I was recently towed at work.
First of all, here's the full story on it. A few weeks ago, I was able to get a "reserved" parking pass. We have certain lots where-subject to availability(I had to wait 6 months) you are able to get an assigned parking space. This is not an inexpensive option-the annual rate is nearly double that for "standard" faculty and staff parking. Our parking permits are in the form of rear view mirror hang tags, and in the case of reserved passes the last 3 digits of the number on the tag indicate the space number for your reserved space.
As per published policy, parking tags are assigned to an individual, not a vehicle, and may be freely transferred between any vehicle which the permit holder is driving to work. We are not required to register or report what vehicle we are driving, although my MKZ and MG(the two main cars I drive) are on file with parking. This is completely voluntary, however-in fact the MG is only there due to a parking officer not seeing my parking pass and ticketing me for "failure to display."
In any case, I looked out one day last week and saw my MG being loaded on a flatbed from my assigned, reserved spot. I went running and it and was able to stop the tow after pointing out very plainly that I was displaying the permit for that assigned spot and further(after the parking officer on scene looked it up) I was in fact the rightful "renter" of that spot. It seems as though someone had pulled into the lot, THOUGHT I was parked in theirs, saw a car they didn't recognize, and called it in. Normally that would be the end of the story since they loaded they just unloaded my car and went on.
This goes a bit deeper, though. I wouldn't expect a tow truck driver to know this, but on MGBs the rear brake line runs on top of the rear axle. Of course, running a strap over the rear axle at least on a live axle car is standard procedure for tie-down on a flatbed. You can't do it on an MG, though, as it will crush the rear brake line. If I had a roadside tow, I'd point this out, but of course I didn't have the option here.
Immediately after the car was back on the ground, I looked and pointed out to the parking officer and driver that they'd damaged the brake line. I got a half-hearted "sorry" but then the officer clammed up when I said that I'd be filing a complaint for parking to replace it.
I did limp the car home, but of course I won't drive it. Realistically it still stops fine albeit with a pull since the left rear cylinder has the fluid flow to it restricted.
I have the line here and am going to change it myself, but I'd like to at least be reimbursed for the cost of it since this was clearly a mistake and-in my view-parking being over-eager to slap someone with a big fine since they yanked my car onto the truck without even bothering to check the permit.
They claim no responsibility, however, and say I should go after the tow company. The tow company says they're not responsible since they were acting on "university orders." Before I escalate this through the university chain of command, can anyone advise me on whether or not I should just drop the whole thing or if it's worth pursuing? The line was $75, and realistically I'd pay $200 if I had to pay someone to fit it.
First of all, here's the full story on it. A few weeks ago, I was able to get a "reserved" parking pass. We have certain lots where-subject to availability(I had to wait 6 months) you are able to get an assigned parking space. This is not an inexpensive option-the annual rate is nearly double that for "standard" faculty and staff parking. Our parking permits are in the form of rear view mirror hang tags, and in the case of reserved passes the last 3 digits of the number on the tag indicate the space number for your reserved space.
As per published policy, parking tags are assigned to an individual, not a vehicle, and may be freely transferred between any vehicle which the permit holder is driving to work. We are not required to register or report what vehicle we are driving, although my MKZ and MG(the two main cars I drive) are on file with parking. This is completely voluntary, however-in fact the MG is only there due to a parking officer not seeing my parking pass and ticketing me for "failure to display."
In any case, I looked out one day last week and saw my MG being loaded on a flatbed from my assigned, reserved spot. I went running and it and was able to stop the tow after pointing out very plainly that I was displaying the permit for that assigned spot and further(after the parking officer on scene looked it up) I was in fact the rightful "renter" of that spot. It seems as though someone had pulled into the lot, THOUGHT I was parked in theirs, saw a car they didn't recognize, and called it in. Normally that would be the end of the story since they loaded they just unloaded my car and went on.
This goes a bit deeper, though. I wouldn't expect a tow truck driver to know this, but on MGBs the rear brake line runs on top of the rear axle. Of course, running a strap over the rear axle at least on a live axle car is standard procedure for tie-down on a flatbed. You can't do it on an MG, though, as it will crush the rear brake line. If I had a roadside tow, I'd point this out, but of course I didn't have the option here.
Immediately after the car was back on the ground, I looked and pointed out to the parking officer and driver that they'd damaged the brake line. I got a half-hearted "sorry" but then the officer clammed up when I said that I'd be filing a complaint for parking to replace it.
I did limp the car home, but of course I won't drive it. Realistically it still stops fine albeit with a pull since the left rear cylinder has the fluid flow to it restricted.
I have the line here and am going to change it myself, but I'd like to at least be reimbursed for the cost of it since this was clearly a mistake and-in my view-parking being over-eager to slap someone with a big fine since they yanked my car onto the truck without even bothering to check the permit.
They claim no responsibility, however, and say I should go after the tow company. The tow company says they're not responsible since they were acting on "university orders." Before I escalate this through the university chain of command, can anyone advise me on whether or not I should just drop the whole thing or if it's worth pursuing? The line was $75, and realistically I'd pay $200 if I had to pay someone to fit it.