QuestionI recently drove my 1992 Buick Skylark from St. Louis, MO to Atlanta, GA where I now go to college. I got all the repairs done on my car before making the trip, but less than a month after bringing my car to Atlanta, I noticed coolant leaking from the engine and my temperature gauge light came on. I took the car to a repair shop and was told there was a blown head gasket in my engine. I was also told it would cost about $1800 to fix it.
I reluctantly paid the money and after getting my car back, I noticed the same problems, but before I could get my car back to a safe place, my car died on the side of the road. I walked back home and called the repair shop and was told to have it towed directly to their shop, but before they could get to it, my car was towed by another company. I had to call the Atlanta Police Department to find out where it was.
This towing company refused to release my car to me--or the repair shop--unless I showed them my car title, which unfortunately, I did not bring with me to Atlanta. I applied for a duplicate car title in early November, but it was just sent to me last Thursday.
My car has been in the impound for more than five weeks now. I called the impound to tell them I have my title and to find out what the charges are. They told me my fee was $750 and that my car is also going to be put up for auction, although I don't understand how they are able to do that. Then I spoke to a lady who took the price down to $350 and said I would have to pay that amount within the next two weeks before they put my car up for auction. However, since I am in college, my dorm closed for winter break and I am now at home in St. Louis so I cannot physically go to the impound. Even if I could, I am currently not working and don't have the money to pay my fees anyway. What are my options in this situation, if any?
AnswerWell the options are simple as I see it, borrow the money to pay the tow bill at any amount you can settle on with the tow company or lose the vehicle..
Yes it is legal for the tow company to sell the vehicle under what is known as the "lien process"
After all they did perform the service at the request of the police department as you stated, and since you did not have the title to the vehicle it took time to get a copy of it...
Well the tow company sends out letters to the last registered vehicle owners address stating that the vehicle will be auctioned off on such a date unless the towing and storage fees are paid.
Now if they auction off the vehicle, the tow company is able to obtain a "lien title" which renders any other titles void and they can then sell it or scrap the vehicle.
Sorry but I know this is not the answers you wanted to hear, but its the truth in an easy to understand manner.
There are tons of laws and regulations in Georgia regarding vehicle towing and lien process methods and any Internet search will give you answers if you want to real all the legal language.
