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#Post#: 14400--------------------------------------------------
I entered wrong registration plate, offered £20
DIR By: 93c
Date: January 27, 2024, 6:51 am
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Hi
I received a PCN from APCOA because I entered the wrong
registration number. Admittedly, we had recently changed my
wife's car and I entered the registration for her old car rather
than the new one. This was at Birmingham Dental Hospital. I
asked the Dental Hospital if they would ask APCOA to cancel the
ticket, but they claimed "Unfortunately the car park is run by
an independent company. You would need to contact APCOA
regarding this." They didn't say whether they owned the car
park or not. I've yet to contact PALS, but in the meantime I'm
up against a 14 day deadline so need all help I can get.
I appealed through APCOA and showed them the voucher I was
provided with by the hospital for free blue badge parking and
the receipt for entering the registration plate of our previous
vehicle. They considered the appeal but advised me it was
"unsuccessful". They say "Although we appreciate the evidence
provided, the payment has been allocated to a different Vehicle
Registration Number (VNR)."
They've given me opportunity to pay £20 to cover admin costs or
take to POPLA in which case if I lose I'd be liable for £85.
I see that the BPA has a rule that in these situations for a
major keying error, that parking companies must offer an admin
fee instead of the full fine if an appeal is unsuccessful but
that it is UP TO £20, not exactly £20.
Have they really incurred £20 of admin fees by sending out an
automated PCN, having an automated appeals process and then
probably one person read my appeal for 2 minutes and then send
out a template rejection letter? Is it worth me taking this to
POPLA or should I cut my losses and pay the £20?
I know it was my mistake, and I know it's idealistic to think
they should be helpful in these situations, but any advice would
be appreciated.
One other thing, their letter is dated 24th January but I didn't
receive it until today, 27th January. The letter only states
"Pay the Parkin Charge Notice at the discounted price of £20
within 14 days" but does not define the starting date. Does this
make their letter invalid? If not, when does the 14 days start?
Thanks.
#Post#: 14408--------------------------------------------------
Re: I entered wrong registration plate, offered £20
DIR By: Nosy Parker
Date: January 27, 2024, 11:00 am
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Do you really want to spend your time arguing the toss over
whether it should be £1, £5, or £15 rather than £20. I'm
generally in favour of fighting PPCs. But for £20?
#Post#: 14413--------------------------------------------------
Re: I entered wrong registration plate, offered £20
DIR By: b789
Date: January 27, 2024, 11:55 am
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As stated by @Nosey Parker, it is up to you how you deal with
this. If you feel aggrieved enough and have the will to fight
it, then fight it. If you want the easy life and don't mind
funding these scammers to the tune of £20, your choice again.
Can you show us the PCN with just your personal data, PCN number
and VRN redacted. We need to see all dates and also the back of
the PCN/NtK.
You say you have implemented Plan A which is to complain to the
Dental Hospital. You are in the process of complaining to PALS.
I would suggest you find an email address for the CEO of the NHS
Trust that operates there and complain to him/her also.
For Plan B, you have already appealed to APCOA. In your appeal,
did you appeal as the driver or the registered keeper? In other
words, did reveal the identity of the driver? APCOA are
notorious for not using PoFA compliant NtKs, which is why we
need to see it in order to advise, if you are considering
fighting this.
What was the location? Is the signage up to standard and are the
terms and conditions prominent and conspicuous?
You have Plan C still available which is an appeal to POPLA. You
must understand though, POPLA will not consider any mitigating
circumstances. They only look at the law (often incorrectly) and
the PPCs ATA Code of Practice to see if the PCN has been issued
correctly.
Losing the POPLA appeal does not have any effect on how you wish
to proceed beyond and into Plan D which is where a judge decides
whether you owe any debt to APCOA.
#Post#: 14686--------------------------------------------------
Re: I entered wrong registration plate, offered £20
DIR By: 93c
Date: January 31, 2024, 11:25 am
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Hi.
Thanks for the helpful replies. An update from me. PALS agreed
to cancel the charge so that's great news. As per the advice
given above, if they hadn't done this I'd have just paid the £20
because whilst I'm aggrieved about it, I'm not that aggrieved to
risk it going up much higher and losing an appeal to POPLA /
court action and all the time I'd have to spend preparing for
it.
Thanks.
#Post#: 14692--------------------------------------------------
Re: I entered wrong registration plate, offered £20
DIR By: b789
Date: January 31, 2024, 11:30 am
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Well done. Plan A strikes again.
Did you get anything in writing from PALS? It will be worth your
while logging on to the PPCs website as though to appeal or pay
and see if the PCN is still outstanding or whether it now shows
£0 owing.
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