Towing Scams in Pacific Northwest

[moonrover]

No, its true, I'm not sure how it'll end up, but I'm not banking on this going too far unless I find out they have a history of this kind of work or if others can testify for similar circumstances. To me though, it's worth the time, that car gave me so much and I can't let that kind of greed go unnoticed, if so, they'll just keep working around those laws thinking of newer, worse ways to make money. And to Archie, I'm glad there are people like you doing this service, it's entirely vital to keep the roads flowing, and honest business is just good in general, it just sucks when shitty people try to extort that crucial a resource, doesn't just ruin theirs, but the reputation of the business as a whole.

[farix]

I hate to say it. However if they cannot prove that they sent proper notification the most you will probably get is 5k in small claims court. Plus they will probably rule more towards kbb prices and you might be lucky with that. Just keep that in mind when you are hiring high priced lawyers. Do not spend a lot of dough when your outcome may come close to fees. I would not bank on law fees being paid by losing party.

This is a good lesson for all of us. My neighbors tried to have my car towed when it had been there for a day when I first purchased it. In Seattle they can tow after 72 hours. I would never, ever leave my car on the street if I was out of town. There are cheap storage options. Especially if the car is a priceless original owner vehicle.

It does not surprise me that it was already melted down. Scrap prices are crazy high right now.

[archie]

Archie,

Never meet you but I can tell you are the man!!

Ty

Thank you! Being honest pays off, it really does. Just takes a loooong time.
These shady tow companies out there that do stuff like this are in it for a quick buck. Just greedy as hell and could care less of their reputation or anything else that has to do with the business.
Sucks sometimes cuz I am in the same industry as these A-holes that do it.

[europeanplates]

Archie,

Never meet you but I can tell you are the man!!

Ty

[archie]

fuck tow yards.

No offense, archie ;-)

except archie

yeah what they said!

[moonrover]

Everything was up to date on the car when i left, and I'm a little upset but I'm not going to part blame, I think the tow company is pretty at fault here. The flier idea is good, i'll probably email a note out there and they can print and post, that'll atleast narrow out who called, and hopefully someone on the block might have witnessed what was going on.

[djjerme]

Guilt is an awesome weapon! Though it usually on works on people with a SOUL!

:)

[europeanplates]

Where the tabs current on the car?

You are not upset at your friend/roommates?

If you know the hotline was called from someone on the block I would print up a flyer and tell your story nice and calm explaining to whom ever it was what happened! It may eat at them.

Tyler

[moonrover]

The caller is not required to give a name, but there is a phone number received, to which a home address and name is connected.

[KenC]

Also, the hotline is anonymous, so it would be just as easy for one of the drivers to call it in. I have a hard time believing any neighbors were involved as people in that neighborhood generally keep to themselves and are pretty used to the college moving intervals. If somebody in the neighborhood did call, or if not, there are records kept of who calls them in, it's just a matter of requesting that in court.

You said it was anonymous, and then said they keep records.

[moonrover]

Also, the hotline is anonymous, so it would be just as easy for one of the drivers to call it in. I have a hard time believing any neighbors were involved as people in that neighborhood generally keep to themselves and are pretty used to the college moving intervals. If somebody in the neighborhood did call, or if not, there are records kept of who calls them in, it's just a matter of requesting that in court.

[moonrover]

I would like to say that I am not a fake, and though the internet can seem impersonal, I would not have written all that if I wasn't currently in this situation. I am taking legal action at the moment, and have been meeting with attorneys, making calls, and gathering info so I'm sorry for not checking the thread. I do want to thank everyone for their help and suggestions as I've been following up on them. To clarify, the registration has my campus address attached, but the home address is clearly printed to be in michigan, as that is where the car is insured. Also, according to Washington state law, the company is required to notify the home address as well as the temporary in order to notify the owner properly. The car had michigan plates too, so if I didn't reply, I was clearly not where the messages were sent. I realize I could and should have taken extra precautions, but there is no driveway, no garage, and 1 in 10 cars on that block had been in its same spot all year, I could not foresee shady dealings ahead. I also just recently found out there was a very similar case at one of the local colleges in Chicago, which was blown out of the water by the local cbs station and by some connection our family knows one of the lawyers that worked on it. I've been checking other forums looking for another incident with Bill's as I would be able to get a better media response and possibly file a class action suit. It will be a slow process, but once again I really do appreciate any comments/suggestions concerning this as it can only help.
Thank you.

[europeanplates]

It was a fun read regardless and if true way f'd up!!!!

[Mlarsen]

^ Could be.

[djjerme]

what was the first clue? The fact the dude had one post.. might just be an ex-employee, or someone with a grudge. Might check other NW boards to see if someone is thread bombing.

Still stand by my statement that most tow companies are shady.