My car disappeared from downtown palo alto, and I approached some police officers about it, who informed me that me car was towed (apparently some spots become "taxi cab spots" between 11pm and 2am, do be careful!). After debating the legality of using a public good (parking spots) for private gains (taxi cabs), I went to pick up my car

After paying and processing the $125 fine at the police station, I was informed that my car is at National Towing (their yelp rating of 1 star contradicted the officer's insistence that they are an "excellent towing company"). This is where it went from annoying to ridiculous. On calling the towing company, they informed me that they're charging me $350. For the first time in my life, I did an actual double take - "Three HUNDRED and FIFTY DOLLARS? That's ridiculous!". He sniggered and replied with "Well we have a contract". I had a friend call him and ask him about a normal tow, and he informed a flatbed tow was $85, with a $8/mile charge. Since they towed me 4 miles, and the overnight charge is $50, I expected to pay no more than $167. When I arrived, the driver was extremely rude, and told me that he has a contract with the city that says towing hookup is $200, and since it was a weekend, he's charging a $100 weekend release fee, and he's charging me $50 for the night. So I refused to collect me vehicle, rather waiting for monday which would make it a $300 fee. He then claimed that he will charge me an extra $50 for making him wait for me on a Sunday. I started recording our conversation on video camera at this point, and reaffirmed that I will pay his fees on Monday, for $300, and not pay the weekend release fee. At this point he said "ok, fine" and started his vehicle.

The legality of this operation is dubious at best, since "gate fees" and "weekend release fees" are in the gray area of the California Civil Vehicle Codes, and the manners of the staff is ridiculously bad. You have to just push through and hate these people with everything you are to deal with them.

On quoting the terrible yelp and citysearch reviews to him, he replied "Do you think I care at all about the public?". This about sums up this operation - absolutely no respect for you or your property.

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• Review by Niels J. Posted 847 days ago
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