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Phew...at least they didn't tow my car away

By
Home Builder with The Flooring Girl

I guess when you drive as much as we all do for our jobs, you are bound to run into lots of car challenges.  For those that have followed my blog, you know I've had more than my fair share of challenges.

Last night, I went to Stamford to help a friend with her carpeting. We used to work together years ago.  She told me where to park and explained that the "doctor" spots are fine to park in after 5pm.

Towards the end of the appointment/dinner/catching up, I went to my car to get samples...and good thing I did.  There were 2 tow trucks there.  One of them was "in proces" of towing someone's car while the other one blocked the driveway so no one could get out.  I guess the people in the car they were trying to tow jumped in the car and called the police...thank goodness I guess...for me.

It turns out, there is a new policy as of this week that my friend didn't know about.  She came to my rescue and since I was with her, my car was fine and we got the new visitor pass.  The other 2 cars fared out well, too...I think because the police came.

But, I guess this is good learning...if someone tries to tow you car, I think if you jump in it, they are not allowed to tow it.  And, I guess make sure you have the police on speed dial.  Thank goodness we narrowly escaped.  I really wouldn't have been able to handle any more bad news this week.

Comments(34)

Joe Petrowsky
Mortgage Consultant, Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS # 2709 - Manchester, CT
Your Mortgage Consultant for Life

As you know, there are no accidents is life. Everything that happens to us, has a purpose. Half the time, I wish I could understand the purpose.

You picked the right time to get to your car.

Feb 15, 2012 02:57 AM
Tammy Emineth
Personal SEO - Website SEO and Real Estate Marketing - Frenchtown, MT
Content Marketer, SEO Teacher, Website Fixer

Whew is right. I can't imagine them towing your car with you in it ! That would seem a little illegal in itself. HA - kind of a funny image though!

Feb 15, 2012 03:42 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

I've seen the effects of towing on other folks.  I will park in a legal space and walk farther just to ensure I don't have to ever deal with this. 

Feb 15, 2012 04:01 AM
Anita Clark
Coldwell Banker Access Realty ~ 478.960.8055 - Warner Robins, GA
Realtor - Homes for Sale in Warner Robins GA

Debbie: I hope to never have to use the tip about jumping in your car but it's handy in-case I ever need it. ;-)

Feb 15, 2012 04:20 AM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Dorie - I didn't know that either, but that appears to be the case.  Yes, narrow for sure.

Bliz - Wow that's robbery.  I hope they got it solved.

Kim - I didn't know either...but now I do.

Meilssa - Oh it happened to me a few yrs ago...I thought my car was stolen, but I guess my registration lapsed, so double ticket how to find it (there was a sign), then get over to another city to renew it, then get back, then drove to my appt...and then, got a flat tire on the way (which was due to the towing).  it's a nightmare.

Ellen - Yes, I hope this was the turning pot.  i can't take it any more.

 

 

Feb 15, 2012 04:21 AM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Janis - Yes, it was quick thinking on their part..and lucky timing on my part.

Charles - Yes, parking in many areas is getting more and more challenging.  I'm starting to hate going to apartment buildings.

Jay - Yes, lesson learned.

Barbara - Yes, it would have.  I'm lucky.  Not taking any chances.

Micahel - Yes, it is some good learning - for all of us.

Joanna - Yes, I was and you're welcome.

Jerry - Yes, we thought we were following the rules.

Feb 15, 2012 04:26 AM
Ginny Gorman
RI Real Estate Services ~ 401-529-7849~ RI Waterfront Real Estate - North Kingstown, RI
Homes for Sale in Southern RI and beyond

OMG, did not know that policy...need to know that and pass it on...good for you Deb...you do get into the most interesting situations!

Feb 15, 2012 05:28 AM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Nina - Yes, I know.  I got lucky this time and same with the others.

Joe - Yes, well I definitely got some good learning on this one.

Tammy - Yes, I guess it is.

Chris Ann - Yes, I've experienced that myself.  This time, I did NOT realize I was in an illegal space.  I thought it was legal since that's what I was told.

Anita - Me, too!

Ginny - LOL, I guess I do.  Funny, but true.

Feb 15, 2012 08:34 AM
Christine Smith
Buyers Brokers Only LLC - www.BuyersBrokersOnly.com - Canton, MA
Exclusive Buyer Agent & Attorney, Canton, MA

It is always my fear when showing a condo that this will happen to me!  Sometimes it is hard to find the visitor spaces.

Feb 15, 2012 01:09 PM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Christine - I know, that is often an issue here, too.

Feb 15, 2012 01:29 PM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Debbie, Talk about perfect timing! It would have been a sad event if you went to your car and it wasn't there. I'm so glad it worked out well for you and the others too!

Feb 15, 2012 03:00 PM
Mark Delgado
houses for rent, Solano County & Glen Cove - Benicia, CA
Benicia and Vallejo, Property Management, rental h

Well you've taught me something once again! Jump in my car to prevent getting towed. I'll remember that one. I just hope I never have to use it. 

Feb 15, 2012 03:11 PM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Kathleen - I know...that would have been horrible.

Mark - Good I'm glad, and I hope you don't need this tip either.

Feb 15, 2012 09:10 PM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Hey, Debbie! 

I included this post in Last Week's Favorites.  Have a great week.

Feb 18, 2012 10:34 PM
Maria Morton
Platinum Realty - Kansas City, MO
Kansas City Real Estate 816-560-3758

Whew! That was a close call, Debbie! Having your car towed would be such an expensive hassle!

Feb 19, 2012 12:32 AM
Mel Ahrens, MBA, Kelly Right Real Estate
Kelly Right Real Estate - Hood River, OR
Customized Choices for your Real Estate Needs

This reminded me of once when we were watching my son play a little league game and suddenly, in the middle of the inning, he came charging across the outfield, yelling in our direction and waving his arms. My van was being towed and we couldn't see from where we were sitting, but he could in the outfield. I had parked at the post office across the street (where I had parked for years for games) and which had just changed it's parking policy without my realizing it. So glad you saved your car... we were able to get them to leave mine, too.

Gretchen

Feb 19, 2012 07:42 AM
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED
RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

I've had a few near misses, but tickets not tows.  BUT . . . in Portland they ticket you the first time, and you're in the system. Next time you park in a tow-away, no ticket -- they will tow!!  Glad you narrowly missed that. 

Feb 19, 2012 11:02 AM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Patricia - Oh cool.  Thank you so much!

Maria - I know.  Close is right.

Gretchen - Wow, that was a close one, too.  I'm glad it all worked out for you.  What a scare, and then what a relief.

Erica - Me, too.  A lot of close calls.

Carla - Th.  Yes, the one time I had my car towed, there was no warning and it was a huge pain.  Oh wait, I just remembered a second time one winter...they took it from my garage when I accidentally parked in a handicap space that wasn't well marked.  it hink it was a trap.

Feb 19, 2012 07:06 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Yikes, Debbie, what was a close call. I've never been towed myself but had had my share of parking tickets. They are pretty rigid around here and downtown is particularly bad, and I have narrowly escaped tickets on more than on occasion showing condos in San Diego. Bad enough having to pay a ticket but I would trade that ANY DAY for not having my car towed.Major hassle and cost.

Jeff

Feb 24, 2012 12:03 PM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Jeff - Yes, it is truly awful and I hope it never happens to me again.  I'd much rather pay a ticket, too.

Feb 24, 2012 07:35 PM