My car was towed from my apartment complex (Camden Legacy). I called and was told my car was at the Rio Salado impound lot.
We input the address into the GPS. The area looked shady with a lot of barbed wire fences. We circled the place 3 times looking for an entrance. My mistake, I had actually been looking for a legitimate building with a company name that could be easily seen, but no, they don't want you to know where this place is. I called the number again an asked for directions. He said to pull up to the locked gate and go to the booth. The booth is covered by giant iron bars, chain link fence, and the only access to the person is a small window. You will notice the surveillance camera and a hand written sign that reads ""CASH ONLY."" My thoughts of this place being a shady organization were confirmed when I spoke to the man in the booth. I tried to explain my situation of how I did not have enough money to pay the total amount and asked for some leniency. He outright refused saying it was not his problem. I again pleaded with the man asking for anything that he could possibly do to help. Again he refused, almost enjoying the power he had over me. I looked up at the security camera, looked around to see the other ""stolen"" vehicles behind the bars, leaned in toward the open window and said, ""You guys are nothing but criminals"". The man immediately replied with ""I don't give a [expletive] what you think about me or this company."" He also followed up with a whole lot of lines about how his company does not get discounts on their gasoline, insurance, mileage from Scottsdale, etc, so he should not feel bad for not giving me a discount to get my car back. He said ""You're lucky I'm in a good mood and I'm not asking you for your title, registration and proof of insurance. Right now I'm just asking for your ID and the money."" I realized I needed to change my approach if I was ever going to get my car back. I tried to connect with him more personally, stuck out my hand, asked his name, and apologized for being frustrated. He barely shook my hand as if he didn't want to relate to me in any way. I began just asking if he could at least understand my position. He seemed to relax a little and I told him that even if he did ask me for the reg. or ins. that wasn't a problem because it was my car. He asked where those items were located. I said they were in my car. He then let me in on the secret to their whole scam by saying, ""See, we know that all those items are in your car. We don't let anyone in there to get those items. We don't even let Cops in there to touch the car."" I asked ""Then how does someone get there car if they can't get those things to show you?"" He shrugged and didn't answer.
I also asked him ""doesn't anyone here have a heart?"" He said, ""No one here has a heart. This is a business."" He then told me more of their dirty little secrets. ""If you don't get here before 5 pm to collect your car, we add a $50.00 fee. For every day after, $15.00 gets added to the price.""
He told me where I could find an ATM. He also said that I bring EXACTLY $115.00 because he would not give me change. I got the money, returned it to the booth. He gave me a receipt (which does not have letterhead or any contact info) took my money and told me he would unlock the gate. I got my car and checked for damage.
I soon called a friend who works in the car service industry. He said that every state has the exact same rules for their impound companies. They are organized criminals sanctioned by the State. They have every legal right given to them by the State to conduct their business exactly the way they do. It is not right. It is not ethical. It is not morally just. They truly are nothing more than thugs, gangsters and criminals. I basically had my vehicle stolen and was charged a steep fee to have it returned to me. I left feeling confused, violated, and having lost another piece of faith in humanity and the State of Arizona.
Pros: Absolutely NONE
Cons: Organized Criminal Racket
more