Towing Issues: towed truck, toyota 4x4 pickup, minot north dakota

Question
QUESTION: I have a Toyota 4x4 pickup that was towed from a wal-mart parking lot. It was parked there because the motor, which has 300,000 miles gave up finally. The towing company that wal-mart called to have it towed has had it for 30 days and is demanding that I come sign over the title AND give them $200 or they are going to take me to court for the over $1000 they say I now owe them for towing and storage. My questions: They are charging me $30 dollars a day storage. Can they legaly charge that much and keep my truck as ransom or demand that I sign my title over because I cant afford to pay what is an unreasonable amount of storage costs.

ANSWER: I need to know what state you are in and how long it was left at WalMart before it was towed and if you advised anyone at Walmart that you had to leave it there.

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QUESTION: I live in Minot North Dakota. The truck was at wal-mart for about 6 weeks. I went to the towing company today to see if something could be worked out. The guy told me either pay the entire bill or sign over the title with the keys and give him $200 bucks, " thats the deal " he says. I told him that 2 weeks ago when I called the bill was over $600 and I couldn't afford that then or I would have gotten my truck. I said $30 dollars a day is a little excissive and could we work something out. He said either pay the bill or give me the title and keys and 200 bucks. I told him I was not going to give him my truck and 200 bucks and he said I think its pretty much my truck, and I left. Isn't that extorsion or blackmail?

ANSWER: I hate to keep asking more questions but did they send you a registered letter advising that your vehicle was in their possession? Unfortunately if it was left at Walmart for 6 weeks you really don't have anything to argue with as far as the towing goes.

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QUESTION: No I didn't get a regestered letter. I got a letter telling me that as of Sept16 I owed them $789.25 and to bring them the title and keys or they would seek legal action against me.

Answer
I would contact a local attorney. North Dakota does not have access to their state laws that is easily accessible. You would need to ask an attorney or call the court clerk to see if they can tell you what the local ordinances require for abandoned vehicles.