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sketch-city / project-ideas

Running list of all project ideas - pick one and run with it!
http://sketch-city.github.io/project-ideas/
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If vehicle lots are required by law to accept credit cards, why do they say cash only? #129

Open fileunderjeff opened 7 years ago

fileunderjeff commented 7 years ago

I’m thinking about a new project involving tow trucks / vehicle storage lots in Houston. This is where your car goes when you get towed.

These lots are required by law to accept credit cards. However, there is an exception if their machines are down “through no fault” of the operator.

In practice, it seems that most of these lot operators simply say that their credit card machines are down to force the customer to a cash transaction. This is problematic. It means you either have to go get hundreds of dollars from an ATM nearby without transportation, or if you're lucky, there will be an ATM at the tow lot (with associated fees).

I’m curious about ways we can get data about this problem. One way is to request tax receipts to look for any discrepancies. Here is a way to identify all of the vehicle storage facilities: https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/tools_search/mccs_search.asp

Here is an interesting reddit thread on the topic: https://www.reddit.com/r/houston/comments/68oz9l/lpt_if_you_get_your_car_towed_for_illegal_parking/

Texas towing law: https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/towing/towinglaw.htm

LawExplorer commented 7 years ago

Perhaps relevant data can be obtained from the SafeClear program (http://www.houstontx.gov/safeclear/). One possible solution would be a city-, county-, or statewide payment mechanism that is administered by the pertinent regulatory authority or a trade association. Such a mechanism would likely require legislative or regulatory measures and collaboration with relevant legislators or administrative officials.

buck commented 6 years ago

Anyone being denied paying by credit card should threaten to sue in small claims under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act. If still denied a working credit card machine, sue them and make them show exactly when, if ever, their credit card machine works. Full discovery on all their credit card transactions. I'd so love to file that suit. I'm just guessing that suddenly their credit card machine is working just fine!