$178 for towing 2 miles?!?
 

To make a long story short, I was towed today after parking in a visitor spot on private/public road for 15 minutes (I guess the city sends out tow trucks to drive around to look for cars with no permits, they tow whatever they can find and make money off that. I am a visitor with an out of state license plate, I just didn't get a piece of paper from the security guards). When I found out what happened, I immediately went to retrieve my car as my baby's milk and my dogs were in the car (This is in a so-called upscale neighborhood in Boston). Instead of the maximum $90 that they are allowed to charge by law, the jerkoffs decided to tag on an additional $35 in storage fees (for less than one hour), $55 in dolley services on top of it. The total ended up to be around $178 for basically one hour of work. Does the total seem unusually high for you. I have a feeling that the $55 fees is illegal under MA law based on what I can find. I am going to have a talk with one of their city officials Monday to verify, but I just want to see what you guys know about getting towed. Does the total seem awfully high to you guys? To be honest, I don't expect to get a single dime back from this whole deal. Yet I am so upset with the situation that I am willing to pay $50 and waste time to sue them in small claims for $55 if I have to.

They are probably betting that, being an out-of-towner, you will not be aware of the $90 cap. Call the agency that oversees them and ask the to call the tow company and explain it to them.

Most caps apply to towing only, which is why they try and tack on other stuff.

In tow-for-profit areas (used to live in one) $178 is about normal for a quick tow.

I've had cases where I was charged upwards of $200 for a phantom tow--they didn't even take my car, but they charged me for it.

I am going to give the agency a call Monday. I didn't even bother arguing with the woman as I know I can't win, I basically just had to get my car back so my kid can eat and my dogs don't die. God I hate these a$$holes. The more I read it, I don't even know if they had authorization to tow my car!

Even though the fees are high, I would be willing to bet that they are all legal. These guys do not want to lose their permit to tow. Yes they will charge the max, but will keep it legal, so they can do it again. Just be happy it didn't happen and you had to go after hours, call out fee, gate fee, etc.