I was attending graduation for Lee Davis High School on June 18th. The graduation took place at the Segal Center on Broad St. Each family was only given two parking permits for the parking decks, and I was the third vehicle. I had to find my own parking.
Being that there were 400 kids graduating, all street parking was taken. I found a lot a block away however that was empty (Off Bowe St. Next to Kroger). There are several stores in this lot and Kroger had marked off that parking was not allowed. There were other signs not to park, but NOT anywhere in visual sight of where I parked. Not at the entrance, not along the fence I parked in front of, not on the light pole.
After 2.5 hrs I returned to no car. There were about 10 other people who had also been towed. I again made sure that there weren't signs. I also spoke to a VCU police officer and a Richmond City police officer who came and looked and also agreed that the signage was not correct and I should not have been towed.
It was over 95 degrees that day and I had 5 children with me, that were not even mine! When I called Peaco, the nasty owner, Debbie, stated I could not retrieve my vehicle until 7pm (it was 5:30) and it would be $125. I informed her that I had spoken to two officers that stated that their signs were not up to code and informed her that I would be suing. I also told her that I was on my way to get my vehicle and if no one was there, I would add on for pain and suffering (the heat). She was very rude and nasty and said her signs were up to code. I finally just hung up with her.
I arrived at the tow yard at 6:50 and no one was there. I called at 6:58 and Debbie answered and when I informed her that if she was not there within two minutes I was going to call the police, she stated it was 6:45! I have a new phone that gets the time through GPS.
She and her husband finally showed at 7:01 pm. At this point I had missed most of the graduation party for my niece and had all these kids out in the heat. Two were the graduates sisters. We at least had the company of others that had been towed as well. One family has parked in that lot four years in a row for each of their grand children's events, and had never been towed before. One man had all the food for his party in the towed car!
Debbie was very rude and yelled that only owners of vehicles were allowed in the un-air conditioned office. She also yelled at me when my proof of ownership was in my vehicle! Duh lady! I don't carry my registration around! After another half hour and $125 later, I finally got my vehicle back. I informed her that I would be suing and that I had pictures to prove that there was no signage. I also have the towing codes and they clearly violated them.
I am very interested in hearing from anyone else who has had to deal with them. I plan to file for the $125 as well as $300 for pain and suffering. Awful people who run a horrible business!!!
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