'Tow Truck': Man Leaves Warning Note on Car Parked in His $50-a-Month Spot

A man has been praised for leaving a note on a car that was parked in his $50-a-month space, warning the driver next time they'll be towed.

Redditor Zephenrage shared a snap of the letter he wrote to the site's r/MildlyInfuriating section on Sunday, amassing thousands of upvotes.

The 36-year-old captioned the letter: "Came home to some random car parked in my parking space that I pay $50 a month for. I left this warning note on their front windshield."

The hand-written note read: "To whom it may concern, Hello! I arrived home from work this morning to discover your vehicle in my parking space.

"I've paid $50 a month for this space for about 4 years now. All of these covered, numbered spaces are paid parking spaces. All of the uncovered, unnumbered spaces are free to anybody though, for future reference.

"I could have your vehicle towed at your expense but I'm gonna be cool and let it slide this time. Please don't park here again. Thank you for your understanding. Have a great day! Sincerely, parking spot #86."

Zephenrage told Newsweek he was forced to park in one of the free spaces outlined in the note.

He said: "On one hand I hoped that this person vacated my parking space. On the other hand I hoped this person wouldn't be spiteful enough to vandalize or damage my vehicle. This is a brand new vehicle. I've only had it for 4 days. It has less than 70 miles on it."

Zephenrage, from the southwest, explained he'd bought a brand-new Chevy Equinox: "My last car was stolen from that same parking space a week before Christmas. My insurance company was not very helpful.

"I do stick by the decision that I made to leave the note though. I trust my gut and my gut told me to do what I did. When I pulled into the parking lot of my apartment this morning when I got home from work I saw the car that had been parked in my reserved space just 24 hours ago and it was in such poor condition with the back passenger window being taped up with a trash bag my hope that I did the right thing was completely entwined with all of my sympathy. So I hope that I gave someone else a lucky break and I hope that they can appreciate that too though.

"However, if they do park there again though then yeah, I'm going to have to do what I said that I was going to do. Some people have praised me for leaving the note and giving the person in question the benefit of a doubt. Others have told me that I should've just towed it.

"I've made mistakes before and I appreciate the times that I've been shown mercy. I like to pay it forward when I can. My gut instincts told me to do that this time so I just went with it."

He said the free spot where he left his car wasn't a far walk from his home, adding: "However, the parking space where I ended up parking did have shattered windshield glass in it. That tells me that someone else recently had their car stolen from that same space, which needless to say, is very scary!"

The Reddit post saw the driver earn praise for his actions, although some people admitted they wouldn't have been so lenient.

Apfelboden wrote: "You're too nice. I'd have towed. Zero warning, especially if there's a sign posted near."

InteriorEmotion simply said: "Don't steal someone's spot and you won't have to worry about your car being gone."

N00bca1e99 revealed: "I have a list of plates. First time, written warning and your plate goes on the list. Second time and above, I call the tow truck. They had a warning."

Biiggysmallz commented: "Happened to me the other day. I left a note saying they have 24 hours to move their car or they will be towed. they moved real quick!"

Originalmango raged: "Should've let everyone else know how that skunk got his free parking spot and encourage all to stop paying for theirs. I'd want to put dogs*** in his spot daily."

Rhiyanna79 raged: "Damn, I would've demanded a refund for all the monthly parking fees I had paid after finding that out. A free parking space??!! I get one too then. I also would have reported them to the owner of the complex. eta: fixed words."

The laws governing towing cars vary between states. Last year the Public Interest Research Group published a report on the country-wide practice, acknowledging millions of Americans get their cars towed each year.

They found discrepancies in the laws governing the towing of illegally parked cars, with only 37 states requiring a towing company to notify the driver or owner when their car is being towed, and where it's being taken.

In 20 states the towing storage facility company allows drivers access to personal items inside the car, while nine states only allow the retrieval of emergency items such as medication.

Itemized bills are only required by towing companies in 22 states, and only nine states allow drives to pick up their cars 24/7.

They said: "Under the best circumstances, getting towed is an ordeal, even when justified. For many drivers, however, the situation is compounded because consumer towing protections in most states are weak, nebulous or non-existent."