EXCEL Darlington - Paid for parking and still fined

[Paid&Fined]

I've had the luxury of a parking fine, even though I paid for parking.

This was a nightmare. Once entering the park car your expected to pay. This car park offers the option of Ringo and CASH systems. No one carries CASH anymore, but as I was about to enter the car park I checked they used Ringo system. We'll myself and countless others have fallen victim to this car park by EXCEL as there is no signal to use the app or call the phone number listed on the payment instructions board. They have in small writing payment must be made within 5 minutes. I must have been fighting to make the payment for approximately 20 minutes. I had to leave the car park by foot to the main rd for some reception, install the app on my wife's phone, register the car and pay. I should be charging them! Low and behold I got a fine. I've been to IAS as it's obvious I tried. Provided with call logs on phone, proof that a ticket was sourced eventually.. it didnt matter. What a scam this is.

Is there anything else I can do to over turn this? This is daylight robbery, and a joke of a system.

[Paid&Fined]

Nothing.. anyone.. anyone.. .. any one

[des8]

sorry, but your original post was missed.

Did you identify the driver when appealing to IAS? (and what a waste of time that is!)

Your best option now is to await their next move, which will be a demand from themselves or a debt collector.

If you want to continue disputing this charge you might as well wait and see if they issue a court claim.
This will undoubtedly be looking to recover "additional costs" or "damages". If your defence is worded appropriately, and you have a judge who got out of bed on the right side that morning (!) you may get the whole claim dismissed.
There might also be other defences available, but would need to see the PCN and legible photos of the signs, with an indication of their height and the sizes of fonts used, as well as their positioning within the car park

[Paid&Fined]

sorry, but your original post was missed.

Did you identify the driver when appealing to IAS? (and what a waste of time that is!)

Your best option now is to await their next move, which will be a demand from themselves or a debt collector.

If you want to continue disputing this charge you might as well wait and see if they issue a court claim.
This will undoubtedly be looking to recover "additional costs" or "damages". If your defence is worded appropriately, and you have a judge who got out of bed on the right side that morning (!) you may get the whole claim dismissed.
There might also be other defences available, but would need to see the PCN and legible photos of the signs, with an indication of their height and the sizes of fonts used, as well as their positioning within the car park

Should I just go ahead and pay it now? Will it avoid the extra costs do you know?

[des8]

If it goes to court and you win you will pay nothing.

As you haven't mentioned the amount they are invoicing you (not a fine!) I assume it is now £100.

If it goes to court they will probably add on "additional costs" or "Damages" of £50. This is wrong and if you lose should be deducted by the court.

in the event of loss there will be added on £50 for the solicitor's fees plus £35 court costs.

[Paid&Fined]

I did admit to to driving the car at the time, and before IAS review it was £100, but i've not received a further letter yet and IAS appeal dismissal was 30/10/2024.

[des8]

Up to you to either pay the £100 or let it go to court, where IMO you should win.

Sometimes these companies initiate a court claim, but don't follow it through.
Other times they actually turn up and win, sometimes they lose

It is a bit of a lottery

[Paid&Fined]

Thanks for the input Des. I'm surprised I've not yet received a letter to be honest after IAS winged it in their favour.