#5 Dolphin House PCN from Park & Control - Debt Recovery Plus chasing for payment
on 22 May, 2024 15:31 in Private parking tickets
On the 2nd December 2023 I parked in a car park, opened their app and entered my details and made the payment.I was sent a PCN of £100.00 from Park & Control on the 8th December 2023 stating "for the contravention of Failure to Pay for Duration of Stay"I then sent in an appeal shortly afterwards via their website complete with the receipt issued by the App. Interestingly enough the receipt was from APCOA and not Park & Control. This appeal was rejected as they said that I had not entered my car reg into the App correctly. I distinctly remember entering the full and correct reg number so was surprised that only the first part has been applied to the app.(it should be noted that I have used many parking apps, including APCOA for Luton Airport, and the do not take payment unless the car reg number is input in full)I called the company and expressed my shock that I was being charged despite having made payment for my parking and asked how it was possible that they would take payment without a valid reg number. They told me that I could appeal to IAS.One other thing to note is that when I called Park & Control they claimed not to have heard of APCOA or know who they were. Research online however tells me that Park & Control is an independent limited company and not part of APCOA although they do have some of the same Directors.I did start the IAS process and then left the country for a short break and neglected to complete the process. Shortly afterwards I received a letter from Debt Recovery Plus, without any follow up correspondence from Park & Control, stating that I owed £170.00.Stupidly I did not research this situation online or seek any legal advise and I called Debt Recovery Plus mid January 2024. I spoke at length to a woman there who told me that although the 30 day appeals process with IAS had expired, without my completing the appeal, there was a way in which I could continue my appeal.This woman told me that she would send me an email with the details of what I needed to do. I received no such email and I then contacted the company, via their online message service, on at least two occasions stating that I was still waiting for the email and requesting that they call me.I received no response until yesterday stating that I still owed £170.00. Again stupidly I called them and spoke to three of their representatives. I was met with abuse and rudeness excepting from one of their people. I was told that if I paid today then they would discount the charge to £136.00.I have rejected their offer to pay today and said that I am going to seek legal advice.I was still incensed that I was being charged despite having paid the parking charge. I am also upset that their app took my payment without ensuring that the car reg details were correct and I am positive that I input them correctly.I am prepared to go to court however I am worried about the level of costs that I would incur if I did so. What is more if there is no point in going to court then what should I do??I would welcome any advice on how to proceed and whether I should contact Park & Control again, or perhaps the owners of the car park at Dolphin House, Guildford."Please see other attachments in subsequent message" [ Guests cannot view attachments ]