Gone in 60 Seconds: Amazon Delivery Van Towed

[TowNews]

Gone in 60 Seconds: Amazon Delivery Van Towed During Stop at Virginia Apartments

 

 

 

A resident of a Virginia apartment complex is protesting the practices of one of Northern Virginia’s major tow companies.

 

Orlando Lopez recorded video of a tow in late June in which a tow operator hauled away an Amazon delivery van, which appeared to be stopped for a package delivery.

 

The video shows the delivery van stopped with its hazard lights flashing at the East Falls Apartment complex in Seven Corners near the Fairfax County-Arlington County border. As the van is stopped, a delivery man in an orange vest walks toward an apartment with a package in his hand. The video shows at least two tow trucks and three workers from Advanced Towing in Arlington in the lot attempting to tow a small truck.

 

After the delivery man walks off the lot toward an apartment, the video shows the tow truck workers scurry to lift and haul away the Amazon van. The sequence took approximately one minute.

 

The delivery driver is shown walking back to find an empty space where his van was originally parked.

 

“It all happened so quick,” said Lopez, who said he was towed by Advanced on his first day at the apartment complex, while emptying boxes from his truck.

 

About the delivery van, Lopez said, “One of the workers was saying ‘Go, go, go.’ People were just stunned that they would actually do that to a delivery guy.”

 

Advanced Towing’s owner said the tow was lawful and justified. He said tow truck workers warned the Amazon driver not to leave his van behind. The owner said the delivery driver ignored the warnings.

 

Advanced Towing declined an on-camera interview with I-Team, opting to instead send a written statement.

 

“Annual data reports reflect non-consensual towing complaints are very low compared to the number of tows performed measuring about half a percent or less annually,” the company said. “Towing occurs without the consent of parking violators hence a certain number of complaints are expected.”

 

Though the type of trespass towing shown in the video is legal in Fairfax County, it is not legal in nearby Montgomery County, which has towing regulations requiring tow companies first receive a complaint before removing a vehicle.

 

“It appears from the video that it was private property,” Fairfax County Consumer Services Division Director Rebecca Makely said. “There were two tow trucks in the video, and they did tow a commercial vehicle that appeared to be doubled parked.”

 

The I-Team is awaiting comment from the owner of the apartment complex.

 

RESOURCE LINK with video

 

 

 

 

[TowZone]

I have gotten into this one within an FB group and want to share some of that dialog.

Instead of using real names without permission, I will be using initials within these.

 

GSD - And let's throw one more thought into the mix here man was doing his job making a delivery he had the four way flashers on he had a packages what happens when we go to service the customer maybe it's in a parking garage and we have to find somewhere to put that tow truck many places there's not while we run upstairs to the jump box are we going to get towed as well by somebody like that towing company who says it was legal. how many times have you circle the parking lot try to find somewhere to put that truck especially a flatbed that seems to block everybody all the time!! To go upstairs in a parking garage to do what tire change jump start something simple that you can't get struck in the parking garage do they make special parking spaces for us for things like that, NO. SO NEXT NEURON INDUSTRY TO BE A VICTIM OF THIS ATTITUDE AND LATITUDE OF TOWING?

 

DO - GSD get permission to park there

 

TZ - Who do you ask permission from and what if the complex issues permit?

 

GSD - Legal or not they don't make parking spaces for those type vehicles to make deliveries and if you're in a large complex that's a lot of space consumed for special vehicles like that, what's next FedEx, UPS, United States Post Office?????
I do not know if there's a back story to this but this just seems like a black eye to our industry.

 

DO - GSD nobody's above the rules if the Lots posted and they told him to move it he should have moved it Wright's right and wrong wrong this driver roll the dice and got towed he's no different from anybody else

 

KM - This takes stupid to a whole different level.. We wouldn’t tow a private citizen in this situation much less a multi billion dollar company..

 

BL - KM agree, but unfortunately many people look at it as they have tons of money, and don't think if could come out of drivers money or even cost him his job.

 

KM - BL It definitely will not cost the Amazon driver his job or money but poking a snake with a short stick is foolish...

 

TZ - Bringing attention to PPI has always been a bad move. Being justified under current law does not always result in justification in the eyes of those who have the ability to set or change laws. Something tells me this video going viral will have repercussions. While I understand the motivation, the strategy was not well thought out. We will need to watch and see if this effects future PPI Laws.

 

CS - Lawful, yes. Shady, yes. My company does a shit load of private property, including towing and booting, but this is the kind of publicity and attention you don't want

 

DO - CS I hear you but they told him not to leave it you just have to take a licking and keep on ticking

 

CS - DO again, I said legal, yes. But it's still Shady if you know it's a delivery person who is gonna be gone one minute, literally. They throw the package on the step and walk right back. I'm all for towing cars and making money but shit like this is why laws change and things become harder.

 

KK - CS agree 100%

 

TZ - Ask I stated above: I watched the video a few times. The warning may have been issued previously. There was obviously no interaction with the driver as he walked past the tow truck. If there had been, even if he ignored them. The amazon delivery driver or anyone would have skipped a beat in their pace.

 

EG - This is free publicity for the company.

 

RM - From my experience in the industry and going by what I see in the video yes the van was legally towed for being double parked. However towing delivery vehicles is a scumbag thing to do. The fact that they 2 trucks and possibly a spotter on the property already seems a bit predatory to me. As far as them “warning the driver” not to park there I don’t believe that to be true, that’s more like a statement the company owner is making to try and save face.

 

BT - Legally it's within the guidelines of their towing contract with the apartment complex...BUT... around here you can get breaking & entering charges for going inside an impound. They may have screwed themselves by going in and tying off the steering wheel.

 

TZ - That is a very good posibilty, the second that door was opened could have exposed the company to a liability. One would have to research local ordinances to see if those offer any justification. If there is nothing written, then assume that it would be illegal to enter the vehicle. I find it Odd, that the Amazon Driver left the door unlocked.

 

JD - Like others are saying it might be illegal but it's definitely Shady. Absent someone sitting in a car waiting to leave was blocked in by that vehicle there is absolutely nothing to be gained by this kind of publicity.

 

DO - Jim Dean there's nothing Shady about towing a vehicle when it's legal to do it especially when you tell him not to leave it

 

SW - They are a delivery service just like UPS I hope they sue the towing company.

 

DO - SW when somebody tells you to move your vehicle or it's going to get towed on private properties you best listen to the tow man

 

DO - Also that's private property and UPS is not like the United States Postal Service they would have never left the vehicle like that it's in their rules

 

DO - If they sue I hope I'm on the jury first question wanted you not move it when they told you to

 

DB - Amazon uses a lot of sub contractors for delivery. This guy very well could lose his job

 

TZ - This is a common practice with package delivery services. The time the vehicle is left unattended is generally less than 3 minutes. However, I am sure there are times that may be higher. This event took under a minute.

 

DN - Amazon can’t do a thing , and this is a subcontractor . So if anyone would sue it would be him and I highly doubt he has a lawyer. And this happens with billion dollar companies like enterprise and cable companies all-day. And most of the time the tow yard ends up owning the rental car .

 

TZ - These are Amazon Packages which have been delayed. So, Amazon may not go after the company for the contractors vehicle. However, in some jurisdictions I am sure they can go after them for the contents of that vehicle. Again, I am not anti ppi. I just want common sense ppi that doesn't bring negative attention as that brings on new laws. I have seen it numerous times and this will prompt a change in local law. Reason, the more it is shared on social media the higher the visibility becomes and chains are rattled.

 

DN - was the tow company ever asked to release the packages and not the vehicle . I have seen this happen , but most of the time the person who broke the law isn’t smart enough to ask .

 

TZ - At what point there is already and delay in delivery and could be an issue depending on local laws. I do not know the laws so I cannot comment further on any repercussions. Though, I would say most places you're probably safe. Murphy's Law say different. LOL

 

JA - that shit doesnt fly in Washington State .. management, or someone appointed by owner of property in writing to have authority to impound/tow, has to be there to sign the impound/tow slip at that moment in time .. its against the rules and regulations to be RTTO and will get you suspended from doing impound/tows for PPI as well as policing agencies along with fines ..

 

TZ - JA those of us who have been doing these types of impounds know first hand how those laws came into effect. They were caused by numerous account such as this one. Only today instead of happening over years or months. It is now days or weeks due to social media. Also, notice this is not just a news story to this station. This is an I Team Report, meaning they will be following up on it at some point. If it proves to increase there website traffic then it has grown legs. Not good, to bring attention to PPI.

 

RM - Everyone just ignore Douglas Oldham comments he is obviously the perfect driver, he never double parks. He finds a parking spot everytime he does a tire change, jumpstart or has to go into a location for keys. (heavy sarcasm implied)

 

RL - Towing company messing with multi billion-dollar company lawyers are going to have a field day with them not smart considering that the delivery Vans going to be there only for a minute or two

 

KK - They should have been left alone if it was just a drop off... no different than ups or fedex or even the post office! Hope the money from that impound makes you feel good because you made all towers look like sh**.

 

DO - KK that's your opinion I've been in the record business 42 years they did nothing wrong but tow a vehicle if they about it by the towing rules you should be standing up for the towing industry not condemning one of your competitors maybe you're a little jealous cuz you don't have that contract

 

KK - DO the public will not see this the way you do. These drivers literally run to the door and set or throw... something down. They will not be there long enough to cause a problem for anyone. I mean even if they pull In a parking space they dont have a pass for the apartment complex so what .... they still get towed for dropping off a package.

 

CZ - Was the guy hooked up and ready to go by the time the delivery guy made it back?

 

TZ - CZ you have to watch the under 1 minute video. The Amazon Driver is in the reflective vest. He was chill the entire time, probably still listing to his tunes. Gun Shots could have gone off and he probably would not have heard them. LOL

 

WE - If he was making a delivery and wasn't blocking anyone in - leave him alone! Hope Amazon gets their money back. If you agree with how this was handled then you are one of the PPI vultures that gives us reputable companies a bad name.

 

TZ - WE as long as it was a legal tow I highly doubt that the contractor will get there money back. However, the video may give them something more valuable then the cost of the impound. Amazon Prime will likely become involved from a package standpoint. This wasn't a smart tow and as someone stated above. It was like poking a bear...

 

WE - RP yeah, you're right on that. May have been legal. But it wasn't right.

 

TZ - Fine Line between Right & Wrong. Might have the Right and still be Wrong.

 

WE - TZ got that right!

 

KJV - Next thing it will be a ambulance. Or a fire truck . or even a cop car . they had to walk up to same apartments. Wow sad there just doing a job . ?

 

TZ - KVJ that's an interesting thought...

 

JDA - Very simple, Amazon needs to team up with UPS FedEx and USPS and cease all parcel deliveries to that entire complex.

 

DO - JDA you act like Amazon can't afford a wrecker bill besides they told him not to park there he didn't use no common sense when somebody warns me I listen and take the appropriate action

 

CZ - Op was a dick. You wouldn't complain as much if it was your packages/or pizzas being towed away.

 

JDA - Doesn't matter what anyone "can afford". How about that pizza guy, barely getting by ? Point is if this complex is gonna tow every delivery driver within seconds of him getting out to make a delivery then they all should stop making deliveries to the whole complex. Maybe after all residents get pissed that they can't order any food or get any mail or packages the complex will change their ridiculous policies

 

TZ - I would almost guarantee there are no pizza or food deliveries taking place in the complex. We had that happen here many years ago, the pizza chain did not say they would not deliver. However they did advise there would be an addition $10 for the service. Either two drivers would go there or the driver would park a block away. Don't know if anyone paid the $10 and it wasn't long until new PPI laws were enacted. Those also regulated the rates to where PPI's really were not worth doing.

 

KJV - By law . and contract

 

KrKo - Totally shady and not worth the bad press.

 

RG - Typical money hungry tow company!!!!

 

DO - Has anybody noticed that the painting contractor found a place to park legit

 

MK - Make that money !! People need to learn that if there's a rule they need to follow it Otherwise there could be consequences

 

KJV - If double parked tow it

 

NL - hey just shot themselves in the foot.... Fucking with a multi trillion dollar company

 

DO - NL I'm in the towing business and these people are not above the rules I support this to 100% this is what wrong one other towing companies don't back up their brothers and sisters especially when it's legit

 

NL - DO as is my family... That doesn't excuse you from being an asshole

 

JTCj - Predatory bullshit

 

Note: these topics on FB have anywhere from a 6hr to 24 hr run. A few drag on more than 24 hrs. But in general those that are going to respond do so within the first few hours and then the post/topic drop down the line. On the message board the threat/post/topic has a longer life and is still there and easier to find. Advantage Message Board, now let's work to get he activity back to a level it has been before the old system broke,.

 

 

 

[x2delight]

Im all for PPI. Thats ALL we do. But here in California, That would be a straight illegal tow. Besides the point, like i said, im all for PPI because like i said thats all we do, but stuff like this is what caused all the laws to change in california back in 2007.  Yes the laws now are great and offer much more transparancy for everyone because before it was the wild freaking west with no recourse or little recourse if any. 

 

But when companies do stuff like this its why certain cities implement their own municipal type rules for example in Los Angeles. Theres extra set of rules there for towing PPI compared to anywhere else in Cali. San Jose i beleive is another one. WHY? its because companies like this banged away tows and caused these news reports, and police department oversight with city council implementing Rules. 

 

And before it even gets to that, obviously there is gonna be police interaction more and more. And the more there is the more that specific city or cities police Depts will target the  tow driver. Why you say? For example cops hate coming to stupid calls related to PPI. BUt if you are by the book everytime then they just come in and tell the vehicle owner to pay the drop. BUt lets say you are a jackass towing company/driver such as the drivers from the posted video. The more and more you do ridiculous tows like that, the more often the cops will make an effort to screw with the wrecker driver. Instead of telling the car owner pay the drop ( i know its supposed to be civil, but people listen to cops) they will tell the wrecker driver drop the car or ill arrest you for GTA. Which we have had happen before way back in the beginning after 2007 rules were implemented. Yea you can go fight it in court or argue with the cop etc, but they will get you for failure to obey a lawful order blah blah.  

 

We had it happen before once, tow truck impounded, driver arrested and sure everything was dropped. But the hassles came about when police depts have to deal with this crap more and more. Now a days we never have an issue with a drop fee or anyhing for that matter!

 

im all for supporting my fellow towing buddies, especially ppi companies, but you have to draw the line somewhere! I mean hell if this was a UPS, FedEX or USPS vehicle, Would you really pull the same move?

 

Im sure it all comes down to the driver being commission based (which most PPI drivers are) but that % the driver is so greedy to make, and the fact you as an owner did not lay down some ground rules and policies, Its gonna bite you in the ASS. They dont report on things with I-Team and crap for shits and giggles. 

 

 

[TowZone]

"stuff like this is what caused all the laws to change in California back in 2007"

 

Thank you, your comments mirror mine and many others that have seen or traveled this same road.

 

 

[Phillyrepoman]

I am in agreement technically it’s a legal tow however I have always left delivery drivers alone when double parked etc because they will legit be there 5 minutes max and it’s just bad drama and publicity. The only time it’s a automatic tow for anyone even delivery guys is when blocking a fire hydrant or handicapped spot or access. I give no and I mean no passes on that.

[sweetk30]

wow i cant even comment . . . way to so fellow road pounders respect . i always treated fellow people of the working world on the road with respect as if they were in a office space next to me .

 

i guess next time the tow guy stops for a leak or  coffee at the quicky mart someone needs to tow his A$$ 

[yoBdaBenO]

The Company Shows a Lack of Respect for those in a different service industry from ours. I can say none of the companies around us would have conducted business in this manner. There obviously is a parking problem and while the company is likely contract to resolve the problem this delivery vehicle is not the problem. I hope that all delivering companies and drivers have taken note of this PPI action and  refuse to deliver to locations patrolled by this towing company.

[rreschran]

... so, do these actions apply to police, fire and paramedics who don't have permission of the property owners? Are there special designated parking spaces for emergency vehicles? As mentioned by x2delidht, California Vehicle Code 22658 was enacted because of questionable practices by predatory tow companies. Public distrust resulted in the DA's office initiating a task force againt companies using these kinds of practices.   R.

[someotherplace]

Some folks just don't know how to pick their battles, and it hurts the PPI segment as a whole.  This isn't even really a case of picking battles, it's a case of being greedy and unreasonable.  If it's obviously a delivery truck ON A DELIVERY, there's no reason to bother them, unless there are some serious mitigating circumstances such as blocking the only entry/exit gate/driveway for more than just a short moment.  Generally those guys are so busy this would never happen, but every once in a while you get someone that takes advantage of a situation and figures they're "safe" - absolute tiny minority of these scenarios, though.  For example, I always avoid the pizza guys.  One night I was pulling someone off a fire lane and he comes running out screaming and yelling, carrying a pizza delivery bag.  I let him have some choice words before setting his vehicle down, because it had NO pizza guy markings/signage/etc. no way I could identify him as such until he came running out.

 

Richard