On a Thursday night, went to visit a friend at her apt. bldg. Just past 8:30 p.m., my friend and I arrived back at her apt. after having a nice dinner out. We decided to continue our visit up in her apt. Broadway Station Apts. do not have any designated visitor spaces. We checked for street parking, and there were no spots available. So, I parked in the retail parking, where there are at least 30 spots available at all times since there are currently no retail merchants. These spots are clearly marked as retail and with notice that vehicles will be towed. I understood that, but there was NO PLACE TO PARK! What would be the harm to park there for a couple of hours, on a Thursday night, after 8:30 p.m., when there are at least 30 spaces open, we thought? Went to leave and my car had been towed.\r
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I have two complaints with Alpine Towing:\r
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(1) Unethical. They admitted that they continually monitor this particular lot (and others similarly-situated, I'm certain) trolling around so they can pop someone nearly $300 to get their car back. I would liken it to a cop sitting outside a bar just waiting to bust someone on a DUI charge; and\r
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(2) Charges Not as Quoted. When I discovered my car was gone, I called Alpine. Over the phone, they told me it would cost $235.68, cash or American Express only. I told them that I would be there in 20 mins., as I needed my car. I stopped and retrieved $240.00 from the ATM, so it was actually about 30 minutes. When I arrived, no one was there. They later claimed they waited 30 minutes and left, but someone did finally show. Imagine my surprise when they said it would be $275.68 to get my car from the impound lot! I only had $240.00 cash because that's what they told me it would cost me to get my car back that night. Luckily, my friend had an American Express card, so I was able to borrow from her.\r
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Here's the breakdown: $154 (hook charge), $30.00 (one-day storage fee even though they only had my car 1/2 hr.), $25.68 mileage fee (6 miles), and $66.00 (after hours fee, which they did NOT tell me about on the telephone).\r
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I have been in touch with the owner of Alpine. He did listen, and he said he would talk to his drivers because ""there's two sides to every story."" That's all well and good, except that it doesn't address the (un)ethical point. BEWARE: If you need to get your car away from Alpine, bring extra cash because they will nickle/dime you and the charge will likely be over the quoted price.
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