Hi
I am looking for a bit of advice or even just support. The short version of my story is this:
I had a parking fine - I didn't pay it... A Bailiff clamped my car... I was made to pay £438.64... I want some of this back as its outrageous amount as the owed amount was only £52.
Long version is...
The bailiff had no paperwork on him except the amount I owed written down. (he did show me ID) I refused to do anything without knowing the breakdown of the charges and the reason for the clamping. He told me the office was closed (this was at 7am) and that he would let me know when they were open. After the opening time I still had not heard so I called him (from the number left on the car) and he said there were problems with the computers so he couldn't give me that information.
Again I refused to do anything until I had the information. Finally, he got the info and told me that £14 was for a letter that was sent to me 7 days prior (no letter ever received), £52 was the actual debt and then the rest was for the attendance of a bailiff and the clamping of the car.
I asked him why he hadn't just knocked on the door as I wouldn't have incurred those additional charges, he just told me he was doing what he was told to. I asked him to justify again those fees and he told me they were reasonable. I also argued that it was a car that although registered in my name is a work car, paid for and financed in my companies name. He said that didn't matter and that he would take it away anyway then speak to the company or finance people at a later date. Either way he was going to take the car at 10am and then I would have to pay additional fees. I offered to pay £100 then and there and then pay the rest off over the next weeks, he refused and told me "make s decision - either pay me by 10am or Ill come back and take the car".... I paid him.
The day AFTER this I received a Warrant of Execution in the post. (Form TE12) NO where on the form does it say if it is from a court, a council, the bailiff, no where!
Well... anyway, The Bailiff assured me he would send me the documents in the post, I still haven't received this today so have called them and asked for a full breakdown and the original letter sent to me. I have noticed several people stating they never receive a letter up front on the internet.
What I want to know is... can I get some of my money back? I feel that £438.64 is a ridiculous amount to pay for a £52 (all that was outstanding from parking ticket in August 2011 - which I had heard nothing more about!) Also - I feel that the council should not be using such terrible companies to collect their debts. Surely they have to follow a code of conduct with being the council they have to check out the companies they use and take complaints about them seriously?
Any info would be fab or anyone who has dealt with this company before would be helpful!!
Thanks!
I am looking for a bit of advice or even just support. The short version of my story is this:
I had a parking fine - I didn't pay it... A Bailiff clamped my car... I was made to pay £438.64... I want some of this back as its outrageous amount as the owed amount was only £52.
Long version is...
The bailiff had no paperwork on him except the amount I owed written down. (he did show me ID) I refused to do anything without knowing the breakdown of the charges and the reason for the clamping. He told me the office was closed (this was at 7am) and that he would let me know when they were open. After the opening time I still had not heard so I called him (from the number left on the car) and he said there were problems with the computers so he couldn't give me that information.
Again I refused to do anything until I had the information. Finally, he got the info and told me that £14 was for a letter that was sent to me 7 days prior (no letter ever received), £52 was the actual debt and then the rest was for the attendance of a bailiff and the clamping of the car.
I asked him why he hadn't just knocked on the door as I wouldn't have incurred those additional charges, he just told me he was doing what he was told to. I asked him to justify again those fees and he told me they were reasonable. I also argued that it was a car that although registered in my name is a work car, paid for and financed in my companies name. He said that didn't matter and that he would take it away anyway then speak to the company or finance people at a later date. Either way he was going to take the car at 10am and then I would have to pay additional fees. I offered to pay £100 then and there and then pay the rest off over the next weeks, he refused and told me "make s decision - either pay me by 10am or Ill come back and take the car".... I paid him.
The day AFTER this I received a Warrant of Execution in the post. (Form TE12) NO where on the form does it say if it is from a court, a council, the bailiff, no where!
Well... anyway, The Bailiff assured me he would send me the documents in the post, I still haven't received this today so have called them and asked for a full breakdown and the original letter sent to me. I have noticed several people stating they never receive a letter up front on the internet.
What I want to know is... can I get some of my money back? I feel that £438.64 is a ridiculous amount to pay for a £52 (all that was outstanding from parking ticket in August 2011 - which I had heard nothing more about!) Also - I feel that the council should not be using such terrible companies to collect their debts. Surely they have to follow a code of conduct with being the council they have to check out the companies they use and take complaints about them seriously?
Any info would be fab or anyone who has dealt with this company before would be helpful!!
Thanks!
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