Some People Don't Care How They Make a Buck ( Towing)

[Saticon3]

Sour end to an otherwise great day. First let me say I am an idiot, I should have known better, they do have the law on their side- though one of my favorite sayings has always been " just because it's legal doesn't make it moral or ethical"

Took my oldest daughter to the Ravens game today. It's our secial thing, one that sets her apart a bit from the rest of the herd- "our" thing-- I own PSL's but most of the time have to sell the individual seats, but was able to hold on to 4 games worth this year for her and I- great game of course for Ravens fans.

The downer: Hate to drive in stadium traffic, always use the light rail from Cromwell. Last time we noticed some fans parking on the shopping center lot across from the station near but not on the McDonald's lot. Huge lot, most stores closed, the still occupied stores are like 1000 feet or more away. Almost empty lot. Seemed the people we saw park there last time had no problems we also saw several return to their cars after the game too. Got there today , the MTA lot was very crowded, congested, may have even been full-- figured hey let's park near McD's like so many other fans we saw, we had planned on going to McD's right after anyway.

Ok, you know where this is going by now-- get back to the lot, no car in sight. IN fact, zero cars in sight anywhere near where we parked. I knew instantly. Looked for the sign- which is ON McD's lot and faces Mc"d-s-- McD;s lot is sectioned off fromt he rest, but of course the sign alludees to the "shopping center".

Just HAPPENED to be a cab driver nearby who approached and aske dme if I was missing a car. Yes, I said. He just HAPPENED to know just where it was, how much it would cost and would take me there for $25.00.

I knew I was stuck and had, but the $25.00 seemed reasonable enough so I took him up on it. Got there and there was a line of about 6 other fans in the same predicament.

Now, I undersatnd its private property and there is a sign, although I would argue that it was inadequate signanage, but so long as they got your car , they got you, but these cars were hurting nobody, not interfering with business, nada, in fact I would venture to guess many of the fans may well have patronized the businesses before or after the game as I had intended- needless to say, I never will again.

Oh well, I really need that money, may have to sell the Steeler tickets to Steeler fans now to make up for it.

[prepfan]

. . .

Oh well, I really need that money, may have to sell the Steeler tickets to Steeler fans now to make up for it.

"Some People Don't Care How They Make a Buck"


Oh, the irony

[octoburn]

It's private property. Sign or no sign, what is there to argue?

[yeah]

yes yes, whoa is you. thank you for your contribution to the city

[demopublican]

yes yes, whoa is you. thank you for your contribution to the city

Glen Burnie is in the County and the money did not go to the Govt. It went to the tower (who generally pays a percentage to the lot owner).

It is a distasteful practice but I cant say that I blame a company for enforcing their property rights.

These companies need to be watched. They are know to steal from the cars, charge exorbitant fees and require cash (but no provide access to an ATM), and have on occasion been known to tow from lots that are poorly signed.

[Saticon3]

Prep,I was wondering if anyone would pick up on that!

Octo, yes, BUT signs are required to be prominently posted and clear-- I don't think the signage was anywhere near adequate--- I see an avenue here for possible action. I'm going to file small claims based on that. Also, some other issues I am exploring, trying to contact the center ownership to see if they did in fact authorize and desire that parctice-- a little research shows me that SOME tow companies do it without proper authorization or even knowledge of the property's ownership. And, its not clear to me yet if the tow company is licensed in AACO, as is required. Still checking into that.

[Bloomin Onion]

And I guess you believe in the flip side, that just because something is illegal doesn't mean its not ethical. I guess you use this logic to justify illegal immigration and support the Dream Act?

[Reprobate]

...a little research shows me that SOME tow companies do it without proper authorization or even knowledge of the property's ownership....

and used a 'spotter,' most likely the cab driver, to alert the tow company as to the vehicles that were parked on the lot by drivers who then got on the light rail. It's unlikely that the owner of the shopping center had an employee on sight on Sunday to act as the complainant. Use of a 'spotter' is a violation of the traffic article. Check out traffic title 21-10A-04. Go back for the next Sunday Ravens home game, get a coffee, park the car (legally!), and surveil the scene. I'm sure you'll see how it all goes down.

[demopublican]

Spotters are not legal and I think there is a ten mile maximum tow for trespass towing.

[ybnormal]

"Some People Don't Care How They Make a Buck"

Just ask OWE'Malley.

[BlandFood]

Many moons ago when that was Cromwell Field I played lil League there.....before it was a driving range.

[RavensDomination]

It costs 12 bucks to park on the Penn Street lot and walk to the stadium. The garage is just north of Camden Yards. 12 bucks! Easy in and easy out as well. If you are too cheap to pay that you deserve to get your car towed.