My vehicle was towed from an unmarked space allegedly belonging to Drag Mart on Guadalupe, in a lot on San Antonio st shared by 3 or 4 other businesses. I was a customer of another business which uses the parking lot, so I had every right to be there. The driver didn't bother to find this out. I needed the car back promptly, so I caught a ride out to their impound lot near Bergstrom Airport. The directions I got were misleading — they have no lighting on their sign, and the attendant's directions caused me to make a wrong turn. So it took time to find the lot. A call to the Austin Police Department, and subsequent investigation, confirmed that my car was towed illegally due to improper signage.
J & J Towing as of 2008 is owned by Franklin Service Stations, Inc. Who own other businesses. Since most people won't willingly do business with J & J—as far as I can tell they are mainly a nonconsent tow service that contracts with property managers—if you really wanted to put pressure on this unethical company you would steer clear of their other businesses. The whole enterprise looks to be set up so that one wing of the company (J&J) takes the bad publicity while people willingly patronize the other businesses.
If this happens to you—it happens all the time in the West Campus area around UT—call the police (311) to report the unlawful tow. Don't panic, don't pick a fight with the tow truck driver or cashier, and don't give up. Besides the police, you can complain to the TX Department of Licensing and Regulation and file a suit with a Justice of the Peace.
APD has detectives who are dedicated to towing enforcement and compliance. If you haven't seen it already, www.texastowingcompliance.com is also a good resource and you can call them for further advice and instructions.
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