Towing Issues: I was in the car, laundry mat, tow yard

Question
I was told by another expert that he was unable to answer my question because this area is for people with trailers that hook up to cars and trucks. However, I saw other questions that were about their vehicle being towed illegally as well. Would you be able to answer my question?

I had parked in front of a laundry mat and failed to notice the sign that read I would be towed if not a customer of the laundry mat. 30/45 min later I walked out of the store I was in, got into my car, started it and was in the process of backing out when the tow truck connected to the back of my vehicle. I got out of the car and approached him, and asked what was going on - I was ignored. I asked twice more and he told me I was being impounded. I didn't know why and then he told me that the laundry mat called it in. I offered him money and he wouldn't take it. No one had tried to contact me prior to towing my vehicle, I had no idea what was going on. I then noticed the sign that was there and walked into the laundry mat and immediately the lady was defensive with me. I offered her money and she wouldn't take it. Was this legal for them to do? Isn't it a liability if someone is in the car? What about a 'drop' fee? Why didn't they try to find me? On the receipt I received it says, 'By authorizing this tow you are certifying that all reasonable efforts have been made to find the owner of the vehicle prior to it being towed." No one tried to contact me. The owner of the shop apparantly knew where I was and she didn't make the attempt either. This tow yard was 25 miles away and there are numerous impound lots much closer. Your help is appreciated.

Answer
Interesting issue here.  Now I see you say you were in the wrong location and that no one tried to find you... Nothing says that people have to hunt down the person... They do what they can, check in the business that has the space and usually outside a bit (like at pay phone and things like that) before calling for the tow truck...  Now the statement on the receipt you mentioned, I would like to see your definition of "REASONABLE EFFORT" (remember all that stuff is usually legal talk to cover someone's behind)
{remember its illegal to drink and drive, but do they mention what is illegal to drink and drive with???  could be any liquid or drink}

Now with you in the vehicle you should of been left alone before towing the vehicle, but in some states and cities a drop fee is allowed to be charged if the tow truck is even on the property and not hooked up to the vehicle. Other locations the tow truck has to be "PHYSICALLY ATTACHED " to the vehicle before you are charged. Not sure what the exact law is in your location...  Now the only person that was due any money is the tow truck, for services of showing up and or hooking up to the vehicle... Usually they do release the vehicle without towing it to the yard for payment of the drop fee (also called a show up fee, or service fee)

The distance to the tow yard, is not a factor in some areas as there are no laws about where they are in relation to the vehicle but some areas have created laws where they have to be within a certain distance (California comes to mind here)

But back to the issue about the attempt to notify you... Technically they did notify you by placing the signs which stated you would be towed, You seen them and then walked off, and even if the laundry mat person seen you, do you honestly think if they would of came out and told you to move you would of moved the vehicle ???

But if there are signs and they specifically state who can park there, then it usually means that they have a big parking issue and that they mean business.  Best advise is to be very aware of where you are parking and the signs around the area... it can turn out very expensive if you are not...