£1,906 parking fine

[Fisherman]

Parking fines: Woman faces £1,906 bill over five-minute payment rule

Rosey Hudson paid for parking each time, but is being taken to court for £1,906 by Excel Parking.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[mariesnowgoose]

The rise and rise of parking company cowboys.

The only thing that will affect someone not paying their fines in the long run, even after a civil case (not criminal), is a “credit score”. This seems to be the only big stick that is regularly used as a threat for non-payment.

Hence why, at my age and situation in life, I would be quite happy for pirates like these to take me to court if they so wish as credit scores are completely irrelevant to my life and they could have their so-called “debt” repaid at £1 per month if their case against me was won

It will be interesting to see what comes of this court case - if it actually gets that far. Hopefully we still have sensible judges around who can see parking companies like this for what they are: out-and-out scammers whose digital parking systems (and customer service!) are basically not fit for purpose.

 

[Fisherman]

Many years ago my son broke two fingers whilst out playing, he was in agony.
I decided to to take him to Glasgow Royal infirmary myself. When I got to the carpark all the spaces were taken but I found a space where I could park causing no issues for those already parked. I paid for four hours parking then took him to the hospital where he was treated. On my return I had a parking ticket for £40 which was at that time more than a normal parking ticket. I contacted the company involved detailing what happened and offered to send them written evidence of the care my son had received, they indicated that they were not interested in seeing this evidence and I had to pay.
This went on for years and the fine was increased several times reaching over £200.

Eventually it went to court, and I was asked by the judge why I did not pay. I told her as this company had no interest in my situation, I had no interest in theirs. I pointed out my only “crime” was that I had parked outwith a marked parking bay, and that their attitude towards those using what was a hospital carpark was disgraceful. No decision was given that day, but a month or so later I received a letter from the court rescinding the penalty charge, and any costs were to be paid by the company who had taken me to court. If I had lost it would have cost me around £500, but I had decided I had to make my case.

 

[trevskoda]

You cannot shave hair of a frog, never paid one yet.

 

[runnach]

So much for Data Protection by the DVLA, who get a kick back from these parasitic parking companies by giving out your personal details. Understandably the police if required for a traffic offence.

 

[Scotia]

You cannot shave hair of a frog, never paid one yet.

Neither have i, when the begging letters arrive i return not at this address. Two of my sons have done the same, one had been to livingston hospital and parked at the supermarket car park went in to the shop purchased a bottle of juice then Into the hospital, the carpark cowboys tried for over two years before finally giving up. The other drove into a carpark in Musselburgh drove around several times looking for a space then drove out, there again chasing up for non payment of parking he had not stopped, it was about a year before they stopped sending letters.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

I think I mentioned I've had two tickets at Jimmys hospital in Leeds recently, (both cancelled) however this Thursday one area where I parked and ticketed was cordoned off with red/white tape, nothing going on at all there, and yesterday the other area where I was ticketed was cordoned off in the same way, again nothing going on, the previous area was open again.

 

[RoaminRog]

I think she should stand her ground, wait for the court case and I would put money on them pulling out, hours before the hearing. Our experience with Hermiston Gate Retail Park taught us these so called parking companies are very good at threatening behaviour BUT it is only a charge, not a fine. There is no need to pay it, they only offer you an appeal service to get you to part with your details, to save them paying DVLA for them. These companies are crooked through and through, and know every trick in the book to scare the s*** out of genuine people.

 

[bartman]

I think she should stand her ground, wait for the court case and I would put money on them pulling out, hours before the hearing. Our experience with Hermiston Gate Retail Park taught us these so called parking companies are very good at threatening behaviour BUT it is only a charge, not a fine. There is no need to pay it, they only offer you an appeal service to get you to part with your details, to save them paying DVLA for them. These companies are crooked through and through, and know every trick in the book to scare the s*** out of genuine people.

Quite right, it needs to be noted as said that it is NOT a fine.
The only way they can enforce their charge is through the civil courts, and that can be a lengthy process which they might not be inclined to do.
I don't think they have any problem getting details from the DVLA though, they must get the address from there in the first place

 

[Debroos]

The rise and rise of parking company cowboys.

The only thing that will affect someone not paying their fines in the long run, even after a civil case (not criminal), is a “credit score”. This seems to be the only big stick that is regularly used as a threat for non-payment.

Hence why, at my age and situation in life, I would be quite happy for pirates like these to take me to court if they so wish as credit scores are completely irrelevant to my life and they could have their so-called “debt” repaid at £1 per month if their case against me was won

It will be interesting to see what comes of this court case - if it actually gets that far. Hopefully we still have sensible judges around who can see parking companies like this for what they are: out-and-out scammers whose digital parking systems (and customer service!) are basically not fit for purpose.

So is it unpaid council parking fines that can result in bailiffs turning up at the door? I know I've read of several cases where bailiffs were involved...

 

[Pudsey Bear]

Fine = pay it.

Charge = make them take you to court.

 

[bartman]

So is it unpaid council parking fines that can result in bailiffs turning up at the door? I know I've read of several cases where bailiffs were involved...

If the company does take it to the County Court (the civil court as opposed to magistrates) and either you don't turn up in which case it's unopposed, or they win their case anyway, the judgment can be enforced by bailiffs

 

[Tim120]

Many years ago my son broke two fingers whilst out playing, he was in agony.
I decided to to take him to Glasgow Royal infirmary myself. When I got to the carpark all the spaces were taken but I found a space where I could park causing no issues for those already parked. I paid for four hours parking then took him to the hospital where he was treated. On my return I had a parking ticket for £40 which was at that time more than a normal parking ticket. I contacted the company involved detailing what happened and offered to send them written evidence of the care my son had received, they indicated that they were not interested in seeing this evidence and I had to pay.
This went on for years and the fine was increased several times reaching over £200.

Eventually it went to court, and I was asked by the judge why I did not pay. I told her as this company had no interest in my situation, I had no interest in theirs. I pointed out my only “crime” was that I had parked outwith a marked parking bay, and that their attitude towards those using what was a hospital carpark was disgraceful. No decision was given that day, but a month or so later I received a letter from the court rescinding the penalty charge, and any costs were to be paid by the company who had taken me to court. If I had lost it would have cost me around £500, but I had decided I had to make my case.

Fortunately Bill the situation has changed, in Scotland (I don't know when) but now hospital car parks do not charge.

Interesting vid below...

 

[Robmac]

Fortunately Bill the situation has changed, in Scotland (I don't know when) but now hospital car parks do not charge.

Interesting vid below...

Julie doesn't pay for parking when she has her regular treatment at Hinchingbrook Hospital Tim. I think it's only for that particular department though.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

Oncology patients don't pay but you do have to give them your reg number.

 

[trevskoda]

No payment here at city hospital, girl at f desk gives you a free get out ticket if you are having treatment, not only that she gives me a free sweety every time i go in, my mum warned me about girls like this.

 

[colinm]

Oncology patients don't pay but you do have to give them your reg number.

that varies by Trust, gf got a discounted ticket for a weeks treatment at Addenbrookes.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

That is just awful, effectively making money out of sickness, it is beyond deplorable.

 

[mariesnowgoose]

Oncology patients don't pay but you do have to give them your reg number.

Yup. Freeman Hospital in Newcastle operates a similar scheme, Kev.

But it sounds as if - like a lot of things these days - it can be very much a postcode lottery (see Colin and Addenbrookes above)

 

[mariesnowgoose]

So is it unpaid council parking fines that can result in bailiffs turning up at the door? I know I've read of several cases where bailiffs were involved...

Good point. I think council parking is different to the private parking companies, especially if they are using proper TROs etc. in order to enforce the parking fines (rather than just saying you can't park somewhere and hoping most people will obey the "request")

Not entirely sure...