Towing Company Laws

[dbranges]

My question involves towing laws for the State of: Arizona

So before I start I do know that I was in the wrong in where I parked.
I went to a coffee shop late at night and how it often is the parking lot is full so I parked next door in front of a tailor. Yes I did see the tow sign for non customers however I figured that the since the lot was completely full and at 11:00 pm who would tow us since the tailor probably didn't have any business to attend to at the store.

Well I came out half and hour later and my truck was gone. The next day I went to retrieve my truck and after finally finding the place I called the number spray painted on the side of an old trailer along with their company name. I could see my truck in the lot and it appeared to be the only car in the small dirt lot that ran.

I called the "company" and they said someone would be by eventually and that I could only pay cash. Well he showed up and I gave him the $200 dollars for the towing fee and he opened the gate and I walked in and got in my truck and left. I did however ask him only one thing and that was why he towed only me in a packed parking lot. His answer was that I was the easiest, there were no other trucks, and trucks are easier than cars.

Ok it may have been stupid but I left it at that, I didn't get his name or talk to him anymore but now after cooling down after dealing with the situation I wonder isn't he contracted to remove everyone poaching that parking lot, is it fair to the company he's contracted to if he doesn't tow when it's inconvenient. I know that may not be quite illegal but how about the fact he never asked to see an ID, ask for a name, ask to see proof of ownership, I never even signed a paper.

What I'm wondering is did I literally pay ransom from a guy who had no business towing my car in the first place. Cash only was sketchy, but no paperwork. What if someone had found my keys and he let them drive away with my truck no questions asked?

I know I was in the wrong and don't want my money refunded but what he did doesn't seem to be on the level.

[Happy Trails]

My question involves towing laws for the State of: Arizona

So before I start I do know that I was in the wrong in where I parked.
I went to a coffee shop late at night and how it often is the parking lot is full so I parked next door in front of a tailor. Yes I did see the tow sign for non customers however I figured that the since the lot was completely full and at 11:00 pm who would tow us since the tailor probably didn't have any business to attend to at the store.

Okay, you realize now you shouldn't have parked there.

Well I came out half and hour later and my truck was gone. The next day I went to retrieve my truck and after finally finding the place I called the number spray painted on the side of an old trailer along with their company name. I could see my truck in the lot and it appeared to be the only car in the small dirt lot that ran.

I called the "company" and they said someone would be by eventually and that I could only pay cash. Well he showed up and I gave him the $200 dollars for the towing fee and he opened the gate and I walked in and got in my truck and left. I did however ask him only one thing and that was why he towed only me in a packed parking lot. His answer was that I was the easiest, there were no other trucks, and trucks are easier than cars.

Okay, if you had to pick one (for whatever reason) wouldn't you take the easiest?

Ok it may have been stupid but I left it at that, I didn't get his name or talk to him anymore but now after cooling down after dealing with the situation I wonder isn't he contracted to remove everyone poaching that parking lot, is it fair to the company he's contracted to if he doesn't tow when it's inconvenient. I know that may not be quite illegal but how about the fact he never asked to see an ID, ask for a name, ask to see proof of ownership, I never even signed a paper.

What I'm wondering is did I literally pay ransom from a guy who had no business towing my car in the first place. Cash only was sketchy, but no paperwork. What if someone had found my keys and he let them drive away with my truck no questions asked?

I don't know the type of contract the towing company had with the business owner. However, as you mention, not illegal.

As far as asking for ID or proof of ownership, probably sloppy paperwork, but not illegal. If something had happened, the tow company most likely could have been found liable. But, what are the odds of someone finding your keys, having knowledge of what vehicle they belonged to, knowing the vehicle had been towed, finding the vehicle and then requesting to have the vehicle released and paying the fine to do so?

Cash only? I'm sure the reason most tow companies want cash is because people can/do stop payment on a check or dispute the charge with a CC company. Cash eliminates the problem of trying to collect when people stop payment.

I know I was in the wrong and don't want my money refunded but what he did doesn't seem to be on the level.

Yes, chalk it up to a lesson learned. I don't see anything illegal with what he did.