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SANDY — When Andrew Weston drove his crippled vehicle into a parking lot on 9000 South in Sandy, he left a note on the windshield.

"I had a note right here saying, 'I'm around the corner, I'll be back an hour,'" Weston recalled.

He went to get help after his car had blown a tire. However, in spite of the note and the flat tire they towed the car anyway.

He knew to leave a note because he works nearby and sees tow truck drivers keeping an eye on the private parking lot near I-15. He's seen his share of vehicles get towed out of it and has watched confused drivers return to find their cars gone.

Although he'd hoped for mercy, he feels he didn't get any when he tracked down his car in a tow yard a couple of miles away.

His total bill: $270.00.

"No willingness to negotiate," Weston said.

Lisa Jensen missed the posted "No Parking" signs when she pulled into the same lot on 9000 South. She left her car there to catch a ride with a friend. When she returned, her car was gone. She figured out what happened, called the phone number on the sign, and was told she'd better get to the tow yard fast.

"He said to me, 'If you're not here in 10 minutes, it'll be another 50 dollars.'"

Lisa's final bill: $260.

One concertgoer, who didn't want us to disclose his last name, said he got towed from a lot in Salt Lake City when the event ran out of parking. Alex left his car in a strip mall and walked to the concert.

His final tow bill: $271.

Rates regulated by state

Drivers might not realize, rates for these types of tows are set by the state of Utah. They're called non-consent tows. It means tow companies can haul your car away without your permission.

"If your vehicle is on private property, where you weren't supposed to be parked, your vehicle can be towed," said Chad Sheppick of the Utah Department of Transportation.

Somewhere along the line we got the punishment and the crime totally out of line. –John Curtis, Provo Mayor

UDOT, which regulates the rates, says tow companies can charge up to, but not more than, the set rate.

For example, Weston's bill reflected a hook up charge of $145, a $30 fee for the tow company to input information into a database, a storage fee of $25 a day, and about $21 for fuel.

Those fees are in compliance with the rules.

Tow companies request 20 percent increase

The Utah Professional Towing Association denied KSL Investigators' request for an on-camera interview. By phone the organization explained they've asked the state to raise non-consent fees by 20 percent.

In a text message, the president of the association explained overhead drives up the price of a non-consent tow. Tow companies buy "No Parking" signs, database subscriptions, and must meet state requirements.

Andrew Weston knew to leave a note because he works nearby and sees tow truck drivers keeping an eye on the private parking lot near I-15. He's seen his share of vehicles get towed out of it and has watched confused drivers return to find their cars gone. (KSL TV)

Still, consumers are baffled by the disparity in the cost of a non-consent tow compared to a tow they call to request.

When KSL Investigator Debbie Dujanovic contacted a tow company to ask how much they'd charge to tow her car a couple of miles, she was quoted a rate of $65.

Before UDOT decides whether tow companies need to collect more money for non-consent tows, they've commissioned a study. As of now, no final determination has been made.

Provo finds solutions to reduce fees

"Somewhere along the line we got the punishment and the crime totally out of line," Provo Mayor John Curtis said.

The mayor has spearheaded a successful effort to reduce the number of cars that are towed in his city and the rates drivers are charged.

After hearing hundreds of complaints about towing fees and practices, the city created a voluntary program. Among other stipulations, if tow companies sign up, they agree to charge a flat rate of $175 and add more "No Parking" signs. Enrolled companies may continue to watch for and remove cars illegally parked in private lots. Those that aren't enrolled in the program cannot haul a car away until they're contacted by the private property owner to request their services.

The mayor says in less than a year, the new program has reduced the number of cars that have been towed by 30 percent, in turn reducing the number of complaints his office receives.

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