Parkingticket.com Does it work?

[dleung]

What is the name of your state? New York

I was wondering if anybody that has ever used Parkingticket.com has ever had any success with them. I've only used them once, and found it to be a lot of work, with lame attempts at dismissal and ultimately a waste of money and time. I know my judgement is based only on one experience, but with the way they answered my complaint about the service with Parkingticket.com, I'll never use them again.
Parkingticket.com claims on their homepage that they employ retired Parking Violations Bureau Judges, Police and Traffic Agents who know the secrets of how to get a ticket dismissed! So I gave them a simple challenge; fight a $115 double parking ticket I got in Queens. A common summons, I assume. Of course, I had to send Parkingticket.com half that amount first, as this is wjhat they keep for getting a successful dismissal. The lame-ass dismissal letter they gave me cited from the US CONSTITUTION some dribble about the imposition of "excessive fines" and how they can't be imposed. Their 2nd big point was that there is a "quota" that the city tries to meet, which makes this a questionable summons. Are they kidding me?? I can just imagine employing the same tactic in an in-person hearing saying to the judge, " This ticket should be dismissed because it's way too expensive, and, you guys are just trying to fill a quota!" Does anybody think I'll be taken seriously before I'm thrown out with another penalty for contempt of court?? I guess Parkingticket.com thinks that writing it in a letter makes a difference.
OK, after my first denial of the laughable dismissal attempt, Parkingticket.com gave me a statement to write on the appeal form basically saying that the judges need to re-read my dismissal letter and forced me to re-submit all my paperwork again, which was not required. So, I had to add insult to injury by telling the judges that they didn't get it right the first time because they didn't read it carefully?? "Dear judge. You were wrong. You obviously didn't read my letter correctly. Read it again. Now, admit your error and dismiss the summons, NOW!" I didn't want to send this lame appeal in, but I had to to conform with Parkingticket.com's rules or else I wouldn't get my money back from them if ultimately unsuccessful. Guess what? DENIED!
Fine, time to get a refund of my $57.50. I have to send them by fax every single document I ever sent and received, including their own dismissal and appeal letters. I followed their steps exactly as stated and get an email back stating that it was 3 weeks late and I wouldn't get a refund! In Parkingticket.com's Terms and Conditions, it states that I have 30 days to file for a refund. Of course, they failed to mention that in all the steps they tell me to take to file for a refund, which is the most important place to mention it! I replied to their email that it should've been mentioned in their refund process and how do they expect anyone to remember what is in their "T&C"? I asked if any of them read and remember "T&C's" for websites, software downloads etc. Their reply was that I can't be given an "infinite amount of time for the process to take place" , and that a retail company would do the same in the case of returns. Well, I know a few retailers that allow unlimited return periods(Land's End), some that give store credits and a whole lot that give you more than 30 days. Especially if a vendor fails miserably in what they promise to do! Well, I guess Parkingticket.com needs to make money somehow, since if they can't fight a simple dbl-park ticket, they have to keep refunding peoples money. Or is it just that Parkingticket.com is using the old formula of making money by creating a website, get ad revenue, depending on people to not follow-up on all the requirements to fight the ticket, or not filing for the refund in time. Hmmm, sounds like they're a manufacturer selling a product with a rebate attached! And we all know what we think of them!
Anybody care to share their (un)success stories with Parkingticket.com? I hope people learn from my mistake. All I know is that Parkingticket.com Sucks!What is the name of your state?

 

[CdwJava]

So, what you have learned is what most of us here already know - most of these cites are scams and can get you in more trouble then you were in to begin with.

Sorry you had to learn it the hard way.

- Carl

 

[dleung]

Darn, I can't believe this was already widely known! To be honest, I had high hopes for this service. I figured that since former pro's were behind this site that they had an in with the city agencies whereby there would be favors exchanged. After looking at their lame attempts at dismissals, I was convinced even more, since this couldn't possibly work! But you are right, PARKINGTICKET.com is just a huge JOKE!

 

[You Are Guilty]

For future reference, read up here:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dof/html/parking/park_tickets_common.shtml (They city took down the page where it listed the "fatal flaws" for parking tickets; it used to be at http://www.nyc.gov/html/dof/html/pdf/99pdf/pvo_itslaw_00.pdf I guess they were losing too much money when people knew their rights).

 

[averad]

For future reference, read up here:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dof/html/parking/park_tickets_common.shtml (They city took down the page where it listed the "fatal flaws" for parking tickets; it used to be at http://www.nyc.gov/html/dof/html/pdf/99pdf/pvo_itslaw_00.pdf I guess they were losing too much money when people knew their rights).

Found the missing PDF file:
http://www.nysscpa.org/prof_library/city2000/deptfinancepubs/pvo_itslaw_00.pdf

Other City Forms:
http://www.nysscpa.org/prof_library/cityforms2000.htm

Images of the PDF:
*Cover page
http://img317.imageshack.us/img317/7641/parkingviolationcover0ry.jpg
*Tips on getting out of a ticket
http://img469.imageshack.us/img469/356/parkingviolation9ip.jpg

Here is a text copy if the PDF is lost again:

It_s the Law:
Your Rights
When Disputing
A Defective Parking Ticket

Dear Motorist:
The New York City Department of Finance is pleased to provide you with this free guide detailing how to request the dismissal of a parking ticket that you believe is defective (in other words, incorrectly filled out). Defective parking tickets may be dismissed even if you do not have another defense to the charged violation. However, if you do have another defense, you should include that also, in case the judge decides that the ticket is not defective. The fine may still be reduced if you show good cause.

You can request a dismissal easily and conveniently over the internet at nyc.gov/finance, by mail, or in person at one of our Business Centers. If you are making your request in writing, state plainly why you believe the ticket is defective, as well as any other defense you may have. Be sure to enclose copies of any evidence you wish to have considered, although signed statements should be originals. Evidence can include witness statements, photographs and documents. Make sure to keep copies of every- thing you send.

For more information, see the instructions on the back of the ticket or call 311; from outside the City call 212-NEW-YORK and for the Hearing Impaired, our TTY number is 212-504-4115. Automated ticket information is also available online at nyc.gov/finance.

On behalf of the Department of Finance, I hope that you find this guide helpful and informative.

Sincerely yours,
Martha E. Stark
Commissioner
Department of Finance

Monday - Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

BRONX
1400 Williamsbridge Road, 1st Floor

BROOKLYN
210 Joralemon Street, 1st Floor

MANHATTAN
66 John Street, 2nd Floor

QUEENS
144-06 94th Avenue, 1st Floor

STATEN ISLAND
350 St. Mark_s Place, 1st Floor

ONLINE: Visit our website at nyc.gov/finance and click on PAY NYC PARKING TICKETS. You will be charged a convenience fee.

BY PHONE: Call 212-504-4041 from a touch-tone phone. You will be charged a convenience fee.

ONLINE: Go to nyc.gov/finance and click on PARKING TICKET HEARINGS.

BY MAIL: Send your request to the NYC Department of Finance, Parking Violations Hearing-By-Mail Unit, P.O. Box 29021, Cadman Plaza Station, Brooklyn, NY 11202-9021.

IN PERSON: You can contest a ticket in person at any DOF Business Center listed above. No appointment necessary. If you wish to have an in-person hearing on 10 or more tickets issued to your commercial vehicle, you must call the Commercial Adjudications Unit (CAU) at 212-361-5900 to schedule an in-person hearing. CAU is open 9am-4:30pm, Monday-Friday.

After you have contested a ticket and been found guilty, you may appeal this decision. To request an appeal, you must file a Notice of Appeal form, which is available at nyc.gov/finance. Point at the PARKING IN NYC tab and select PARKING FORMS from the drop-down menu. You can also request a Notice of Appeal form by calling 311 or at any Business Center. Appeal hearings are by appointment only. All
in-person hearings are held on the 3rd floor of the Manhattan Business Center, 66 John Street, New
York, NY.
Under the law, a parking ticket shall be dismissed, upon application, when any of the required information described below is missing, incomplete or mis-described. (If your request concerns illegibility of a particular entry or entries, the judge will review the Department_s official ticket copy, which is available three weeks after the ticket has been issued.) If you need a copy, please call 311 or visit the Finance site at nyc.gov/finance.

If the License Plate Number or State of Registration is missing, incomplete, illegible or Mis-described, the ticket can be dismissed.

If the Vehicle Make is missing, incomplete, illegible or mis-described, the ticket can be dismissed.
Y TYPE
The Time must be given to the minute, with either "AM" or "PM" indicated.

For violations where multiple observations are required, (e.g., "Feeding the Meter", "Overtime Parking") the Time First Observed must be given.

If the Month, Day and Year, or any one of them is missing, incomplete, illegible or mis-described, the ticket can be dismissed.

The Issuer must indicate "Front of" or "Opposite" the address where the vehicle was parked. Or, the particular location must be specifically described.

Unless the Issuer indicates that it was not shown (e.g., that it was covered, mutilated, faded, etc.), the Expiration Date (the month/day/year) must be listed as it appeared on the Registration Sticker. For out-of-state vehicles, only the month/year must be shown.

Unless the Issuer indicates that it was not shown (e.g., that it was covered, mutilated, faded, etc.), the Plate Type must be listed if it appeared on (a) the Registration Sticker, for New York State vehicles, or (b) the Plate(s), for out-of-state vehicles.

If the Vehicle Body type is missing, incomplete, illegible or mis-described, the ticket can be dismissed.

The Meter Number must be given. In addition, the Days and Hours in effect are required, including "AM" or "PM".

Where parking is prohibited by a sign, the Days and Hours in Effect are required, including "AM" or "PM," unless parking is always prohibited.

The Issuer must indicate the Charged Violation.

There must be an entry in the "Feet From" box. NOTE: You may not park within fifteen feet of either side of a fire hydrant.

If the Issuer_s signature is missing, the ticket can be dismissed.

 

[dleung]

"You are guilty" and "averad",
Thanks for the links. However, I am a veteran of "hearing by mail's" for defective summons'. Lately in the last couple of years though, I 've found that my defenses for defective tickets have been ignored or dismissed without a good explanation. I've gotten a ticket for something where the location was misdescribed, or the color or type of my vehicle was wrong. I just get a letter back saying that the evidence was not enough to warrant a dismissal. And even their newer trick which is to offer a reduced penalty before they come to a "determination". And of course the publication that lists your rights to a defective ticket vaguely states that "if the vehicle make is missing, incomplete, illegible or mis-described, the ticket can be dismissed. Doesn't say "will be". And there is no where I can turn to that will give me explicit and detailed explanations of what constitutes a defective ticket. I could always keep trying to appeal, but of course unless I do it in person, the judges will just contnue to make up vague excuses for why the appeal is denied. Then if I have to waste a few hours to go to court, they've beaten me in another way. It's obvious that the judges in NYC are just going to flout my rights and they know that I don't have the time to waste nor the resources to fight it to the end. Can you imagine $125 for overtime meter parking? Why not just make it $500? No one can stop them!
That's why I figured I'd turn to ParkingTicket.com. But not only did they suck big time, I ended up paying 50% MORE for my ticket!!!

 

[You Are Guilty]

Nice find, Averad. Funny how it's no longer available on the NYC.gov website.

As for disputing tickets, yes, the PVB has a relatively new program where if you go contest a ticket in person, even if you're dead-to-rights guilty, they will offer you a 25% reduction of the fine to plead guilty and get out.

However, as you have obviously seen, and as I have advocated here for years, is that disputing tickets by mail is almost pointless as they are rarely dismissed, even when they are clearly defective. This then requires you to appeal, posting the fine as bond while you do so, only to have a maybe 50-50 shot at getting it dismissed. However, the same tickets argued in person are usually dismissed without even having to argue. Well worth the lunch hour to go down in person and fight them.

As for all the websites that claim to get you out of any parking ticket... well, PT Barnum comes to mind

{edit}
If you want to argue the law with them, VTL s. 238 is where the requirements are listed. Note all the "shall"s.

§ 238. Notice of violation. 1. The notice of violation shall contain
information advising the person charged of the manner and the time in
which he may plead either guilty or not guilty to the violation alleged
in the notice. Such notice of violation shall also contain a warning to
advise the person charged that failure to plead in the manner and time
provided shall be deemed an admission of liability and that a default
judgment may be entered thereon. The form and wording of the notice of
violation shall be prescribed by the director. A duplicate of each
notice of violation shall be served on the person charged in the manner
hereinafter provided. The original or a facsimile thereof shall be filed
and retained by the bureau, and shall be deemed a record kept in the
ordinary course of business, and shall be prima facie evidence of the
facts contained therein.
2. A notice of violation shall be served personally upon the operator
of a motor vehicle who is present at the time of service, and his name,
together with the plate designation and the plate type as shown by the
registration plates of said vehicle and the expiration date; the make or
model, and body type of said vehicle; a description of the charged
violation, including but not limited to a reference to the applicable
traffic rule or provision of this chapter; information as to the days
and hours the applicable rule or provision of this chapter is in effect,
unless always in effect pursuant to rule or this chapter and where
appropriate the word ALL when the days and/or hours in effect are
everyday and/or twenty-four hours a day; the meter number for a meter
violation, where appropriate; and the date, time and particular place of
occurrence of the charged violation, shall be inserted therein. A mere
listing of a meter number in cases of charged meter violations shall not
be deemed to constitute a sufficient description of a particular place
of occurrence for purposes of this subdivision. The notice of violation
shall be served upon the owner of the motor vehicle if the operator is
not present, by affixing such notice to said vehicle in a conspicuous
place. Whenever such notice is so affixed, in lieu of inserting the name
of the person charged with the violation in the space provided for the
identification of said person, the words "owner of the vehicle bearing
license" may be inserted to be followed by the plate designation and
plate type as shown by the registration plates of said vehicle together
with the expiration date; the make or model, and body type of said
vehicle; a description of the charged violation, including but not
limited to a reference to the applicable traffic rule or provision of
this chapter; information as to the days and hours the applicable rule
or provision of this chapter is in effect unless always in effect
pursuant to rule or this chapter and where appropriate the word ALL when
the days and/or hours in effect are every day and/or twenty-four hours a
day; the meter number for a meter violation where appropriate; and the
date, time and particular place of occurrence of the charged violation.
Service of the notice of violation, or a duplicate thereof by affixation
as herein provided shall have the same force and effect and shall be
subject to the same penalties for disregard thereof as though the same
was personally served with the name of the person charged with the
violation inserted therein.
2-a. (a) Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of subdivision two
of this section, where the plate type or the expiration date are not
shown on either the registration plates or sticker of a vehicle or where
the registration sticker is covered, faded, defaced or mutilated so that
it is unreadable, the plate type or the expiration date may be omitted
from the notice of violation; provided, however, such condition must be
so described and inserted on the notice of violation.

(b) If any information which is required to be inserted on a notice of violation is omitted from the notice of violation, misdescribed, or illegible, the violation shall be dismissed upon application of the person charged with the violation. (c) (i) A determination dismissing a charged parking violation that has been procured due to the knowing fraud, false testimony, misrepresentation, or other misconduct, or the knowing alteration of a notice of parking violation, by the person so charged or his or her agent, employee, or representative may be set aside by a hearing examiner as hereinafter provided. (ii) Notice shall be served on the owner by mail to the last known registered address within two years of the time that the enforcing authority discovers, or could with reasonable diligence have discovered, that the dismissal was procured due to the knowing fraud, false testimony, misrepresentation, or other misconduct, or the knowing alteration of a notice of parking violation, by the person so charged or his or her agent, employee, or representative. Such notice shall fix a time when and place where a hearing shall be held before a hearing examiner to determine whether or not dismissal of a charged parking violation shall be set aside. Such notice shall set forth the basis for setting aside the dismissal and advise the owner that failure to appear at the date and time indicated in such notice shall be deemed an admission of liability and shall result in the setting aside of the dismissal and entry of a determination on the charged parking violation. Such notice shall also contain a warning that civil penalties may be imposed for the violation pursuant to this paragraph and that a default judgment may be entered thereon. (iii) Upon a finding by a hearing examiner that the dismissal of a charged parking violation has been procured due to the knowing fraud, false testimony, misrepresentation, or other misconduct, or the knowing alteration of a notice of parking violation, by the person so charged or his or her agent, employee, or representative, the dismissal shall be set aside and a determination may be rendered against the owner on the charged parking violation. The hearing examiner may impose monetary penalties for the charged parking violation of up to three times the scheduled fine for the violation and three times the additional penalties that may be imposed for failure to respond to a notice of violation pursuant to section two hundred thirty-five of this article. For purposes of determining the amount of such additional penalties, the hearing examiner shall disregard the plea that procured the dismissal that has been set aside and shall calculate such penalties as if there had been no plea or appearance in the proceeding. In any proceeding under this paragraph to set aside a determination and to impose penalties for the violation, it shall not be necessary for the hearing examiner to find that the owner personally committed the unlawful acts that procured the dismissal of the violation. (iv) Failure to appear at a hearing in response to a notice issued pursuant to this paragraph shall be deemed to be an admission of liability for the charged parking violation as set forth in the original notice of violation and a default judgment may be entered against the owner in the maximum amount set forth in subparagraph (iii) of this paragraph. (v) Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of section two hundred forty-one of this article, a default judgment may be entered pursuant to this paragraph more than two years after the expiration of the time prescribed for entering a plea or contesting an allegation, but no more than two years of the time that the enforcing authority discovers, or could with reasonable diligence have discovered, that the dismissal was

procured due to the knowing fraud, false testimony, misrepresentation, or other misconduct, or the knowing alteration of a notice of parking violation. 3. For purposes of this section, an operator of a vehicle who is not the owner thereof but who uses or operates such vehicle with the permission of the owner, express or implied, shall be deemed to be the agent of such owner to receive notices of violation, whether personally served on such operator or served by affixation in the manner aforesaid, and service made in either manner as herein provided shall also be deemed to be lawful service upon such owner.

 

[patstew]

Darn, I can't believe this was already widely known! To be honest, I had high hopes for this service. I figured that since former pro's were behind this site that they had an in with the city agencies whereby there would be favors exchanged. After looking at their lame attempts at dismissals, I was convinced even more, since this couldn't possibly work! But you are right, PARKINGTICKET.com is just a huge JOKE!

Personally, I'd report 'em to the Better Business Bureau.

 

[HappyHusband]

Personally, I'd report 'em to the Better Business Bureau.

Here's the link,
www.bbb.sol

 

[dleung]

If I reported them to the BBB, I would just look foolish, since ParkingTicket.com is technically within their rights. The 30 day window was hidden in their terms and conditions. But that still doesn't mean that they aren't a SHAM business! I would love them to post some kind of figure for their success rate! And I DON'T mean in bilking customers out of their money!!