Listen to this story my sister just told me - (towing/boot/red tape)

[raz]

This reminds me of the time a friend called me from out of the country and told me his GF's stolen car had been recovered, and would I pick it up at the impound lot for them.

To make a long story short, I had to wait 2 hours in the rain for them to get someone to jump start the car, then pay $99 in fees in cash.

So, I hoof it a few miles to the nearest ATM and return with 5 twenties.

"Exact change only"


"I don't need an change. Theres only $99 there. See: Twenty, Forty, Sixty, Eighty, Ninety-nine, I counted it twice"

[Racer X]

Seattle's unpaid parking tickets end up with a collection's agency, not this kind of BS AFAIK. I got harrassed about a car I sold that wasn't registered by the new owner. Went to collections even though I reported the car as sold to the state, and got reciept that they had noted that it was sold. Collections agency didn't care, their computer said i was the owner.

[Seacrest]

These things are set up to screw people over. Tickets, taxes, credit cards -- especially credit cards. It seems the city sets their fines deliberately low, and probably fudges the posting date, just so they can hook suckers.

Not trying to pile on your sister, but I'd say she's learned a valuable lesson here:
Avoid tickets at all costs (I usually park farther away and walk), and pay the minute the ticket comes in -- preferably electronically.

Yeah, and the city needs to rein in their "boot guys."
A--holes.

[blusubaru]

The only parking tickets I've ever had were in college, and I wish those were $10. They were never under $25 and frequently of the $50 or $75 variety. There's a way around them but I'll never tell

[SeattlePhotog]

[quote Racer X]Seattle's unpaid parking tickets end up with a collection's agency, not this kind of BS AFAIK. I got harrassed about a car I sold that wasn't registered by the new owner. Went to collections even though I reported the car as sold to the state, and got reciept that they had noted that it was sold. Collections agency didn't care, their computer said i was the owner.
Hey Racer, do you remember a couple of years ago when some "booting companies" (in Seattle) got into trouble for agressively booting cars in private parking lots? I think a couple of company owners faced jail time, and at the very least had to pay huge fines and reparations.

It was covered in the Seattle Times, I think. The public outcry was loud enough to where the city actually took notice and did something!

Yay Seattle...

[Racer X]

I do remember that. I don't know that they boot here anymore, possibly because of that.

[wowzer]

What city does your sister live in? I will avoid like the plague.

[cbelt3]

Been there.
My late ticket cost me $700..
plus a suspended license (for about 30 minutes, but try to tell your insurance company that)
Cuffed and dragged to jail in front of my kids
Car towed (and damaged)
court appearance the next day (a buddy who is a local cop got them to allow me to go home that night after posting $700 bail.)

Now my car insurance is about $200. A month.

If I lived closer to work I'd just ride a bike or walk it.

[BillMac]

Here's my tale:

Our 2006 recycling (Reading, PA) bill has a tiered payment structure based on the date you pay it. The payment goes to Philly (why must we outsource our city work?). Payment coupon says to allow 5 business days for USPO processing.

$25 if paid by 8/6
$30 if paid after 8/6
$33 if paid after 9/5

7/21 - write and mail check (10 business, 13 USPO working days before due).
Last month, COLLECTIONS LETTER IN THE MAIL. Recycling bill of $5.00 difference plus costs ($2+).
Look at my statement from last year, check was cashed 8/10. No phone call or letter ... "Hey, we're sorry. We sat on your payment for a week plus, and you owe us an extra $5.00". Nope, straight to collections. 10 months LATER, we get the notice.
Wife heads downtown, because God forbid they can talk to you over the phone about it.
"Sorry, the bill was late. We put them all to collections." Talks to supervisor. "We can take it off collections, and your record, just get it paid."

1) Why did it sit so long before getting cashed?
2) Why no call/letter about my "late" payment?
3) Did they think we were trying to get over on them? It's not like we DIDN'T PAY the bill at all. According to them , we just shorted the bill.
4) How much does the collection agency make? $2?
5) How soon must I get a credit report to make sure they actually removed it?

Reminds of a sticker I've seen - "We screw the other guy and pass the savings on to you"

[C(-)ris]

Maybe the post office lost it for a few days and the 10th is actually when they really got the bill. Without delivery confirmation you will never know. But they really should cut you some slack on something like that.