TheTrainMagnifiq
New member
- 7
- 3
- 3
- Location
- Philadelphia
Hello. Like most I've lurked for quite a long time since high school a few years back and have decided to share my recent experience. I have typed the same thing over and over too much so most of this will be copy and paste from the emails I sent to "consumer protections" with some edits. Keep in mind I was eager to acquire this truck at the time and this was my first vehicle purchase so not everything I did may have been right.
Summary at the bottom with a timeline.
I bought a former military vehicle from a company in Lititz, Pennsylvania and I needed transport from there to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I went to A1 Auto Transport online and [Claims to not be a broker] was one of the companies to call. I told them the estimated specs and where it was going. The truck's guesstimated weight was about 25,000 lbs based on similar vehicles researched. For about a year I was searching for military trucks to purchase and geeking out about the specs and not once did I find a curb weight for the truck. (an Oshkosh WT-2206) The only weights I ever saw is the GVW (54,000 lbs) and weights that include attachments such as plows and blowers (35K lbs and up). At this point the quote is $650.
On the day the truck was supposed to be transported, they told me the truck is actually 28000 lbs because the dump body is 3500 lbs according to "the specs". Mind you I have been looking at different vehicle weights for about a year and in just a couple days they got the weight without even weighing the truck? Over the phone he said they didn't actually weigh the truck. He didn't even tell me where he got these specs from. Up until this point I thought my truck was going to be transported by a lowboy trailer and for some reason they canceled that. (when i first contacted [Claims to not be a broker] he said " it wasn't that heavy") Since when does 3000 lbs make a difference on a trailer that is designed to carry more than double the weight of my truck? During this final call he said he should have contacted me earlier that day and had to call his insurance to see if they could actually transport the truck. Before the call ended I was told I would have to pay an extra $250 and that he would be in a meeting for the next hour or so and hung up. I tried to contact later by text and call with no response for a while. (October 2019 EDIT: I have found out from a National Stock Number that the curb weight is 24,000lbs with the bed so I wasn't far)
Then, a random text 3 hours later from [Claims to not be a broker]; "please have 800 at delivery." I ask why the extra 150 and he completely ignores that question. I ask if the truck was actually 28k lbs and he says that's what he saw on the specs.
Suddenly I get a phone call from the tow truck driver (X Company instantly brokered by [Claims to not be a broker]) in awe of the truck and explains that the company I bought the truck from had to cut the U joint to the front axle because they were unable to properly disconnect it. What I wasn't told is the tow driver is the one who asked for the connection to be cut because it was "the fastest way." So the damage there is a couple hundred dollars and [Claims to not be a broker] didn't tell me they were going to have a wrecker deliver my truck. At 76 miles, I see no reason why wrecker service was so much more than a lowboy trailer anyway. It's supposed to be the other way around. The total ended up being $1K due to the shady side of towing and i had to scramble and make calls so I wouldn't be completely broke. (The contents of this paragraph all happened between 7:00pm and 12:00am.)
__
So I received the title but it's a transfer title from Delaware. This truck was sitting on the Street for about 2 months before being towed in September 2018. In those two months I have tried to find insurance so I can register it as a historic vehicle but with no luck. Companies (Progressive/State Farm...etc...) keep forcing the idea that I need to get commercial insurance that is way too overpriced for my use purposes. I got multiple quotes and sometimes I was able to get non-commercial quotes but those were barely any cheaper.
Specialty companies like Hagerty/subsidiaries of regular companies say they can't insure me because I don't have a regular use car. Even companies that say they are flexible say they cant. I bought this Oshkosh WT-2206 with the intention of occasional pleasure driving and proud display of a former military vehicle. I take SEPTA because that is good enough for me at this time. I might even be employed with SEPTA in the future and that comes with many benefits as you may know. Not even that is good enough to be considered.
I have been doing my research for years on this and most of it was done on a site called SteelSoldiers.com where I found out I can actually purchase and pleasure drive surplus military vehicles on public roads with specialty insurance and Historic Vehicle license plates for certain. I guess with insurance agents that aren't up to speed and dishonest business practices, all of that research doesn't matter.
I called the abandoned vehicles unit within the Philadelphia Police and they told me it was taken by [Police Towing Contractor] in south west Philadelphia which is basically a huge junkyard with salvage written all over it. When I was much younger, I used to live near it and thought of it as the Times Square of Tow Trucks and disposable vehicles. I haven't called the company yet because it involves too much money and things that don't seem possible to get.
Assuming I can pay them, I'd still need storage so this won't happen again. But to get storage I need insurance and registration which I can't get because I take SEPTA. Even to get a permit from the Philadelphia Parking Authority to park on the street needs those things.
I called [Police Towing Contractor] and basically the price by now is at least $3K and they don't want to work with me on the price despite my circumstances. I finally found (not perfect) insurance from GEICO that works for now. I go to AAA to help me register it and they say the title was jumped by the company I bought it from. I'm kind of new to titles & registration so I didn't know the absence of the previous owners signature on the back meant I couldn't register it until they did.
---------
I sent this to the AG's office after contacting [Police Towing Contractor] (2018 ) and nothing at first but then I contacted them again in January (2019) and I received the attached letter along with info about suing and such. I respond:
Surely this can't be fair. [Life's not fair cool story I agree] I spend my hard earned money on a product, get scammed by multiple entities and I am the one that gets punished for it. And the worse part is I didn't even get to use it. I shouldn't have to pay even more money in court on a case that I have no guarantee of winning based on what the city says about its codes and businesses that hide behind them . They are bound not to consider all that I have gone though, just the final result of the crimes done to me that are actually blamed on me.
---------
And I sent this as well:
.................................misc.......................... (October 2019 EDIT: I have been in recent contact and the rates seem to go up and down accordingly. We are now going on to $20,000 in fees. If I never contacted the AG they probably would have already disposed of the truck as they seem to do every few months(?))
For perspective. I filed a 311 complaint back in July(2018 ) for a large pot hole/cave in that formed along Roosevelt Boulevard. It wasn't fixed until mid January of this new year (2019) and it wasn't even smooth. It was wavy and uneven with the road so it got destroyed as heavy vehicles drove over it exposing a large rectangular depression. (probably would say worse than the original hole) They had to come back and fix it.
So compare my complaint of an actual "Health and Safety Hazard" of a cave in in a heavily traveled road similar to an interstate highway vs my harmlessly parked vehicle on the side of a seldom traveled road. 6 months for something important to be fixed vs 5 days (I think it was faster) for someone's property to be taken away for no reason without warning. Priorities need to be straightened out. If it was an actual "Health and Safety Hazard" it would not have taken 2 months for it to be removed. During that time I have watched the truck and countless police patrols have driven, and walked passed this truck and not one batted an eye because it was no different than the other trucks and buses that usually park on that street for extended periods of time.
And if I were to have had a historic registration as planned at the time, valid inspection would not be necessary. It is a one time payment for registration but as I said before, the title was jumped to me and I was scammed by the company who brokered a tow at the last second even though they say they aren't brokers.
I am pretty sure there are supposed to be protections or exceptions to policies and codes if something like this happens. If not, there needs to be.
Thank you.
------------
Managing Director response (January 2019)
"Unfortunately, I’m afraid there isn’t much assistance that the City can provide in this case. The issue with the towing company that transported the truck is what is referred to as a ‘consensual’ towing agreement between private parties. The City has previously attempted to regulate this type of activity, but courts ruled that we cannot do so. The only towing activity that the City can regulate is ‘non consensual’ tows that occur exclusively within the city limits, such as in the event of an accident in the public right of way to which an emergency response has been dispatched, or if a vehicle is parked unlawfully on public or private property and is removed. We unfortunately lack the legal means to regulate private towing agreements – the courts have ruled that these are private contracts between consenting parties. However, if you feel that there is a deceptive business practice involved, the PA Office of Attorney General may be able to investigate the matter – and would have the best ability to do so since multiple jurisdictions are involved.
With respect to the impoundment of the vehicle, unfortunately it is against the law to park a vehicle on a public roadway if that vehicle is not registered, displaying a license plate, is uninsured, or does not have a valid inspection sticker. Vehicles in this situation cannot lawfully be parked or operated on public roadways in Pennsylvania under any circumstances. City law permits vehicles in this situation to be towed away by a salvor under contract with the Philadelphia Police Department, and that salvor is entitled under the law to charge towing and storage fees and auction off the vehicle if it is not claimed by its legal owner.
I regret that the City does not have the ability to intervene in this matter. I recognize that it must be deeply frustrating, and I do hope you ultimately have a satisfactory resolution. However, at the very least, you may want to consider contacting a private attorney to see if you can pursue a legal case against the first towing company for deceptive business practices and against any other parties that you suspect may have committed misconduct in this case.
(Another AG quote)
So as the top law enforcement agency in the state, absolutely nothing can be done about a local law enforcement agency allowing a resident's property to be held at ransom by someone they contracted to do the job. No type of regulatory duties that can be performed to end this sooner rather than later with a definite decision? They are hiding behind the fact that the truck wasn't towed illegally but are totally ignoring the fact that I didn't do anything illegal and am 100% being taken advantage of for a third time. First by the seller, then from the towing company that delivered the truck, and now by the police and their contractor. They even advised that the truck isn't worth it and I should just buy another one.
A couple things I may have missed....
I did test drive the truck and it was in good condition. Everything seemed fine and I believe it had less than 1K miles on it (700~ and the 4th digit was in tenths?)
I decided not to purchase it right there. But changed my mind and called a few weeks later to purchase it over the phone.
I tried to force the issue with Hagerty because the wording on their website implies that public transportation is considered in rare cases. They didn't even accept a non owners policy that I have researched to be equal to their requirements.
The police say they can't do anything even though research states they regulate fees and procedures that can be reversed/addressed pending unique circumstances. The police say all responsibility is placed on the vehicle owner no matter what.
I was going off research that the title was valid registration for the first month. But nothing seems to work out as planned as previous insurance problems weren't anticipated, the jumped title wasn't anticipated and the vehicle damage wasn't anticipated.
I read an article that in a few cities if something happened that was out the the owners hands, exceptions would be made by the police/city and the vehicle is released at a discounted price or no fee at all.
For some reason when I was trying to register through Vermont, they sent the application back multiple times stating things were incorrect. (the weren't) The Vermont DMV Commissioner's office handled it.
[Police Towing Contractor] knew from the police report that it was listed as abandoned and I didn't call for months because I was unable to do anything. Why did they keep it this long even though I told them the fees were too much? (even before contacting the AG) They said they would consider lowering the fees multiple times and even told the police this recently. (Oct)
I've come across many people who don't understand/can't fathom this type of recreation. I was trying to explain to one insurance agent who responded; " You want to drive a 54K lb truck for recreation?!?" (It's 24K lb but does it matter)
In stages I wanted to see what the largest vehicle I could drive on the road was. I started with the obvious H1/H2. Then the AM General tractors and finally the Oshkosh trucks. The WT seemed perfect as an oversized 4x4 that no one else would have.
The area the truck was dropped in was an open area that tractors, tractor-trailers, buses and box trucks regularly park so any argument stating it was unsafe on the street vs any other vehicle is invalid and doesn't make any sense. I cant stand that just because it's a military vehicle or looks different than other trucks, it has to be treated like a 100 ton death machine. That is one of the reasons they say they want to dismantle and sell this monstrosity for parts as they are doing a service. (sarcasm if you didn't notice)
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______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
--_-_--_-__-_-------_________________--------------_____________________________--------------------------_________------
Summary time
Basically I purchased the Oshkosh WT-2206 from Gerhart Machinery in July 2018 but unfortunately after I purchased the vehicle, the towing company that shipped it from Lititz to Philadelphia decided to cut the driveshaft links instead of properly disconnecting them so it had to stay on the street. (I was under the impression that it would be on a flatbed) On top of that they made me pay more than the original asking price so that left me bankrupt. I spent months contacting numerous consumer protection agencies who all did nothing to help.
After a few months (end of September 2018 which is longer than expected) of being parked on the street where large trucks usually park with plenty of space, it was towed away as an abandoned vehicle just to add to my troubles. (Remember I couldn't move it even if I wanted to because it was damaged and I had no money) It wasn't until December 2018 when I finally found some reasonable insurance to register & another fissure is met. The title that I got in the mail back in August 2018 is no good because it was never registered by the company that sold me the truck. It is a transfer title from Delaware issued in December 2008. I even showed the title to multiple people and no one caught on to it. I spent the past year contacting more supposed consumer protection agencies that do nothing and also the city/police itself and they basically called me the criminal in this case. It was 100% my fault that city codes and rules were broken & there are no exceptions for some odd reason. So counting here I am a victim of a towing scam and title jumping.
Timeline of how I found things out;
-Gathered general knowledge and interest in hobby (2010-2018 )
-Bought truck (July 2018 )
- [X Company] says my truck is overweight without proof and broker's a company out to hook n' tow instead of using one of their drivers with a trailer.
-Driver damaged truck to save time on his Friday night (Aug 2018 )
-Insurance isn't what I thought it was and had to find someone new (Aug-Dec 2018 )
-311 complaint (who knows what it said) prompts Police to declare it abandoned with no warning and has it towed (end of September)
-[Police Towing Contractor] refuses to consider my situation, make a deal and stop/lower the fees (Dec 2018 )
-Finds reasonable Geico offer (Dec 2018 )
-Turns out title isn't valid/transferable. It was jumped (Dec 2018 )
-PA Attorney General's Office mediates with no resolution. [Police Towing Contractor] takes offense to this and decides to keep truck to rack up fees for legal reasons (?) (Dec 2018 - Feb 2019)
-Tries to find a way to register (Jan-March 2019)
-Gave up/cancelled everything (March-April 2019)
-Calls to see if truck is still there and what the plans are for it. I'm told my truck has been there waiting for me to pick it up and they don't know why I didn't in December 2018. Threatened to counter sue if I sue but lowering of fees to $2K is considered. Says they will talk to the boss and call me back. No call (June 2019)
-Start's the process over again (June 2019)
-Geico says they can't insure me because of an error (June 2019)
-Finds reasonable Progressive offer (July 2019)
-Multiple denials but I finally achieve antique registration through Vermont (September 2019)
-[Police Towing Contractor] says $18,000 is the price and can't be paid any other time. Says they will talk to the boss and call me back. No call (Oct 2019)
-Police says it's not worth it and I should buy another one. Simply buy another one. Completely ignoring the scams and history I've been through and just recited in detail at the start of the call. Says [Police Towing Contractor] is willing to work the fees down to maybe $9K (Oct 2019)
-[Police Towing Contractor] Says there is nothing that can be done because they did nothing wrong. They sympathize with all that I've been through but because I accused them of wrongdoing to the PAAG they will dismantle and sell for parts. Also stuck on the idea that this truck is the most dangerous thing that can be parked on the streets and that is the sole reason it was towed. (Jan 2020)
Hopefully by sharing folks can know what's up, be aware and not have this happen to them.
Summary at the bottom with a timeline.
I bought a former military vehicle from a company in Lititz, Pennsylvania and I needed transport from there to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I went to A1 Auto Transport online and [Claims to not be a broker] was one of the companies to call. I told them the estimated specs and where it was going. The truck's guesstimated weight was about 25,000 lbs based on similar vehicles researched. For about a year I was searching for military trucks to purchase and geeking out about the specs and not once did I find a curb weight for the truck. (an Oshkosh WT-2206) The only weights I ever saw is the GVW (54,000 lbs) and weights that include attachments such as plows and blowers (35K lbs and up). At this point the quote is $650.
On the day the truck was supposed to be transported, they told me the truck is actually 28000 lbs because the dump body is 3500 lbs according to "the specs". Mind you I have been looking at different vehicle weights for about a year and in just a couple days they got the weight without even weighing the truck? Over the phone he said they didn't actually weigh the truck. He didn't even tell me where he got these specs from. Up until this point I thought my truck was going to be transported by a lowboy trailer and for some reason they canceled that. (when i first contacted [Claims to not be a broker] he said " it wasn't that heavy") Since when does 3000 lbs make a difference on a trailer that is designed to carry more than double the weight of my truck? During this final call he said he should have contacted me earlier that day and had to call his insurance to see if they could actually transport the truck. Before the call ended I was told I would have to pay an extra $250 and that he would be in a meeting for the next hour or so and hung up. I tried to contact later by text and call with no response for a while. (October 2019 EDIT: I have found out from a National Stock Number that the curb weight is 24,000lbs with the bed so I wasn't far)
Then, a random text 3 hours later from [Claims to not be a broker]; "please have 800 at delivery." I ask why the extra 150 and he completely ignores that question. I ask if the truck was actually 28k lbs and he says that's what he saw on the specs.
Suddenly I get a phone call from the tow truck driver (X Company instantly brokered by [Claims to not be a broker]) in awe of the truck and explains that the company I bought the truck from had to cut the U joint to the front axle because they were unable to properly disconnect it. What I wasn't told is the tow driver is the one who asked for the connection to be cut because it was "the fastest way." So the damage there is a couple hundred dollars and [Claims to not be a broker] didn't tell me they were going to have a wrecker deliver my truck. At 76 miles, I see no reason why wrecker service was so much more than a lowboy trailer anyway. It's supposed to be the other way around. The total ended up being $1K due to the shady side of towing and i had to scramble and make calls so I wouldn't be completely broke. (The contents of this paragraph all happened between 7:00pm and 12:00am.)
__
So I received the title but it's a transfer title from Delaware. This truck was sitting on the Street for about 2 months before being towed in September 2018. In those two months I have tried to find insurance so I can register it as a historic vehicle but with no luck. Companies (Progressive/State Farm...etc...) keep forcing the idea that I need to get commercial insurance that is way too overpriced for my use purposes. I got multiple quotes and sometimes I was able to get non-commercial quotes but those were barely any cheaper.
Specialty companies like Hagerty/subsidiaries of regular companies say they can't insure me because I don't have a regular use car. Even companies that say they are flexible say they cant. I bought this Oshkosh WT-2206 with the intention of occasional pleasure driving and proud display of a former military vehicle. I take SEPTA because that is good enough for me at this time. I might even be employed with SEPTA in the future and that comes with many benefits as you may know. Not even that is good enough to be considered.
I have been doing my research for years on this and most of it was done on a site called SteelSoldiers.com where I found out I can actually purchase and pleasure drive surplus military vehicles on public roads with specialty insurance and Historic Vehicle license plates for certain. I guess with insurance agents that aren't up to speed and dishonest business practices, all of that research doesn't matter.
I called the abandoned vehicles unit within the Philadelphia Police and they told me it was taken by [Police Towing Contractor] in south west Philadelphia which is basically a huge junkyard with salvage written all over it. When I was much younger, I used to live near it and thought of it as the Times Square of Tow Trucks and disposable vehicles. I haven't called the company yet because it involves too much money and things that don't seem possible to get.
Assuming I can pay them, I'd still need storage so this won't happen again. But to get storage I need insurance and registration which I can't get because I take SEPTA. Even to get a permit from the Philadelphia Parking Authority to park on the street needs those things.
I called [Police Towing Contractor] and basically the price by now is at least $3K and they don't want to work with me on the price despite my circumstances. I finally found (not perfect) insurance from GEICO that works for now. I go to AAA to help me register it and they say the title was jumped by the company I bought it from. I'm kind of new to titles & registration so I didn't know the absence of the previous owners signature on the back meant I couldn't register it until they did.
---------
I sent this to the AG's office after contacting [Police Towing Contractor] (2018 ) and nothing at first but then I contacted them again in January (2019) and I received the attached letter along with info about suing and such. I respond:
Surely this can't be fair. [Life's not fair cool story I agree] I spend my hard earned money on a product, get scammed by multiple entities and I am the one that gets punished for it. And the worse part is I didn't even get to use it. I shouldn't have to pay even more money in court on a case that I have no guarantee of winning based on what the city says about its codes and businesses that hide behind them . They are bound not to consider all that I have gone though, just the final result of the crimes done to me that are actually blamed on me.
---------
And I sent this as well:
.................................misc.......................... (October 2019 EDIT: I have been in recent contact and the rates seem to go up and down accordingly. We are now going on to $20,000 in fees. If I never contacted the AG they probably would have already disposed of the truck as they seem to do every few months(?))
For perspective. I filed a 311 complaint back in July(2018 ) for a large pot hole/cave in that formed along Roosevelt Boulevard. It wasn't fixed until mid January of this new year (2019) and it wasn't even smooth. It was wavy and uneven with the road so it got destroyed as heavy vehicles drove over it exposing a large rectangular depression. (probably would say worse than the original hole) They had to come back and fix it.
So compare my complaint of an actual "Health and Safety Hazard" of a cave in in a heavily traveled road similar to an interstate highway vs my harmlessly parked vehicle on the side of a seldom traveled road. 6 months for something important to be fixed vs 5 days (I think it was faster) for someone's property to be taken away for no reason without warning. Priorities need to be straightened out. If it was an actual "Health and Safety Hazard" it would not have taken 2 months for it to be removed. During that time I have watched the truck and countless police patrols have driven, and walked passed this truck and not one batted an eye because it was no different than the other trucks and buses that usually park on that street for extended periods of time.
And if I were to have had a historic registration as planned at the time, valid inspection would not be necessary. It is a one time payment for registration but as I said before, the title was jumped to me and I was scammed by the company who brokered a tow at the last second even though they say they aren't brokers.
I am pretty sure there are supposed to be protections or exceptions to policies and codes if something like this happens. If not, there needs to be.
Thank you.
------------
Managing Director response (January 2019)
"Unfortunately, I’m afraid there isn’t much assistance that the City can provide in this case. The issue with the towing company that transported the truck is what is referred to as a ‘consensual’ towing agreement between private parties. The City has previously attempted to regulate this type of activity, but courts ruled that we cannot do so. The only towing activity that the City can regulate is ‘non consensual’ tows that occur exclusively within the city limits, such as in the event of an accident in the public right of way to which an emergency response has been dispatched, or if a vehicle is parked unlawfully on public or private property and is removed. We unfortunately lack the legal means to regulate private towing agreements – the courts have ruled that these are private contracts between consenting parties. However, if you feel that there is a deceptive business practice involved, the PA Office of Attorney General may be able to investigate the matter – and would have the best ability to do so since multiple jurisdictions are involved.
With respect to the impoundment of the vehicle, unfortunately it is against the law to park a vehicle on a public roadway if that vehicle is not registered, displaying a license plate, is uninsured, or does not have a valid inspection sticker. Vehicles in this situation cannot lawfully be parked or operated on public roadways in Pennsylvania under any circumstances. City law permits vehicles in this situation to be towed away by a salvor under contract with the Philadelphia Police Department, and that salvor is entitled under the law to charge towing and storage fees and auction off the vehicle if it is not claimed by its legal owner.
I regret that the City does not have the ability to intervene in this matter. I recognize that it must be deeply frustrating, and I do hope you ultimately have a satisfactory resolution. However, at the very least, you may want to consider contacting a private attorney to see if you can pursue a legal case against the first towing company for deceptive business practices and against any other parties that you suspect may have committed misconduct in this case.
(Another AG quote)
So as the top law enforcement agency in the state, absolutely nothing can be done about a local law enforcement agency allowing a resident's property to be held at ransom by someone they contracted to do the job. No type of regulatory duties that can be performed to end this sooner rather than later with a definite decision? They are hiding behind the fact that the truck wasn't towed illegally but are totally ignoring the fact that I didn't do anything illegal and am 100% being taken advantage of for a third time. First by the seller, then from the towing company that delivered the truck, and now by the police and their contractor. They even advised that the truck isn't worth it and I should just buy another one.
A couple things I may have missed....
I did test drive the truck and it was in good condition. Everything seemed fine and I believe it had less than 1K miles on it (700~ and the 4th digit was in tenths?)
I decided not to purchase it right there. But changed my mind and called a few weeks later to purchase it over the phone.
I tried to force the issue with Hagerty because the wording on their website implies that public transportation is considered in rare cases. They didn't even accept a non owners policy that I have researched to be equal to their requirements.
The police say they can't do anything even though research states they regulate fees and procedures that can be reversed/addressed pending unique circumstances. The police say all responsibility is placed on the vehicle owner no matter what.
I was going off research that the title was valid registration for the first month. But nothing seems to work out as planned as previous insurance problems weren't anticipated, the jumped title wasn't anticipated and the vehicle damage wasn't anticipated.
I read an article that in a few cities if something happened that was out the the owners hands, exceptions would be made by the police/city and the vehicle is released at a discounted price or no fee at all.
For some reason when I was trying to register through Vermont, they sent the application back multiple times stating things were incorrect. (the weren't) The Vermont DMV Commissioner's office handled it.
[Police Towing Contractor] knew from the police report that it was listed as abandoned and I didn't call for months because I was unable to do anything. Why did they keep it this long even though I told them the fees were too much? (even before contacting the AG) They said they would consider lowering the fees multiple times and even told the police this recently. (Oct)
I've come across many people who don't understand/can't fathom this type of recreation. I was trying to explain to one insurance agent who responded; " You want to drive a 54K lb truck for recreation?!?" (It's 24K lb but does it matter)
In stages I wanted to see what the largest vehicle I could drive on the road was. I started with the obvious H1/H2. Then the AM General tractors and finally the Oshkosh trucks. The WT seemed perfect as an oversized 4x4 that no one else would have.
The area the truck was dropped in was an open area that tractors, tractor-trailers, buses and box trucks regularly park so any argument stating it was unsafe on the street vs any other vehicle is invalid and doesn't make any sense. I cant stand that just because it's a military vehicle or looks different than other trucks, it has to be treated like a 100 ton death machine. That is one of the reasons they say they want to dismantle and sell this monstrosity for parts as they are doing a service. (sarcasm if you didn't notice)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
--_-_--_-__-_-------_________________--------------_____________________________--------------------------_________------
Summary time
Basically I purchased the Oshkosh WT-2206 from Gerhart Machinery in July 2018 but unfortunately after I purchased the vehicle, the towing company that shipped it from Lititz to Philadelphia decided to cut the driveshaft links instead of properly disconnecting them so it had to stay on the street. (I was under the impression that it would be on a flatbed) On top of that they made me pay more than the original asking price so that left me bankrupt. I spent months contacting numerous consumer protection agencies who all did nothing to help.
After a few months (end of September 2018 which is longer than expected) of being parked on the street where large trucks usually park with plenty of space, it was towed away as an abandoned vehicle just to add to my troubles. (Remember I couldn't move it even if I wanted to because it was damaged and I had no money) It wasn't until December 2018 when I finally found some reasonable insurance to register & another fissure is met. The title that I got in the mail back in August 2018 is no good because it was never registered by the company that sold me the truck. It is a transfer title from Delaware issued in December 2008. I even showed the title to multiple people and no one caught on to it. I spent the past year contacting more supposed consumer protection agencies that do nothing and also the city/police itself and they basically called me the criminal in this case. It was 100% my fault that city codes and rules were broken & there are no exceptions for some odd reason. So counting here I am a victim of a towing scam and title jumping.
Timeline of how I found things out;
-Gathered general knowledge and interest in hobby (2010-2018 )
-Bought truck (July 2018 )
- [X Company] says my truck is overweight without proof and broker's a company out to hook n' tow instead of using one of their drivers with a trailer.
-Driver damaged truck to save time on his Friday night (Aug 2018 )
-Insurance isn't what I thought it was and had to find someone new (Aug-Dec 2018 )
-311 complaint (who knows what it said) prompts Police to declare it abandoned with no warning and has it towed (end of September)
-[Police Towing Contractor] refuses to consider my situation, make a deal and stop/lower the fees (Dec 2018 )
-Finds reasonable Geico offer (Dec 2018 )
-Turns out title isn't valid/transferable. It was jumped (Dec 2018 )
-PA Attorney General's Office mediates with no resolution. [Police Towing Contractor] takes offense to this and decides to keep truck to rack up fees for legal reasons (?) (Dec 2018 - Feb 2019)
-Tries to find a way to register (Jan-March 2019)
-Gave up/cancelled everything (March-April 2019)
-Calls to see if truck is still there and what the plans are for it. I'm told my truck has been there waiting for me to pick it up and they don't know why I didn't in December 2018. Threatened to counter sue if I sue but lowering of fees to $2K is considered. Says they will talk to the boss and call me back. No call (June 2019)
-Start's the process over again (June 2019)
-Geico says they can't insure me because of an error (June 2019)
-Finds reasonable Progressive offer (July 2019)
-Multiple denials but I finally achieve antique registration through Vermont (September 2019)
-[Police Towing Contractor] says $18,000 is the price and can't be paid any other time. Says they will talk to the boss and call me back. No call (Oct 2019)
-Police says it's not worth it and I should buy another one. Simply buy another one. Completely ignoring the scams and history I've been through and just recited in detail at the start of the call. Says [Police Towing Contractor] is willing to work the fees down to maybe $9K (Oct 2019)
-[Police Towing Contractor] Says there is nothing that can be done because they did nothing wrong. They sympathize with all that I've been through but because I accused them of wrongdoing to the PAAG they will dismantle and sell for parts. Also stuck on the idea that this truck is the most dangerous thing that can be parked on the streets and that is the sole reason it was towed. (Jan 2020)
Hopefully by sharing folks can know what's up, be aware and not have this happen to them.
drove my m931a1 50 miles home. I would have gone postal on the tow company to start.....
