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The short answer is, because they systematically rip people off who never even walk through their doors.
A few of us went out to listen to some jazz tonight, and after looking for parking for a few minutes saw a big half-empty lot a couple of blocks from the venue. We looked around to try to determine whether we were in violation of any private-parking regulations, but we didn't see any signs at the entrance, in the middle of the parking lot, or around the perimeter. Given the number of available spaces, we didn't think anyone would care, so we walked past the two guys loitering near the entrance to the lot and went across the street.
When we returned, probably less than an hour later, the three cars we'd parked there were gone.
The two guys were still there. When my wife asked one of them what he was doing there, he said, "None of your business." The other said that they had reported us for committing a class 3 misdemeanor, parking in a private lot and then not patronizing the establishment that owns it. I asked where the sign was, and he pointed to the wall of the building adjacent to the lot -- way up the side of the wall:
So, let's start off by pointing out that we were, in fact, in the wrong, and that given that we did park there, they had every right to tow us.
But here's the thing. Most places with private lots post a fair number of signs in visible places -- not a sign that's ten feet or more above eye level, with the name of the establishment that you must visit in order to avoid being towed obscured by another sign. (It's not like there was no room for the other sign elsewhere on the wall!!)
When we asked the two guys why they hadn't warned us, the class-3 misdemeanor guy said that it wasn't his job. It came out that he works for the towing company, which is contracted by Sloopy's.
Until early this year, Sloopy's was Miani's, which was a notoriously vile neighborhood bar with lots of incredibly cheap booze which specialized in producing loud drunks. Didn't endear them to the neighbors. Interestingly, though, look up Miani's online and two of the reviews you'll find first read as follows:
Miani's is a terrible bar!! Do not go here unless you want your car towed! I was in the bar for about an hour, needed something out of my car and when I walked out to the parking lot my car was gone!!! They hire a shady company named CAMCAR to tow you away. The truckdriver said I wasn't in the bar!!!! The staff didn't car at all. I'm NEVER going to this bar again...$200 at CAMCAR isn't worth this bar. Don't go here!
Mianis will have your car towed and then claim you were not in the bar at the time. We celebrated my birthday there and they towed three cars in my party and thought that it was funny. Worst birthday ever. Thanks Mianis.Pros: Nothing
Cons: Having your car towed in the middle of January
This is a racket, plain and simple. If they really wanted people to stay out, there would be better signage. Period. The only explanation is that they've got a good working relationship with the towing company, and they prey on people who don't see the sign and park there mistakenly. Once your car has been taken hostage, you get a 6.5 mile taxi ride south of town and over $100 in fees.
And what about the "I'm just doing my job" defense? It's quite popular with Nazis and mobsters... for a reason: in my experience, it's used by people whose jobs are morally indefensible. The only moral justification for their job that they can come up with is that it is a job -- that it puts food on the table. That doesn't make it right.
There was a thread back in March noting that Miani's had "cleaned up" and become Sloopy's. I doubt it extremely. Apparently they're up to their same old tricks. The thread also mentions that Sloopy's is owned by two brothers. If anyone happens to know the identity of these two brothers so that I can extend my personal lifetime boycott to every other business that they or their descendants own or will ever own, I'd appreciate it. Thanks.
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