QLD Car Towed - Paid to Get It Back

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AaronZ

Active Member
23 April 2016
6
1
34
My car got towed at 12:30 PM at Fortitude Valley today by Cactus Towing company.

I parked the car behind my office building, but those car parks don't belong to my office premises. When I finished shopping and returned to the car park, I found my car was gone and at the same time, I saw there was a tow truck there towing another vehicle on the car park. I asked them, where is my car and they told me to call the numbers on the towing sign. I called them and they confirmed my car was towed and if I want to retrieve my car, I will have to pay $660.

I got onto a taxi and got to 25 Hutcheson St. Albion. When I got there, they asked me to pay $660, then I said, can you show me any legal document to show why I have to pay that much money to you. Then the guy replied, there is no law in Queensland about how much you should pay to retrieve your car, and we can charge you whatever we want.

By hearing that, I was so shocked! Then I said, I want to see your company policy about the fee schedule of charging towed vehicles. Because I only can see minimum $550, I don't know how you charge me $660. The guy said, "we didn't have a policy, the fee was set up by the owner and the extra $110 was for the weekend, public holiday extra. I called the police because I think they are trying to scam me. But, unfortunately, the police couldn't come straight away because they told me on the phone they have other high priorities to address; however they asked me to lodge a file with the police station.

I highly believe Cactus Towing is doing the business far beyond ethical. When I parked my car there, I saw another grey hatchback car parked there too and heaps of vacant car parks, at least over 10 vacant car parks. After my car got towed, I noticed the other car was still there. I suspect Cactus parked their car (grey hatchback) there as a bait to fish other drivers to park their cars there and then they tow their car away!

I am still very furious. I want to join you guys to take those cockroaches down!
 

Parvone

Member
17 April 2016
2
0
1
I too, find it almost unbelievable that this towing company is getting away with this Dick Turpin highway robbery Aaron. Is there anyone on this thread who has actually taken one of these towing companies to QCAT? If so, what date, and what was the outcome?
 

AaronZ

Active Member
23 April 2016
6
1
34
I found some documents on the below government website regarding the fee schedule of towing. However, on their invoice, it says 'Removal fee', I suspect they will argue this is a removal fee rather than a towing charge. Anybody has any research on this?

Tow trucks (Department of Transport and Main Roads)

Maximum regulated towing charges

Schedule 3 of the Tow Truck Regulation 2009, provides the maximum charges that apply to towing in regulated areas.

The maximum regulated towing fees are:

  • $325.75—for the first 50km
  • $6.45—for each kilometre over 50km.
 

AaronZ

Active Member
23 April 2016
6
1
34
We're you involved in a accident?

I wasn't involved with an accident. I think the amount they charge is ridiculously unreasonable. They are, in some way, robbers in mid of the day!

I lodged a file with fair trading. I do suggest you guys do the same, so we can draw fair trading's attention.
 

James Tyson

Active Member
6 March 2016
11
2
34
What's the complaint with fair trading that can be lodged? If you weren't involved in an accident those charges don't apply and you're eating your time. Been there done that
 

AaronZ

Active Member
23 April 2016
6
1
34
James why do you discourage people to do that? Don't you think $660 is far beyond a reasonable price? You smell so fishy James...
 
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maxv

Member
24 April 2016
2
0
1
Same thing just happened to me, almost empty car park off Winn Lane in the valley. Two other "dummy" cars parked there to make it look OK. Was gone 15 minutes to get a burger, came back and it was towed. $660 supposedly, haven't been there. Too angry at this stage. Another car was parked there when I left, poor bastards.
 

maxv

Member
24 April 2016
2
0
1
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