Towing Issues: towing laws in boston, hess gas station, tow truck company

Question
My friend parked at an applebees in boston. Where he parked there were no signs about towing. Behind him about 50 ft away on a pole 15 ft up there was a sign that we saw after the fact is there any law stating that the sign must be clearly visable? We went to abc towing to claim the car the driver told us it was cash only so we asked him for the nearest atm he told us down the street near the hess gas station we pulled in to the gas station and parked in the spot it was after hours and the attendent told us to run accross the street to to conveniance store which was still open. We were in the store for 2 minutes when we ran back accross the street my car was gone. We walked back to the tow truck company the also took my car and charged us $114 each to get are cars.  We attempted to reason with them but they had no sympathy and flat out told us either pay or leave. Now figuring we had permission and the attandent new we would be back in 2 minutes also where we parked and where the tow sign was places in a dark lot 20 feet away is there any way of laws that protect us that I can use or tell the owner of the towing company to recoup my money.  It realy feels like I am being scamed especialy since the tow truck drive saw us cross the street to run into the store and by the time we got out the car was gone. Also can you tell me where the laws for towing in boston are located

Answer
this sounds like one of those stories which could not possibly happen, but it does at times.  
Sounds like the tow company is not totally following the laws of the state.

Now the state has at least one law I know of which is linked below regarding towing vehicles...

http://law.onecle.com/massachusetts/266/120D.html

Now the sign being 15 feet up a pole seems a bit much, but I bet that is one of many for that lot and some might be been damaged, destroyed or stolen.  It happens.


The deal with the gas station seems a bit much, but then again I know that parking in Boston is very messed up

Sounds like you might have a bit of a court case here, but it is really hard to say if it would work or not. You did park in one business lot and go somewhere else.