I pulled up in front of my friend's apartment at about 9:40 P.M. On Saturday night, February 14. We were going out for a Valentine's dinner. I ran inside to let her know I was there. She wasn't quite ready. No more than 10 minutes later, we walked out of my friend's apartment to find my car gone!
I immediately dialed the police while my friend ran through the parking lot and out to the street to see if anyone had my car. What she saw was a tow truck with my car hitched up and just taking off through the gravel on the side of the road. She yelled at the driver and started to chase him - he sped off down the street.
I immediately got the number for Retriever Towing. I explained what had just happened and asked that they turn around immediately and bring my car back. "Call back in 20 minutes - I will give you the location of the car and the charges." What??! Then I was warned if I didn't make it to the location within 20 minutes, I wouldn't be able to get my car.
With a neighbor's help we located the lot where my car had been towed - it was in a seedy, difficult to find place down muddy, gravel roads with very few lights. The driver was still in the back unhooking my car from his truck when we arrived.
I finally got my car but, not before I had to pay $237.00! The charges were not negotiable.
I've been going to pick up my friend for 10 years and have parked in front when I know I'm only going to be there for a few minutes. This has been a common practice at this complex for both tenants and visitors when picking up and dropping off tenants, groceries, etc. There's plenty of parking in this lot. There were no fewer than ten open spots when I pulled up in front on Saturday night. The lot has two visitor's spots on the side of the complex - at least one was taken that night.
I attempted to talk to the driver human being to human being: "How would you feel - seriously, how would you feel if you were in my shoes?" He said: "What do you mean - you mean how would I feel if someone stole my car?" "Yes - exactly. That's exactly what you did - you stole my car!" ""Uh, no ma'am -I mean, the technical term is I impounded your vehicle."
What's really outrageous about this is that Retriever Towing is preying on citizens living in poorer neighborhoods who often can't afford to pay whatever "charges" Retriever Towing determines it wants. Every day these people are charged an additional storage lot fee until the cost to get their vehicle back is much too far beyond their ability. Retriever then auctions these cars off.
Retriever Towing is engaging in predatory behavior that should not be tolerated. Certainly, the driver's self-righteous assertion that he is upholding the law is outrageous and certainly not consistent with the intent of the property owner contracting with such companies.
It's frustrating that this kind of thing continues to happen. The laws enacted in Oregon 2007 were not enough. I can't believe the intent of property owners is to create an thriving industry of money hungry grab 'n go towing thugs who prey on tenants and their visitors.
Thank you.
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