Discuss Detroit » Archives - Beginning July 2006 » My car got booted... « Previous Next »
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Kristina
Member
Username: Kristina

Post Number: 1
Registered: 07-2006
Posted From: 69.136.142.142
Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 5:11 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Help!

The city finally caught up with me. My car has been booted and impounded. Does anyone have any advice on navigating our slow moving beauracracy so i get my hooptie back as cheaply and quickly as possible?

Thanks for any advice.

And an improptu poll: how many of you have recieved parking tickets that you clearly did not deserve? Did you pay them or actually take the time to fight them?
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Upinottawa
Member
Username: Upinottawa

Post Number: 459
Registered: 09-2005
Posted From: 198.103.184.76
Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 5:12 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Parking tickets are never issued to those who deserve them....
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Jt1
Member
Username: Jt1

Post Number: 7578
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 198.208.159.19
Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 5:16 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Sorry - Not a whole lot of sympathy. Contact the 36th district court and they may be willing to cut you a deal on the costs of the tickets. They may waive the late fees and additional charges.

They have had an amnesty every year for the last 3 years.
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Thejesus
Member
Username: Thejesus

Post Number: 103
Registered: 06-2006
Posted From: 24.169.224.43
Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 5:25 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

This happened to my buddy's car in Canada one timeat about 3:30 in the moring. We went to the impound lot, unwound the fence and drove it out of there...then three weeks later, he got a bill in the mail for $90 towing, $100 damage to fence (canadian though)

Ah, the good 'ole days

(Message edited by thejesus on July 25, 2006)
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Gambling_man
Member
Username: Gambling_man

Post Number: 783
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 199.178.193.5
Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 5:58 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

That has to be painful, getting a bill in the male.
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Matt
Member
Username: Matt

Post Number: 1081
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 208.49.95.12
Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 6:03 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Perhaps you should have paid your parking tickets to begin with and this never would have happened?
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Aiw
Member
Username: Aiw

Post Number: 5714
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 64.228.192.190
Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 6:21 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

lol @ Gambling Man
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Reetz12
Member
Username: Reetz12

Post Number: 68
Registered: 09-2005
Posted From: 68.40.227.8
Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 6:39 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The city needs to enforce paying of the tickets! Also, pay them right away and you get a discount.
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Gambling_man
Member
Username: Gambling_man

Post Number: 784
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 199.178.193.5
Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 6:40 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Kristina, I hope you are joking about the impounding part....you know they will charge you a DAILY fee to keep it wherever it is!
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Kristina
Member
Username: Kristina

Post Number: 2
Registered: 07-2006
Posted From: 69.136.142.142
Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 6:54 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Yes, it is true, this situation is definitely my fault entirely. (I will argue that about 30% of my tickets I didn't deserve...) Sometimes you have to make a judgement call though - parking tickets or college tuition...I chose tuition. Ehh, the amount of tickets I owe is worth more than my car anyway. My battery is dead right now, my car has electric locks so I couldn't even get my door open to pop the hood and jump it. They essentally towed a dead car. I think I'll let the city keep my car and buy a new..er, newish junker.

I was just wondering if anyone could offer me some helpful advice. Sometimes I get frustrated dealing with city employees...
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Billybbrew
Member
Username: Billybbrew

Post Number: 193
Registered: 07-2005
Posted From: 205.188.116.137
Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 7:41 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Ummm, not trying to be a total ass here, but don't you have a key to your car? Cars have little holes on the doors that are made to insert keys into..and I've NEVER seen a car with an electric hood latch.....maybe I'm behind the times...
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Citylover
Member
Username: Citylover

Post Number: 1664
Registered: 07-2004
Posted From: 4.229.132.107
Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 7:45 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

You better sign the title over to the impound yard or they will rack up heavy charges.For example if they charge 15-20$ a day for storage they will eventually send it to collection and then it goes on your credit record.It is a racket but you don't have to be a victim.
So sign the title over if you are serious about abandoning the car..........you can deal with the court however you wish.
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Ron
Member
Username: Ron

Post Number: 242
Registered: 03-2006
Posted From: 66.174.79.241
Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 7:53 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Kristina,

If the car is registered in your name, and you don't pay the tickets, any subsequent vehicles titled in your name will also be impounded.

Odd timing, I am working on an appeal to Wayne Cty. Circuit Ct. on this very issue as we speak.
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Jjaba
Member
Username: Jjaba

Post Number: 4131
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 71.193.193.49
Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 8:00 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Kristina, sign over the DEAD car. You didn't want it anyways.
Then, treat yourself to a nice bus pass and call it good.

jjaba.
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Kristina
Member
Username: Kristina

Post Number: 3
Registered: 07-2006
Posted From: 69.136.142.142
Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 8:00 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Billy,
Yes my car does have a little key hole. :-) And a little key to match. However, when my battery dies, my little key still does not open my door. Stupid electric locks. I think its just a quirk of my old car - the locks have replaced a couple times because it's been broken into so many times.

Ron,
Jeez, sounds like I am really screwed.

Anyone,
I'm having trouble navigating the city's website. Can I work out a payment plan to get my car back? Has anyone been through this before?
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Firefly
Member
Username: Firefly

Post Number: 3
Registered: 06-2006
Posted From: 64.12.116.204
Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 8:13 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Kristina I got a package to deliver for you courtesy of your friends at Hotfudgedetroit.com.

Penalties for abandoning a vehicle

Effective Oct. 1, 2005, owners who abandon a vehicle risk new fines and penalties. Michigan law (MCL 257.252a) states:

“A person shall not abandon a vehicle in this state. It is presumed that the last titled owner of the vehicle is responsible for abandoning the vehicle unless the person provides a record of sale as that term is defined in section 240. A person who violates this subsection and who fails to redeem the vehicle before disposition of the vehicle under section 252g is responsible for a civil infraction and shall be ordered to pay a civil fine of $50.00 plus costs, state assessments, and other statutory penalties.”

To provide a “record of sale,” you must do either of the following when you sell or transfer ownership of a vehicle:

* Accompany the buyer to a Secretary of State branch office to assure that the vehicle’s title is transferred
* Maintain a record of the sale for at least 18 months. A record of the sale means either a photocopy of the reassigned title or a document that includes the name, address, driver’s license number, the purchaser’s signature, purchase price and date of sale.

If you fail to maintain proper records of the sale, you are subject to the following penalties if a subsequent owner abandons the vehicle:

* A civil infraction with a fine of $15 plus costs, state assessments and other statutory penalties.
* Towing and storage fees assessed by the towing agency or custodian of the vehicle.

Abandoning a vehicle is considered “littering”
Anyone who abandons a vehicle may be found responsible for littering in violation of the Natural Resources Environmental Protection Act. “Littering” when used for abandoned vehicles is a state civil infraction and carries fines from $500 to $2,500 plus costs, state assessments and other statutory penalties. The penalty for abandoning a second vehicle is a civil fine from $1,000 to $5,000 plus costs, state assessments and other statutory penalties. (Michigan Compiled Law 324.8905a(4).
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Livedog2
Member
Username: Livedog2

Post Number: 741
Registered: 03-2006
Posted From: 24.223.133.177
Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 8:38 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Pay your tickets, the city needs the money!

Livedog2
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Ordinary
Member
Username: Ordinary

Post Number: 17
Registered: 06-2006
Posted From: 69.219.21.109
Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 8:49 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I gotta agree with citylover. Sign that thing over. You can't fight city hall.
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Gary
Member
Username: Gary

Post Number: 164
Registered: 02-2004
Posted From: 75.10.21.17
Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 9:14 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Sorry to hear about your dilema, Kristina. I'll resist the urge to pile on and tell you what you already know; ie...pay your tickets on time.

I had a car impounded a few years ago and, like yours, mine wasn't worth very much. The impound yard sent me a bill that exceeded the cash value of the car and I told them to kiss my ass. I never heard another word from them.

Good luck dealing with those morons down at city hall.
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Citylover
Member
Username: Citylover

Post Number: 1667
Registered: 07-2004
Posted From: 4.229.132.107
Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 9:35 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The question I have Gary is:Did the towing co send yor debt to a collection agency and if so was/is it on your credit report?
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Gary
Member
Username: Gary

Post Number: 165
Registered: 02-2004
Posted From: 75.10.21.17
Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 10:03 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Nope. I presume that by me not paying them, they took ownership of the car by default and sold it for parts or some such thing. Either way, I never heard from them again.

BTW, this happened before the law Firefly mentioned was enacted. Things are probablty different now.
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Lilpup
Member
Username: Lilpup

Post Number: 1223
Registered: 06-2004
Posted From: 69.130.18.100
Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 10:12 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

You're just lucky, Gary.
Local collection agencies are now drumming up business by educating tow copanies about the new law. There's more teeth to now for collections.
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Gary
Member
Username: Gary

Post Number: 166
Registered: 02-2004
Posted From: 75.10.21.17
Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 10:27 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Lilpup...I have no doubt that the impound yard got more than their money's worth out of the deal, otherwise I'm sure they would have pursued the matter. Like I said, the car was literally a piece of junk and I bought a new one a week later, so all's well that ends well.
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Citylover
Member
Username: Citylover

Post Number: 1668
Registered: 07-2004
Posted From: 4.229.132.107
Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 10:48 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

They took ownership no matter what because the vehicle was abandoned.You are really talking about two different things.Towing and storage are seperate from the abandonment of a vehicle.That is why it is important to sign the title over before charges rack up.

However you Gary sound as if you were not a victim of this shoddy behavior.I don't know if anyone has challenged this in court; being charged high storage fees well in excess of the worth of the car.
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Lilpup
Member
Username: Lilpup

Post Number: 1225
Registered: 06-2004
Posted From: 69.130.18.100
Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 11:03 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

storage fees only get that high when people don't take care of the situation in a timely fashion

locally storage rates run $14-$20 per day, and in the case of police towing these rates are approved by the contracting agency (city, county, state, etc)

ps. the tow agencies don't get the car by default - they only get the car if it fails to sell at public auction

(Message edited by lilpup on July 25, 2006)
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Goose
Member
Username: Goose

Post Number: 9
Registered: 02-2005
Posted From: 67.149.11.101
Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 11:49 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

kristina, you sound hot, ill drive you around for a while :-)
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Jjaba
Member
Username: Jjaba

Post Number: 4135
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 71.193.193.49
Posted on Wednesday, July 26, 2006 - 1:06 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Welcome to the Forum. Here's a babe in distress, and Goose hits on her. He shows real class.

jjaba.
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Jt1
Member
Username: Jt1

Post Number: 7579
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 198.208.159.19
Posted on Wednesday, July 26, 2006 - 9:33 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Kristina - You may try contacting the 36th district court and see wht options you may have. You may be able to haggle down some of the cost but I can't really say for certain

http://www.36thdistrictcourt.o rg/index.htm
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Gambling_man
Member
Username: Gambling_man

Post Number: 785
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 199.178.193.5
Posted on Wednesday, July 26, 2006 - 11:41 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hmmm...I don't know how not paying the impound lot could possibly affect your credit.....they don't have your social security number.....
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Jt1
Member
Username: Jt1

Post Number: 7588
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 198.208.159.19
Posted on Wednesday, July 26, 2006 - 11:43 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

It can be turned over to collection agencies who can mess up your credit.
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Solarflare
Member
Username: Solarflare

Post Number: 481
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 65.112.56.3
Posted on Wednesday, July 26, 2006 - 11:55 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

What about the unpaid tickets? You want a warrant with your name on it?
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Kristina
Member
Username: Kristina

Post Number: 5
Registered: 07-2006
Posted From: 69.136.142.142
Posted on Thursday, July 27, 2006 - 10:19 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I already have the warrant with my name on it. :-)
I'm a real threat to society..
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Jjaba
Member
Username: Jjaba

Post Number: 4144
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 71.193.193.49
Posted on Friday, July 28, 2006 - 12:24 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Kristina, welcome to the Forum. You violate our rules, and we give tickets too.

jjaba, Westsider.
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Thecarl
Member
Username: Thecarl

Post Number: 894
Registered: 04-2005
Posted From: 69.14.30.175
Posted on Friday, July 28, 2006 - 12:41 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)


quote:

I already have the warrant with my name on it.
I'm a real threat to society..




if you think that's funny, you're more of a threat to yourself. don't let that stuff hang over your head.

it sounds like you're going nowhere, on varying levels - but don't let something ridiculous set you back.
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Funkycarrie
Member
Username: Funkycarrie

Post Number: 339
Registered: 02-2004
Posted From: 69.209.128.187
Posted on Friday, July 28, 2006 - 10:29 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

They aren't very forgiving down at the ticket court either. When I went to go fight a ticket (which you should do if you feel that you were wrongly ticketed fyi) I sat there and listened to some guy's sob story about his car getting towed, and he just figured it was stolen. They charged him the back-pay for 6 months and he owed the city something like 2 grand.
I'd take care of this ASAP before you get in over your head.
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Mattric43
Member
Username: Mattric43

Post Number: 13
Registered: 03-2006
Posted From: 12.15.7.70
Posted on Friday, July 28, 2006 - 10:31 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Well Kristina, Its unfortunate your circumstances but I have a vehicle for sale if you need a new ride. I'll give you a damsel in distress discount.
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Trainman
Member
Username: Trainman

Post Number: 167
Registered: 04-2006
Posted From: 64.12.116.204
Posted on Sunday, July 30, 2006 - 2:10 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The residents of Livonia got their bus system booted.

Please vote NO next August 8, 2006 to protest this discrimination.

As a Livonia resident, I pay state taxes for mass transit and will lose a service that I already pay for,

The SMART tax is a regressive tax shift that hurts the poor and fuels SEMCOG plans to build the outer suburbs with large expansive freeways and luxury rail services.

YES, the poor will pay for fast airport to Detroit rail service so wealthy multi-millionaires like Ben Wallace can pay just a couple of dollars for a fast 10 minute ride.

It's your choice.

For the facts, just ask for my website.
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Boshna
Member
Username: Boshna

Post Number: 140
Registered: 01-2005
Posted From: 71.227.103.29
Posted on Sunday, July 30, 2006 - 3:15 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The thread is officially a party! Thanks trainman!
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Mattric43
Member
Username: Mattric43

Post Number: 18
Registered: 03-2006
Posted From: 12.15.7.70
Posted on Wednesday, August 09, 2006 - 4:27 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I was woundering the outcome of this. Kristina, Ever get this taken care of?

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