 | Home > Off Topic > Dart Charge - what a game |
 
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| Caterham Member Since: 06 Nov 2008 Location: Birmingham Posts: 6318   
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I used the crossing just before Christmas and paid a few days later (3 I believe) when I think you get 2 days?
anyhow to cut a long story short I got a penalty through for circa £90 so I emailed them to say I presume this is a mistake as I had already paid. they emailed back to say I'd have to apply via some formal route and didn't bother to confirm if it was a mistake or not. a couple of weeks or so later and now there's a notice to recover goods to the value of £115 - as you can imagine I'm not exactly over the moon. any thoughts / recommendations et? many thanks in advance  |
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17th Mar 2018 8:29am |
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| Caterham Member Since: 06 Nov 2008 Location: Birmingham Posts: 6318
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I'm pretty that's not the case.
I just find it a bit poor that there appears to be no terms or conditions on approach that you can pull up and read. no warning of mis-payment, not warning I was in breach of anything when I may the payment etc. I feel rather hard done by. plus I understand that over the Christmas period I received an initial notice (but didn't) ? |
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17th Mar 2018 8:46am |
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| seriesonenut Member Since: 19 Nov 2014 Location: Essex Posts: 1230 
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Hi
Not so far away from me. Midnight the next day, it's stated on signage as you exit the crossing, they seem very strict and don't negotiate! It's one of those cases where the debt builds withe the passage of time, if I were you I would pay it and never visit Essex or Kent again  1984 One-Ten CSW
2010 XS USW (sold) 1957 Series One 88 diesel 1958 Series One 88 4x2 |
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17th Mar 2018 9:14am |
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| Bluest Member Since: 23 Apr 2016 Location: Lancashire Posts: 4230 
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Have you phoned them? I have heard good stories of them reducing or quashing penalties for first offences. Might be too late now though if it’s already been referred to debt collectors.
Probably not what you want hear, but there are a lot of signs before and after the bridge and tunnels. It’s simple to set up an account to take payment automatically if you use it even occasionally. 2007 110 TDCi Station Wagon XS |
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17th Mar 2018 9:46am |
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| Caterham Member Since: 06 Nov 2008 Location: Birmingham Posts: 6318
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hmm.
I'll see if I can phone em. I did email the same day I got the penalty. ...live and learn I guess. Just all seems a little outrageous to me. I would at least have thought when I paid there might have been some kind of notification at that time I was in a penalty position and I could have either discussed or paid it at that time? |
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17th Mar 2018 10:50am |
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| ibexman Member Since: 13 Dec 2008 Location: Essex Posts: 2956
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All the overhead gantries on exit do say pay by midnight next day time to swallow
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17th Mar 2018 10:53am |
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| Caterham Member Since: 06 Nov 2008 Location: Birmingham Posts: 6318
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I could have sworn it said 2 or 3 days?
would it make any difference that it was the weekend or just before Christmas? |
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17th Mar 2018 11:04am |
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| Clive Member Since: 21 Mar 2014 Location: Littleborough Posts: 467 
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I fell foul of the unpaid Dart charge myself a year ago, they sent me a penalty notice but said because it was a first "offence", if I paid the crossing charge immediately they would cancel the penalty, thankfully I did just that.
After that, I set up a Dart Charge account with a direct debit, I only use the crossing occasionally but it's so much easier to just drive through with no need to remember to sort the payment out within 24hrs. |
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17th Mar 2018 11:06am |
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| LEZ Member Since: 22 Oct 2015 Location: London Posts: 167
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I agree with Clive, set up an account even if your only going to use infrequently, only takes a few minutes, then you don't have to worry about falling foul of the rules.
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17th Mar 2018 11:14am |
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| Caterham Member Since: 06 Nov 2008 Location: Birmingham Posts: 6318
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the thing that is really p'ing me off is the fact I paid (it would seem a day or so late) and the money was taken with no warning etc. and then bosch they want like best part of £100 off me and they've not even bothered to confirm whether this is a mistake or not when I contacted them
.... I could start on the parking issues outside where I park and see them get away with it year in year out...... |
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17th Mar 2018 11:16am |
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| seriesonenut Member Since: 19 Nov 2014 Location: Essex Posts: 1230
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Afraid not, odd you did not get the first notification, as others have said (and it happened to me) they give first offenders a chance to pay. The issue now is the length of time since the notice was issued. Its hard to prove you did not receive something as they will have the proof of posting. Not saying it did not get 'lost in the post' but I doubt they will accept that after this length of time. 1984 One-Ten CSW 2010 XS USW (sold) 1957 Series One 88 diesel 1958 Series One 88 4x2 |
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17th Mar 2018 11:18am |
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| Caterham Member Since: 06 Nov 2008 Location: Birmingham Posts: 6318
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like you say odd.
anyway I've sent all the info off again - surely while it's being discussed they can't hammer me for anything else - can they? |
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17th Mar 2018 11:22am |
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| Bluest Member Since: 23 Apr 2016 Location: Lancashire Posts: 4230
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I don’t know what the rules are, but I’d imagine the “debt” will keep mounting with every ignored/unpayed remnder/letter. 2007 110 TDCi Station Wagon XS
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17th Mar 2018 11:24am |
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| seriesonenut Member Since: 19 Nov 2014 Location: Essex Posts: 1230
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Just keep a note of everything. If they have put the 'debt' in the hands of a collection agency it has a life of its own and the machine chugs on regardless. If you are going to fight it just make sure you understand the process, it your going to pay it make sure they receipt and close it all in writing. All a pain. 1984 One-Ten CSW
2010 XS USW (sold) 1957 Series One 88 diesel 1958 Series One 88 4x2 |
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17th Mar 2018 11:26am |
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