Assured Towing This company discriminately towed my truck around 12:30am yesterday for being double parked but didn't tow the other 7 or 8 cars around for doing the same thing Austin Texas
I woke up this morning around 10:30 or so and later went outside to go to get my cigarettes out of my truck, when to my astonishment, my truck was gone. I immediately went back inside and told my girlfriend it was gone. I first thought theft, but then thought that it might have been towed from double parking.
I called 311 and they told me that it was not stolen, but had been towed by an Assured Towing company. She gave me a number to call which of course i did.
I found out it had indeed been towed for double parking, around 12:30am last night, and that i already owed $270 to get it out. I told her that i had an issue with this towing and how it felt like discrimination.
My girlfriend and i talked, then immediately went back outside and drove around the apartment complex. We took some pictures. All in all, there were over 7 or 8 other cars either double or illegally parked. None of them were towed. So why was my truck singled out as the one to be towed? And why only now? I've had to double park my truck almost on a daily basis for the last month now-- and well over the last week.
There has been an old blue truck double parked now for a week in the same spot. There are only 2 & a half parking spots left before the spaces end--which is where we live. So we've been both double parking because of this guy, who's truck is still double parked.
Once again, why my truck? Why didn't they take both our other car, and the blue truck sitting on either side of my truck?-- all double parked-- if that was the real reason they towed my truck. And how did they get notified of my truck being double parked?
Something's fishy here, but i don't know what yet. I'm very suspicious of this company now, especially since there are numerous other reports of this company being scandalous and illegally towing vehicles.
Oh, one last thing, why did this comany tow my truck all the way down south past ben white on 35 at 4416 brandt rd, when they have another Assured Towing location off of lammar? That must be 20 miles further south than necessary.
I have yet to speak to a manager since it's sunday. But tommorow i will, because i don't feel this is fair at all--in fact, like i said earlier, it feels like i'm being discriminated against. I want justice--whether that be everybody else's vehicles towed too, or my money back. What do you guys think? Please comment on this issue!
Jason
austin, Texas
U.S.A.
4 Updates & Rebuttals
Helene
Elgin,Illinois,
U.S.A.
Welcome to Austin,TX -- LAND OF THE RIP OFF!
#5Consumer Comment
Fri, January 11, 2008
That's just how it is.
If you haven't had your vehicle confiscated at least once by these loco wrecker drivers and had to pay $200 - $300 0per night just to get it back, YOU ARE NOT IN AUSTIN,TX.
I almost forgot about the snotty, yuppie apartment managers who WANT to harrass you. I wonder if they and the Austin police get a percentage of the tow fee for generating business. I wonder.
Get out while you still have time and you still have a life. Austin is not a good place to be for middle class folks trying to make a living.
Toby
Austin,Texas,
U.S.A.
Double Parked Violation on Lease Agreement
#5Consumer Comment
Tue, January 08, 2008
Jason,
I understand that you are upset over your vehicle being towed, but do not wish for others to be towed just because you were. I beleive that makes someone worse than you can ever paint the towing company. I too was towed by Assured Towing for not having a permit on my vehicle. I too, like you, admitted for being wrong in my choice of parking arrangement. I too wanted all of the other vehicles that did not have permits towed to "make it right". It's frustrating when it first happens.
Then something happened. I waited and watched for an Assured Towing tow truck to show up so that I could demand that they tow all of them. And ... they did. I started out strong and furious, pointing out everyone I could find. But to my surprise, they would not tow them and called me wrong for being this way. I was flabergasted. Who do they think they are talking too, they are the blood-thirsty towers, right? They then pointed out all of the ones that I had pointed out and then pointed out a few more. They explained that so0me of these were called "No-Tows" because they had been called in by the property to not tow for the night or a couple of days, because they had communicated with the property and received permission. The others came out to around almost 21 cars. They said that they would pick up a couple, maybe three and then that would be it. I was indeed surprised. When asked why, they explained that they do not tow at 100 percent ever in these situations. They explained that eventually the owners of the vehicles will catch on to the enforcement to the parking rules and that they would clear up pretty quick, of course without towing all of those cars. They said it is part of parking lot compliance plan that they impliment for each property, each one being designed for the uniquness of the property. I was impressed by that and apologized for being so worked up.
Not even two days later, I went out to the parking lot and counted how many cars did not have a permit on them. Only two! Two! I then absolutely understood what they were talking about and then it hit me. I felt really bad. I almost got 21 cars towed and it may not have had to happen, all because I was angry and wanted everyone else to suffer. Now, it is rare to see anyone not having a permit. You say that there were more people parking like you did and did not get towed. How do you know if you were the only one, I didn't see that you asked that question, and it is a possibility that they may have.
Just for the point of another possiblity, if they have signs at the entrances of the property and it says "....Parking Only In Designated Spaces", like it does on our sign at the property I live at; that pretty much takes care of any posting requirements needed. Also, do you mean you were double parked behind another vehicle, or were you taking up more than one parking space? Some people get the two confused. And have you ever talked to the towing company before that point? If not, it's kind of silly to claim discrimination if they did not know who you were. And if you did know them, or know that they were coming through for towing, why park that way and risk it, not only once with the car picked up, but also with your other car you claimed was also double parked. As far as any parking rules, when you sign any standard lease with an apartment comlex, they explain what the rules are and/or that the rules will be enforced.
One more thing. I looked to see if Assured Towing had another location off of Lamar. They only have one location, and that is the one off of William Cannon area.
Will
Dallas,Texas,
U.S.A.
Who
#5Consumer Comment
Mon, December 31, 2007
WHen I think of double parking I think you are blocking someone else in their spot so they can't get out - was that the case?
If it was - Maybe the person you were blocking in wanted to use their car and they called to get it towed - can't blame them for that. I'd do the same for someone being so self centered and inconsiderate to inconvience others by breaking the rules.
At any rate, if it is posted and you broke the rule you cannot complain, well you can but it won't do any good. The cops don't pull over every single speeder and the ones they do pull over can't use that as an excuse.
Steve
Bradenton,Florida,
U.S.A.
Jason, we need more information here.
#5Consumer Suggestion
Mon, December 31, 2007
Jason,
You say you were double parked, but you did not say if this double parking was actually on a public street, or if it was on private property. This makes a big difference.
If it was on private property, is the no double parking rule clearly posted? If not, you may have a good case for legal recourse. Towing companies have contracts with private property owners to enforce posted parking rules. No notification is required, they automatically patrol the contracted properties. It is easy money.
Either way, I can guarantee you 2 things. The first being that you will not get your vehicle back without paying the tow company. Second, the tow company will not refund your money without taking them to court.
Also, why is double parking necessary? I wouldn't live somewhere that required double parking. That is just stupid. Is the double parking due to disabled or other non driven cars? If this is the case, that issue needs to be brought up with the apt management if it is an apt.
Also, is there parking available elsewhere on the property? If so, did you double park just to be close to your apt?
Also, some jurisdictions require a certain number of parking spaces ratio to the number of housing units. You need to check with your local zoning and code enforcement office on this.