Stupid Stories

Don't Tow My Car!

Last Edited: 2006-05-03 04:20:25

So, it's 3:45 am and I just happen to have a new story. I was sitting in my office doing some computer work when I heard some commotion in the parking lot right next to my window. I peeked outside to see two guys pushing my car out of it's parking spot!

Though only wearing boxers and a t-shirt, I grabbed my metal flashlight and sprinted out to the parking lot. Not knowing exactly what was going on, I was holding the flashlight in the going-to-hit-someone position like the cops do, just in case.

I soon noticed that they were pushing it to a tow truck. Even though I hadn't seen a tow truck in the apartment complex since I moved here almost two years ago, I knew why they were towing it. About two months ago, we were issued new parking permits. The permits used to be a small vinyl static cling sticker that affixes to your windshield. Unfortunately, there are too many stupid people living here that can't figure it out. Mine is presently on my windshield like it has been for about two years. It hasn't moved. But, because people are stupid, now we have to hang these bullshit passes with a big stupid smiley face on them. Now, two problems with this: One; I drive a convertible and my pass would fly out of the car driving down the road, and they cost $10 to replace (!!). Two, It's a stupid, bullshit, yellow smiley face.

I know, "Freddy, why not just put it on the mirror when you get home?" Easy answer, I can't remember what day it is right now, or what I ate for dinner, or half the songs I play – and you want me to remember what?

Anyhow, back to the story. I run out to the tow truck, jump in my car, and slap my pass up on the inside of the windshield so the guys could see it. They said, "Well that's fine now but we still have to tow it."

"Why do you still have to tow it? It's still here and I'm here saying I have a pass and don't tow it." I said.

"Well, I have to because it's already been logged. We were here earlier logging the cars that didn't have passes and they keep crib notes at the office."

"Is there anything I can do then?"

"Well, you can give me 50 bucks, I'll write you a receipt and you can get the money back from the office tomorrow; or you can pay 80 bucks to get it out of our lot tomorrow."

So I said, "I'll give you 50 bucks and you will give me a receipt for the office."

He said, "Yes".

I asked, "Do you have change for a hundred?" (It was the only cash I had, just returned something earlier that night)

He said, "No, I already deposited my cash, but I can trust you to go the bank or an ATM"

Angrily, I agreed and got in my car...well I put on some shorts first, got in my car and made my way to the bank. I started thinking of any kind of rights I may have. I could prove it's my car, it wasn't connected to the truck, and I'm just going to hand over 50 bucks? I've never been in this situation before, but I've heard of it – I smelled shenanigans.

Ironically, and probably the first and last time THIS will ever happen, when I got to the bank, I noticed that there was a cop getting into his car at the QT next door. I rolled up to him and asked out my window if I could ask him a question. He said sure.

I told him what was happening back at my apartment and how the tow truck guys were waiting for me to come back with cash. The cop laughed and said, "They can't do that. They can give you a bill, but they can't ask for cash."

That's what I thought!

The cop agreed to follow me back to the parking lot. All my praying paid off when I noticed them still waiting for cash; and I bring them the police.

The cop first asked the guy for his id and asked if it was a ‘private lot tow'. Tow truck driver said that it was. The cop said that it wasn't called in. Interesting tidbit I didn't know before, they have to call it in. The driver assured the cop that it was called in, even though the cop knew it wasn't. Hmm.

He then had a conversation with him out of range for me to hear. In the mean time, I told the other driver that I wasn't mad, I just didn't want to get screwed out of 50 bucks. He said that I was in the wrong, they're just doing there job. He shook my hand and got back into the truck.

The cop took my license and wrote down my information for the report. He told me that if your car is being towed from a private lot (like my parking lot) and you find them and tell them to stop, in Tempe, they have to drop the car. Even if it's already connected or on the flatbed, they have to drop it. The cop further explained that in public areas, illegally parked cars, and repossessions, the tow drivers have the right to take it and usually have the police not far behind.

He then told me that the tow truck driver from tonight didn't have the ability to bill me...

Wait a minute. If he wasn't going to bill me, where would my 50 bucks go? His pocket? The cop could not confirm or deny. Shrugged his sholders though. I told him that I wouldn't be stupid enough just to hand somebody 50 bucks with no paperwork ‘or else they would take my car'. Is that blackmail or GTA?

Anyhow, the cop asked the tow drivers if they needed anything else from me and they laughed at themselves (and maybe at me for getting a cop) and said no and drove away. The cop noticed that there was no license plate on the truck either (hmmm).

So, moral of the story; if someone is towing your car from a private parking lot, and then askes you for money, you may have a couple more things you can do instead of just forking over your hard earned cash.

Pine Shadows parkinglot w

Don't Tow My Car!

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