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 ]
