Grand Forks officials change towing license after complaint
August 28, 2012 at 4:40 pm in Grand Forks Herald
After two towing companies refused to become licensed by the city of Grand Forks, a City Council committee on Tuesday agreed to change the license application. Continue Reading
Really? If stuart and randys acted on the up and up there would be no need to have that paragraph. Why bend over backwards to allow 2 shady companies to get there way.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
71 
7
On this we agree ron. I’m disappointed with the Terry Bjerke and Ken Vein. I would have told Stuey and Randy to take a hike. Someone else could have picked up the slack. Stuey and Randy have been ripping people off for years with their exorbitant fees. They are worse than ambulance chasers.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
67 
4
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
7 
29
I’ve done my share of towing vehicles. I’ve pulled a few vehicles out of the ditch, dirt fields, snow banks, snow drifts, the like. It’s not that tough. I did it for free though.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
25 
1
Are you following along? Folks don’t CHOOSE to have their vehicles towed by these criminals. The vehicles are towed without the owner’s knowledge
It’s essentially legalized kidnapping of your vehicle. You’re not paying an appropriate charge for a service, you’re paying RANSOM DEMANDS.
I don’t object to having a vehicle towed because it’s improperly parked. I object to the INSANE amount of money charged for the service.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
32 
3
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
2 
25
Randy, er, I mean Jack, the point isn’t if they are charging more than other places, the point is they were charging more than the city allowed.
Like or Dislike:
7 
1
The obvious question has to be “What are they hiding?”
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
53 
7
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
3 
18
Jack, I had my car towed THREE times from them…
TWO of the times I knew the businesses were closed and there was no sign coming in from the alley in which I drove through to get to that lot to park stating there was a towing service or that 24/7 parking was prohibited. It stated it in a few spots in a row, but now the other few that myself and a few others parked in. I went through the alley b/c my residence is closer that way. The other time they gave me 20$ off b/c my car (about 6 yrs back) was stolen AND I even had a police report! So…that’s why they are crooks. I understand people have to make money. But what they do is drive around and get cars that may be parked illegally according to the owner’s desires and they charge near $200 to get your car back. Even if the owner’s don’t call for their service. I’ve known people to get signs to put up in their residences that have issues w/ others parking on their property…and they don’t drive by there and tow those cars. The only good thing about when your car is towed is if it’s picked up during the day…you get it for about 20$ cheaper. Also makes complete sense b/c heaven forbid they get woke up to give people their cars back for a cheaper price.
Like or Dislike:
14 
1
After not leaning your lesson the first time you chose to do it again and then whine when you got towed? Did you think the sign only meant that spot? Guess what? They did nothing wrong here at all. You did. As for your friends signs if they called Randy would be happy to come and tow the car for them. So it cost $200 your point?
Like or Dislike:
5 
6
These two are beyond crooked. I can’t believe the city council did this for them. Shame.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
50 
3
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
1 
19
I agree with the comment, “Just because you don’t like the law, doesn’t mean you don’t have to follow it.” The two companies are shady, prowl parking lots, and are unreasonable. Personally, I have never had to deal with them but, I hear it’s very unpleasant. I don’t think the city should have to change anything for these people, if they don’t like it… too bad!
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
40 
2
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
2 
15
Ron and tj I am going to have to go against you guys with this one. tj now that you are in the Minneapolis area I suggest you become familiar how snow emergincies run there and what you in fines and fees to get your car back are. What do they find in these parking lots? That’s right folks cars that should not be there. So what do they do? They tow the cars they find there. Are they towing any cars that are not parked where they should not be parked? Then there is a reason to complain. If they are towing cars that the property owner has contracted them to tow what is the problem? Inspect their storage yards at any time by the police? I agree with the tow trucks on this one. This reminds me of UND students whining about getting parking tickets. Considering that NO is the third word people learn after momma and dada they forget what the NO in no parking means.
Hot debate. What do you think?
13 
22
I understand where you are coming from Jack but these men are more crooked than you are aware of.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
25 
5
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
2 
19
You are right. My experience is different. I didn’t try to extort a large sum of cash from the owner of the vehicle afterwards.
Like or Dislike:
16 
2
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
3 
13
I don’t live in the Twin Cities. I was there for medical reasons. On this subject we won’t agree Jack. I could tell you countless stories of the dirty dealings of both of these towing companies. In the end you will still defend them and I won’t be convinced they are lily white.
Like or Dislike:
14 
1
I thought you had moved there based on your other posts, my bad. You say that you have had numerous dealings with them. May I ask what the circumstances were?
Like or Dislike:
1 
10
I rented a roll-off dumpster from Randy and he was by far better to deal with than anyone else in town. Cheaper by far also. Never whined about getting paidm. No time limit applied. Then I never park where I am not suppose to so he towed me. Why does no one mention how the cars that were towed were parked on private property?
Like or Dislike:
2 
11
Lets see so having a drivers license should give the police the right to search your car and house without a warrant? These guys maybe shaddy dealers but it is also their choice to advise the city that they choose not to be licensed to opperate in the city because of the law. The city demanding to search their shopwith out a warrent is simply a violation of the constitution.
Like or Dislike:
11 
14
What other businesses have the same rule applied to them? The only one I can think of are restaurants which is different considering there is a public health issue there. There is no need to have the police be able to inspect their storage yards at any time and for no reason. Why Bjerke did not argue against ths clause to start with is surprising. If you do not want to deal with Randy or Stu don’t park where you shouldn’t and you will never meet them.
Hot debate. What do you think?
11 
20
If a vehicle is to be towed because it is breaking the law, the law (read this as Police) should be contacted and brought onsite before any vehicle is moved so much as one inch. But then that would inconvenience our local authorities. A towing company should not be able to take the law into their own hands, and their impound yards should be subject to search because it doesn’t contain their property. It contains someone elses property.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
20 
3
When a sign says unathorized cars will be towed at owners expense and it is a private property issue that the police have no jurisdiction over what is the problem? You park where you should not have and your car gets towed whose fault is it?
Like or Dislike:
8 
14
Call the cops. Less chances of you as a property owner getting windows broken.
Like or Dislike:
10 
1
??????????????
Like or Dislike:
1 
8
According to the police here in EGF they can do little on private property. The property owner has the right to make rules that tenants and their guests must follow. If you do not want to follow those rules then you stay off the property. By breaking the property owners windows you commit a crime which the police can do something about. Fact is the state allows owners of private property the right to make certain rules for their property that includes where tenants and their guests can or cannot park. And no they do not have to post it they only have to deal with the tenants of record tell them where they and their guests can and cannot park it is up to the tenant to make sure their guests follow the rules. If you park where you are not allowed too and your vehicle gets towed than it is not the property owner or tow company you have an issue with it is the person who has their name on the lease who did not tell you you cannot park in that space.
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
Here is a thought for all of you who think the wreckers are doing something wrong. How about I come and park on your lawn or in your driveway. Who are you going to call the police or the tow truck? The police will tell you to call the tow truck. It is a civil issue not criminal so the police will only tell you that the trucks have the right to tow your car off PRIVATE PROPERTY! It is not like they are hooking cars off the street.
Like or Dislike:
6 
11
Jack, if you parked on someone else’s lawn, wouldn’t that be criminal trespassing? Which would then mean a law has been broken. Which would then mean the police should be involved?
Like or Dislike:
4 
1
Glen, it is not a violation of the constitution. It is a buisness agreement between 2 parties that is there to protect both the car owner and towing company. By being liscensed they would have to agree to the terms and be inspected like every other buisness agreement out there. Now if the law stated ALL towing lots (licensed and non licesed) would be inspected that would be a violation of the constitution. It is not unreasonable search if both parties have it in writing. Sadly the city is more concerned about receiving revenue from these parties and has bypassed a safety measure for all parties.
Like or Dislike:
10 
4
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
1 
13
Electrical Inspector, Fire Inspector hmm.. Yep you are wrong.
Like or Dislike:
13 
2
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
2 
12
You asked what other types of businesses get inspected. I answered, and it isn’t limited to those two.. I could go on if you like. Just because you are not familiar with them doesn’t mean they don’t exist.
Like or Dislike:
11 
2
Ron it certainly is against the constitution. But remember the companies simply stated if that is your law then we choose not to be licensed to operate inside the city limits of Grand Forks. That simply means they would be able to operate outside city limits of Grand Forks only. Obviously the city wanted them to be able to operate inside the city or they would not have changed the law.
Like or Dislike:
2 
2
We are talking about 2 different things here jack. Stuarts’ has a reputation of shady and poor towing practices. I am not talking about someone parking in a no parking zone here.
Like or Dislike:
14 
1
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
1 
13
I had one of my large diesel trucks stolen a number of years back and it was abandoned in the Twin Cities after the thieves got done with it. It was towed to an impound lot and I couldn’t get it back without paying towing and storage. Two groups of thieves prospered.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
18 
2
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
1 
17
How about collecting from the thieves.
Like or Dislike:
12 
1
Not their responsibility.
Like or Dislike:
1 
6
I had my personal car stole and had to pay for it back from these two guys. Even though I provided a police report. They gave me a few bucks off…I was so livid.
Like or Dislike:
12 
2
I have to agree with Jack. Regardless of the “integrity” of the businesses named, the bottom line is if you don’t want to get towed, don’t park where you shouldn’t.
Outrageous prices are not unique to this industry. How about the gas pump, or go to the doctor for 5 minutes and several hundred dollars later you may have nothing to show for it.
Make yourself available 24/7. Dig through the snow in a blizzard to hook up a car to tow out of a ditch at 3:00 a.m. Deal with the verbal abuse (and sometimes physical threats) from an angry drunk because you towed their car when they parked where they shouldn’t have. Maybe not quite so horrible for what they have to “tolerate”.
How about when an uninsured driver hits you and they get a fine that will be collected but nothing is done to indemnify the “real” victim. There’s lots of injustices to go around. Let’s not single these two out.
I had a similar situation with my daughter in Mpls. Her car was broken into and the window was broken and the steering column damaged. The car could not be put into gear to drive. She was out of town and the police came by and while it was legally parked, they thought it was “suspicious” so without trying to contact the owner they towed it. When she got back she thought it had been stolen. Found out that it had been towed. Ended up paying over $400 for towing and impound fees. That was wrong.
Like or Dislike:
5 
7
Maybe they should seek a new line of work less CROOKED. I would like to be paid more for putting up with people too but if you do not like CUSTOMER SERVICE then find something else! Don’t be unfair just because you have a negative outlook with Devilish $$$$$$$$$ signs!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Grand Forks’ positive qualities far outweigh their negative, but one area in which Fargo is by far superior is that Grand Forks is the biggest small town in the midwest. Meaning, a select group seems to run the town, and not always for the greater good. I was once given a parking ticket for having my vehicle parked on a east/west running street. When I inquired with city hall, they told me “they sweep streets on Tuesdays, everybody knows that”. I inquired as why there was not a sign that indicated this, and was told “everybody knows that”. Well, obviously everybody does NOT know that. It is that kind of logic that makes people flock to Fargo (and Mayville, Reynolds, Buxton, Thompson) to avoid the small town politics that give an otherwise wonderful city a bad name.
Like or Dislike:
9 
1
Whether the 2 companies are shady or not, whether they drive around and tow without a complaint from the property owner, is all irrelevant to this case. How is allowing the police to search the impound yard and the vehicles inside of it going to deter these companies from their business practices? The issue is whether it is right for the police to be able to search a property without a search warrant and/or probably cause. To answer this, ask yourself if you want the police to be able to search your home at a whim, anytime, day or night with no search warrant or probably cause? That is an infringement of rights on a homeowner, so why is it acceptable to do to a business owner? I know I wouldn’t want to be woke up at 2am for my house to be searched because it happens to be in the vector that the police are doing random searches of. Again, this has no bearing on whether those 2 companies continue to tow cars unscrupulously. What would a search yield? An impounded vehicle and possibly illegal substances in the vehicle. The towing companies would not be held accountable for the illegal items found in the vehicles, so this search clause in the licensing agreement just allows the police to search an impounded vehicle for drugs that they have no reason to suspect there are drugs in. I applaud the 2 towing companies for standing up for the rights of the vehicle owners. What if your kid used your car and left drug paraphernalia in it and it got impounded for being parked in a wrong spot? If the police can search your car with no proof that there are drugs in it, you now will be arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia. Again, this law intruded on YOUR rights, not Randy’s or Stuart’s. It is YOUR vehicles that would be inspected, the legal owner of said vehicle would be charged. Hard to believe there are so many that are so willing to give up their rights against illegal search and seizure.
Like or Dislike:
7 
2
a friend of mine had a dealing with randy a couple years ago he was towed from an apt complex in EGF he was wrong but randy demanded $140 cash only my issue is how much cash does he claim on income tax? i believe there’s quite a penalty for that
Like or Dislike:
5 
1
Maybe this is because Randy does not want people to stop payment on the check or get a bad check to start with? Maybe he does not to take credit cards or debits because of the hassle and fees? Randy probably spent close to two hours dealing with your friend who is iliterate. How much would the plumber or mechanic charge you for two hours of service? More than Randy did.
Like or Dislike:
5 
1
What a couple of Crooks! That is what they are. I hate Stuarts towing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I HATE YOU PEOPLE! YOU PEOPLE are CROOKS! ONCE AGAIN THESE PEOPLE ARE CROOKS! HOW DO THEY SLEEP AT NIGHT!!!! FAIR IS FAIR and THEY ARE NOT FAIR.
Like or Dislike:
0 
2
Obviously there are many allegations of negative behavior by the towing companies. I cannot participate because I have never had any negative dealings with either. But, how about this: if they tow someone for illegal parking, they provide some communication, be it a voicemail, text, email etc., from the owner requesting the tow. This would diminish if not eliminate the trolling for cars that seems to be implied in many of these posts. Maybe the city council, police department, or a local consumer watchdog group should monitor this. Just a thought.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Now how are they suppose to know who owns the car? They are only going in lots that they have contracted to. Complain to the lot owner if your car was towed. At least they have not had this happen to them yet. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/sep/04/kpd-tow-truck-driver-beaten-senseless-by-angry/
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
You misinterpreted the post Jack. The message would go the to towing company, not the owner of the auto being towed. The towing company would have to provide the proof that the owner of the lot wanted the auto towed.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
That would be in the contract that the property owner has with the tow company. Every place I’ve lived in has had a contract with a tow company outlining when and from which spots the tow company is to remove cars without the owner or managment calling them. That’s what they are doing when they are “trolling”. If not sure about a car they would leave it or call the owner or management office.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0