The Tow Files: Christ-Mess Edition

[wolfie]

Of all the stuff that this thread mentions being stolen from towed cars by unscrupulous towing companies, I'm surprised that one item is missing - fuel. After all, would your average driver be able to prove that a couple gallons were missing? Of course, if a somewhat corrupt employee were to siphon the tank of a Corvette that's been re-fitted with the infamous 350 CI Oldsmobile diesel (don't laugh - someone DID do that refit), and then find that his car won't start, he'd get exactly what he deserved.

For the record, something was taken from my car by a tow operator, but no crime was committed. A year after I bought my first car, the Ford van behind me figured "Light turned amber - gun it!". Unfortunately, I had decided "Light turned amber, and I'm far enough away that I can stop safely".

On getting the stuff out of my car and into the rental (after reaching the body shop the tow truck was based out of), I saw that my half-full jug of washer fluid had been creased. I wasn't about to risk water damage when (not if) the crease cracked, and washer fluid is relatively cheap, so I told the tow company to just toss it, since the damaged jug wasn't worth saving. Somehow, on its way to the garbage can, the jug emptied itself into the washer reservoir of the tow truck.

[gerund]

What word does Arlo sing different in the original vs. the remake?

The F word?

[DGoddessChardonnay]

SO this. I've never in my life been towed for parking illegally. I've only been towed after an accident (car not drivable) or the car broke down (again, not drivable by definition).

I've never had a bad experience with a tow company, either with 3 alpha, with my insurance company, or when I've paid cash.

I understand that any industry has shady characters. But most people won't ever interact with those goofs. And there is a solution to dealing with them: don't. That's what the state AG is for.

And ours here in NC is well known for his stance against consumer fraud. He's run payday loan shops out of the state, he's battling w/the state Utilities Commission currently over electricity rates and the recent coal ash spill. So I wouldn't be surprised if he takes on tow companies in the foreseeable future (provided he stays in his current role.)

Luckily for us, only time we've been towed was back in January when the Corolla decided to stop on us while we were on our way home and kick off while Mom was turning at an intersection. Made one quick search w/the Yellow Pages app and called Friendly Towing - driver got to us within an hour and we had no problems with the service at all. Driver was very professional and readily took my debit card for the $65 tow to the back yard.

I don't doubt the horror stories I've heard about bad towing company practices but at the same time we do have a lot of honest ones out there just working to make a living just like the rest of us. They get my respect quicker than you can cry "uncle."

[dalesys]

I wasn't there, nobody saw me, you can't prove anything - AMNESIA DUST TO THE FACE! - *vanishes*

What word does Arlo sing different in the original vs. the remake?

Amnesia Dust vs. Old Hippie Wafting in Fog of Yore? Jasshopper magic so vewwy vewwy funny! What next? Fireball Strike on Salamander? Yellow Sun Curse on Kal-El?

Speaking of Fog of Yore... I was remembering a live massacre of the Massacree, Arlo vs. the Utah Symphony Orchestra, where he consistently said "color glossy photographs..." instead of "...pictures..."

[Javarod]

Well, to be honest, it has happened. To me.
Well, not quite, but close. Attend:


By the way, this all happened about 10 years ago, and I don't mind giving them a bad name. If you ever have to be towed in Escondido, CA, if your only choice is 5-Star Towing, push the damn car yourself, you'll get better customer service.

That's all? Heck, we had an entire car vanish once, and never got anything from it.

[Seshat]

I understand that any industry has shady characters. But most people won't ever interact with those goofs. And there is a solution to dealing with them: don't. That's what the state AG is for.

In some areas (Australia being one), instead of the state attorney general (I assume that's AG in this context), you want the Ombudsman for that industry.

Just tossing the info out there in case anyone needs it. And yes, the office staff for ombudsmen (ombudspersons?) have helped my family in the past, on occasion.

[downforit2008]

Argabaga, you freaking ROCK, dude!

Keep cranking out these towing stories and more examples of how education has failed our society by brainless twits screaming how you "stole their car" or that "you should know my car by now!" These tales give me a good laugh. Kinda makes me want to be a tow-truck driver.

Happy New Years!