$275 Towing Fee?

[naturedude11]

Actually the mayor and city council do have something to do with this. They appoint a beer/wrecker board and you may (hopefully) see some action soon against some of these ripoff artists.

Their fees have doubled, tripled and more in some cases during the past five years. Why? Because they can.

[gridbug]

They appoint a beer/wrecker board and you may (hopefully) see some action soon against some of these ripoff artists

That of course is just meddling in the affairs of business, not a very conservative action to take in a conservative state.

Your friend parked on private property. A representative of that business was on the ball and promptly called the wrecker business. The wrecker business is still free to do business as they please, and whether or not it were the "decent" thing to do, they can set their price because they have a captive audience.

I would recommend next time your friend consider the cheapest way to park illegally. If he had parked on the sidewalk then he would only be subject to a ticket for illegal parking (used to be $10, may be a little more) but since metermaids are a lot less efficient than convenient store clerks, his car would still be there after he got his coffee.

Or maybe even buy coffee legally elsewhere.

[jsc]

The wrecker board does not regulate private property tows.

[naturedude11]

It looks like the thieves are about to get their due:

From the TFP

The Chattanooga Beer and Wrecker Board looks to rein in towing fees with an upcoming recommendation to the city council.

During this morning’s bi-monthly meeting, the board discussed recommendations for the city council to place limits on private towing fees.

Chattanooga police Officer John Collins told the board he receives a flood of complaints from residents who’ve paid between $250 to $400 when their vehicles are towed from private property such as restaurant parking lots.

Officer Collins told the board that police “would cite the company for excessive fees in city court” if higher fees were charged once an ordinance passed.

Currently there is no set limit on what towing companies can charge motorists when the remove a vehicle.

The board will review Knoxville and Nashville policies and bring a recommended policy to the city council, which would have the authority to write a city ordinance.

The Knoxville and Nashville ordinances set towing fees at $75 to $85 with additional fees for storage, cleanup or removing the vehicle on the spot if the owner arrives before it’s been towed.

[Justin Thyme]

The Knoxville and Nashville ordinances set towing fees at $75 to $85 with additional fees for storage, cleanup or removing the vehicle on the spot if the owner arrives before it’s been towed.

I see that as an infringement on property rights. Next thing you know property owners will be required to allow strangers to park on their property. One more steps and bathrooms will have to be made available to the public.

[naturedude11]

No sir, there will still be a fine. Just not an outrageous one.

[Jay]

Feb 14, 2010 0:07:49 GMT -5 goomba said:

try having your car stolen, then recoverd, and having to pay a $100+ towing/storage fee that is mandated by the city b/c the cops called the towing co. & not me.

I'm not sure if it is mandated by the city, but it sure did put damper on my already foul mood.

At least you got your car back.

[daworm]

At first glance, I would think they shouldn't be allowed to charge more to tow your vehicle against your will than they charge if you called them up and asked them to do so. When I've hired a tow truck, it's usually cost me between $50 and $75. I can't see where it costs a whole lot more to tow an illegally parked vehicle. It certainly doesn't cost $200 more, even adding "storage" fees.

I'm not sure there needs to be a law about it, though. I would hope that people would quit doing "voluntary" business with companies who charge through the nose for "involuntary" tows, and they'd either go out of business or bring their fees back into line.

[el Gusano]

Worm, you're right. The city shouldn't be interfering in voluntary private transactions.

[Justin Thyme]

Okay, Worm, look at it this way. A parking ticket at a parking meter in New York, NY cost me $115. Had I gotten that ticket and been towed I would have owed the ticket and the towing fee. The total cost would have exceeded the towing charge we're talking about here. So instead of looking at this as just a towing fee we need to look at it as a towing fee and a fine.

I would get arond these restrictions by offering valet parking for anyone using my property at $500 a day. Pay the parking charge and I'll have your car brought back to you.

[gridbug]

Hardly a fair comparison. A parking spot in NYC costs more than an apartment with parking here.

[Justin Thyme]

The point is still valid. You pay a towing fee and you pay a fine. The $275 is not that far out of line when considering all of that. Since the fine is being levied by a private concern it can be as much as one wants to charge.

[naturedude11]

The only "point" that should be made is pure and simple.

Some local towing companies have drastically increased their towing fees, for no apparent reason other than greed.

Their scam has been exposed.

Their party is almost over.

I hope they've saved their money.

$75 is perfectly reasonable for the "crime." No one should have to cough up a week's pay, in cash, for a brief parking violation.

[Justin Thyme]

Okay, $75 for the crime, $75 for the tow. $125 a day storage.

[naturedude11]

Too bad. You lose. As do the crooked towing companies.

[Justin Thyme]

The towing companies are doing nothing crooked. They are following the law. The ordinance still has to pass.

[joedog]

Feb 18, 2010 16:41:06 GMT -5 Justin Thyme said:

The towing companies are doing nothing crooked. They are following the law. The ordinance still has to pass.

We are in Chattanooga TN not NYC or one of the burbs of Atlanta in which I believe you are. You are saying you approve of the "legal" extortion. Let your car get held for a extreme cash ransom and we will see if you don't scream like those here have.

It is the reasons stated here the B&WB are looking into capping the fees that are already capped in other cities in the state.

Now for my two cents on why the other cities capped the fees. I would bet a dollar to a doughnut, the one or two towing companies there abused the system as, the ones are doing here, and now they all have to live with the cap.

[Justin Thyme]

We are in Chattanooga TN not NYC or one of the burbs of Atlanta in which I believe you are. You are saying you approve of the "legal" extortion. Let your car get held for a extreme cash ransom and we will see if you don't scream like those here have.

Joe, I lived in Chattanooga from 1955 until 2002 when I moved to Lawrenceville, GA which is about as close to Athens as it is to Atlanta. My oldest son lives in Chattanooga as does my brother, my father, my mother-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews. I am familiar with wages and the cost of living in Chattanooga.

If you leave a car parked in my neighborhood's community parking lot and it has no business being there we will have it towed and you will pay $100 for the tow plus $25 a day storage and if the car comes off the tow truck at their storage facility it has been there a day. So the $275 is excessive if compared to one of the 'burbs of Atlanta. That has no bearing on my argument.

You don't have to park your car where a property owner has said no parking. If it is an emergency, such as the car quitting on you as you are turning around using the no parking space you have the option of calling for a tow first and paying the regulated fee.

For any other reason you are showing an immense amount of disrespect to the property owner by parking there and you are just paying for the disrespect. Is $275 excessive? Probably but you didn't have to park there. That is the point, you don't have to park there and it is private property. If someone parks in your front yard without your permission is the $275 excessive?

You are correct in that I don't want to pay the $275 and I'd probably cry over having to cough it up but I don't have to park there so I won't and I'll avoid paying the fee.

Now, let's address the Beer and Wrecker Board. It makes absolutely no sense to put those two responsibilities together. It actually makes no sense to have a wrecker board. Regulating fees charged by wreckers is not something the city needs to concern itself with. The reason you can't get a free tow to the repair center that is going to perform the repairs to your car is that the wrecker board requires a minimum fee. I can't go into Chattanooga and set up a wrecker business that charges $10 a tow because I would be required to charge at least $50 a tow, probably more now.

Here in Lawrenceville, and I believe also in Chattanooga the regulations are so that if I operate a wrecker in conjunction with my business I have to be on call 24/7. I can't just operate a wrecker to pick up cars I will be working on I have to also make the wrecker available for anyone who calls for a tow 24/7.

Want cheaper wrecker service? Do away with the wrecker board and let the market set the rates. Oh, and don't park in tow away zones.

[Tsavodiner]

Joe, I lived in Chattanooga from 1955 until 2002 when I moved to Lawrenceville, GA which is about as close to Athens as it is to Atlanta.

DAMN you're OLD!

[Warkitty]

I'm with JiT on this one. Would I want to pay such a high fine? Nope. On the other hand, I simply don't park in no-parking zones and hence avoid the problem altogether.

[el Gusano]

You could always ask them how much they're going to charge before you park there, if you want to know. Otherwise, you're entering into a private contract without finding out all the details first.

The government should not be regulating private transactions.

[ScarlettP]

I'm with WarKitty. I don't make a habit of running red lights, speeding through the Hixson Pike S curves or parking illegally. When I DID turn right on red without a full and proper stop, I paid my $50 to the City of Red Bank and didn't whine about it. When my car was towed for parking where the attendant told me to park, I politely complained to her boss and the situation was resolved.

As I always told my son, if you behave yourself, you don't get in trouble. If you are known to be a person who tells the truth and keeps your nose clean, then on the rare occasion when trouble does occur, people will believe your story. If you constantly make trouble, no one will believe you even when you are innocent.

I'm sorry sweetie, but "I only parked in the no parking zone because I was to lazy to walk and I was only going to be there for a moment, but got delayed." is not a valid excuse.

As for charges? Tow truck people have to make a living also. They have to pay for those big trucks. They have large impound lots on which to pay taxes and storm water fees. It's far more convenient for them to schedule your car's pick up when they have people available to do it, so it cost less if you call and make an appointment for services. If you're parked in an unsafe place, that's more like an emergency. Someone has to stop their normal job and come after your car. That cost extra.

[naturedude11]

In some cases, "tow zone" parking signs are in clear view. But as has been reported many times, often they're not. But the ripoff fees are the same, either way.

Despite all the excuses posted here, no one has been able to explain why towing fees have increased dramatically, doubling and tripling in Chattanooga during the past couple of years, while other cities have capped them at $75. Funny how towing companies in those towns have managed to stay in business, huh?

No one has explained why even Chattanooga Police went before the Wrecker Board Thursday to complain about fees of $275 to $400. When the cops are yelling ripoff, that should tell you something.

Again, I'm glad the towing companies have friends and supporters on this board. But I'm happier that the Towing Board and City Council are about to put a stop to their thievery.

[ScarlettP]

I had my car towed from my home in the Rivermont area to the mechanic's shop in Rossville for $50. Wish I could remember the name of the shop.

[el Gusano]

Several people here have explained "Why?" to you: Because they want to.

Your friend didn't have to VOLUNTARILY enter into the agreement with them.

The city should determine how much it costs to have a car towed from a public tow away zone, as that is a city fine. They should keep their hands off rules that are a contract between two private individuals: The private property owner, and your friend who CHOSE to park there.

Why should the city decide how much two individuals CHOOSE to contract for?

If you own a business that sells hamburger meat, and you want to charge $200 per pound, is that anyone's business except for you and anyone who chooses to buy it from you?

[naturedude11]

I'm glad our city leaders plan to assume the responsibility of assuring its citizens are not held up by greedy thieves.

And most citizens will appreciate that.

Let me know the next time you "buy" a burger without seeing the price first. If you eat it, and are then asked to pay $275 for it, let's see how you react.

[Justin Thyme]

Let me know the next time you "buy" a burger without seeing the price first. If you eat it, and are then asked to pay $275 for it, let's see how you react.

No Parking means no parking. Your friend paid a stupid tax for not understanding that. There is no defense for what your friend did so the only thing you have to complain about is the cost of the consequences. Essentially, your friend bought a $275 burger without even considering how much. Quit whining about it and deal with the consequences. Don't park in tow away zones and you can drop the cost to $0. I think that's a pretty simple concept to understand.

[JC]

Feb 18, 2010 16:21:33 GMT -5 naturedude11 said:

The only "point" that should be made is pure and simple.

Some local towing companies have drastically increased their towing fees, for no apparent reason other than greed.

Their scam has been exposed.

Their party is almost over.

I hope they've saved their money.

$75 is perfectly reasonable for the "crime." No one should have to cough up a week's pay, in cash, for a brief parking violation.

I'm glad you know how much is reasonable for a privately owned business to charge.
While we're at it, I think I should only pay $0.50 for gas. I think that's more then reasonable for stinky fluid.
Afterall, my piss stinks and cost allot less....

[naturedude11]

Y'all can keep whining. Bottom line, you lost. The good guys have won. The thieves better enjoy their runaway towing charges while they can. Their scam ends soon!

[Justin Thyme]

Y'all can keep whining.

I think you need to reread the definition of "whining."