I get towed and I'm not happy

[HotelMinion]

I parked at a public lot that had a sign. It said: "2 hour parking ONLY"

I finished my business in under two hours. WHen I returned it was gone!

Turns out there was a SECOND sign that said: "Must not leave."

Leave? Leave what? Your car? The lot? The country?

Oh yeah did I mention that the second sign was behind a bush...a very leafy bush that had grown over the sign's face? that I had to part to see? With thorns and bugs. >_<

The guy didn't give an eff about that though, all he cared was that I had left.

I don't have a problem with the cars being left over night or for 12, 10, or even 8 hours in a public lot. Take those mofos away! But 2 hours? They get the middle finger salute from me. (I didn't actually do it, but was tempted to.)

Why don't they put their signs in a better area AWAY from the trees and bushes? There was plenty of space. I think it was really sneaky.

[XCashier]

Turns out there was a SECOND sign that said: "Must not leave."

What's the point of parking if you can't leave your car?! That makes no sense whatsoever!

[icmedia]

"Must not leave," obstructed by leaves. Irony at its finest.

[raudf]

I knew someone who ran a stop sign, because they honestly couldn't see it. Why? Because the person living on that corner decided to plant a freaking cedar tree right there and it had gotten large enough to actually cover the sign. You couldn't even tell there was suppose to be a sign. Fortunately, a picture solved their ticket and the tree got removed.

[Kittish]

If you want to pursue this, you might check the local laws regarding signage (and visibility of signs) on private lots. It's possible you might be able to get the fee for the tow back.

[Estil]

What's the point of parking if you can't leave your car?! That makes no sense whatsoever!

Well there is one possible reason...

[wagegoth]

Well there is one possible reason...

a reason that's universally illegal in public

[LillFilly]

Sometimes those signs have to be at certain places at certain heights AND contain the correct language. I think if you take a picture of it quick before the bush is caught you could fight that.

Our neighbors had a bush that grew over the 'no semis over X-tons' sign at the entrance to our street. A truck didn't see the sign, drove in, and got stuck on some power lines, snapping the pole. Wasn't his fault, but the neighbors were jerks about the damage the fallen pole did to their property.

[otakuneko]

I've never seen such a sign.

Possibly they were all covered by leaves.

[Estil]

a reason that's universally illegal in public

To borrow a quote from Air Force One movie, only if you get caught.

[Seshat]

It's possible that it was a private lot, and the wordage should have been 'must not leave the restaurant' (or whatever business the lot supports).

I think you have a case for challenging the fine. But for the sake of the Argabargas of the world, please find out the correct procedure for such challenges. And go take photos of the signage!

[Silent-Hunter]

Yeah, that sign is almost definitely unenforceable. I agree, take a photograph of the bushes over the sign, take another picture of the sign with the bushes parted. I ran a stop sign once, that had a building that was IDENTICAL colour behind the sign. They quashed the ticket, and forced the owners to repaint.

[Jetfire]

Go back as soon as you can, and take pictures of the entire lot as it is now, especially any signs you can see and can't easily see. And try to get clarification for what the signs mean (maybe the lot's only for another business?). If you have any receipts for that area, save them with the pictures. (Proves you were shopping at the businesses around the lot).

Maybe go back to the stores and see if you can find anyone who served you or may have seen you and get statements/names (especially if you were just windowshopping) That would help show you were a customer.

[catcul]

I knew someone who ran a stop sign, because they honestly couldn't see it. Why? Because the person living on that corner decided to plant a freaking cedar tree right there and it had gotten large enough to actually cover the sign. You couldn't even tell there was suppose to be a sign. Fortunately, a picture solved their ticket and the tree got removed.

They planted a cedar tree next to a stop sign? I guess they didn't want the stop sign to get eaten by moths.

[Kit-Ginevra]

If the sign itself is badly written-one that says just 'You Must Not Leave'-then just pics of that alone should be able to get you off,as that is so vague as to be meaningless.
I'm sure Argabarga would approve-you have a genuine reason why you should not be towed,you've got the evidence together to support your case and your only wild ranting has been here and we can deal with it