re: Unlawful Towing at Agave Restaurant - Lafayette

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Is it not stealing to illegally take someone's vehicle from private property? Seems like stealing to me, so why would that be a false police report?

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The property owner or their designated representative can have a car towed for any reason without tagging it if they sign the towing invoice for that particular car to be towed, no signage designating no parking in a area is necessary. If they have a standing contract with a tow company to remove illegally parked cars without a signed invoice then signage indicating illegally parked cars will be towed is required. The details in this case are vague at best, but law enforcement is going to side with the tow company every time for a number of reasons that don't really matter here.

LINK



B. No tow truck operator engaged in the nonconsensual tow of a motor vehicle from any parking area shall tow the motor vehicle unless the tow has been authorized by a law enforcement agency of competent jurisdiction or the motor vehicle has been tagged for removal. However, if the billing invoice has been signed by the property owner or his authorized representative prior to the unauthorized vehicle being towed or if the provisions of Subsection C of this Section are applicable, the vehicle shall not be required to be tagged for removal. Any tow truck operator towing a vehicle from a parking area or private property shall provide a billing invoice to the owner or redeemer of the motor vehicle which invoice complies with applicable law and shall include the following information:

Now we know why their name isn't Agape.

With extra chips and salsa?

Is Pablo a co-owner? He would make things right if he knew what happened

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An email was sent out on Sunday morning to Agave Management, as it was their parking lot and negligence in properly providing these "car tags" upon arrival.

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It is easy to ignore an email or phone call, Have your friend show up in person. He should not go in shouting with guns blazing. He should be polite and professional. He should provide them with a copy of his receipt for the meal and a receipt for the towing.

LA is a one party consent state for video and audio recording. He does not need their permission to record this interaction. He should firmly, but politely ask for reimbursement. If they refuse, it is lawyer time.

He is legally and morally right. His two receipts prove his case. I am unsure if any legal fees are recoverable as well and would welcome comment from any LA attorneys.

I would spend the money for an attorney, just because these a-holes are so wrong.

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Whats the BBB gonna do?

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They have no enforcement power but the complaint will stick and their business will be downgraded and if eventually enough complaints roll in then word gets out and they will lose business.

It is more a card to play with service contractors and stores. An unscrupulous business will not care what their rating is on BBB.

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If you want to file a complaint, file one with the State AG that actually has power to do something.

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Do you know anyone who has had success with that approach?

I reported a pretty blatant consumer fraud to the AG once (many years ago). Car dealers were pulling a scam with ad valorem taxes and fricking every person who bought a car. The AG never did shite.

Some private lawyers later filed a class action lawsuit on the same issue and took down Louisiana car dealers for several million dollars.

I'd love to hear that the AG has actually done some good for someone. If they have, please share your story.

The Agave by Cajun Field? That whole area gets tow happy during Mardi Gras

Stout is 100% correct, getting that letter from the SOS will make any company comply.

Someone used that on me to get a nonrefundable service fee refunded. The BBB sent the same complaint, I tossed theirs, when I saw the SOS one I sent the refund that day.

- But seriously if you call a service professional, schedule service and cancel after they have done the diagnostic, you lose the service fee, the service fee is for the diagnosing. arggh. and they were rich people too. I digress. Yes the link Stout linked, will set the true business authority on them.