Should I pay for the towing fee eventhough I already there to stop them?

Question

I almost got my car towed, because I was visiting my friend and she gave me the wrong parking spot but luckyly I was gonna go home and saw the towing car put something on my wheel.
And I told them that I'm the owner of the car, but they insist to charge me $80 and the tried to write down my VIN number (they write down the licence number already), I told them they not suppose to write down the VIN number because its only police job to do that.
So I tried to cover my VIN number with the tissue from the inside, but they asked me to move it and if not, they will hit my bf (wo was there with me).
But I didn't give them one, so my friend to stop the arguement, willing to pay the fee (only cash).
I live in California.
Is anyone here know the law about the towing? should I still pay the towing?
Thanks!

eventhough the owner of the spot didn't call them?
and what about when they tried to hit my bf?
and should I pay the tow company by LAW?

oh for EQ, I didn't ask for your symphaty, I just need to know if I should pay the towing fee eventhough they not even tow my car yet.
They didn't give me the receipt and ask me for cash only, and treathening to hit my bf.
Thank you for nothing!

Answer 1

THere is a forum online where all these experts discuss this thing. Unfortunately, I can't remember the site. I think someone mentioned that they can ONLY charge you if they have the car locked up and onto the vehicle. They can't "touch" you if they haven't done that yet.

Answer 2

Towers should stop towing the car when the owner is already present. Just tell the driver to vacate the spot violated. They must be considerate and should not be bound by technicalities.

Answer 3

Yes because you parked in someone Else's parking spot. You and your friend should just split the cost and let this be a lesson learned. No the guy should not of threatened you and I would report it to the company he works for if you can prove it. Bottom line is you were in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Answer 4

I have no sympathy for you whatsoever. You yourself said you were parked in someone else's spot. It's not the tow company's problem if your friend "gave you the wrong spot" to park in. They are contracted to remove illegally parked cars. Do you really think the "owner" of the space should have to come home, find they have no place to park, call the tow company, sit there and wait for the truck to show up, wait for them to pull you out of their space... No, they have contracts with tow companies specifically so the tenants AREN'T inconvenienced like that.

I had to pay for a parking space at my old apartment. People ALWAYS parked illegally there, even though it was marked all over with signs and the legal cars obviously had parking stickers on them. Nothing made me so happy as to see the tow truck come through on a patrol and pull one of them out of there.

You did something wrong. You got caught. It cost you money. Deal with it. If your friend really steered you wrong, maybe they'll be a decent person and split the costs with you. If not, tough--you can read a sign as well as they can.

Answer 5

Technically, they are allowed to tow your car.

That has happened to me before several times. Usually giving them a $20 bill will make them change their mind.

I would pay the fee to avoid problems.

If they threatened to hit your bf, I would not pay them a dime. Take them to court for threatening you.

Answer 6

Once the car has been hooked up, it's technically in tow, and they can charge for it.

Answer 7

The threat to hit your boyfriend, I would have brought the police into the picture and let them decide. They sound a little crooked to me.