QuestionI had parked my car at a college dorm in phila. Marked office/visitor space. This was a Sunday morning and office was closed. Helped my daughter carry in supplies. I Was no more than 5 minutes. Came out to a Tow truck backing up to my car. After a 10-15 minute argument (i did not raise my voice). He said he would not tow it if i gave him $150 dollars cash. I was told to walk to 7-11 and withdraw the money and he would leave.
My question is, Is this legal? Can he charge me this money if my car was not hook up to the tow truck? Isn't this extortion?
AnswerI hate questions from Philly, as they are hard to research due to the PPA laws, along with the fact that towers are required to have permits to tow in the city (even companies for out of the city or state) and then add in the private property laws and all that, it gets wild. And I did not even get into the "WRECK CHASING PART" of police towing in Philly.
But I would think that if they are not hooked up then they can not charge for the service.
Those are my thoughts about it, and in most cases industry practices.
Now I have a link to a huge amount of information on towing there, and its listed below.
You will have more answers to questions that are asked and what applies than I will as you were there and I was not.
Read though and see if you can find answers and if not or you have more questions then feel free to ask again here.
http://www.phila.gov/philacode/html/_DATA/TITLE09/CHAPTER_9_600_SERVICE_BUSINESS...
Also there are several more links off THIS google search which might help with your questions.
http://www.google.com/cse?oe=utf8%26ie=utf8%26source=uds%26start=0%26cx=01228197...
