09 Mar 2015

A question about : G24 Parking "Ticket"

I recently received a contractual parking charge because I parked late at night in a Wickes carpark to go to the gym next door, stayed there for 131 minutes and the permitted time was 90. I did not notice the signs.
After researching G24 I came across this site and read the Newbies thread.

I then sent the templated reply in said thread.

They replied with this:

RE: Contractual Parking Charge Notice 160150207012

Thank you for your email.

We respond as follows :

1. In relation to your suggestion that your parking charge is not a genuine pre-estimate of loss we confirm we have obtained legal advice in this regard and have been advised that not only can our parking charges be justified on the basis that they are in line with the Independent Parking Committee's guidelines, and that they amount to a genuine pre-estimate of loss, but they are likely to amount to liquidated damages (where the issue of pre-estimate of loss is not relevant). This is because the Court’s position is that where the parties to a contract agree to fix the amount which is to be paid by way of damages in the event of a breach of contract - which is the basis of the contract detailed on our signage - a sum stipulated in this way (particularly in circumstances where there is difficulty in calculating a precise estimation) is classed as liquidated damages. Either way, our parking charges are fully enforceable and no not amount to a “penalty”. You should also be aware that in accordance with the case of Robophone Facilities v Blank the onus of proving that an amount claimed is a penalty, rather than liquidated damages, is upon you (as the party against whom the parking charge is claimed);

2. If you believe this decision is incorrect, you are entitled to appeal to the Independent Appeals Service (IAS). In order to appeal the IAS will need your parking charge number, your vehicle registration and the date the charge was originally issued. Appeals must be submitted to the IAS within 21 days of the date of this letter. Please visit [rl] for full details.

3. Again, you do not specify in which way you allege we not have authority to issue charges over the land where the car park is located. However, we can assure you that the parking management at the car park where you received a parking charge has been contracted to us. Again, we are able to confirm that we have been successfully audited by an independent assessor on behalf of the Independent Parking Committee.

If you can provide proof of your claim either through supply of receipts, banks statements (with your private details erased) or letters of authority for the day in question, within 14 days. On receipt, G24 Ltd as a gesture of goodwill may re-consider your appeal.

As we have extensively investigated this Contractual Parking Charge Notice and provided you with the results of our investigation, no further investigation will be undertaken.

You now have one of the following options available to you:

1. Pay the outstanding Parking Charge. Payment of your Contractual Parking Charge Notice can be made via the payment line: 0845 452 7777 or by sending a cheque or postal order to G24 Limited, PO Box 3320, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire, SL9 8WT.

2. If you believe this decision is incorrect, you are entitled to appeal to the Independent Appeals Service (IAS). In order to appeal the IAS will need your parking charge number, your vehicle registration and the date the charge was originally issued. Appeals must be submitted to the IAS within 21 days of the date of this letter. Please visit [] for full details.

3. If you choose to do nothing, we will seek to recover the monies owed to us via our debt recovery procedures and may proceed with Court action against you.

4. Supply copies of your receipts for the day in question or your bank statement with your private details erased showing the transaction(s) on our client's site within 14 days. As a gesture of goodwill we may re-evaluate your appeal. Please do not send in original documents as they will not be returned.

Customer Services
G24 Ltd

Now I really don't want to pay this and I have read that they have never taken anyone to court. I am tempted to just ignore them as I also read in the Newbies threadIAS doesn't usually work.
Is this something I should do or do I have to pay it?

Cheers

Best answers:

  • Little help?
  • your choice
    you either ignore IAS and G24 and the debt collectors (for 6 years)
    or you appeal to the IAS, lose, then ignore G24 and the debt collectors for 6 years
    I would not pay , you make your own choice
    and I dont think waiting 45 minutes is very long to wait, not when you want free advice
  • Haha, cheers :P
    Seems like I might just ignore them then
    Anyone else think differently?
  • Just ignore G24.