A VC - Latest Comments in The Tow Pound

Re: The Tow Pound

TOPP — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 22:59:40 -0000

YES THEY DO AUCTION THEM OFF. THE DUSTED RED CAR YOU SEE IN FRONT OF YOU IS PROBABLY A CAR THAT WAS USED IN A CRIME. SO THE CAR HAS A COURT DATE ALSO.

Re: The Tow Pound

tourista — Mon, 05 May 2008 10:39:36 -0000

I love that line. This is NYC to a Californian. Five creepy dudes in hoodies and one hot chick in the expensive boots on a cell phone.

Re: The Tow Pound

dcilea — Mon, 05 May 2008 10:12:32 -0000

I was there about 20 years too, and from the looks of your photos, the place has not changed one bit. I too was amazed at all of the cars on the pier and did the quick math on the revenue they bring from the daily storage fees (let alone the tow charge). It was "cash only" back then. At least the City has improved their customer service by taking credit now.

Re: The Tow Pound

fredwilson — Mon, 05 May 2008 08:30:03 -0000

That's great. I love it

Fred

Re: The Tow Pound

David — Mon, 05 May 2008 04:15:27 -0000

I just received this joke which seemed quite relevant:

A Chinese man walks into a bank in New York City and asks for the loan officer. He tells the loan officer that he is going to China on business for two weeks and needs to borrow $5,000.

The bank officer tells him that the bank will need some form of security for the loan, so the Chinese man hands over the keys to a new Ferrari parked on the street in front of the bank. He produces the title and everything checks out.

The Loan officer agrees to accept the car as collateral for the loan. The bank's president and its officers all enjoy a good laugh at the Chinese for using a $250,000 Ferrari as collateral against a $5,000 loan. An employee of the bank then drives the Ferrari into the bank's underground garage and parks it there.

Two weeks later, the Chinese returns, repays the $5,000 and the interest, which comes to $15.41. The loan officer says, 'Sir, we are very happy to have had your business, and this transaction has worked out very nicely, but we are a little puzzled. While you were away, we checked you out and found that you are a multi-millionaire. What puzzles us is why you would bother to borrow $5,000?

The Chinese replies: 'Where else in New York City can I park my car for two weeks for only $15.41 and expect it to be there safely when I return.'

Re: The Tow Pound

Dan Weinreb — Sun, 04 May 2008 13:53:46 -0000

I would imagine that making things more pleasant and efficient for people who have had their cars towed might be low on the city's priority list. In fact, maybe they think it ought to be that way, as part of the punishment. If so, there is finally a high utility purpose for the surly, inefficient low-level government bureaucrat.

Re: The Tow Pound

Respectful — Sun, 04 May 2008 11:44:08 -0000

You have a lot of nerve (and probably legal liability) publishing photos of people here without their approval.

Re: The Tow Pound

fredwilson — Sun, 04 May 2008 09:58:04 -0000

You can't take half a little league team to a ballgame on a bike

Re: The Tow Pound

fredwilson — Sun, 04 May 2008 09:55:03 -0000

I use public transportation all the time. I probably ride the subway 40 times a week or more. And I rarely take cabs.

I drove my car for a specific reason yesterday morning which is irrelevant to this discussion

Re: The Tow Pound

JC — Sun, 04 May 2008 08:49:13 -0000

Exactly. You live in the city, own a car, and then drive to something within the city? You deserved it so use public transport or your own power. We have enough pollution and congestion problems in this city w/o the residents themselves contributing.

Re: The Tow Pound

Annemiek — Sun, 04 May 2008 08:08:26 -0000

Nice pictures! It would almost be worthwhile to have your car towed, just to have a nice and spectecular photo shoot...

Re: The Tow Pound

drew — Sun, 04 May 2008 07:29:13 -0000

Peter has a point. Fred do you carry your registration and insurance card with you or do you keep a copy at your place? I think that's the answer. Crank up the Xerox in case the brownies go after me (or my wife more likely).

Hey Mr. EKOLOG how come you are driving up to 38th? Get with the program.

Re: The Tow Pound

JR — Sun, 04 May 2008 00:24:46 -0000

Next time bike!

Re: The Tow Pound

simondodson — Sat, 03 May 2008 23:11:23 -0000

in australia its just hand over 400bucks an you can have your car back ... * sigh*

Re: The Tow Pound

cortland — Sat, 03 May 2008 21:23:41 -0000

Hey, my Neon! WTF?

Re: The Tow Pound

kenberger — Sat, 03 May 2008 19:33:16 -0000

Fred- this happened to me and my scooter!

You have GOT to read my blog post about the whole ordeal:
http://kenberger.com/blog/2...

Re: The Tow Pound

obscurelyfamous — Sat, 03 May 2008 19:16:59 -0000

Just want to say that I love blog posts with pictures placed at key places. It really helps illustrate the story.

What's the most baller car you found in the lot?

Re: The Tow Pound

Nate — Sat, 03 May 2008 18:59:59 -0000

Traffic laws are full of perverse incentives. From indecipherable parking signs to photo enforced red lights with dangerously short yellow cycles, it's good for the city's bottom line to make everyone into a little bit of a criminal.

Re: The Tow Pound

Peter — Sat, 03 May 2008 18:46:01 -0000

Get towed in Brooklyn. No line whatsoever and all they want is a license. (Besides, my proof of insurance and registration are in the glove box -- so how could I show them?)

Re: The Tow Pound

Spencer Fry — Sat, 03 May 2008 18:41:09 -0000

You have to be particularly careful parking in NYC on Saturday before 7 PM. I've learned that the hard way too.

Re: The Tow Pound

S.t — Sat, 03 May 2008 18:38:26 -0000

"Like many government run operations, its not particularly efficient. The line is long and full of pissed off people. No wonder the workers are behind bullet proof glass..."

It's a wonder why Dems don't run on a platform of "Universal Parking", huh?