I received a bill from orange claiming I have gone over my data allowance and I know for a fact I have not. I phoned to complain only to be told that I had used that amount so tough! The connection speed I get would not allow me to use 3gb of data over the time I used it. Does anyone know anyway I can dispute this charge as they will not tell me. Also how can they possibly have a fair usage policy when they provide you with no way of tracking how much of your allowance you have used. Thanks in advance

Hi all, After 4 months of ignoring parkforce I have received 2 letters from rosendales debt collection agency threatening to send people round to collect the debt. I'm not too bothered by it and am still ignoring but was just looking for advice on the next step. If you would like me to post a cleaned copy of the letter, I can. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Well, I finally got the letter after a long wait and as promised here is the letter with all my details removed. Any advice on the next steps?

Thanks for the quick reply, this is very good. I will send this off with the relevant information filled in and keep you informed of the outcome. Thanks again.

Here is an updated version of a letter a wish to send explaining in more detail the issue. Any advice or amendments? Dear sir/madam I recently purchased your DVD and it is not as described. I have spoken to consumer direct regarding the distance selling regulations and they have confirmed with me that under the distance selling regulations 2000 I am entitled to a refund. The regulations state that that I have an unconditional right to cancel my order. After speaking with someone from your company, I was told "With regards to your reference to the Distance Selling Regulations, I would advise that the DVD is not covered under this as it is not shrink wrapped and as a result is exempt from these regulations." The regulations state : "(d) for the supply of audio or video recordings or computer software if they are unsealed by the consumer;" As the product was never sealed in the first place, and you have confirmed this in the email sent to me, I am entitled to a refund as the product was never unsealed by me, the consumer. Also, from the information given in the advertisement on the website, the product is not as described. A lot of the items listed in the advert are not contained in the DVD as stated. Some of the items not included are: ............................................................... I have spoken to your customer service team who tried to direct me to non-existent sections of the DVD. As the items listed were advertised and not received, I would also like a full refund under the Sale of Goods act 1979. I require reimbursement of all monies paid within 30 days Thanks for your time

Basically it was not the software they said it would be

I did read that, but surely as the software arrived unsealed, therefore already open, I am not the one who has opened it. Exceptions to the right to cancel 13. - (1) Unless the parties have agreed otherwise, the consumer will not have the right to cancel the contract by giving notice of cancellation pursuant to regulation 10 in respect of contracts - (a) for the supply of services if the supplier has complied with regulation 8(3) and performance of the contract has begun with the consumer's agreement before the end of the cancellation period applicable under regulation 12; (b) for the supply of goods or services the price of which is dependent on fluctuations in the financial market which cannot be controlled by the supplier; © for the supply of goods made to the consumer's specifications or clearly personalised or which by reason of their nature cannot be returned or are liable to deteriorate or expire rapidly; (d) for the supply of audio or video recordings or computer software if they are unsealed by the consumer ; (e) for the supply of newspapers, periodicals or magazines; or (f) for gaming, betting or lottery services.

It is computer software.

Sorry, just took the template letter from the consumer direct website and wasn't sure how to correctly adapt it to my situation.

Hi, Thanks for your help. After trying to resolve this isses over the phone with them, I have been told by them that because they sent it unsealed I was not entitled to a refund. It was my understanding that if I were to personally unseal it I would not be entitled to a refund, not if it was sent to me in that condition. Anyway, I am going to send this letter to them and am just after some guidence as to the wording or if I have missed anything. Dear Sir/Madam Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000 On .............. I entered into a contract for ............... Under the Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000 I would like to cancel the contract. I require reimbursement of all monies paid within 30 days. Yours sincerely ............. Thanks again for your help.

Just to keep you updated, I have not received a letter yet and that was nearly a month ago. I still expect to get one soon, and as soon as I do, I will let you know.

Hi, I recently bought a product from the internet that I believe was not described as it should have been. I wish to return the product for a full refund but am not really too clear on where I stand. Does the cancellation period mean I can send it back as long as it is within 7 days as the OFT states " The regulations give consumers an unconditional right to cancel an order. This is to allow the consumer the opportunity to examine the goods or consider the nature of a service. If a consumer cancels an order, written notice must be given to you by: goods – seven working days from the day after that on which the goods are received by the consumer; services – seven working days from the day after that on which the consumer agrees to go ahead with the contract. Thanks

I just found this today and thought it made for some interesting reading and may be useful for people in similar situations. I am not sure how genuine the letter is though. Honest John's agony column - Telegraph Last October I visited the Royal London Hospital on business and was told where to park. Returning to my vehicle I found that it had received a £90 penalty ticket. The hospital authorities told me to appeal against the ticket, but my letter was ignored. I then received a "Parking Enforcement Notice" demanding £90 and threatening debt recovery action if I did not pay up promptly. The letter cited a different hospital, which I had not even visited. After a series of letters and more threats, I wrote to United Kingdom Parking Control and explained that I'd take action if it did not back down, give me a letter of apology and compensate me for a great deal of wasted time and harassment. My letters were ignored and the threats continued. My solicitor suggested that I simply pay up to save the hassle. A few weeks ago I issued a court claim against UKPC for a blatantly incorrect and dishonest parking charge and a great deal of wasted time and harassment. UKPC totally ignored the claim and wrote to me offering modest compensation. This I rejected. I wrote to the court explaining UKPC's action and on Friday I received a copy of a letter from Wandsworth County Courts instructing UKPC to pay my claim in full, being £2,860 plus interest and costs. I think more people need to take such action against these rats.

Thanks for the quick response. I will send the letter ASAP

Hi, Today I received a letter from a DCA regarding a debt I know nothing about. The company that allege the debt have never contacted me regarding any outstanding payment and I cannot remember dealing with this company. I contacted the number and they have put the issue on hold but also stated that the company keeps no record of correspondance between the customer and themselves. The DCA said they have not received any invoces from the company and are waiting for them. I don't know whether I should be dealing with the company directly or the DCA or where I stand. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Having seen this sign for the contractual agreement you automatically enter into http://www.parkforce.com/pdf/warning%20sign.pdf ,(sorry no pic) what is to stop somebody drawing up a similarly worded notice to place in your car. It could state that any placement of unlawful PCN's will result in a charge. Just a thought, I am bored at work

I will wait for any letter to arrive before I send anything off.

This could be very interesting.

So I could report them and if they fail to enforce the Code of Practice they code lose their accreditation. That would mean expelling any members that fail to comply with the code of practice.

On the subject of them being a member of the BPA, I have had a look at the BPA code of practice and found a number of things that Parkforce seem to have not done. I will point out a few things that I have noticed (not all) and see if you think I should report them to the BPA. 30) All signs shall indicate: A) That the land is private property; B) That if a vehicle is parked without authorisation, or has contravened any parking conditions (which conditions must be prescribed clearly on the same sign or on other signs that are displayed clearly within or at the entry to the land), then parking enforcement may take place at any time, or during the prescribed hours; C) The types of parking enforcement that may be deployed, e.g. clamping, removal and/or Parking Ticket issue; D) The maximum charges or fees payable; E) That, if a parking ticket is not paid, then vehicle keeper details will be requested from the DVLA; F) A telephone number (landline) and a name and address where enquiries or complaints may be made. Note: Contact addresses (referred to in sections 30f) and 36c) xvii)) should be a full UK postal address and addresses that include a PO Box Number only should not be used. The signage does not state that the keepers details will be requested from the DVLA (although I am not sure how long the signs have been here or how long Parkforce has been a member) There is no landline number on the sign The address is a PO Box and not a full UK postal address. TICKET ISSUE 36) When a vehicle is issued with a Parking Ticket, the ticket shall be placed on the vehicle in a form that is secure, but which does not cause damage to the vehicle (see Appendix 3 for a sample Parking Ticket). The Parking Ticket must: A) Be waterproof or placed in a waterproof envelope; B) State that it must not be removed from the vehicle by an unauthorised person; c) Include the following details: i) A Parking Ticket reference number or serial number, to allow an individual Parking Ticket to be recognised quickly and accurately, for dealing with payments and Disputes; ii) The registration number of the vehicle; iii) The vehicle’s make, model and colour (where this information is available); iv) The time and date when the vehicle was first seen (if relevant for the alleged contravention); v) The time and date of issue of the Parking Ticket; vi) The legislation under which the Parking Ticket has been issued (optional); TICKET ISSUE 36) When a vehicle is issued with a Parking Ticket, the ticket shall be placed on the vehicle in a form that is secure, but which does not cause damage to the vehicle (see Appendix 3 for a sample Parking Ticket). The Parking Ticket must: A) Be waterproof or placed in a waterproof envelope; B) State that it must not be removed from the vehicle by an unauthorised person; c) Include the following details: i) A Parking Ticket reference number or serial number, to allow an individual Parking Ticket to be recognised quickly and accurately, for dealing with payments and Disputes; ii) The registration number of the vehicle; iii) The vehicle’s make, model and colour (where this information is available); iv) The time and date when the vehicle was first seen (if relevant for the alleged contravention); v) The time and date of issue of the Parking Ticket; vi) The legislation under which the Parking Ticket has been issued (optional); xvii) All methods of challenging the Parking Ticket that are available and the telephone numbers, addresses and any internet/web site addresses that can be used; xviii) What will happen next if no payment or challenge is received within the time(s) allowed and any further charges that may accrue, e.g. “the name and address of the registered keeper of the vehicle will be requested from the DVLA and a notice will be sent to the keeper requesting payment”. The ticket does not state that it should not be removed from the vehicle by unauthorised persons. It was not secure (tucked under the wiper) There is no detailed location on the ticket There is no identifier of the person issuing the ticket. This is not an exhaustive list of things that don't meet the code of practice but I will keep it short for ease of reading. Any ideas???

No letter has arrived yet but I am looking forward to seeing it on the doormat.

Here is the picture of the "fine" as promised...

Apparently I have to make more than 5 posts in order to post a picture so this is the 5th.

What is the relevance of the British Parking Association in this then? Are they recognised by anybody other than those trying to [problem] you out of money?

They have a nice picture on the "fine" saying they are members of the BPA. I will get the picture posted as soon as I can and I am willing to take this as far as it goes!