tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post6518054503544748704..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: My angry rant of the month!!By Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-51627397612435700092012-03-14T14:52:04.483-07:002012-03-14T14:52:04.483-07:00The people/government need to regulate towing truc...The people/government need to regulate towing truck companies and the laws about towing and towing fees. The regulations need to be spelled out and posted on the front page of newspapers for all to know so that we don't fall prey any longer. This is serious stuff. It appears that the average citizen/consumer is in the dark and as a result is being exploited. In San Diego, business property owners sign a generalized contract with individual tow truck companies to patrol their parking lots especially after closing. Neighboring opened businesses cannot use other closed businesses' parking lots after closing for their customers even if the parking lot is right next door or across the street. Their customers will get towed. You can thank the owner of West Coast Towing for getting this idea (patrol towing)pushed through the Courts in San Diego. It is difficult to know the parking rules in any given city. The people who know the most are the people taking the money. Don't be surprised if many towing companies aren't closely tied to the Mafia or another strong support entity to legally exploit the public. After all, the owner of West Coast Towing is making enough of a profit to get laws passed to benefit his type of business. It isn't that difficult to get a towing license to tow your neighbor in California. Maybe we all should start doing it since all I ever hear from the public is ranting. Realize that we need to pull together to fight this but how? Nevada is the worst offender. You have the property owners, tow truck companies, police, security guards, all getting a cut. You have to give up your car in Nevada because of how much is charged. If you want a good car for cheap, you go to Nevada where cars have been legally stolen to be sold at auction. Stealing cars has become a white collar crime via the use of tow truck companies and property owners. There's a story line.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-3373288361261014922012-03-05T13:46:59.113-08:002012-03-05T13:46:59.113-08:00I've had this happen too, Ken. They always giv...I've had this happen too, Ken. They always give you the same excuse, "we're just doing our job". I told them the job they should have is to 'get a life'.Jeffrey Leonardnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-46955325173824721992012-03-05T11:56:02.530-08:002012-03-05T11:56:02.530-08:00I got towed on a first date when I parked at the I...I got towed on a first date when I parked at the Improv comedy club.<br />Good thing it was my dates idea to park there! Cost me money but got me a lot of "points" which I cashed in later!chuckcdnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-19596554536534747792012-03-02T22:50:46.171-08:002012-03-02T22:50:46.171-08:00And indeed, the towing bill died in the Washington...And indeed, the towing bill died in the Washington State Senate today. http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2012/03/02/state-towing-bill-slated-to-die-today-at-500pmBreadbakernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-73723450661849574582012-03-02T11:29:32.833-08:002012-03-02T11:29:32.833-08:00Im with one of the first posters, John. I have had...Im with one of the first posters, John. I have had my car towed, it sucked, also cost me north of $300, but the towing company didnt decide to start towing where you parked your car. The owner of said parking area made that decision so the bulk of your anger should be directed towards them. Also, towing rates are heavily regulated by the city, so tow companies can't just charge whatever they want, their fees are more or less dictated to them. Look, I know it's shitty to get your car towed, like I said I've been there. While there may be bad apples in the towing biz (like in any biz), the bulk of them are honest businesses folks providing a service all communities need.Jimnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-18431576490396396212012-03-02T10:55:09.769-08:002012-03-02T10:55:09.769-08:00Ah, a front page from The Trentonian, a tabloid th...Ah, a front page from <i>The Trentonian</i>, a tabloid that makes the <i>New York Post</i> look urbane.VP81955https://www.blogger.com/profile/11792390726196611188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-24494255122107142242012-03-02T05:26:14.366-08:002012-03-02T05:26:14.366-08:00Why do, on some shows, all the writers get "S...Why do, on some shows, all the writers get "Supervising Producer" credit. Who do they supervise? Isn't that credit sort of a "head writer" thing?Chrisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-27753555948826562942012-03-02T04:18:31.031-08:002012-03-02T04:18:31.031-08:00Quick credit question: why do some shows have thei...Quick credit question: why do some shows have their pilot's production code as "02" and the second episode listed as "01" (If it's obvious that "02" is the pilot, written by the creator and introducing all characters).<br /><br />I'm not talking about when the pilot is part of a different series of codes. For example, on Perfect Strangers, the pilot is "174902" and the second episode is "174901".Chrisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-73762538450623800192012-03-01T22:58:22.365-08:002012-03-01T22:58:22.365-08:00Yes. The same thing happened to my husband and me ...Yes. The same thing happened to my husband and me in Pittsburgh, and a homeless man actually informed us that the car had been towed; and we had our very, very young baby that we had to transport in a taxi without a car seat because, can you guess, yep, it had been towed with the car. Before we were let into the taxi, with our son, we had to explain to the taxi driver why we didn't have a car seat. We never parked in that street again.Katnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-70357708964791686142012-03-01T22:56:52.866-08:002012-03-01T22:56:52.866-08:00Ken....wah wah wah...there are rules everywhere an...Ken....wah wah wah...there are rules everywhere and u r not above them....welcome to the real world...Hanuman 16noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-84470551332140386122012-03-01T20:45:36.894-08:002012-03-01T20:45:36.894-08:00seriously I hate trying to park somewhere when the...seriously I hate trying to park somewhere when there are too many cars. they should tow anyone who is parked in the wrong place or didn't pay. Here in Korea I wish they would tow idiots who park all over the place away.<br /><br />If your dream came true and tow trucks didn't tow or weren't allowed to the cars parked illegally and blocking traffic should would get your goat.Lantastichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05891591046986191093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-9536227442191614062012-03-01T17:00:08.569-08:002012-03-01T17:00:08.569-08:00I'm so sorry you had to go through this. When ...I'm so sorry you had to go through this. When I had my towed from Malibu, they took it to Tarzana. Not kidding. I don't know what it us up with Southern California towing, but it's so messed up. It was a little Chevy Metro, my first car, and I think the towing charges were worth more than the car.<br /><br />Also, it's my birthday, and it's themed in "Cheers" so we were watching some of my faves. I gratefully received all the episodes on DVD. Nice to see your name and nice to laugh hysterically at this great show. ;-)It also brings back great memories as I hadn't seen some of these in years. Thanks for giving us so many laughs.Robin Ravenhttp://www.robinraven.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-58439327113038043472012-03-01T16:05:08.856-08:002012-03-01T16:05:08.856-08:00It's scofflaws like you, Mr. Levine, that make...It's scofflaws like you, Mr. Levine, that make it impossible for decent, law-abiding people like me to park outside a bail bond company late at night.Cap'n Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11783977137812876489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-48782088978319005652012-03-01T15:30:59.000-08:002012-03-01T15:30:59.000-08:00This is my nightmare come true :(
We've live...This is my nightmare come true :( <br /><br />We've lived in LA two months now and already gotten two parking tickets, it's crazy here! I don't have a problem with paying to park, or walking extra, or anything, but to me a lot of the signs around here are ambiguous as heck. Every time I go to my car now I'm convinced I see tickets littered all over the windshield.<br /><br />One of the tickets was when we paid to park in a parking lot, have the receipt that we paid to park, and they have an electronic record that we paid to park. We got a ticket for...not paying to park. It's because we didn't read the back of the receipt where it said you have to leave it displayed in your car. Okay, we didn't think to read the tiny print there, our bad...other parking lots' receipts say to take the receipt with you and keep it on your person :\ <br /><br />I kind of think some places might be ambiguous on purpose just to wring more money out of people :\ So caution to anyone visiting the LA area, my goodness these guys aren't messing around!Katihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06377068075742161319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-25543135229085255322012-03-01T14:48:53.741-08:002012-03-01T14:48:53.741-08:00D. McEwan said "This is one of maybe three ti...D. McEwan said "This is one of maybe three times in my life that I've actually tried to hit someone I wasn't related to."<br /><br />That is a classic line. It made me laugh out loud.<br /><br />I would like to add my support and sympathy for your rant.<br /><br />I have a Friday question for Ken. I have to write a 3-5 minute movie for my film class. I have never written a script before. Is there any advice you could give? Besides whacking a tow truck driver.sk85https://www.blogger.com/profile/11404993581322394293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-45466013459698843902012-03-01T13:49:37.793-08:002012-03-01T13:49:37.793-08:00A guy using the name Krypton had a song called &qu...A guy using the name Krypton had a song called "Let's Blow up the Tow Truck", which I commend to your attention for a laugh.Greg Morrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15087725766052329852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-81883908176194345242012-03-01T13:40:15.527-08:002012-03-01T13:40:15.527-08:00He's Jewish. He'll add a month.He's Jewish. He'll add a month.Dan Tedsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16452847576600692673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-41581206889871790842012-03-01T13:17:26.333-08:002012-03-01T13:17:26.333-08:00You got your Rant of the Month out of the way on t...You got your Rant of the Month out of the way on the first? What happens if something really honks you off on the 23rd?Rays profilehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13375762252351537791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-27325578804601077062012-03-01T13:13:50.625-08:002012-03-01T13:13:50.625-08:00There's a towing company actually called "...There's a towing company actually called "Camel Towing". Thought that was pretty good..tbnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-24736673232627475262012-03-01T12:36:22.715-08:002012-03-01T12:36:22.715-08:00On a completely different topic, I read today that...On a completely different topic, I read today that NBC inked a deal for a new show reuniting Roseanne Barr and John Goodman. Your thoughts, Ken?<br /><br />The same article said that ABC, NBC and CBS all have comedy-heavy pilot seasons.Mary Stellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02186261066656584772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-13613557495280434742012-03-01T12:08:48.856-08:002012-03-01T12:08:48.856-08:00Got Tow Truck Problems?
You need: Socialist Worker...Got Tow Truck Problems?<br />You need: Socialist Workers' Utopia.<br />Vote accordingly.Mikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06248182899977033579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-87022356556279329802012-03-01T11:53:34.325-08:002012-03-01T11:53:34.325-08:00"MikeBo said...
Ken,
You are definitely entit...<i>"MikeBo said...<br />Ken,<br />You are definitely entitled to your rant. I can see that the banks and Wall Street both look up to the tow truck industry as their role model."</i><br /><br />Greayt comment. You ae so right.D. McEwannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-84234273670757842112012-03-01T11:51:56.071-08:002012-03-01T11:51:56.071-08:00Way the hell back in 1975, my car got towed. It wa...Way the hell back in 1975, my car got towed. It was parked by a business <i>on EASTER SUNDAY!</i> The business was, to put it mildly, not open. (I was attending a science ficiton convention across the street. <br /><br />I happened to arrive at my car <i>as</i> they were attaching it. When I asked them <i>nicely</i> (not my strong suit, as certain other posters might note) to let go of it, they refused, so I unlocked it and got in, shut the door, locked it again, and refused to get out. They had to tow it (fortunately only about a mile) with me in it, blaring my horn as them every inch of the way. When we got to their lot, I paid them (Being 1975, it was a mere $120.)<br /><br />They were gagey. Once I had my car back, the asshole managed to dodge the punch I launched at him. This is one of maybe three times in my life that I've actually tried to hit someone I wasn't releated to.D. McEwannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-58176041274401053772012-03-01T11:02:33.896-08:002012-03-01T11:02:33.896-08:00There are specific requirements for towing compani...There are specific requirements for towing companies and property owners: the owner of the property must give consent for each specific tow (and not just generally to tow vehicles) and be present at the time of towing. See California Civil Code Sec. § 22658. The property owner must also display "in plain view at all entrances to the property, a sign not less than 17 by 22 inches in size, with lettering not less than one inch in height, prohibiting public parking and indicating that vehicles will be removed at the owner's expense, and containing the telephone number of the local traffic law enforcement agency."<br /><br />If a towing company violates these provisions (or any of the other requirements of § 22658), you should totally sue in small claims court! You can get quadruple the amount the shady company charged you.<br /><br />Also there's a law (sorry, but I can't site it right now) that a towing company cannot charge more than the police impound lot. The last time I checked that was $130.<br /><br />If the sign was as small as you say or the property owner wasn't there, you should be able to sue the towing company and the owner of the lot.<br /><br />Hope this helps.<br /><br />RayAlaskaRaynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-55207859836106153842012-03-01T10:41:35.777-08:002012-03-01T10:41:35.777-08:00I had something similar happen to me once where I ...I had something similar happen to me once where I got towed on a Sunday and they charged me $50 extra or something because it was "after hours" (but of course they are still there). When I asked how much it would cost to wait until the next day during business hours it was going to be something like $125 more because of the extra "day" (even though total they'd have it less than 24 hours).<br /><br />So yeah I agree with you. Screw tow companies.Jacknoreply@blogger.com