B'Stard Tow companies

[Hawkeye]

Parked the bike against the wall in the carpark next to the backpackers (opposite Welly train station) at around 6.30pm last night. Empty car park. I could have parked on the road but thought it would be safer off the road. Came back an hour later to find it chained.
Rang the tow company who informed me it would be $180 to get it free. He also said that I was lucky it was still there as he would have dragged it away if he'd had a flatbed available.
When he arrived to unlock it, he had two other's in the cab with him. Probably thought he was going to get a good kicking!
Said he got the price wrong and only charged me $140 as he had not yet dragged it away. $180 if I had to go to the lockup to get the bike back.
Gee! thanks for doing me a favour pal...

Apparently it's a 24 hour charge on that carpark even though it sits empty after about 5.30pm.

[Edbear]

Sorry to hear about that! Maybe they needed the money? Tow companies have this "Vulture mentality", always circling looking for prey!

[u4ea]

...and how much damage would he have done to your bike had he "dragged" it away....??????absolutly shocking!!!!!

[McJim]

Always best to have mates in construction in these situations - a good ol' stihl saw can make short work of a lot of these chains and clamps.

[Sniper]

Bugger dude. Not the sort of thing to make your night memorable.

I have no problem with the towing companies. I know a few of the guys by first name in CHCH from all of our cars that get towed Good guys are just doing their jobs and always get shit for it.

[Ixion]

Well, I don't know about Christchurch, but in Auckland it's a bit more than just doing tehir job

The tow companies actually actively solicit places that have car parks that are empty outside business hours, and pay them (the towies pay the car park owners) for the right to tow cars away.

The car park owners don't really care , but as someone is willing to pay them for doing nothing they naturally enough say OK. Then the towies stick up a sign and make their money from the fees they charge.

[Flyingpony]

Would have deflating a tyre have avoided the tow truck company fees?

[oldrider]

Would have deflating a tyre have avoided the tow truck company fees?

Afraid I don't get it! Can you explain your comment about deflating the tyre. Does this change something legally? John.

[Flyingpony]

Afraid I don't get it! Can you explain your comment about deflating the tyre. Does this change something legally? John.

With a flat tyre you've technically broken down and therefore parked there because it was safer than on the street. As a result, you've gone to find something to either repair said steed or arrange for assistance. But you'll be kind of screwed if they saw you deflate your own tyres on closed circuit tv.

I recall seeing something on Fairgo last year or so about a lady fighting her car getting clamped when she had gone to get her flat repaired - the car was jacked up.

As for legally, who knows, but morally you've got ground to stand on, so to speak.

[The Pastor]

Ever heard of bolt cutters?

[oldrider]

With a flat tyre you've technically broken down and therefore parked there because it was safer than on the street. As a result, you've gone to find something to either repair said steed or arrange for assistance. But you'll be kind of screwed if they saw you deflate your own tyres on closed circuit tv.

I recall seeing something on Fairgo last year or so about a lady fighting her car getting clamped when she had gone to get her flat repaired - the car was jacked up.

As for legally, who knows, but morally you've got ground to stand on, so to speak.

Thanks, I didn't know that but like you say it's got it's risks but if your in the shit anyway, it's worth a shot I spose. John.

[jumma]

Parked the bike against the wall in the carpark next to the backpackers (opposite Welly train station) at around 6.30pm last night. Empty car park. I could have parked on the road but thought it would be safer off the road. Came back an hour later to find it chained.
Rang the tow company who informed me it would be $180 to get it free. He also said that I was lucky it was still there as he would have dragged it away if he'd had a flatbed available...

..Apparently it's a 24 hour charge on that carpark even though it sits empty after about 5.30pm.

Might have to re-think where I park my bike. Have it against a wall of a pay and display carpark behind my work but haven't had any troubles yet. Sorry to hear about your misfortune, what a wanker. What tow company was it? Hopefully not the same ones who patrol my mentioned space.

[Hawkeye]

Might have to re-think where I park my bike. Have it against a wall of a pay and display carpark behind my work but haven't had any troubles yet. Sorry to hear about your misfortune, what a wanker. What tow company was it? Hopefully not the same ones who patrol my mentioned space.

The tow company was Harbour Tow & Salvage. (Wankers only need apply)

As I explained to him, If it had been in the middle of the day, or I was causing an obstuction, then I would accept it. But I could have parked 5 metres away on the road and not be illegal. I just thought, rather than leaving it on the road where it could cause problems, I would just put it out of the way. This is a 150 space carpark with no cars parked in it. 6.30pm and getting dark.
When I rang and he told me $180, I said I didn't have that kind of cash with me. He directed me 35 metre around the corner to where there was a cash machine. This is obviously one of his regular spots, when he can direct you to the nearest cash machine!

[The Pastor]

The tow company was Harbour Tow & Salvage. (Wankers only need apply)

As I explained to him, If it had been in the middle of the day, or I was causing an obstuction, then I would accept it. But I could have parked 5 metres away on the road and not be illegal. I just thought, rather than leaving it on the road where it could cause problems, I would just put it out of the way. This is a 150 space carpark with no cars parked in it. 6.30pm and getting dark.
When I rang and he told me $180, I said I didn't have that kind of cash with me. He directed me 35 metre around the corner to where there was a cash machine. This is obviously one of his regular spots, when he can direct you to the nearest cash machine!

Parking ticket $180
Bolt cutters $35
Pissing off a tow company, priceless.

For next time when you cut the chain, take it with you so if they ask you can say "there wasnt a chian on my bike?"

[WINJA]

Its Actually Fair That They Chained Your Bike , The Price To Release It Is Not Fair $40 Is More Like It,its $40 To Tow From Council Land $40 From An Accident ,$40 To Get Towed Across Aucks, They Charge $140 Cause The Gov Hasnt Legislated Them Properly Yet