Economy-Cupcake808 t1_jeg856u wrote on March 31, 2023 at 8:00 PM

NJ has strict laws that towing companies must abide by. Based on OP saying that ShopRite said they do not own the parking lot and combined with the other similar posts of this nature where OPs complain about this happening in the same area indicates to me that a towing company is “Trolling (cruising) for vehicles parked without authorization;” explicitly prohibited by law. Also, there are strict requirements for signage that are also outlined. I don’t know if Shboprite complies with them though. This seems like something that would be worth bringing to the attention of the city council. It sounds like a towing company is praying on residents.

I agree that fighting it in court is probably not worth 180 dollars but if we can get this towing company to stop doing this it would be a win for residents.

Direct_Ad18 t1_jegbiz4 wrote on March 31, 2023 at 8:22 PM

You are overcomplicating this. These laws you are citing don't apply if this is the tow company that the property owner has hired. Anyone who has lived in Jersey City for more than a week knows that you will get towed if you park illegally in this lot.

ShopRite doesn't own the parking lot. But their landlord does. And their landlord hires the tow company to patrol their private parking lot. They have every right to do this. There are literally signs all over this parking lot. If this was the tow company that the property owner hired then OP is SOL.

Economy-Cupcake808 t1_jegbtgc wrote on March 31, 2023 at 8:24 PM

Doesn’t address any of the other issues raised, I.E inadequate signage, charging above the maximum permitted decoupling fee, they could also still be cruising for cars. Not sure why you are going to bat for the tow company here.

Direct_Ad18 t1_jegd4n5 wrote on March 31, 2023 at 8:33 PM

I'm not going to bat for the tow company. But to think that the multi million dollar developer who owns this parking lot has a mistake in their tow signage is laughable. They have been having cars towed out of this parking lot for decades. I was towed out of it in 2008 or 2009. You clearly are not familiar with this area or this parking lot at all. As I said before, anyone who has lived in Jersey City more than a week knows that if you park illegally in this parking lot, you will get towed immediately.

I already said if it's not their tow company and it was a random tow company cruising then OP has a case. But it's more likely the multi million dollar developer who owns the lot has a tow company on standby 24/7 watching cameras.

Economy-Cupcake808 t1_jegdeah wrote on March 31, 2023 at 8:35 PM

Why would you assume that? Something like tow signs are often overlooked.

Direct_Ad18 t1_jegecuc wrote on March 31, 2023 at 8:41 PM

Because they have been up for literally decades.

Economy-Cupcake808 t1_jegdkfj wrote on March 31, 2023 at 8:36 PM

Also those laws are absolutely applicable to tow companies that tow off of private property. That’s the whole point of them. “The amended Act regulates tows from private property, and tows initiated by law enforcement, without the prior consent of the vehicle’s owner or operator.”

If this is something that has been going on for many years, then I will take your word for it, I almost never go to ShopRite or Target so I would not know. The recent uptick of posts like this on the Reddit made me think this is a recent and new issue. However, it doesn’t mean the tows aren’t illegal.

Direct_Ad18 t1_jegfdql wrote on March 31, 2023 at 8:48 PM

I completely agree that tow companies are shady and do illegal things. I have been towed twice in my life and both times I was swindled out of extra cash. One time because they "only took American Express" So I had to use their ATM which charged an insane fee and then they " didn't have change" So my option was to walk to a gas station like half a mile away or just give them an extra $15 bucks. I opted for the latter. The second time they just didn't take credit cards at all and they also "didn't have change" to give me.

But your case is based on two posters who got towed after they illegally parked. That is not a "recent uptick." That is two people who got towed after they illegally parked. I think to expose an illegal towing operation we have to start with cars that weren't supposed to be towed in the first place.