Re: how to retrieve an impounded car

[Rosso75@domain.elided]

<< Suppose some idiot leaves an unlicensed car on the street temporarily, 
and... the unlicensed car gets towed away.  What does one do to go about 
retrieving their car, and what does this usually cost?  >>

  Usually costs a bunch.  In addition to a towing fee, which could easily be 
$100-150, there is also a storage fee that could be $30-50 per day.  
  All this stuff can add up pretty quick, which has led me on at least one 
occasion to consider other options.  If the car is a $200 beater or a parts 
car, and you've got $350 in towing/storage fees, consider leaving the car.  
Wait until the towing company auctions it off and go buy it.  At most 
auctions I've been to there have been just a couple cars that were worth 
anything, and everything else goes for 25 or 50 bucks.      
  There's one rub though....if the car was last registered in your name, the 
towing company will track you down and you'll be liable for the 
towing/storage fees eventually.  This can be considerable.  In Virginia, for 
example, it can take up to 3 months for the towing company to fill out all 
the proper paperwork.  By that time, towing/storage fees are up to about 3 
grand.  They sell your car for 50 bucks and sue you for $2950.
  Get the car back, quick.

Bryan Carter
Olympia, WA

--
to be removed from alfa, see /bin/digest-subs.cgi
or email "unsubscribe alfa" to majordomo@domain.elided