22:41:07 GMT 1
People paying up first time is 95% of their money for 5% of the effort.
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Post by ShrewsburySTFC on Jun 2, 2013 8:57:40 GMT 1
Oh, while we're on the subject, there's new TV's in Currys for £2000. The price is expensive and over charged, so just grab one and run out.
If you get away with it, pay no attention to any threats you receive from Currys, if they take you to court, try and blame that it wasn't clear you had to pay.
But do not pay if Currys send you a demand!!
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Post by davycrockett on Jun 2, 2013 10:03:22 GMT 1
With so many experts strongly advising not to pay you can no doubt ignor the fines and if it all goes belly up-which it could- they'll share the costs I'm sure which could be £100's
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Post by Deleted on Jun 2, 2013 11:44:31 GMT 1
I've recently been taken to the small claims court by a parking company. At stake was their claim (£100), plus the court fee of £25. They lost, so all was well. The case concerned the position of the car rather than non-payment or overstaying. They lost on inadequate signage - I'd advise anyone ticketed to take lots of photos at the time, showing what the signs say and where they're located in relation to your car. Be careful - the parking companies monitor internet forums so make sure you keep it anonymous until it's over. I wouldn't ignore it if it goes to court either - think you'd probably lose if you didn't defend the claim. Hard work but very satisfying to win. I would have no issue if the time limit was there permanantly, but as it is only there on a match day, they can kiss my swingers. I have through my business spoken to quite a few retailers on the park, and they dont care, its the Council that have imposed the condition of the timelimit on match days, you also have to be aware that it is not the retailers who own the car park, there has never been a problem of lack of parking for customers, Even on a match day i go shopping in the store, even if it is only for food and drink to take in the stadium. Why should there be a difference between a non match day parking where i can quite happily stay there for 8 hours, with no recourse or a match day when if you are there for 1hr 35mins and cop a £60 invoice. If people start getting into exchanges of communication with Euro Car Parks, then it is easy for them to take court action, because it is the driver of the vehicle that they are invoicing, not the owner, by answering a letter and not stating that you were not the driver will strengthen there case, you also have no obligation to tell them who was driving despite what they might say.
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Post by venceremos on Jun 2, 2013 13:27:45 GMT 1
To prove the car had broken rules they would surely need photographic evidence of the car being parked for longer than the maximum stated time so I guess a photo of a car on discovery of it in the car park and a photo of it after the maximum time. I'm sure that they could cheat by changing the time on the camera's clock but could be in deep doo-doo if found out in court. They may have automatic cameras recording vehicles on entry and exit. The photographic evidence would have to be conclusive though - would be essential for the date and times to be shown on the photos.
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Post by venceremos on Jun 2, 2013 13:30:04 GMT 1
Oh, while we're on the subject, there's new TV's in Currys for £2000. The price is expensive and over charged, so just grab one and run out. If you get away with it, pay no attention to any threats you receive from Currys, if they take you to court, try and blame that it wasn't clear you had to pay. But do not pay if Currys send you a demand!! The fact that you appear not to understand the difference between a criminal offence (theft) and a civil one (breaching the conditions of a private car park) destroys the credibility of your argument.
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Post by MidWalesShrew on Jun 2, 2013 14:48:15 GMT 1
Good afternoon all.
Just wanted some advice really. I got a parking ticket from meole brave retail park on the Tuesday evening town were playing Oldham. The ticket says that I parked for longer than the maximum time allowed (90mins)... Says the car was seen at 19.20pm and then again at 21:10pm.... But this is complete bull**it because I was at work until 20:30pm and got to the retail park at around 20:40pm to go for a walk up past the ground. So was there half an hour at most.
I have appealed and have a letter back saying they will respond within 35days regarding the appeal.
So is this not a criminal offence?? Fraudulently claiming something was there when it was not. Also they say they have photographic proof of the times on the ticket but couldn't possibly due to the favt I did not get there until 20:40pm ish??
Thanks in advance.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 2, 2013 15:01:00 GMT 1
Good afternoon all. Just wanted some advice really. I got a parking ticket from meole brave retail park on the Tuesday evening town were playing Oldham. The ticket says that I parked for longer than the maximum time allowed (90mins)... Says the car was seen at 19.20pm and then again at 21:10pm.... But this is complete bull**it because I was at work until 20:30pm and got to the retail park at around 20:40pm to go for a walk up past the ground. So was there half an hour at most. I have appealed and have a letter back saying they will respond within 35days regarding the appeal. So is this not a criminal offence?? Fraudulently claiming something was there when it was not. Also they say they have photographic proof of the times on the ticket but couldn't possibly due to the favt I did not get there until 20:40pm ish?? Thanks in advance. Just ignore them do not get into arguments, its a civil case not criminal, its a possible trespass, however if you have gone into any of the outlets you have effectively been invited so therefore the act of trespass has not been commited, trespass is civil case not criminal
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Post by MidWalesShrew on Jun 2, 2013 15:13:52 GMT 1
Well there is no bloody way they are getting even a penny out of me. I went into the petrol station after my walk so did go into one of the outlets.
What I was wondering is.... Is it not a criminal offence by the parking moron, saying the car was there at a time when I was not because I was at work?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 2, 2013 15:23:51 GMT 1
he will just say it was an honest mistake gov!!
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Post by ShrewsburySTFC on Jun 2, 2013 15:59:30 GMT 1
Oh, while we're on the subject, there's new TV's in Currys for £2000. The price is expensive and over charged, so just grab one and run out. If you get away with it, pay no attention to any threats you receive from Currys, if they take you to court, try and blame that it wasn't clear you had to pay. But do not pay if Currys send you a demand!! The fact that you appear not to understand the difference between a criminal offence (theft) and a civil one (breaching the conditions of a private car park) destroys the credibility of your argument. It's actually a grey area. Theft:(1)A person is guilty of theft if he dishonestly appropriates property belonging to another with the intention of permanently depriving the other of it; and “thief” and “steal” shall be construed accordingly. By parking in a parking space you are entering into a contract to pay. If you don't pay, you are holding onto someone else's money/asset/property. Don't take it for granted, it can easily turn criminal, it'll just take once case to set a precedent.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 2, 2013 16:08:07 GMT 1
The fact that you appear not to understand the difference between a criminal offence (theft) and a civil one (breaching the conditions of a private car park) destroys the credibility of your argument. It's actually a grey area. Theft:(1)A person is guilty of theft if he dishonestly appropriates property belonging to another with the intention of permanently depriving the other of it; and “thief” and “steal” shall be construed accordingly. By parking in a parking space you are entering into a contract to pay. If you don't pay, you are holding onto someone else's money/asset/property. Don't take it for granted, it can easily turn criminal, it'll just take once case to set a precedent. It really is not a grey area, for it to change from a civil case to criminal, it would need to pass through parliment, precedent is set by judges, they can not determine what is criminal or civil, they just judge on the basis of the law, so it can not be set in precedent at all, which IMHO shows how much you are talking out of ur anus. also the CPS would never entertain it as it is them that press charges for the crown.
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Post by ShrewsburySTFC on Jun 2, 2013 16:21:26 GMT 1
I'm not saying they can change which part of the law a parking ticket is under.
I'm saying it can take one case to go through the courts for the precedent to be set that not paying a parking ticket counts as theft.
As the law only changed in October, there haven't been any cases as such as the law is so complicated! I guess companies just don't wanna pay all the court/lawyer fees!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 2, 2013 17:34:48 GMT 1
I'm not saying they can change which part of the law a parking ticket is under. I'm saying it can take one case to go through the courts for the precedent to be set that not paying a parking ticket counts as theft. As the law only changed in October, there haven't been any cases as such as the law is so complicated! I guess companies just don't wanna pay all the court/lawyer fees! for there even to be a case of theft, there has to be a report made to the police who will investigate, and results passed to the CPS, the CPS will then decide on evidence, 1 case will not even get to court, therefore my previous post stands. theft = to permanantly deprive the owner of it, as i never intended to permanantly deprive the land owner of a car parking space, by leaving my car there, then that is not theft!!
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Post by shrewsace on Jun 2, 2013 18:48:47 GMT 1
I'm not saying they can change which part of the law a parking ticket is under. I'm saying it can take one case to go through the courts for the precedent to be set that not paying a parking ticket counts as theft. Doesn't your second statement completely contradict your first statement? Probably best just to hold your hands up and admit your original post didn't stand up to scrutiny rather than keep digging that hole!
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Post by shrewinjapan on Jun 3, 2013 1:09:36 GMT 1
I'm not saying they can change which part of the law a parking ticket is under. I'm saying it can take one case to go through the courts for the precedent to be set that not paying a parking ticket counts as theft. As the law only changed in October, there haven't been any cases as such as the law is so complicated! I guess companies just don't wanna pay all the court/lawyer fees! You're talking absolute guff. There's no way in the world that non-payment of a private parking ticket will ever become theft. It might become an offence in itself (if parliament passed such a law), but it clearly is not and never will be theft.
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Post by Bordershrew on Jul 10, 2013 20:25:36 GMT 1
BBC1 now .... Telling the parking charge myth story
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Post by Matster on Feb 20, 2015 20:11:01 GMT 1
Did anybody get a fine or any issues from parking at Meole retail park? www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-31545417Fines might well be illegal as it has to be proportional to the losses.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2015 20:26:48 GMT 1
Its not a bloody fine, fines can only be issued by a court of law, not some fat controller in a hat!! its an invoice!!
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Post by staffordshrew on Feb 20, 2015 21:02:07 GMT 1
Did you see tonight's channel 4 news May still catch it on 4+1, guy from a chippy set to become a test case that may mean all the gullible ones get their money back. Some will say write and offer them the actual loss amount, personally I wouldn't get in touch with them and if they me to court and won (it's a civil court not criminal), then I would pay up, only response I would do is to put my side of the case - estimate of their actual losses -to the court via the paperwork you would be sent - not replying to some pretend legal stuff sent by their pretend "lawyers" that threatens court but at the bottom of their letter says you can still pay the original reduced charge to prevent court action which means they are getting desperate to get anything.
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Post by staffordshrew on Feb 20, 2015 21:11:56 GMT 1
Oh, while we're on the subject, there's new TV's in Currys for £2000. The price is expensive and over charged, so just grab one and run out. If you get away with it, pay no attention to any threats you receive from Currys, if they take you to court, try and blame that it wasn't clear you had to pay. But do not pay if Currys send you a demand!! Right, I won't be walking out of Currys with a tv and I would be prepared to reimburse the car park owner for his losses - whatever extra time I had at their standard charge, plus their cost of issuing the charge - but that isn't £70.
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