Hi everyone, I received a letter from Hunter Forrest giving me 30 days, which expired a week ago! I would like to thank everyone for the help and advice given to me. I have to admit that on several occasions I felt suitably threatened enough to give in and pay. All I can say is thank goodness for the internet and this forum and hopefully more and more people will find it - "Britain fights back"!!!! BTW I will never shop in B&Q again and Homebase are doing very well out of my custom! (They have a genuinely FREE carpark).

Thank you, I'll not completely rest, but at least I have a 30 day reprieve. I'll feel quite lost without their regular correspondence!!!

Hi everyone, I have received a letter from Hunter Forrest, saying that my case has been put on hold for 30 days while the appeal is being heard...... unable to close this case completely unless stated otherwise by our client UK Parking Control. I haven't heard of anyone else receiving this kind of letter...... is this the norm. Is is the beginning of a back down? Can I finally put this to rest (I am now in my 4th month of dispute).

Hi jb0503, I am at the stage where I have had a second letter from the debt collectors Hunter Forrest. Most of the advice given on this forum is "DO NOT PAY". I have gone over the specified time scale after each request, so I wouldn't worry about that. I am sure you will obtain help shortly. Good luck.

Hi everyone, This morning, I received a letter from Hunter Forrest saying that UKPC had put the matter in their hands (usual scheme of things it would appear) as payment had not been received. This proves that they do not read the letters sent to them, because the day before, I received a letter from UKPC giving me until 7th March to pay the reduced fee and if they did not receive payment they would then put it in the hands of their debt collectors!!!! I will send the letter to Hunter Forrest saying that the matter is in dispute and let's hope that this in an end to the matter.

Hi everyone, I have received a very similar letter to Kapish which states: "Thank you for your recent communication concerning the above Parking Charge Notice. Please rest assured that our Appeals Manager has personally reviewed this case and carefully considered the various points raised. Our view, however, is that these particular circumstances are neither unreasonable nor unjust and so we will not be waiving this parking charge in full. You will be aware from the Parking Charge Notice that we offer a 50% discount for parking charges paid within 7 days As you lodged an appeal, we are prepared to extend this period for another 14 days from the date of this letter. But if we do not receive your remittance at the reduced rate by 4th March 2008, the full amount will then become payable and we will put the matter in the hands of our Debt Recovery Agents. We appreciate that this is not the outcome you will have hoped for. Unless you have any additional information that you have not already brought to our attention this decision is final. Although further correspondence will be noted and filed, please do not expect any response from us except where you have provided new evidence to substantiate your case. We hope you will take advantage of the extended 50% discount period and will send your remittance promptly." Any advice ..... and if I do hear from the debt recovery agents, do I just ignore the letter. It's getting scary!!! Again they haven't addressed the issue of 'driver of the vehicle' nor provided evidence of any breaking of the car parking rules.

Received unexpected letter from UKPC today offering extension of the discount (£45) for a further 7 days or as a gesture of goodwill, to cancel the fine, if I provide receipts proving I shopped in the car park. I don't actually have any receipts to give them as I haven't kept them. They have also said that I was issued the charge certificate for leaving the site. Do they have to prove this and is it relevant? As a matter of interest, do you think they keep an eye on the site?

Thanks for the response BB, it is great to have the support of the members of this site.

Stage 2. Received the Final Reminder Charge Certificate with an increased amount of £90. I have used Bernie's template No.2 - "cease & desist", so let's see where we go from here. As a matter of interest Point 3 on the Certificate states: "3. As the registered owner / keeper / of the vehicle you are legally liable for the parking charge even if you were not the drvier at the time". Is this true? I have also written to B&Q, who were completely unhelpful. They mentioned that signs were clearly mark and the reason for the charge would have been stated. Yes, signs were clearly marked, however, I was well within the 2 hour time limit and parked within bays. The reason for the Charge - "Unauthorised Parking" - mmmmmm that explains a lot!!! I will hear from them again, no doubt .....

thanks for the response. I have written a letter to UKPC, Bernie's template 1, and sent by recorded delivery and I have also sent a snotagram to B&Q. Watch this space ........

Hi everybody, love this site. Got back from work today and received a charge certificate from UKPC as my car was parked in a free B&Q car park for 45 minutes. The car was parked legally, in a bay and within specified times, so was surprised to received the fine. £45 if I pay within 14 days £90 subsequently. No notification was placed on the car at the time. No time has been mentioned, just a photograph of the back of my car. I have no intention of paying but would appreciate some advice on dealing within this initially. Some suggestions say ignore totally, while others recommend engaging with UKPC. Should I write to them or B&Q. Advice appreciated.