Categories: just-life
Date: 02 April 2008 21:20:15
One of the things that really get me riled is bullies. Don't matter if it's me that's being bullied or someone else. I really hate bullies. I also now stand up to bullies, because I now don't give a damn.
The latest bullies that I've come across are from a parking enforcement company that are insisting that I pay up because my car was parked in a store's carpark. The ticket was placed on the car back in January but it has taken the company TWO MONTHS to get round to asking me to pay up.
Unfortunally, in those two months I've done some research and have discovered that you (as the keeper) are not obliged to pay these so called fines. Despite the fact that these companies will claim you do. Only the driver is obliged to pay, but you as the keeper don't have to say who the driver was (even if it was you), it's up to them to prove who the driver is.
The way it works is that when you receive the "enforcement notice"* they will tell you that as the owner of the vehicle you owe them this money. This is A LIE. So you reply that as the keeper you are not obliged to pay and that you have no intention to do so.
At this point you'll get a threatening letter saying that if you (the owner) don't pay they'll be sending your details off to a debt collectors. Reply again that it is the driver who has to pay and can they send the details of the driver.
Then you'll get a letter from a debt collectors (usually based in the same address... strange that) threatening bailiffs and court. You reply to this one saying that the ticket in question is in dispute and that they have to refer back to the parking company.
You will then get some more letters threatening court actions and the like. Now the debt collectors BY LAW aren't allowed to write to you any more so what they are doing is harassing you. You can ignore them, or if they get annoying write to them informing them that you are going to go to the police if you get any more letters.
Obviously keep all letters sent to you and copies of any replies you send. Just incase you happen to be the first person ever taken to court by some of these people. Don't let the bugger bully you and stand up for your rights!!!
For template letters I'm using those found on the consumer action group forum.
And no, it doesn't work on Traffic Wardens, nor in council run carparks.
* - yes, the DVLA will give your details to any Tom, Dick and Harry willing to pay £4.50.