hipped primitive's car gets towed

[franksolich]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1018564672

Oh my.

Excresence happens.

HipChick (11,278 posts)    Fri Jan 31, 2014, 01:07 AM

My car was towed...

$150 dollars...+ the $60 cab ride I had to get to get other there

While I was at trying to retrieve it, about 20+ people came by to get their cars...
 
20x$150 per hour? Towing...not bad sleazy work if you can get it...they even have their terrorities
 
my crime?....I parked in my own assigned parking spot, that I pay a yearly assessment for, and monthly assessment that is larger than my actual mortgage...My actual car is in the repair getting fixed...they towed the ****ing loaner
 
I hate HOA's...thanks for letting me vent

marzipanni (5,406 posts)    Fri Jan 31, 2014, 01:22 AM

1. So what in H is the HOA approved method of informing them that the car in your assigned spot is your temporarily assigned car?! Are you supposed to get a owner-visitor ticket to hang on your rear view mirror, or what?

HipChick (11,278 posts)    Fri Jan 31, 2014, 01:26 AM

3. I had one hanging in the rear view mirror

The towing company said they didn't see it..

marzipanni (5,406 posts)    Fri Jan 31, 2014, 01:42 AM

5. Was the tag on your rear view mirror when you retrieved your car?

(or did they take it off) Does the towing company normally go by the presence of a parking sticker on the rear bumper to determine if cars should be in the lot?

I would take them to small claims court, because they should have noticed the permit on the rear view mirror instead of playing dumb so they could charge someone for their "services".

$210.00 plus your inconvenience for their mistake.

HipChick (11,278 posts)   Fri Jan 31, 2014, 02:01 AM

6. I plan to..

I took a photos with my phone...before and after...without even blowing them up...its clearly there

Uh, question.

This tale's starting to fall apart.

What in the world compelled the hipped primitive to take a "before" picture of the parked car, as she wouldn't have known in advance it was going to be towed?

magical thyme (6,327 posts)   Fri Jan 31, 2014, 10:20 AM

10. maybe the HOA should be liable. they're the ones who called the tow company

without bothering to check for the tag.

HipChick (11,278 posts)   Fri Jan 31, 2014, 01:51 PM

13. Many of the HOA use management companies though..

and leave the ambiguity up to the towing companies to interpret...

magical thyme (6,327 posts)   Fri Jan 31, 2014, 02:39 PM

14. oh, I get it. Remind me to never live in a neighborhood with an HOA

sounds as bad as a condo.

Good fences make good neighbors. That goes for metaphorical fences too!

Good thing you've got before and after pix!

Hassin Bin Sober (10,142 posts)   Fri Jan 31, 2014, 02:50 PM

15. How big is your building?

I never understood why an HOA would turn over the decision making to the towing company.
 
We have 6 units with 9 assigned parking spaces clearly marked as private subject to tow. All the unit owners are on the authorized to order a tow list with the towing company. We have to call to order the tow.
 
So far, that has worked out just fine.

I hear too many horror stories like yours.

mnhtnbb (12,730 posts)   Fri Jan 31, 2014, 06:03 AM

7. What a bummer.

Oh, boy, I hope you are able to recover at least the fees.

Who reported it? Was the towing company trolling your lot?

Or were they called by somebody?

Hassin Bin Sober (10,142 posts)   Fri Jan 31, 2014, 03:02 PM

17. I know those guys up close and personal.

I think they used to be Lincoln Towing but now they go by E&T Towing.

Their yard is up on Clark not too far from my house. Drive by there on a weekend night about 2am and there is a line out the door of people collecting their cars. Often there is a couple cop cars there handling some beef.
 
I got to see one of their commando raids once. We were camped out overnight in the Clark street Sportmart parking lot in line for Dead tickets. From previous experience, I knew not to park in the lot. I tried to warn fellow campers but they ignored my advice. I guess they figured they would be able to move before they were hooked up.
 
The Pirates came in through the back alley (before the parking garage was built there) lights off and in stealth mode. They had 5 or 6 cars hooked up before sleepy Dead Heads could get out of their sleeping bags.
 
I think a few got unhooked with a $50 dollar "hook fee/bribe" but the rest got towed.
 
Nobody ever listens to Uncle Hassin.

CherokeeDem (2,263 posts)   Fri Jan 31, 2014, 10:16 AM

9. Had the same experince...

Lived in an apartment complex that required parking stickers... my car was in the shop and I had a rental. If my neighbors hadn't noticed the car would have been towed. However, I had a temp permit from the complex office and it was in the car, it had just fallen off the rear view mirror. It was Friday, and the tow company always came by on Friday evenings to look for visitors not parked in the visitor slots. The car was nearly out of the parking place when I stopped him, but the driver told me I either had to pay him $60 to get him to back it in (half the tow bill) cost $60. So sorry you had to go through all of this.
 
The whole thing is a racket... the tow company at my complex would make hundreds of dollars off their run through the complex. We can't win.

HipChick (11,278 posts)   Fri Jan 31, 2014, 01:49 PM

12. I think that's what barbs me the most...the whole thing is a scam..

but easy money if you are on the other side...

Most of the owners just get upset and pay the money to get their car out of jail..

MissMillie (27,524 posts)   Fri Jan 31, 2014, 11:07 AM

11. They're expensive even when you don't get towed.

My son slipped off the road during an ice storm once. There was nothing wrong w/ his car (and he was not injured, thank goodness) but he needed a winch to be pulled back on to the road.
 
$90

[DumbAss Tanker]

I'll never live where there is an HOA.  I'd end up on death row.

[Karin]

Same here!  All I hear is nightmare after nightmare.  Why do people put up with this? 

[DLR Pyro]

DUmmies hate HOAs yet love big government which puzzles me.  They both exist for the same reason: to exert their control over the lives of those living under their jursidiction.

[Carl]

The Heavenly Angels sing when a DUmbass gets screwed! 

[BattleHymn]

Big Tow- another conspiracy brought to you by the DUmmies.

[JohnnyReb]

DUmmies hate HOAs yet love big government which puzzles me.  They both exist for the same reason: to exert their control over the lives of those living under their jursidiction.

HOA....should be a DUmmies heaven. Everything is planned and controlled by others leaving the DUmmies no worries....right? ...right?.

[GOBUCKS]

It seems to me that every time you hear a "horror story" it's because of some jerk who thinks he can ignore the restrictions that he signed before he moved in.

If he wanted to run a boarding kennel, or live in his camper, or grow waist-high weeds, or put an old car up on blocks, he should not buy property covered by an HOA.

[BattleHymn]

It seems to me that every time you hear a "horror story" it's because of some jerk who thinks he can ignore the restrictions that he signed before he moved in.

If he wanted to run a boarding kennel, or live in his camper, or grow waist-high weeds, or put an old car up on blocks, he should not buy property covered by an HOA.

Regardless of their original or primary intent, it sounds like HOAs do a great job of excluding most democrats.

[Purple Sage]

Years ago when the kids were babies and we didn't have a ton of extra money, I had an old clunker.  It was old, but reliable.  No dents.  It got me where I needed to go.  HOA put a notice on door that all vehicles have to be registered and working or they could seize the property.  Not being overly bright, I had no clue that they were talking about my car and assumed everyone got this notice.  I dropped the notice into the circular file. 

I got a notice about a month later they were seizing my property unless I got rid of the vehicle within 10 days due to it being a "blight" on the community.

Then it finally dawned on me.  They mean MY car.  I checked the registration thinking I might have thought it was registered when it wasn't.  It was.  Checked inspection sticker.  Good.  WTF?  My car wasn't "pretty enough" for the neighborhood?  I was ticked. 

Gave them a call and double dog dared them.  Car is registered and runs.  It is my main mode of transportation.  Nowhere in the bylaws does it say I have to have a brand, spanking, new car!  My lawyer will have a field day with you guys.

She apologized and said that they assumed the car was abandoned.  Then she had the nerve to ask if I could possibly park the car in the garage.  The car was too long to fit in the garage even if I would have wanted to do so.

I can't type here what I said. My Dad had an old rust-bucket truck that he had used on the farm, but got it inspected and registered and gave it to us for a second car to park in the street.  It was childish, but we enjoyed watching the elite's faces when they would drive by and stare at it.

I'm not overly fond of HOAs.

[JohnnyReb]

Years ago when the kids were babies and we didn't have a ton of extra money, I had an old clunker.  It was old, but reliable.  No dents.  It got me where I needed to go.  HOA put a notice on door that all vehicles have to be registered and working or they could seize the property.  Not being overly bright, I had no clue that they were talking about my car and assumed everyone got this notice.  I dropped the notice into the circular file. 

I got a notice about a month later they were seizing my property unless I got rid of the vehicle within 10 days due to it being a "blight" on the community.

Then it finally dawned on me.  They mean MY car.  I checked the registration thinking I might have thought it was registered when it wasn't.  It was.  Checked inspection sticker.  Good.  WTF?  My car wasn't "pretty enough" for the neighborhood?  I was ticked. 

Gave them a call and double dog dared them.  Car is registered and runs.  It is my main mode of transportation.  Nowhere in the bylaws does it say I have to have a brand, spanking, new car!  My lawyer will have a field day with you guys.

She apologized and said that they assumed the car was abandoned.  Then she had the nerve to ask if I could possibly park the car in the garage.  The car was too long to fit in the garage even if I would have wanted to do so.

I can't type here what I said. My Dad had an old rust-bucket truck that he had used on the farm, but got it inspected and registered and gave it to us for a second car to park in the street.  It was childish, but we enjoyed watching the elite's faces when they would drive by and stare at it.

I'm not overly fond of HOAs.

I will live under a bridge before I live in an HOA community.

[jukin]

That's cheap here in the PRoC I left a car for over 72 straight hours. I got a warning about it but no ticket. About nine months later I let the car on the street of over 72 (about 75) hours. I got a $78. Luckily for me I was heading out to use said car and there was a parking officer. He comes over and tells me if I can move the car he will call off the tow truck. Said that the towing would start at $325 for first day and then $90/day, AND that I would have to pay the city another $270 to get it out even with the existing ticket. The guy was really pretty cool saved me $600 at the minimum.

Whatever the left accuses a private company of doing or screwing them, the government does it times ten.

[DumbAss Tanker]

Regardless of their original or primary intent, it sounds like HOAs do a great job of excluding most democrats.

Not necessarily, there is just a certain mentality that loves rules, lives to make other people follow them, and gets a tingle down the leg every time they can cause trouble for somebody who isn't following them.  It's not limited to Democrats, it's more like the same kind of people who yell at kids who step on their lawn, build spite fences, and concern themselves with all their neighbors doings and possessions like a Gladys Kravitz.  HOAs, regardless of their original intent, generally end up being run by or driven by these self-righteous, whiny bitches and gaffers.   

[Skul]

HOA's are all about control. A liberals wet-dream come true.

I have to consider coach's observation....

What in the world compelled the hipped primitive to take a "before" picture of the parked car, as she wouldn't have known in advance it was going to be towed?

Makes me wonder what the DUmpmonkey is up too.

[GOBUCKS]

Regardless of their original or primary intent, it sounds like HOAs do a great job of excluding most democrats.

Their main reason is to protect property values.

To do that, excluding most democrats is Job One.

[Skul]

Their main reason is to protect property values.

To do that, excluding most democrats is Job One.

That is the original intent. Unfortunately, too many liberal control freaks get in and make a mockery of it.
I've see that happen many times.

[FlaGator]

Hey HipChick! On the bright side you have Obamacare and I pretty sure that makes everything OK.

[delilahmused]

HipChick (11,278 posts)   Fri Jan 31, 2014, 02:01 AM

6. I plan to..

I took a photos with my phone...before and after...without even blowing them up...its clearly there

Yeah, cuz every time I get out of my car, I take a picture...just in case. You seriously never know when you're going to need a "before" picture. And not one of them even considers how screwy this is.

Cindie

[vesta111]

Yeah, cuz every time I get out of my car, I take a picture...just in case. You seriously never know when you're going to need a "before" picture. And not one of them even considers how screwy this is.

Cindie

At times a HOA is needed but fails to do one darn thing. 

We had a few years ago people renting land decide to start up a HOA for the second time.

What a waste of time and money.    The Land owner was a Johnny on the spot when any meeting was called.   From what I hear as I never get involved in this stuff, the dues members of the HOA were afraid to open their mouth about anything, as the land owner would send out evictions for the slightest thing if you crossed him.

I went to the town liberary and got the state laws that protected those home owners and their rights.    Fortunately there were home owners with the money to take the landlord on.   

One right was if renting land the origional contract could not be changed without the permission of both the contractors.   AND the change had to benefit the land renter.

When you sign a contract to rent land or whatever you must go by the contract  originally signed.  Any one ever notice the small print that says if you sue the landlord you must pay their legal bill if you win or loose.

We who pay over $100,000 to place a pre fab on rented land are in a Pickle.  as are the people that buy into condos.

Friend bought a condo with a $100.00 a month HOA charge.   Darn in 10 years the HOA was about the size of her mortgage.    Her home had leaking pipes and mildew but she had to live with it for a couple years until anything was fixed  and she was at the bottom of the repair list.

Yankees beware, never sign a Gentleman's Agreement ,  by anone other name.     

[DumbAss Tanker]

We who pay over $100,000 to place a pre fab on rented land are in a Pickle.  as are the people that buy into condos.

I'll probably regret this, but I'll bite.  Why in God's name would you ever do THAT?!?

[BlueStateSaint]

I'll probably regret this, but I'll bite.  Why in God's name would you ever do THAT?!?

[Purple Sage]

 

[FaC]

I am very surprised that the DUmmie had anything bad to say about any action taken by the HOA. They should view the HOA as their up close and personal mini version of the socialist utopia they are panting after with every breath.

I wonder if they are bright enough to perceive the irony??

[I_B_Perky]

My brother lived in a neighborhood that had a HOA. Biggest collection of pricks in one place is what he called them. He got relocated about 8 months after we got his house built. Said he would never live in one again.

Only time I ever dealt with them was one weekend when we was building it. Pa Perky came out there to put the meter base and service boxes in. Now Dad had an old truck that he carried his tools in. Called it his big blue toolbox. These officious pricks came over and told Dad that his type of vehicle was not allowed. Dad asked them who they were. HOA they said. Dad said BFD, you touch my truck, I'll pull the whole neighborhood's meter bases out when you are sleeping. I think he was serious. He told my brother he was gonna have problems with them. Apparently he did.

He said HOA should be banned.  I'm surprised he didn't get in a fight and end up in jail.

[vesta111]

I'll probably regret this, but I'll bite.  Why in God's name would you ever do THAT?!?

Location, Location.  Jobs and a super great Hospital within 6 miles, Beach for residents of the town, and access to a very old town with all the big sail ships from other country's coming to port in the summer and the artists and performers year round.

Cost of rented land VS. owning land and taxes. 

Age is or was a factor as we were not youngsters when we bought.

Considering had we bought a home on 3/4 acre of land brand new with all the amenities we  have, it would have cost us at the time we bought ours well over $270,000 or more. By now we would be under water by $100,000 with 15 more years to go on mortgage.

Yankees that we are we wanted a home that we could manage on just one income were one of us no longer able to work.

Today a simple one bedroom Apt. in the area goes for $12-14 hundred a month and NO PETS, phooey. Never know who is cooking up Meth next door.

Our home was perfect for us 20 years ago, today I am thinking of selling and getting rid of
 this big house, down living, we have no longer a need for 3 empty bedrooms. 

As you can see, I am torn between home ownership on owned or rented land, Apartment living and just selling out and living in a Fifth Wheel in a year round camp ground.

When Hubby retires we had thought of heading South to the Keys to a camp ground UNTIL all the Pythons and Gators made the news.   

Difficult for me to make plans of any kind as God has a sense of humor and just laughs when we mortals make plans.