Columbus, Ohio – Better Business Bureau Serving Central Ohio wants all Buckeye fans attending the Michigan State game to have fun, cheer loudly, and park carefully. During the football season, Columbus parking is at a premium, with many folks driving from afar to enjoy the games. Towing is currently a hot issue, especially when there are often more cars than available parking spots.
According to BBB records, there are 110 towing and wrecker services operating in Columbus. Last year, 
BBB received 43 complaints against 25 different towing companies. The worst offenders were Shamrock Towing, Inc. with 20 complaints and a BBB F rating, A/T Towing & Recovery, LLC with 13 complaints and a BBB D- rating, and Towing Solutions Ltd. with 7 complaints and a BBB F rating.
Drivers are often surprised when their car is towed after only being left for a couple of minutes. A recent complainant to BBB reported that they parked at a restaurant on High Street, walked to the nearest ATM, and returned to their car being towed while they were “just getting money to pay for their lunch”. Typically, towing companies respond to BBB saying the drivers left the lot and ignored the signs warning against illegal parking.
Ohio recently enacted updated regulations for towing vehicles from private property to prevent consumer towing abuse. For example, for any vehicle under 10,000 pounds, the maximum towing fee is $90, and the maximum storage fee is $12 per day. The regulations also explain sign requirements for properties that enforce towing and outlines other rules that towing services must follow.
BBB tips to avoid getting towed:
- Know the Ohio Revised Code Section 4531.601 Private tow-away zones. Keep a copy in your car’s glove box so that you can easily refer to the maximum amount allowed for towing fees and other towing restrictions.
- Do not park illegally, even for a short amount of time. If you think you may be parking illegally, simply move elsewhere. Walking an extra block will be worth the potential towing fees.
- Park in a lot where you know your vehicle will be safe instead of risking parking on a side street or on private property. Private lots will have signs that you can carefully read stating their parking rules.
- Even if you do not see a tow truck, someone could see you. Tow truck companies will often pay “spotters” to watch the lot and call them if they see a car owner park and leave their vehicle in the lot.
- Do not let your vehicle’s tags expire. Make sure that your tags are up to date!
- If you have a dispute with a towing company on private property, the police cannot help you. If you are on public property, such as a city street, then the police may be able to help you if you believe that the towing company is violating the law.
