Indomitus wrote:
It is sad that they have to have the towing policy, but if they didn't, do you not think the parking lot for those businesses would become a giant "free" parking lot for Newport, the Path train and anyone who works at Exchange place? No matter what some people think about the place, some of us actually do shop in BJs or the Shop rite and would like to be able to park there.

Newport probably charges to park to discourage commuters from leaving their cars there all day too. Just a thought. I am not defending Newport, the place give me a headache and I avoid it as often as possible :q

Indomitus wrote:
Newport probably charges to park to discourage commuters from leaving their cars there all day too. Just a thought. I am not defending Newport, the place give me a headache and I avoid it as often as possible :q

Eleanor_A wrote:
I

So, apparently THAT'S the DEAL. I have to go back to Pep Boys next week. I'll let you know if policy STANDS.

fat-ass-bike wrote:
What about parking the car nose first to that narrow curb with the steering to the left or right on full lock.
When they tow, the car will be lifted by the rear wheels but can't be towed as the front wheels will not follow the rear wheels.
Even better, have the car between other cars and one infront.

JerseyCityHudson wrote:
My car was towed by Danny's Towing (385 8th St, Jersey City) and the charge was excessive - $152.10 ($120 towing plus $30 storage even though the car was only stored there for less than one hour). I was there to shop at the BBB & BJ's and scheduled an oil change at Pepboy's, and walked off the lot to get a cup of coffee at the Starbucks (not shopping at the mall). The guy from Danny's showed me a videotape that I walked toward the mall. Instead of providing a proper warning, they sneaked around and videotaped those who left the parking lot. The lot was vastly empty in mid-day (which is besides the point of course). The parking warning signage was inappropriately small and did not provide sufficient details such as the charge for the towing and the contact details of the towing company. Not only the charge was exorbitant, they only accept cash, no checks or credit cards.

I'm not a trained lawyer, but what they do - not providing proper signage and warning, designate someone to surreptitiously videotape people, etc. - don't seem legal to me. Someone should initiate a class action lawsuit.


Please see the Predatory Towing Prevention Act on http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2006/Bills/PL07/193_.PDF

EZ and Danny's towing are making pretty good living for sure. It looks like a big business to me, definitely a very profitable one. Maybe somebody should count how many cars they tow every day and send a letter to the IRS. It seems like a perfect business. Most towing companies prey on uniformed people. I know guy who used to run a towing company, and told me thighs you would not believe. I wonder who gave them this contract and who pays for that. I?ve seen their drivers racing down Warren Street like crazy, at least 60 MPH, talking on radios while driving and breaking traffic rules. To be honest with you somebody should investigate this. I think Shoprite and BJ?s should pay more attention to other issues, like for example people stealing clothes from recycle containers parked on their lot.

sullyx wrote:
Quote:

shane612 wrote:
What bothers me most is that Danny's Towing is right here in the neighborhood. Day in, day out he tows his victims through the streets of downtown to his garage. I know there are those who will say he's just making an honest living, but if your money comes from screwing your neighbors, you're a sad soul.

there is NOTHING honest about the towing industry

JadedJC wrote:
Quote:

Brewster wrote:
My guess is that for every buck the mall owner makes for parking, the mall merchants lose $2-5 worth of sales to annoyed local customers who don't want to pay to run into the mall for something, and go to Target, BB&B or some other option.

I don't think they actually make that much money off the parking. They have to charge something to discourage commuters and others from treating the mall lot as some sort of park-and-ride. If you look at the fee schedule for parking there, the cost to park there shoots up exponentially after 4 hours. If they didn't do that, I can picture a lot people driving there and then taking the PATH the rest of the way to work.

I don't think they actually make that much money off the parking. They have to charge something to discourage commuters and others from treating the mall lot as some sort of park-and-ride. If you look at the fee schedule for parking there, the cost to park there shoots up exponentially after 4 hours. If they didn't do that, I can picture a lot people driving there and then taking the PATH the rest of the way to work.

ansky wrote:
If you're that worried about paying for mall parking, just drive around some of the side streets like 8th or 9th. You'll probably find a spot and it's not that much farther than walking from Pep Boys. I see people do it all the time. (If it's after 5pm or weekend you don't need a resident permit)

with parking only $1.25 if you spend up to 2 hrs at the mall (after getting the JC resident discount), there really is no reason to park at pep boys

Brewster wrote:
My guess is that for every buck the mall owner makes for parking, the mall merchants lose $2-5 worth of sales to annoyed local customers who don't want to pay to run into the mall for something, and go to Target, BB&B or some other option.

shane612 wrote:
What bothers me most is that Danny's Towing is right here in the neighborhood. Day in, day out he tows his victims through the streets of downtown to his garage. I know there are those who will say he's just making an honest living, but if your money comes from screwing your neighbors, you're a sad soul.