Hey all, I’m in Phoenix and my car was towed from a private parking lot recently. I believe it was an unlawful tow because the signage wasn’t clear and didn’t meet Arizona’s requirements. I’ve drafted a letter to dispute the tow, but I’m wondering if there’s anything else I can include to really motivate them to return my vehicle. Is there a way to bring more weight to the situation or enforce any consequence for not following the rules? I’m not looking to escalate to court, but I’d like to resolve this fairly and quickly. Would love some advice if anyone’s been in a similar situation!
I’ve dealt with something similar before. One thing I added to my letter was a mention of potential bad publicity. Sometimes property managers are more responsive when they realize it could damage their reputation if it gets out.
@Devi
Oh, that’s a good idea! Do you think they’d actually care about that though?
Maybe consider asking them to cover your towing fees since they didn’t follow the legal signage rules. They may not want to deal with the extra hassle of fighting that.
Avery said:
Maybe consider asking them to cover your towing fees since they didn’t follow the legal signage rules. They may not want to deal with the extra hassle of fighting that.
I hadn’t thought about that! Could it help if I mention something about taking the matter to small claims court, or is that too much?
Avery said:
Maybe consider asking them to cover your towing fees since they didn’t follow the legal signage rules. They may not want to deal with the extra hassle of fighting that.
I wouldn’t go full-on court talk just yet. But mentioning the option could push them to act quicker.
I’ve heard some people add a line saying they’ll report it to the Arizona Department of Transportation if the tow was unlawful. That can sometimes get a quicker response.
Noel said:
I’ve heard some people add a line saying they’ll report it to the Arizona Department of Transportation if the tow was unlawful. That can sometimes get a quicker response.
That’s really helpful! I’m gonna include that in my letter. Thanks for the tip!
You might also want to emphasize that the towing company and property management are legally required to follow the state’s rules. Sometimes pointing out the legal side gets their attention.
Vance said:
You might also want to emphasize that the towing company and property management are legally required to follow the state’s rules. Sometimes pointing out the legal side gets their attention.
I like that idea. Maybe a friendly reminder about the law will make them reconsider. Thanks!
Try keeping the tone firm but polite. If you sound too aggressive, they may not want to cooperate. A calm approach that still points out the law could be key.
Leith said:
Try keeping the tone firm but polite. If you sound too aggressive, they may not want to cooperate. A calm approach that still points out the law could be key.
Definitely. I want to make sure I stay professional but also make it clear they messed up. Appreciate your input!