FARMER Market shoppers were left stunned when they returned to their vehicles parked on the back of a tow truck – an optician is to blame.
The market organizers took over The office it closed over the weekend, as it had done for six years.
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Tusla, Oklahoma hosts a much-anticipated Saturday farmers market from 7 am to 11 am April through September in Kendall Whittier Square.
Thousands of people flock to buy freshly baked goods, breads, fruits and vegetables from local and family farms in the area.
For the past six years, market organizers have instructed attendees to park in a lot owned by an optometrist.
The business, MyEyeDr., was typically closed on Saturdays, allowing market shoppers to park in the parking lot without hassle.
Last Saturday, however, the office was open and several cars were towed from the parking lot.
“We shopped and socialized with the people at the market,” local attorney Tim Gilpin told the CBS affiliate KOTV-DT.
“We’re walking back to our car and, oddly enough, there’s our car in the back of a tow truck going in the opposite direction.”
Gilpin was shocked, as he had been parking in the normally empty lot for years.
The worst part, he said, was the lack of warning and the $352.63 fine that came with the tow.
“We had been parking there for literally years with no problems, and there was no warning, there was no signage, there was nothing,” he continued.
The organizers told the vehicle that they did not know that the ophthalmologist was in the office that day.
However, they were warned by a police officer that morning that the cars would soon be towed from the parking lot if they were not moved.
Some shoppers at the market heard an announcement over the loudspeakers, but for many it was too late.
Gilpin was concerned about the affordability of the towing bill.
“There are people there who can’t afford 352 dollars and 63 cents on the spot, so that’s what concerns me,” he said.
What to do if your car is towed
Unfairly or not, recovering a towed vehicle can be a hassle.
If your vehicle is towed after parking in a no-parking zone or other legitimate reason, there are some steps you can take to get it back.
Steps to follow when your car is towed:
- Try to find out why your car was towed. Haven’t you seen a “No Parking” sign? Did you miss your car payment? Have you returned to a lot where there were unpaid citations? Finding the reason may narrow down the phone numbers to dial.
- Locate the vehicle. Most states, cities, or counties require towing companies to leave some type of contact information via a posted or mailed sign.
- Recovery dates and times depend on the company that towed the vehicle, but these times will be posted on the website or may be provided by a representative.
- Pay the fees. Be careful to be as quick as possible, as some towing yards may charge per-day storage fees.
If you believe your vehicle was improperly towed, you can dispute the action by following these steps:
- Be quick – many states have a small window of time in which it is acceptable to file a claim against a company that improperly towed your vehicle.
- Gather supporting documents: photos, emails, receipts, police reports, and witness statements, if applicable. The more evidence, the better.
- Familiarize yourself with local laws, as laws for towing companies vary by state.
- Try talking to the towing company. Sometimes it may have been a simple oversight and the matter can be resolved quickly.
- Contact your local Justice of the Peace as they may have more information or resources to help. They are often used for towing cases.
- Speak to a lawyer. Many lawyers offer free consultations and, depending on the case, it may be worth calling on a lawyer.
Source: Oregon Department of Justice, National General, Rak law firm
The Tulsa Police The Department confirmed that the lot is privately owned and therefore can tow vehicles at the owner’s expense.
However, the situation may lead to civil proceedings due to lack of warning and signage.
MyEyeDr. received heavy backlash on its social media accounts due to the tow, and as a result, promised to reimburse drivers who were fined while grocery shopping.
All buyers would have to do is send an email to patientrelations@myeyedr.com.
To avoid further conflicts, market organizers suggest parking in other areas during market hours.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
