Media contact: Janet C. Hart, APR, CFEE (704) 927-8617 office
Some Towing Services Troll Parking Lots Looking for Unsuspecting Violators
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Better Business Bureau has a message for thousands of New Year’s Eve revelers coming to town this weekend to ring in 2012 – be careful where you park in and around uptown Charlotte.
If you are going to First Night Charlotte, or to clubs, restaurants, and other uptown attractions to celebrate New Year’s Eve, make sure you park legally.
“If you are planning a festive night out to celebrate the New Year, you should be aware of active towing around some of the city’s busier areas,” said BBB President Tom Bartholomy.
“Having your car towed could be a costly experience that ruins your night.”
Towing vehicles from private parking lots in Charlotte has become big business – so big that consumers are filing complaints with the BBB and some are alleging predatory towing practices.
Some of the city’s trendiest areas, such as Dilworth and the South End, are hot spots for towing and booting vehicles because parking in these areas is limited.
According to the BBB, there are 129 towing services and wreckers operating in the Charlotte area.
The BBB has received 149 complaints and 6,291 inquiries about these towing services in the last 36 months.
The City of Charlotte has a Towing Ordinance that addresses some of the issues raised by consumers.
While drivers may feel that the fees charged are too high, the towing services are following the City’s towing ordinance.
The BBB has this advice to keep your vehicle safe from towing:
For more information, please visit www.bbb.org or call the BBB at (704) 927-8611 or toll-free in N.C. and S.C. at 1-(877) 317-7236.
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