Forum Topic

Park Direct Ealing Broadway- has anyone succesfully ignored their fines?

I know that there has been a great deal of discussion of this. Everyone on this and other consumer and parking websites says to ignore their parking fines as they never take people to court. But no-one ever comes back to their threads about it and says; yes its been 6 months since the first few letters and nothing more. Or something similar.Has this actually happened to anyone on here? I know that there are a series of letters that they will send but had no-one ever been taken to court??I got a ticket in the post yesterday. I had only pulled into a bay; saw the signs and pulled out again.  You cannot read the times on the photo taken and I can't have been there for more than a couple of minutes.  £75 is a lot of money to me but I don't want it to end up any more.

Jane Davey ● 5833d27 Comments

I did - nothing further happened and this is to boost the thread for Tony

Sara Nathan ● 5612d

I'll hang on in there then.

Sara Nathan ● 5764d

Just chancers

George Knox ● 5764d

Most people do not know it is unenforceable.

Peter Chadburn ● 5765d

You do wonder why people would buy unenforceable debt.

Sara Nathan ● 5765d

This is a good sign as the involvement of this third party group means the so called debt has been sold on.  Despite what they might say, this outfit are only relying on you responding and coming to an arrangement.  Silence will frustrate. The lack of any telephone call or written communication will only lead in due course to the debt being resold so watch this space

Colin Izzard ● 5765d

"Not known at this address" might mean nothing is known about the charge.You may well know that "debts" are sold in blocks at a discount to other collectors. They sell the debt on again when silence prevails.Is the debt claimed staying the same or are "admin" charges being added?sweet dreams!

George Knox ● 5765d

Depends where - council is different and I believe you have to pay - unless the road markings are wrong or whatever.Mine was in a supermarket car park and there were no wardens but there were, apparently, cameras.moneysavingsexpert.com and otehr forums say these are unenforceable and I should just sit back. So I am. But I don't know how long for...though suspect I still have some letters from the enforcement people to go yet.How are other people doing?

Sara Nathan ● 5765d

I watched the people the other week whilst waiting for a friend and a girl with a camera was walking up and down and timing cars. It seem crackers that the Council allow them to issue unenforceable tickets. perhaps stick a notice up.

Peter Chadburn ● 5765d

Third letter arrived today - this time from a (new to me) outfit called CCS collect, threatening me with unspecified horrors:"if you pay or agree a repayment plan with us now, further action which may include legal proceedings will cease.....ARRANGEMENTS TO PAY THE CHARGE MUST BE MADE NOW TO AVOID FURTHER ACTION."Am feeling firm - hope it works.

Sara Nathan ● 5765d

Actually the local bailiff is on my executive committee at the local residents' association so I am not too worried about him doing a dawn raid.Have visited support sites for this particular company and they say sit tight ... so I will.The photo has an unidentifiable pic of the driver - not that I am engaging in any debate.

Sara Nathan ● 5783d

I trust you will not have to pay in the long term for this episode.  These demands are effectively unenforceable but as with the sort of terrifying reminders issued by power suppliers at the drop of a hat, they all rely on people not knowing enough and paying up to remove the problem and fear. This is why the rogues are so quick to clamp on some sites as it does force the issue somewhat.As to the bailiff, apart from certain controlled circumstances, Bailiffs can not always get any result unless there is a court judgment and orders to back it up.One thing we all often seem to forget is that most people who are businesses that commission these parking management firms all rely on trade.  We as aggrieved consumers can choke that trade by refusing to give them custom. If we communicate effectively we can persuade others to join us.Imagine the shock effect to Morrison's regional management if the people of Acton boycotted the store for a planned day of action.  If trading went down by as little as 30% the effect would be very quick action on their behalf -  I actually like Morrisons as a store apart from this issue - and they might feel the need to terminate the parking contract.That does leave some businesses then at the risk of inconsiderate or unaware motorists abusing their parking facility but that would drive them ultimately to consider more effective solutions.It is my belief that this parasitic parking management industry has expanded on the basis of leave us to handle the issue for you at minimum cost to you, remembering that business time includes manpower costs.The Home Office held a consultation on related issues in 2009 intended to inform the Police and Security Bill. I look forward to seeing results and long term action from this.

Colin Izzard ● 5783d

Second letter from Parking Eye arrived today - Still offering me a reduced rate of £40 not £70 if I pay in four days.But I am hanging in there and awaiting my local bailiff.

Sara Nathan ● 5783d

Perhaps if Park Direct`s slush fund manager could be creative and issue letters in World Cup "rainbow" colours they would be eminently suited to framing - unlike residents and visitors!

Robert Darke ● 5786d

We'll all offer moral support as the letters come in shall we?

Sara Nathan ● 5786d

Just to update. Got the 2nd letter today, same format as first but red ink and demanding £150 now. Will wait and see

Jane Davey ● 5786d

I don't really think it was - was being a v. public spirited person, as I would have said if there had been a body to speak to at the time.Have done some online research and it seems that, were they to take me to court, this fine would be ruled disproportionate (given that two hours is free, all they could charge is for one hour at the same rate and costs)So they don't go to court because that would blow a hole in the whole business model.I will apparently get three letters of increasing threatening-ness and nothing more. The advice is not to respond to any of them.That's the theory anyhow - we will see. Worth a punt given the advice.

Sara Nathan ● 5790d

Sara,You will have to make your own decision but Parking Eye will have little real leverage against you in practice and if you don't pay they will give up after some huffing and puffing.  You do admit though that you were in the wrong and this car park would be unusable for the purpose it is meant to serve if Parking Eye were not there so you might pay if you felt it was a fair cop.

Phil Taylor ● 5790d

Jane, I think you PM'd me about this a while ago. I haven't heard anything and it's 13 months since the 'contravention'

Steven Cowburn ● 5790d

I have just got one for parking for too long at Morrison's in Acton - it's from Parking Eye car park management. It says it's a £70 if I pay before June 18th and £40 by June 4th (oops - need quick advice!!)What do I do? There was no mention of CCTV, no tickets so I don't feel I have a contract.On the other hand, i was there more than two hours - on the community association market stall as it happens.Advice please

Sara Nathan ● 5790d

We've ignored a letter from them too - fingers crossed.

Tricia Arbuthnot ● 5791d

Thanks for all that info. Have ignored letter and am waiting for the follow up!

Jane Davey ● 5827d

Surely if they have no right to issue tickets then the DVLA should not be forwarding details of the public to them? Where there is a will there is a way is what i say. Come on Politicians every so often tell us how they can save the world and when they get into power some how they are powerless. Phil, you sound a pretty sharp sort of bloke. So there must be some creativity in Ealing to rid us of this!!!!

Peter Chadburn ● 5829d

Peter,The trading standards people have looked into this, as has the local SNT sergeant.  They are not doing anything illegal unfortunately.  It is easy to huff and puff but if you haven't got the right legal tools there is not much you can do.

Phil Taylor ● 5829d

Phil Taylor kindly tells us to do nothing however it would be good if the Council took some action against this company for extortion. If it is not legal then obviously some action could be taken. Trading standards etc... surely some action can be taken.

Peter Chadburn ● 5829d

Hi Jane,We ignored a ticket from these people more than 18 months ago and, after receiving a red chase up ticket, which we also ignored, we never heared from them again.  Like you, we parked in error whilst dropping off a friend.It is very upsetting though to receive threats and I did trawl the internet for information before deciding not to take action.

Christine Mills ● 5829d

Jane,Sorry to hear about your ticket.  I have advised many people that you can safely ignore these Park Direct “tickets” in the post.  They may follow up with a scary looking letter from a collection agency but as the council fact sheet linked below makes clear this is an idle threat.  The whole affair can have no effect on your credit rating unless they manage to get a County Court Judgement against you because you do not pay what is agreed by the court.  This will never happen.  On the other hand please never ignore a council ticket.  It will not go away and you will end up with a much bigger bill if you ignore it.  I have never had anyone come back to me to say they had been taken to court by Park Direct.  I am afraid that people only every write when they have a problem.  Once their problem goes away they won’t put pen to paper.  See links below.http://www.ealing.gov.uk/ealing3/export/sites/ealingweb/services/business/trading_standards/factsheets/_docs/privateparking_factsheet.dochttp://www.ealingtimes.co.uk/news/localnews/2010234.Drivers_advised_not_to_pay_parking_tickets/

Phil Taylor ● 5832d