Thursday, March 7, 2013
Don't get hooked!
From CBS 2:
In Queens, convenient free parking in a busy shopping district is costing unsuspecting drivers more than $100.
At the Plaza 48 parking lot in Astoria, it is a very quick hook for the unsuspecting.
Signs posted at the shopping plaza just off Northern Boulevard offer a warning, but many who park there figure they can safely pop across the street for a few minutes to a competing shopping center.
That’s a mistake that will cost you $136.
The cars end up at ASAP Towing in Maspeth.
CBS 2 spoke with one driver who was towed on Sunday. That person was allegedly told to pay with cash and her request for a receipt was refused.
Both of those would be violations of city regulations.
The quick tow is an issue at several other shopping plazas in Queens, so read the fine print on the way in.
The towing company on 48th street is so infamous, livery cab drivers hang out there to give drivers who’ve been towed a ride to the lot.
28 comments:
If I had to pay tax to own a lot and people were using my private lot to go to the competition then I say tow them. Parking in the private lot is for the businesses footing the bill for the taxes, maintenance, and liability.
Good for the lot owners. However, the tow company should be shut down for the "cash only, no receipt" shit.
The towing industry is a giant magnet for untrustworthy douche-bags.
Hell, I own a house and the politicians let the developers use my community while I get the bill for taxes to pay its maintenance.
My favorite story about this place was told to me by my nephew. He and his girlfriend parked here and he went inside NWL and she went across the street. He saw his car being put on the tow hook and went out to confront the driver. The driver screamed that the lot was only for customers. My nephew produced a dated and time stamped receipt from NWL. The driver still wanted to tow him. Several threats were exchanged and a manager from NWL called the tow company and the driver had to desist while the assembled crowd applauded and whistled.
Hey, same shit going on at the pharmacy parking lot on the same corner as Pio Pio up on Northern Blvd. Got stung last weekend, same $60 too. ASAP, eh? Time to make a visit.
How do they know you are not also patronizing the stores in the shopping center? How do they decide which cars to tow? Sounds like a big lawsuit can be filed.
The lot owner has a right to tow. He needs those spots for his buisness. However the tow truck companies are corrupt crooks. They should be providing proper documentation and receipts, if not the city should issue fines to the tow company.
Similar story going on at the parking lot on 156th and Northern Blvd with McDonalds. A close friend and her two kids were inside their vehicle eating their food and the tow drived hooked it up from the back and lifted it up. He refused to drop the car until she paid cash. She called the 109th PCT. who didn't show up and after 45 minutes of waiting, she paid so he would drop her car because her kids were scared and crying at this point. This was right after the last snow storm and the reason he hooked her was because she was a foot and a half into the adjacent spot which was handicapped but covered in a mound of snow so that you couldn't see the markings on the ground. Correct me if I'm wrong but I do believe you're not supposed to lift a car up with passengers still inside?
"Anonymous said...
Similar story going on at the parking lot on 156th and Northern Blvd with McDonalds."
I never drive to that parking Lot because of the way the "newbies" drive. I value my car but when I walk there I fear for my life with all the bad drivers concentrated in one area.
"newbies"
I think you mean Asians.
Yes, 156th and Northern Blvd, I too unfortunately was towed there the first and only time I drove there day before Thanksgiving for the library to look up something and print it for someone. I did not know anything about the towing policy there nor did I know that library was not considered that ctr and parking lot. I will never give that shopping ctr a penny. They should make those signs more visible/easy to read and noticeable to new customers and make clear library (? And McDonalds) are not considered part of it.
I would think it would be common knowledge that you aren't supposed to park one place and patronize another. It's hell to park in this city but it doesn't mean you can break the law.
The 108 Precinct gets called to the towing garage on an almost daily basis. Folks, if you happen to have your car towed from this lot, don't bother to call the cops. They won't and can't do anything for you. What the tow company is doing is unfortunately legal. Nasty and unscrupulous, but legal nontheless.
funny the shopping center he went too has a free lot of it own.
Ah!!! Saturday before Christmas- They are videoing when you park- if you cross the street- Immediately the tow truck comes out from way back in the parking lot and within 5 minutes of your parking YOUR CAR IS ON THE TRUCK! Then to add insult to injury they show you the video when you pay your $134.00 to pick up your car. Correct the police want nothing to do with it. Because the barely readable signs are legal. But it's a HUGE SCAM- that they laugh at up when we have to pay. It's okay will NEVER shop in that area or those stores again.
yeah. just got towed and paid $137 at the northern blvd shopping plaza for going to the library for 5 minutes!!! the property management employee came running in to the library to tell us that our car was just towed. but we were actually not finished shopping at the plaza. we just made the mistake of going "out" first instead of shopping within the mall. and the guy at the towing company "All About Automotive II" was nasty. he even pushed and shoved my husband. it was ugly. but in the end, he did let us take the car just a block from the parking lot, after i paid him. seriously considering boycotting that plaza and letting everyone know not to patronize any of the shops.
Same thing happened to me at the lot on 156 and northern blvd. The lot manager who hangs outside of the kamp store is named george and spies on the people there. I ran into the library to use the bathroom with my 3 year old and he came running in! Such a scam.I was going to go into the McDonald's right after. I passed right in front of the guy while he was smoking a bud and then had the balls to tell me he did me a favor because he was getting off work. Cost me $136 bucks. So if you see the big, white guy who's name is George, just hanging around, tell him what you think!
for those of you who were ticketed at the 156th northern parking lot, NY State Senator Tony Avello had a sit down with the property manager and the towing company and is asking anyone who wants to report an egregious towing issue by calling his office at 718 357 3094. the number for the asian council office is 718 359-2514. you may be entitled to a full refund of your ticket. (this was in the korean newspaper in august 2013.)
These people are UNETHICAL. Let's just start by saying I am a Mom and I cluster shop- meaning I go to the library, McD, HMart, all in one shot because I have 3 kids in tow.
I was also towed from this lot in under 11 minutes. The creepy property manager FOLLOWED me, my baby in a stroller and my 2 small children into the library and approached me in an aggressive incoherent voice. He then rattled off angrily and stormed out. 3 minutes later, I left the library and lo and behold- my mini van was WAITING for me at the hydrant in tow with these two men. He told me that I was warned and I should not have gone to the library. I told him I had intention of going to other stores. His response "too bad".
I was then told to go down the street to pay $140 to the tow guy while my children stood on the side walk scared. If I didn't have it (I almost didnt have it), I was threatened it would go to Brooklyn and I would have to take a taxi with my children. He then dropped my car in the middle of the street and I had to load my kids into the car mid-street.
I hope Tony Avella does something to remedy this to make it more fair. Seems largely threatening and seedy.
What a bunch of crooks! I parked at Plaza 48 (national wholesale liquidators) on 48th street and northern Blvd. They literally towed my car in seconds! I didn't even notice! I took my kids and my mom acrossthe street to get ice cream and water. Came back and the car was gone! I was maybe fgone for 4 freaking minutes. We were gonna go to national wholesale liquidators and then this r us. So much for that. I had to take a25$ cab ride home so my husband can get in the cab and take another 20$ ride to the tow yard (because he's the registered owner) and pay 140$ to get the car out. And what happened, my wheels automatically lock up when the car gets towed and because they didn't know that they messed my car up beautifully. My axle is gone, my ball bearings for the front wheels both sides are all busted, my tires were dragged all the way there and one of my 2000$ rims ended up cracking. Yeah so f**k you asap towing. You got a surprise coming from me cuz I work for the department of consumer affairs and my sister works in the city comptroller's office. And believe me their gonna get a beautiful lawsuit.
EVERYBODY!!!! Do not shop at the stores in that plaza! Call the Attorney General! This may be "legal" but it's really bad for consumers, the community and commerce in Queens. Get ASAP Towing the fuck out ASAP!
EVERYONE! file a consumer complaint on the Attorney General 's website. ASAP!
Send ASAP back to Florida or jail! They have no business in Queens.
Everyone! File a complaint with the Attorney General's website! Get'em to Queens. Get ASAP Towing outta business ASAP!
Everyone: BOYCOTT the stores who use ASAP Towing! No more cars in their lot until they're all outta business!
There hasn't been a new comment since July of 2014. WTF?
Everyone who felt being towed unfairly by ASAP Towing should call 311 and register a complaint with Consumer Affairs. You can also take them to court. I believe a judge will sympathize with you given your situation and their bad business practices and consumer complaints. A judge might award you tow charges back and could even compensate you with more money with a penalty against ASAP towing. At least you did the right thing for justice!!
Good morning, I am writing to report a business abuse in Queens (3500 48th St. LIC - Parking Lot). Around 6pm my boyfriend and I parked the car on the parking lot previous mentioned. There are warning signs that state that only customer can park. We were going to MetroPCS store across the street and coming back to Liquidators store (at that shopping mall) to buy packs of water. When we were getting off MetroPCS store (less than 30 after we parked the car) the car wasn't there anymore. We asked the doormen from Liquidators store and they told us to call to the number in the warning sign. We called and a rude man answered, I told him that we were coming back to buy water to the Liquidator store that they can't do that. They state that the sign said that the car will be tow inmediately, and that they did it after 10 min. I understand that they have a sign, and everything seems to be placed in order to have as many cars possible to be towed. I stay at the
parking lot for few minutes after and I witness how another car was towed. Also, I spoke with a cab driver who told me that the same thing happened to him, and a pedestrian passed by when I was speaking with the lady that they just towed her car and told us that the same thing happened to him as well. He said that the have cameras everywhere, and to be avoid this scam this pedestrian parked his car in that parking lot got into Liquidators store, walk around for few minutes (he did not buy anything) and walk across the street to Stop and Shop store. He said once you enter to one of this stores the camera stops follow you.
Then when we went to pick up the car at their car deposit store, we realized that they were close to ten people that had the same incident that day. The towing company ASAP TOWING INC (5609 56 TERRACE, MASPETH, NY 11378) requires that the owner (the person on the car's registration) picks up the car and pay the fee of $136 (including tax). The only accept cas, american express, and discover. I met some people overthere that had very serious problems trying to get the car out because the owners were in other state.
I believe this business should be investigated because it is a business that is causing harm to the public. This towing company is waiting for you to leave your car for more than 10 minutes so they are able to tow the car and charge you the fee. I think NYC should not allow people to create business that cause economic harm and distress to the public. Businesses in general (corporation, LLC, partenerships, etc.) should be created for the wellness of the society. I understand that ASAP TOWING INC has everything in according with the law, but I think this is an abuse. If you stand one day in that parking lot, I bet more than 20 people will be victims of this scrupuless business, plus they do their best to make you pay cash (I wonder if this business reports all its income according with the law and if they pay their fair tax share). Victims of this scams called the police, and unfortunately the police can't do much because this business is so evilly
calculated and set up that they are doing their best to dont get prosecute. I have videos, fotos, and contacts of 5 vitims. I will provide you all the information that I have if you investigate this case which I believe harms the public.
Good morning, I am writing to report a business abuse in Queens (3500 48th St. LIC - Parking Lot). Around 6pm my boyfriend and I parked the car on the parking lot previous mentioned. There are warning signs that state that only customer can park. We were going to MetroPCS store across the street and coming back to Liquidators store (at that shopping mall) to buy packs of water. When we were getting off MetroPCS store (less than 30 after we parked the car) the car wasn't there anymore. We asked the doormen from Liquidators store and they told us to call to the number in the warning sign. We called and a rude man answered, I told him that we were coming back to buy water to the Liquidator store that they can't do that. They state that the sign said that the car will be tow inmediately, and that they did it after 10 min. I understand that they have a sign, and everything seems to be placed in order to have as many cars possible to be towed. I stay at the
parking lot for few minutes after and I witness how another car was towed. Also, I spoke with a cab driver who told me that the same thing happened to him, and a pedestrian passed by when I was speaking with the lady that they just towed her car and told us that the same thing happened to him as well. He said that the have cameras everywhere, and to be avoid this scam this pedestrian parked his car in that parking lot got into Liquidators store, walk around for few minutes (he did not buy anything) and walk across the street to Stop and Shop store. He said once you enter to one of this stores the camera stops follow you.
Then when we went to pick up the car at their car deposit store, we realized that they were close to ten people that had the same incident that day. The towing company ASAP TOWING INC (5609 56 TERRACE, MASPETH, NY 11378) requires that the owner (the person on the car's registration) picks up the car and pay the fee of $136 (including tax). The only accept cas, american express, and discover. I met some people overthere that had very serious problems trying to get the car out because the owners were in other state.
I believe this business should be investigated because it is a business that is causing harm to the public. This towing company is waiting for you to leave your car for more than 10 minutes so they are able to tow the car and charge you the fee. I think NYC should not allow people to create business that cause economic harm and distress to the public. Businesses in general (corporation, LLC, partenerships, etc.) should be created for the wellness of the society. I understand that ASAP TOWING INC has everything in according with the law, but I think this is an abuse. If you stand one day in that parking lot, I bet more than 20 people will be victims of this scrupuless business, plus they do their best to make you pay cash (I wonder if this business reports all its income according with the law and if they pay their fair tax share). Victims of this scams called the police, and unfortunately the police can't do much because this business is so evilly
calculated and set up that they are doing their best to dont get prosecute. I have videos, fotos, and contacts of 5 vitims. I will provide you all the information that I have if you investigate this case which I believe harms the public.
This happened to us today... I'm not going to get into details about this situation but lets look at it from a ethics/principal point of view. Most of us have seen signs that say... Do not park here unless you are a shopper, no overnight etc. Most of us have never seen a sign that says, if you cross the street to go into a business before you come back over to this side to do business you will get towed immediately. To add to the shadiness, you end up at a business with a punk behind reflective glass that even called me "a douche bag". On top of that, they only take credit cards that most people don't have (because most businesses don't take them) Amex & Discover because most businesses don't want to pay the percentage rate that these cards charge. But don't worry!!! If you do have these cards they will charge you a transaction charge to cover that high percentage rate & if you don't have those cards... well there's an ATM properly placed behind you. Would any other business be able to operate & stay open under such tatics? They towed the wrong car today... Ill make sure of that! Hope it was worth your $140.
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