blueOne
Super Mega Xtreme Adrenaline Manwich
join:2002-12-23
Alameda, CA
| Tow truck driver asks for $150 to release car?
Hello all,
I'm in a bit of a pissy mood right now, so this is sort of a rant/serious question.
I was having my weekly dinner with my parents today at a Chinese restaurant in Oakland (I know..I know..risky, but that's what they wanted). For the past 20+ years, my parents have parked in the BofA parking lot, after hours, which was next door whenever they were going to that restaurant. They would never park there during business hours.
We finished our meal and while walking to the parking lot, we saw a tow truck that had my parents car hooked up to the truck. We asked politely why it was being towed, and this guy turns around and acts like a total power-tripping a-hole. He rudely responds that we were not suppose to park there and asked for our drivers license and $150 to release the car.
I know my parents were wrong to park there after hours, but is it legal for the tow truck driver to ask for $150 to release the car on the spot? We paid by credit card if that matters.
Thanks.
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MotherNature
Chile peppers are my heroin
Premium
join:2002-08-23
Fontana, CA
 ·RoadRunner Cable
| Yes it is. That's pretty much the going rate. If they'd towed and impounded it, you'd be looking at additional charges.
For your future use, here are the conditions that must be met for the charges to stick:
Is the lot posted for no parking with a sign that:
• is not less than 17 inches by 22 inches in size, with lettering not less than one inch in height?
• mentions that the penalty for doing so is towing? Does the sign also cite the Vehicle Code section, which is CVC 22658(a)?
• Does the sign show the number for the local constabulary?
• Does the sign show the name and number of the towing company contracted to do the towing and impounding?
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It's not nice to fool Mother Nature. |
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blueOne
Super Mega Xtreme Adrenaline Manwich
join:2002-12-23
Alameda, CA | Thanks for the awesome info MotherNature. That makes me feel a lot better.
Just curious, if those conditions aren't met, what can one do? |
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MotherNature
Chile peppers are my heroin
Premium
join:2002-08-23
Fontana, CA
·RoadRunner Cable
| Get your money back. The lot not meeting the requirements of 22658(a) doesn't mean you can feel free to park there, nor does it mean you can point out the lack of compliance to the driver, expecting him to roll over and unhook you. You'll still get towed or have to pay for the unhook. That's just some helpful information to keep in your back pocket for the possibility of getting reimbursed the fees incurred in a private party impound, should it ever happen again.
Here's your chapter and verse: »www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d11/vc22658.htm
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It's not nice to fool Mother Nature. |
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Jtmo
Premium
join:2001-05-20
Novato, CA
·Comcast
| reply to blueOne
Drop charges were illegal I thought, or is it city by city?
This was a scam in SFO for a while till a local TV station got involved and I believe they proved it illegal.
Ask BofA is they authorized after hours towing? They may not have authorized it after hours. Careful though, occasionally they do not own the lot, like the one at Van Ness/Market, that is city owned. |
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sapo
Computer Love
Premium
join:2002-09-16
Sacramento, CA | reply to blueOne
My experience with tow truck drivers is that its better to knock them out and get your car back. |
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MotherNature
Chile peppers are my heroin
Premium
join:2002-08-23
Fontana, CA
·RoadRunner Cable
| reply to blueOne
Here's some good information on the changes pertaining to towing in CA, as of 1 Jan 07. Apparently there are even more hoops for the property owners and tow companies to jump through now...
»predatorytowingincalifornia.blogspot.com/
From what I get out of that, they can't charge you if you get there before they've hooked you up. Also, pay special attention to #5.
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It's not nice to fool Mother Nature. |
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wilbilt
Pronto Resurrected
Premium
join:2004-01-11
Oroville, CA
| reply to blueOne
Wow. Yet another reason I enjoy the wide open spaces of rural living.
Any of you can park here any time, although it is probably at least 100 miles from where you want to be. 
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We were taking a vote when the ground came up and hit us. |
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