QuestionI recently and absent minded-ly parked on a 2 hour parking street during peak hours where there is a sign, later realized, that states 4-6pm "no parking." I got to where my car was and it was gone, immediately called the seattle police tow line and found out who should have my car. ABC towing controlled the police contract in West Seattle area and when I called, it had not yet been entered in the system and had just arrived. My question is in regards to the fees. I was charged a 92.50 base fee, a 27.50 storage fee? City admin fee 15.00, spd dolly fee 41.00, and spd winch out fee 63.00. I drive a 2000 bmw 323i sedan. It was not blocked in front and about 6 inches from the curb. I've never been charged a dolly fee before and since the car was not blocked in the front (i know this because there is a fire lane in front of me with a sign do not park west of here and its right on a corner so there is enough room to back in and tow my car, but not enough room to park without the nose of a car being on the crosswalk while parked; and besides, nobody ever parks there. Intersection of california ave sw & sw alaska st 98116), so since the car was not blocked, how can i be charged 63.00 for an "spd winch out" fee? None of this, as usual, includes the parking ticket as well. I have the feeling that they just added on as many things as they could including a dolly, which my car doesn't require regardless of how they took it. It is my understanding that this fee can only be charged if the car requires a dolly not whether or not they used one out of convenience to them. Please help! Image of the scene
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=California+Ave+SW+%2...
I was parked on alaska on the right hand side of the street next to Cupcake Royale/Veritas Coffee where the white van in the picture is(except that I purposely put the nose of the car right on the red paint line).
Thanks a ton.
AnswerI completely understand your point of view and sounds as you are familiar with towing procedures. Since there were no witnesses on your behalf it will be hard to prove/verify what methods were used to remove and transport the vehicle. My suggestion is contacting the city police department as they have resource officers that can review and verify the allowable fees.
I have to admit, the speed winch out fee is a new one to me! Did they use a rollback or wheel lift? Again, you may not know. If a wheel lift was used and towed from the front, dollies would have to be used as the vehicle would have been in park/gear (maybe parking brake on also) and the operator wouldn't have the keys or access inside the vehicle. Dollies may have be used also if towed backwards, some factors could be turned front wheels, etc. If a rollback was used, again go-jacks/dollies/skates may have been used to load on the bed. Could the winch fee be the charge to winch it on the bed? If so, how trivial!
Depending on how much time elasped between the tow and time of retrival, I would research the storage fee. Some cities allow some time before storage begins and others don't. Good luck and hope this gives some insight and respond back as I am curious about the speed winch fee.
