I’ve had a one-woman boycott going on since around this time last summer. I know I’m missing out on some cool stores and restaurants, but that’s too damn bad because I’m not going to risk being towed just so I can get a drink or find a cute gift.
In good news, Charlotte’s City Council plans to discuss the city’s aggressive and seemingly predatory towing practices at tonight’s city council meeting. That’s good, because until something changes, I’m avoiding the city’s few infamous tow-happy parking lots — and all of the businesses surrounding them. Like you, I don’t have time for another schedule-shattering towing experience.
When I was towed, all I did was make the mistake of stopping by the Starbucks on East Boulevard. It was a hot day, like today, so I parked in the back of the empty parking lot, beneath a tree. Sure, I noticed there were a lot of signs in the parking lot, but there were no signs where I parked. (And, I must admit, I’m a little sign blind, ask anyone who’s witnessed me setting off alarms while opening doors with giant, red “don’t open this door” signs.)
Anyway. I was inside Starbucks for, maybe, 30 minutes. When I left, the parking lot was even emptier than when I arrived, notably because my car was no where to be found … and that’s when I noticed the big “we hate customers” signs all over Starbucks’ parking lot. Since then, I’ve only been back to patronize East Boulevard businesses once — and that’s because a friend made me go.
My sign blindness cost me around $150 that day, counting the taxi fare to get me to the tow lot — with a short side trip to my bank, since the towing company only accepts cash. (I don’t know about you, but I live in a debit card world.)
It sucked, and the unexpected bill stung my budget. But what are you going to do? I have to have my car.
Since then, I’ve learned I’m not the only one who’s been picked on by Charlotte’s tow trucks. It’s not Starbucks’ fault, though. The company towing everyone at that location is called “Key Man.” They hire United Towing to be their heavy.
So far, I’ve yet to find anyone who knows what the hell Key Man does — Google says they’re in the business of “office and desk space rental” — or why they require an empty parking lot to do business. Meanwhile, Starbucks leases 12 parking spaces — 12, that’s all. So, drink your latte at your own risk.
Read more about what’s on the City Council’s mind, as far as towing issues are concerned, at The Charlotte Observer.
This article appears in Jun 8-14, 2010.
Frank, no one’s talking about shirking responsiblity except you. The author is simply saying that the aggressive towing sucks.
Critical thinking skills. Get some.
What?
I agree with Frank. If there was a sign, and let’s face it, there are ALWAYS signs, then you cannot turn around and blame the towing company for doing exactly what they are supposed to do!
Not to mention the fact that an empty lot sure seems to be an indicator that parking is probably not “free” there, otherwise it would not be empty!!
Bob and Frank, you’re so right. This creative loafing writer is the only person who has ever been towed from the Starbucks on East. Dumb asses.
Here are other articles about that same lot.
http://www.wbtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=12023542
http://www.merchantcircle.com/business/United.Towing.704-606-6557/review/read?cid=673815
http://www.merchantcircle.com/business/United.Towing.704-606-6557/review/read?cid=673815
charlotte.bbb.org/article/bbb-warns-race-fans-be-careful-parking-in/around-uptown-charlotte-19664
http://www.wbtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=12023542
obspapertrail.blogspot.com/2010/02/predatory-towing-on-east-boulevard.html
http://www.bootandtow.com/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=12
This is a problem and it needs to be addressed.
Being a tower who does very little of this type towing I can not help but notice when ever it has happened in the last 50 years of being in business “it’s not my fault” is always the common denominator.
I can not help but notice here the Alfred E. Newman attitude of “What Me Worry” that is until you got caught.
I also can’t help but wonder if your “a little sign blind” when it comes to stop, yield, and one way signs, if you are please don’t drive in my city I’d rather not have to tow you after you kill yourself or someone else or their child.
“Dumb asses. Here are other articles about that same lot.”
Nice try, but I believe that falls under the category of ‘everyone else is doing it though…’ I wonder, would the blogger complain if she were to receive a speeding ticket, claiming ‘I was just going with the flow of traffic…’ Isn’t speeding an infraction of the law?
I especially like the name-calling. That’s ALWAYS a good way to start a debate.
If the parking lot is marked “No Parking ANYTIME”, it means just that. It does not mean “No parking ANYTIME, except for you to run in a grab a quick 30 Starbucks coffee, you special person you”. Illegal is illegal. It really is not that difficult a concept to grasp. No gray area. Right and Wrong. Period. It baffles me that someone came on here to bitch about it and claim “sign blindness”!! I wonder does she ever go into the men’s room by mistake…
I drive uptown a lot, and wish there were MORE tow trucks to tow the jerks that park in the middle of the street with the hazard lights on. More people who think that the law just simply is a suggestion. Well guess what people, there are CONSEQUENCES for YOUR action, so if you break the law, then swallow the medicine, don’t go complaining to WBTV or whoever else that you were treated unfairly by predatory
You ditto heads are missing the point. The agressive towing policies are driving away business.
I agree with What?: Try thinking before you bitch.