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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Posts
    1

    Default Illegal Towing in Florida

    My question involves a consumer law issue in the State of: Florida

    My husband and I attended a hearing today in Tampa. We parked in a surface lot, having both obtained receipts from the machine installed there. Driving through the parking lot (like a vulture on a carcass) was a representative from the towing company on contract with the property owner. My husband asked the driver, should I place the receipt in the back window here where it's easy to see (the car was parked normally, facing another car). The driver said that it was fine to place the receipt there. When we left court, the car had been towed because "the receipt was not improperly displayed." The sign indicating where to place the receipt said "dashboard," it did not say front or back. The receipt was visible from 20 feet away. Even though it was clearly visible and the driver SAW my husband place the ticket in the car, our car was towed. We believe that the trucks were 'cruising' for tows and deliberately misled my husband. We were charged $100 to get the car, despite a legitimate tag placed in the car where it was clearly visible. Our questions are: (1) are we in a position for legal action and (2) what authority governs this issue?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Posts
    17

    Default Re: My Husband's Car Was Towed Illegally

    Form the Encarta U.S. dictionary: dashboard - a panel in front of the driver of a vehicle or the pilot of a small aircraft or boat that contains various indicator dials, switches, and controls.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    between here and there, but you can't here from there
    Posts
    547

    Default Re: My Husband's Car Was Towed Illegally

    Given the definition, an argument could be made about the term dashboard and its use based on the owner's upbringing. I say this because I was raised that a "dash" is front and rear and must defined as to which is represented.

    It could also be aruged that it was placed on the rear panel to facilitate easier observation based on close proximity to the car next to you. May not win, but trying is free
    Later in life, I learned the proper terms, "instrument panel" and "rear panel". It is open for interpetation as to what they meant.

    Here, we have a really aggressive parking enforcement company called "Robbins" and they will stand at the meters if they are about to expire, ready to call the tow trucks. Unfortunately, in order to correct a situation with them, you must pay the fees then sue them to recover losses. Often times, the cost of suit is around the same as the fees, thus making it not financially advantagous.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
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    Behind a Desk
    Posts
    98,846

    Default Re: My Husband's Car Was Towed Illegally

    Quote Quoting zedex
    View Post
    Given the definition, an argument could be made about the term dashboard and its use based on the owner's upbringing. I say this because I was raised that a "dash" is front and rear and must defined as to which is represented.
    Can you find a dictionary that defines a "dashboard" as being at the rear of the car, even as a non-standard or archaic use?

    If you can establish that the company that towed your car authorized the placement of the ticket in the rear of the car despite the language on the sign, that would be a defense to the towing.

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