DRIVERS have made the mistake of assuming a private lot was free due to the lack of an attendant.
A handful of motorists had to pay a hefty fine or wait all weekend to retrieve their cars from a handful of private lots.
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Private parking lots in Omaha, Nebraska racked up complaints from motorists who reportedly failed to read the signs with rules posted for event weekend parking, resulting in a lot of tows and frustrated drivers.
"We figured it was okay because there were other people parked there," one frustrated vehicle owner told NBC affiliate WOWT.
"They were getting in cars and leaving. We got done and our car was gone."
Some drivers even had to wait until Monday to get their vehicles back after they paid the fine, as the private lots were closed on the weekend.
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Many drivers claimed there was no payment kiosk or attendant present, so it was assumed that parking in the lots owned by Tow Pros and Heartland Towing was free.
To get their vehicle back, they had to pay $150 in a towing fee and a $15 administration fee plus taxes.
Those who had to wait the weekend, though, did not have to pay the $15-a-day storage fee since the lot was closed.
Joe Livingston, the owner of both towing companies, said that the problem could have been avoided.
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"Read the signs," he said.
“If you can’t pay, then don’t park there. If you can’t pay to park on a lot, then don’t park there. Is it confusing? I don’t think so.”
My car was towed by a ‘rogue’ company 3 years ago and I’ve not got it back - now I’m being threatened with $11k finesBeing without a car all weekend was difficult for many drivers for many reasons, but for some, it had everything to do with safety.
One couple went without the car seat base for their five-month-old daughter.
"We’ve had to try and keep her stable in our other car with no car seat base," said the infant's mother.
Another couple was visiting from Missouri and had to stay for the weekend while they waited to retrieve their car, missing out on work.
"Another $140 for a hotel and we both have jobs, so we’re not going to be at them today," he said.
Matt Kuhse, a city attorney said that while it may be frustrating, officials are not allowed to impose restrictions on towing companies to require weekend returns.
"That’s not something we could put in an ordinance. It would be like us telling a restaurant they’d have to be open on certain days of the week," he said.
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