Low Life Tow Company Ganked us!
01-06-03, 11:38 AM
#27
call me Smokie Smokerson
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DomFD3S, thnx for all the links....
There is a small prob tho. While we were leaving Pinks, we saw a couple there arguing with the tow company. They even went and called the police over. Series7 mentioned to everyone that the vehicle cannot be towed w/o the owner of the establishement having requested it. The police replied that the sign was acting as the "pre-approval" for the tow truck people to remove my car.
I've contacted the County Traffic division, and they stated that I am entitled to file a civil claim against the private towing company for damages incurred. I just have to prove that it was a direct result of their actions to the judge (I have a bad track record with those)
I can't even get out of work today.... stupid meetings. I'm gonna see if AAA has a legal division or something, I dunno. Still gotta get the damage appraised, too (so I can finally wash the car).
Anyone ever heard fo these guys?http://www.fixrim.com/
I'm told they do great work in short time for a good price. Sorry guys, but my confidence is waining. I'm starting to get sick of all this car stuff. Everything I do seems to be car-related... I might just get it fixed myself if the cost isn't much. Sorry to give everyone hope.
There is a small prob tho. While we were leaving Pinks, we saw a couple there arguing with the tow company. They even went and called the police over. Series7 mentioned to everyone that the vehicle cannot be towed w/o the owner of the establishement having requested it. The police replied that the sign was acting as the "pre-approval" for the tow truck people to remove my car.
I've contacted the County Traffic division, and they stated that I am entitled to file a civil claim against the private towing company for damages incurred. I just have to prove that it was a direct result of their actions to the judge (I have a bad track record with those)
I can't even get out of work today.... stupid meetings. I'm gonna see if AAA has a legal division or something, I dunno. Still gotta get the damage appraised, too (so I can finally wash the car).
Anyone ever heard fo these guys?http://www.fixrim.com/
I'm told they do great work in short time for a good price. Sorry guys, but my confidence is waining. I'm starting to get sick of all this car stuff. Everything I do seems to be car-related... I might just get it fixed myself if the cost isn't much. Sorry to give everyone hope.
01-06-03, 12:03 PM
#28
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What "sign" are you talking about?
I read your other thread. IF you did park at another business' parking lot, someone still has to call or notify the towing company. Basically, that person has to "authorize" the towing company to tow a vehicle. That person MUST be present to facilitate the towing.
A towing company will NEVER start towing a vehicle w/o notification from say...a business owner OR police officer. How does the towing company know whether a car that is parked in a spot doesn't belong to a customer or a friend? Get what I'm saying?
What if you were a friend of the business owner, and he authorized you to leave the car over night? How will the tow company "know" whether to tow the vehicle or not?
Therefore, if the business is closed for the day, and the tow occured at night (well after business hours), WHO reported the tow? The police may be right, that a tow may be "pre-approved", BUT how is a tow company supposed to know whether a car is to be towed or not?
Hope what I mentioned helps.
I read your other thread. IF you did park at another business' parking lot, someone still has to call or notify the towing company. Basically, that person has to "authorize" the towing company to tow a vehicle. That person MUST be present to facilitate the towing.
A towing company will NEVER start towing a vehicle w/o notification from say...a business owner OR police officer. How does the towing company know whether a car that is parked in a spot doesn't belong to a customer or a friend? Get what I'm saying?
What if you were a friend of the business owner, and he authorized you to leave the car over night? How will the tow company "know" whether to tow the vehicle or not?
Therefore, if the business is closed for the day, and the tow occured at night (well after business hours), WHO reported the tow? The police may be right, that a tow may be "pre-approved", BUT how is a tow company supposed to know whether a car is to be towed or not?
Hope what I mentioned helps.
01-06-03, 11:26 PM
#30
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Dammit Jerr.. DAMMIT.. I can't believe those ****** did that.. Listen to Dom.. Get a lawyer, get the consultation.. After that, he can do the research, and fight for you.. And I don't think the manager of the restaurant called, but you need to go and ask the manager yourself.. Take their asses to court.. and let us know.. We'll all be there to show some support.. And I've got a nice Louisville Slugger handy too..
Make those muthaf*ckers pay..
Make those muthaf*ckers pay..
01-07-03, 12:48 AM
#31
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Here's the problem boys...since the sign was posted in the window of the shop owner's business, it was in essence, the shop owner telling you that you cannot park at his establishment. Whether the business was open or closed, the tow truck ****** had the shop owner's legal consent to tow away any vehicles parked in his vicinity.
01-07-03, 03:19 AM
#33
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OK, here's an update....
The "Customer Parking " sign says that any cars parked there would be towed by William's Tow Services specifically, so they have some sort of arrangement for that. I've called BBB and AAA, both went no where. To fix the rim it would cost $35. It would look brand new EXCEPT for the color (powder-coating/anodizing would be a whole 'nother story). The bodywork was quoted at $200 + the cost of replacing the driver's side lip piece after i told them that i wouldn't be paying for it if I got it done.
Gonna make a few more calls tomorrow to some yellow-page attorneys....
thnx for everyone's advice/support!
The "Customer Parking " sign says that any cars parked there would be towed by William's Tow Services specifically, so they have some sort of arrangement for that. I've called BBB and AAA, both went no where. To fix the rim it would cost $35. It would look brand new EXCEPT for the color (powder-coating/anodizing would be a whole 'nother story). The bodywork was quoted at $200 + the cost of replacing the driver's side lip piece after i told them that i wouldn't be paying for it if I got it done.
Gonna make a few more calls tomorrow to some yellow-page attorneys....
thnx for everyone's advice/support!
01-07-03, 03:51 AM
#34
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Dam Jerr...i had heard what happend the next day....you have my sympathy....cause that is WHACK....a similiar incident happen to my girls cousin...we were in Hollywood eatin at some Thai restaurant and we parked across the street and his car got towed apperently the managers had called....yes apparently they were there at 3 am with all the lights off...... 
01-07-03, 08:35 AM
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Take a picture of the exact sign that you are referring to and take measurements as needed. Quite honestly, a sign has to be readily visible for it to be enforced. Most businesses that have a "customers parking" sign usually have a visible sign that is posted on the "building" or near the parking space. The typical sign is large enough so that you can see it pretty well. Usually those signs are about the same similar size as a typical "Stop" sign.
If I posted a 3"x5" sign (the size of an index card), would that be fair? I don't think so. You could say that there was some deception because a sign that size is ridicously small and can be hidden fairly easily.
Let me ask you this:
1) They claim there is a sign in the shop window. Why is there no sign posted in the "parking lot" itself? The typical apartment complex, for example, would have a private parking/tow away sign posted in front of the parking space (usually on a garage door) NOT in the windows of the apartment complex itself. (Understand what I'm saying here? If not, let me know.)
2) Is this sign readily visible in the parking lot or do you have to hunt and search for it? If not, there is some deception. ALL street signs (Stop Signs, Speed Limit Signs, etc.) are easily seen from the street. You don't have to hunt around looking for a Stop Sign.
If I posted a 3"x5" sign (the size of an index card), would that be fair? I don't think so. You could say that there was some deception because a sign that size is ridicously small and can be hidden fairly easily.
Let me ask you this:
1) They claim there is a sign in the shop window. Why is there no sign posted in the "parking lot" itself? The typical apartment complex, for example, would have a private parking/tow away sign posted in front of the parking space (usually on a garage door) NOT in the windows of the apartment complex itself. (Understand what I'm saying here? If not, let me know.)
2) Is this sign readily visible in the parking lot or do you have to hunt and search for it? If not, there is some deception. ALL street signs (Stop Signs, Speed Limit Signs, etc.) are easily seen from the street. You don't have to hunt around looking for a Stop Sign.
01-07-03, 08:42 AM
#36
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I do have to say this though.
IF this parking lot is solely used by patrons of a single business, then they have grounds for winning this case. However, if this parking lot is shared among other businesses, then you can argue that you went to the business next door and then proceeded to go to "Pinks" for a short period of time.
(I know where Pinks is, but have yet to go there).
Good luck guys. Trying to help you as best as I can see.
In the end, the cost of replacing the rim and body work may be cheaper than bringing them to court.
IF this parking lot is solely used by patrons of a single business, then they have grounds for winning this case. However, if this parking lot is shared among other businesses, then you can argue that you went to the business next door and then proceeded to go to "Pinks" for a short period of time.
(I know where Pinks is, but have yet to go there).
Good luck guys. Trying to help you as best as I can see.
In the end, the cost of replacing the rim and body work may be cheaper than bringing them to court.
01-07-03, 09:39 AM
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DomFD3S is right. No lawyer will take this - ~$235 isn't worth the time. If the lawyer did take it you would be billed approx. $150 per hour. No way it could be done under 2.
You could have the lawyer write a letter to the tow company making all kind of threats. Probably could get it done for $100. Of course the tow company knows the deal and would probably just ignore it.
It's very common for a business to have a sign as described above. Employees don't get their cars towed as the tow company has a list of vehicles they aren't allowed to tow.
You could have the lawyer write a letter to the tow company making all kind of threats. Probably could get it done for $100. Of course the tow company knows the deal and would probably just ignore it.
It's very common for a business to have a sign as described above. Employees don't get their cars towed as the tow company has a list of vehicles they aren't allowed to tow.
01-07-03, 10:26 AM
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The property owner is "GOD" in this situation. I would just simply bring all the evidence, pictures, affidavits, small claims court paperwork, paperwork to file a subpoena, and anything else short of a full blown class action lawsuit, and present it to them. Then say, "my finger is on the button, should I push"?
04-29-05, 06:45 AM
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Sorry about resurrecting this but I remember this because my teg was illegally towed not to long ago. Here is a story about an LA ToW company that got busted.
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cg...n225128D39.DTL
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cg...n225128D39.DTL
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