Parking Confusion Angers Holiday Shoppers

Home · News · Weather · Sports · Jobs · Community · Pics N Videos · Station · Marketplace · 6 on Your Side · Contests · Get Connected · Blogs

Health Check · Lottery · DTV · Seasonal · Mom to Mom · Traffic · The Omaha Buzz · CityCAMS · My Weather · School Closings · HS Cribs · Restaurants · McKnight Investigates


sixonline@wowt.com Phone: (402) 233-7909 WOWT: 3501 Farnam St. Omaha, NE. 68131

click here

Parking Confusion Angers Holiday Shoppers

Save

Ten vehicles towed day after Thanksgiving
Posted: 8:22 PM Dec 1, 2008
Last Updated: 8:22 PM Dec 1, 2008
Reporter: Mike McKnight
Email Address: sixonline@wowt.com

80 comments

A | A | A

They call it “Black Friday,” but the day after Thanksgiving was a little darker for some shoppers whose vehicles did a vanishing act while they were shopping for bargains.

A short errand cost Jennifer Pilege a big chunk of her Christmas budget. "I had no idea I could be towed. I never would have risked parking in a spot that would cost me $200 I didn't have."

She parked in the Plaza 72 parking lot at 72nd and Jones to run keys over to her husband at the Nebraska Furniture Mart, but Plaza 72 isn't owned by the Mart and the property manager has zero tolerance for parking in his lot and then shopping across the street.

"When the parking lot is full before anybody even arrives for work, we got to take action, so we tow,” said Plaza 72 manager Norman Holdeman.

Last Friday from about 8 a.m. to noon, 10 vehicles were towed from the Plaza 72 lot after shoppers parked there and walked to the Furniture Mart.

The owners of Auto-1 Towing say they heard from some of those frustrated car owners in terms that don't fit the holiday season, but they say the owners have no one to blame but themselves because the lot is well marked.

"I feel horrible ‘cause it's the day after Thanksgiving and people don't have a lot of money the way the economy is now, but it's our job,” said Robin Loh of Auto-1 Towing.

The Plaza 72 manager says six private property signs have been there for years, plus temporary red cones gave added warning to shoppers.

Debbie Pilege, Jennifer’s sister-in-law, said two missing signs didn't show up until the day after. "They should have said something when you pull in here. Nobody said a word."

"We're not going to win an argument whether it's before they get towed or after,” said Holdeman. “We've had people towed after we've warned them."

Jennifer understands why Plaza 72 reserves parking for its shops, but at $200 or more for each tow, she asks why the strip mall manager and tow company couldn't be more forgiving the day after Thanksgiving.

Holdeman said his zero tolerance policy led to one inadvertent tow. A customer purchased several thousand dollars at a bike shop in the strip mall, then walked over to the Furniture Mart. That customer had his car towed and had to pay a $200 fee.

More Stories
Old Tree Vandalized

Spam Not A Scam

Insurance Check Cashed, Work Not Done

Holiday Mail Delivery Delayed

Handgun Found In Purse At Courthouse Entrance

Passenger Calms Violent Man On Airplane

Baseball In December

Airplane Brawl Investigation Continues

Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: ... on Dec 9, 2008 at 10:37 AM
Mrs. B's is a part of NFM......when there are signs posted that say no parking you should automatically assume that you could get towed. Also that the employees from the Plaza 72 don't know that she was just "running" keys in to her husband. People just need to stop whining at take responsibility for their actions

Posted by: FACTS PEOPLE, FACTS on Dec 3, 2008 at 04:40 PM
READ ALL THE FACTS.......MRS B'S, NOT NFM; DROP OFF KEYS,& HAD TO WAIT AT CUST.SERVICE., SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN IN STORE, IMMEDIATE FAMILY COULD NOT SHOP. GOOD GRIEF YOU PEOPLE NEED TO READ THE FACTS B4 U POINT FINGERS AND SENTENCE PEOPLE TO DEATH. WHAT IS YOUR SUGGESTION, DROPPING THEM FROM THE SKY?? She wasn't the only complaint, just the only one they could put on tv due to the language of the others. Mike McKnight said that himself. Give them a break already. The fine is paid, she just wanted to warn others in the future. It's Christmas time, does that count for nothing in this already cruel world? Maybe she should have left her little girl alone in the car, then they would have been guilty of kidnapping. The tow trucks were waiting around the corner, they didn't have to be called. Also the car wasn't even hooked up, the lady said "give me $180 cash and we'll let you go". FACTS PEOPLE!!!!!!!!! You people thrive on others misery don't you?

Posted by: TM on Dec 3, 2008 at 04:04 PM
She was gone for 5 minutes. She got out ran the keys to the customer service desk, and went back to her car. 5 MINUTES. She does not drive a lexus, if read correctly you would know that. If five mnutes really hurt the owners, who had plenty of open spots then they shouldn't be in business.

Posted by: Maurice on Dec 3, 2008 at 12:20 PM
OK Tony if it said no parking it means NO PARKING ! It doesn't have to say you will be towed.

Posted by: Read correctly on Dec 3, 2008 at 12:02 PM
If you actually watched the tv, you clearly could see she DID NOT drive a Lexus! She got out of an older model gold Dodge. Read the correct facts before you judge and by the way......NFM employees WERE NOT allowed to park on NFM's parking lots. My gosh, get the facts, that family had no way out. Give her a break, someone ELSE towed had the Lexus!!!

Posted by: Marcus on Dec 3, 2008 at 11:43 AM
TM, you have no compassion for the shop owners and employees trying to make a living at Plaza 72. They too, like Jennifer, barely have enough to feed their families. And I've been around long enough to know when someone says they were gone for only 5 minutes, it was really at least 20, maybe 30 or more minutes. To make that trip, find her husband, and return in 5 minutes, she would have been running a dead sprint with her 8 year old in tow. It didn't happen.

Posted by: LLR on Dec 3, 2008 at 09:41 AM
"He works two jobs" and yet they drive a Lexus? Give me a break. No parking MEANS no parking and it doesn't have to SAY "Violators will be towed".

Posted by: jason on Dec 3, 2008 at 09:39 AM
A question for TM. So basically what you are saying is that if you are down on your luck, you don’t have to follow the same rules that everybody else has to follow?? I’m sorry. She thought she could get away with something and she got caught. By taking that spot, she prevents another customer from being able to shop at Plaza 72. And that takes money away from those store owners. And this lady apparently doesn’t care about that. So, nope, not a drop of sympathy from me.

Posted by: H on Dec 3, 2008 at 08:38 AM
I'm with those who probably won't shop there anymore. Someone spent thousands of dollars at a store on the strip and then was towed. I guess I don't understand how he knows who is shopping there and who isn't. I'll just make it easier on him and myself and stay the heck away. But for those who weren't shopping here but parking here, not only is it not a good idea, it's rather rude to take up spaces where people spending money at those stores should be able to park.

Posted by: Ac on Dec 3, 2008 at 05:01 AM
OK TONY IT'S NOT AN EXCUSE FOR PEOPLE THAT DON'T KMOW HOW OR WHERE TO PARK ! Oh and by the way YOUR WRONG

Posted by: M. S. on Dec 3, 2008 at 01:07 AM
A possible reason Ms. Jennifer had to park supposedly a ways away in a parking spot rather than meeting her husband at the door is because you can't park right in front of the door to meet your husband at the door (unless there is an open parking spot in front of the door) to give him the keys and maybe she does not have a cell phone to call him and tell him she is at the door. Either way she would still have to get out of her car to give him the keys. You have to find a spot to park and then go to the door. Plus, who is to say her husband was not with a customer at the time and she had to wait for him to finish (if he deals with customers), or maybe he had to be paged when she got there in order to leave his duty station to get the keys from her. Also, how do you know the tow truck did not show up right when she went into the door of the store or sometime after she entered the store? The person who called them stupid for forgetting their keys, haven't you ever forgotten something?

Posted by: what? on Dec 3, 2008 at 12:20 AM
Why should the guy who bought the bike stuff get his money back for the tow? The signs say parking is for plaza 72 customers only (or so I am gathering from the comments). Yes he shopped there, but then he went over to NFM just like the people who did not shop at Plaza 72. If you are going to call people lazy because they did not shop at Plaza 72 then he was lazy for not moving his car out of a parking spot that is only for Plaza 72 customers to a vacant spot at NFM. If the owner has a zero tolerence policy, then he should not make an exception for someone that spent a bunch of money at a store in the strip. The guy probably had to put his purchase in his car,unless he's the type that carries around $1,000 worth of merchandise to other stores. I don't know. Anyhow, he could have moved his car then. Zero tolerence is zero tolerence no matter if you spend a bunch of money or it's black Friday. Yes I feel bad for the bike guy, but like you said, the signs are suposedly clearly marked.

Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 3, 2008 at 12:16 AM
Can you leave the floor while on duty? Maybe that's why he couldn't meet her to get the keys, Oh Omaha!

Posted by: The real story on Dec 3, 2008 at 12:14 AM
Her husband worked at Mrs. B's not the mart, and she was coming right back with her young daughter in "tow"

Posted by: TM on Dec 2, 2008 at 11:07 PM
You people have no compassion. Jennifer was taking keys to her husband that works at NFM. He is working 2 jobs to help support his family. Believe me if she didn't have to drive her car in all that traffic and take him the keys, she wouldn't have. She does not have money to go shopping on Black Friday, she barely has enough to feed her family. She was gone from her car for 5 minutes, and had her 8 year old daughter with her. She wasn't out mindlessly shopping, she was trying to help her husband. Most of you jerks need to get a life. $200 is worth a lot to them, your story would be different if it was you

Posted by: TONY on Dec 2, 2008 at 09:56 PM
OK PEOPLE THAT DON'T HAVE A CLUE OF WHAT HAPPEN. the people had the tow trucks at the place even bofore nfm opened up. Also the people was outside when she went into to the lot. She looked for signs they had no parking signs,but nothing about towing. Also she parked far across tords the end of the lot so she wouldn't take up the customers parking. They saw her walk across the lot passing the lady. The Lady didn't say a word to her. took Keys into The nfm. When she got to the car the tow guy was just getting to her car and she asked for them not to take it. They did anyways. They also towed a customers of there own that paid for bikes. Then the cust.went next door. The sings they put up are new not old ones from the past. They only did this from 7am- 12 pm that is odd the same hours that everybody else is busy. Yes I agree with some of it was her responibilty but not when the tow truck driver was not hooked up to the car.She just wanted other to be warned so it won't happen to them

Posted by: juju on Dec 2, 2008 at 09:54 PM
this is in response to the people that got towed and to the person named "A", who had a response that a tow company could not be called that fast. If he knew the facts, he would feel differently,the tow trucks were already there. There was a lady in a car with a phone and when you parked there and went to the mart of Mrs. B's, she would call for the tow truck and tow it away. And yes she was only inside 5 minutes. The plaza did not have all of those signs posted either. When she came out of Mrs. B's after giving her husband the keys her car was not even up in the air to be towed. The yellow straps were not even on the car. It was just a way for the plaza and the tow company to make some extra money. And of course you had to pay only in cash. And if I was the gentleman that purchased thousands of dollars of bike equipment, and then to get towed!!!! I would be taking everything back to that store that I purchased it from for a complete refund, and take my business elsewhere.

Posted by: George on Dec 2, 2008 at 09:27 PM
She said her husband worked at Mrs. B's--NFM's policy is no shopping for family of the employees. Before you criticize, learn the facts and give the woman a break for the love of God!!

Posted by: Oh Omaha on Dec 2, 2008 at 07:52 PM
My question is why did Ms. Jennifer, the key delivery woman need to park all that way away and then walk over to the store, rather than meeting her hubby at the door with his keys. Must no be able to make left turns into the NFM lot or something. That is quite obviously a lie to make her sound more victimized in this story. I went to NFM on Black Friday and while i did have to walk a good distance, it was nice out and it was in their lot.

Posted by: Kathy Baratta on Dec 2, 2008 at 07:30 PM
FYI: To all who are accusing the lady on the report last night: Employees spouses and immediate family were not allowed to shop the sales on Black Friday. She also had a small child with her. She wasn't lying or complaining about being towed entirely, the signs they claim were NOT there as I saw for myself along with my husband. They were posted later that day when people began to threaten law suits. It wasn't her that made the threats. Ask the man who's wife had her Lexus towed!!! She did indeed have drop the keys off to her husband and leave immediately or he would be fired! Take some thought before making hurtful accusations and learn the facts first!!

Posted by: Tim on Dec 2, 2008 at 06:30 PM
If you don't want to end up paying the "extortion" of $200 for the price of the tow, I have a really good idea. Listen carefully, because its quite brilliant: Don't park where it says it shouldn't park!!

Posted by: Teri on Dec 2, 2008 at 06:21 PM
Next time just park in the City Right of way

Posted by: David on Dec 2, 2008 at 05:27 PM
The reason this country's going in the toilet is because people refuse to take responsibility for their actions! Stop whining and pay the fine!

Posted by: bounty hunter on Dec 2, 2008 at 04:59 PM
Tow trucks are a legallized form of extortion! You HOPE when you pay to get your car out that there isn't any damage to it let alone everything is still in it.

Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 2, 2008 at 04:10 PM
My brother used to work for a tow company. The way most of these scandals work is the property owner where you are illegaly parked gets half of the tow bill, the tow company gets 40-50% of the remaining 50%, and the driver who usually is an owner-operator, gets the rest. So to sum it up, if the bill is $200.00, the property owner is getting $100.00, the tow company is getting $100.00 of which the driver-owner-operator gets maybe $50-$60.

Posted by: BOO on Dec 2, 2008 at 04:08 PM
I HAD MY CAR TOWED 1 BLOCK, NO JOKE 1 BLOCK! AND I HAD TO PAY $55

Posted by: A on Dec 2, 2008 at 04:00 PM
I could not have been that quick since they had to call the tow company. The tow company was not sitting there waiting to hook up her car. So you decided to do some shopping while you "ran in to give your husband his keys" and now you are upset? Follow the rules and you will not be towed. Nobody should have to hire someone just to tell people to not park in their lot. READ THE SIGNS and use common sence!

Posted by: Lori on Dec 2, 2008 at 02:55 PM
I agree maybe tow companies charge too much. Two summers ago my car died and I had it towed from 42nd & Center to the Sears Automotive Center at 72nd & Dodge. It cost $58 and change, all of which was refunded to me by my insurance company. Where do some of these tow companies get off charging $200 ?! That said, I agree; the NFM customers should have parked in the NFM lot, period. So no sympathy from me, here...

Posted by: Christina on Dec 2, 2008 at 01:57 PM
I find it hard to believe that NFM was totally out of spots so these people were forced to park elsewhere. LAZINESS! Like a bunch of other people said prior to me, would you be ok with someone using your driveway for a parking spot while they ran a "quick errand"? The only guy I feel for is the one who spent all that money and got towed anyway. And even that one I'm on the fence about. If you are done shopping somewhere and going somewhere off the property, take your car with you! But still, I think the plaza should reimburse him in good faith, as he was a good customer for them that day...

Posted by: therealissue on Dec 2, 2008 at 01:28 PM
I agree that the lot owner had every right to tow vehicles that were not shopping at his stores. The real problem to me is the outrageous fees that these tow companies get away with charging. They are absolutely robbing people at $200.00 a pop....it certainly doesn't cost them anywhere near that amount of money to tow a car. They pull this crap during the college world series also...charging for tow services they don't actually do.

Posted by: dave on Dec 2, 2008 at 01:23 PM
just to lazy to walk a few feet more thats all but really the price to get your car back is exstorion

Posted by: D on Dec 2, 2008 at 01:13 PM
Tonya hit the nail on the head...the rest of them, who cares, but if Holdeman doesn't cough up the $200 tow fee for the purchaser of the bike, he's an idiot. Anyone who would spend that much on a bike is a serious biker and would likely find another bike shop to purchase equipment from rather than to go back to the one which penalized him. God forbid the guy use his legs to walk to another store after patronizing (quite nicely) one in the mall rather than be a good American and waste gas by moving his car.

Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 2, 2008 at 12:35 PM
NEFM has plenty of their own parking.

Posted by: ??? on Dec 2, 2008 at 11:58 AM
Brit makes a good point about parking in your neighbors driveway. These business parking lots are "private property" just the same as a house. Some of these people are probably ones who would consider parking in a handicapped spot "just because they are only going to be a minute". And if Jennifer was only across the street for a minute giving hubby the keys, then she should have been back before the towing company showed up. I guess $200 is your lesson (and hubby's lesson) not to forget your keys next time. Stupidity has a price. To those of you who are boycotting Plaza 72 because Norm isn't too hip on you breaking the law - who cares?! Take your business elsewhere. That's just less people crowding the parking lot anyway. And to Debbie - what exactly did you want them to "say to you"?? Perhaps they could have said "hey idiot, can you read the damn sign"? You people make me laugh - "it's not my fault I parked there, no body physically TOLD me not too". Grow up, pay your fine!

Posted by: Jeff.0 on Dec 2, 2008 at 11:53 AM
I bet Susan has never been to Plaza 72 and has no idea what shops are there. Boycotting the strip will not hurt her nor the shops. Yet, she says boycott until the policy is "relaxed"? What does that mean? Should Holdeman reserve one space for NFM shoppers? Should he give the trespassing parkers 5 minutes before calling the tow service? Or should he just give in to the flood of NFM shoppers and let his own shops go out of business, since they won't have any shoppers on the biggest shopping day of the year - nor for any time until Christmas? Come on, Susan, put some more thought into your threat other than idle sanctimonious condemnation.

Posted by: R on Dec 2, 2008 at 10:57 AM
Are you kidding me? Take responsibility for your own actions/stupidity. This is what is wrong with this world...it is always someone else's fault.

Posted by: brit on Dec 2, 2008 at 10:34 AM
All I can say is its their own fault for parking in a different lot. Its not fair for others who want to shop in that strip to not get parking because people who want to go the Neb. Furniture mart are too lazy to walk. Just think of it like this, if everyone was going to a families home for dinner and their driveway and the street were full and they parked in someone elses driveway. The owner of that house would be upset right? Its pretty much the same thing. Park somewhere where there are private property signs up and suffer the consequences. Most people are just too lazy these days to walk.

Posted by: JS on Dec 2, 2008 at 10:32 AM
If everyone parked in his lot and walked to NE Furniture Mart, where are his customers supposed to park? If they are that ignorant to not pay attention to the private parking signs, they deserve to pay $200. Why didn't they just park in the NE Furniture Mart lot in the 1st place?

Posted by: Susan on Dec 2, 2008 at 10:07 AM
Boycott the stores at Plaza 72 and let them know why you will no longer shop in their store until the policy is relaxed. Norman Holdeman will get the message loud and clear.

Posted by: Mary O. on Dec 2, 2008 at 09:54 AM
I haven't seen this parking lot; however, I've shopped enough businesses to know that you have to look for parking signs, especially when stores are just doors apart. However, sign or no sign, it's obvious that if you're parking in a lot that has no NFM stores, you are trespassing. Debbie and Jennifer's comments should be, "My fault; I take full responsibility" rather than "Nobody said a word."

Posted by: justin on Dec 2, 2008 at 09:01 AM
This is simply a case of right and wrong. Legally, the property owner and management company has deemed the parking lot reserved for thier patrons only. They have a legal right to do so. It has obviously been a problem in the past, and the issue needed to be addressed. Kris, the fact that the plaza is "conveniently" located next to NFM is absolutely irrelevant. I doubt that the plaza is so busy that people have to park at NFM and then walk over. But if they do, an NFM has a similar policy, then they are also in the wrong. Now, the issue of whether or not the owner and management company should "forgive" is a completely seperate issue. That's like asking...why did that officer give me a ticket the day after thanksgiving? I was only going 9 MPH over the limit. Well, it was still 9 mph too fast.

Posted by: Chris on Dec 2, 2008 at 08:58 AM
Pat, what came around went around! Those who stole parking time from Plaza 72 to shop at the Mart were paid back by having their cars towed. Isn't that justice?

Posted by: Kent on Dec 2, 2008 at 08:58 AM
Somebody should have said something! With such tight parking, Jennifer should have asked permission before parking in the small businesses' lot and running over to help her husband patronize the megabusiness. I bet she was afraid someone would say, "No."

Posted by: JK on Dec 2, 2008 at 08:41 AM
The "victims" have no one to blame but themselves and they need to suck it up and take responsibility for their actions. If it says no parking, it usually means no parking. I've been to PLaza 72 and they do indeed have signs. They have to. Their lot is not very large at all and if it filled up with people from NFM, there'd be no where for their customers and employees to park. Maybe next time these people will pay attention.

Posted by: Jason on Dec 2, 2008 at 08:27 AM
This was a poor choice for Plaza 72. I guarantee that shoppers that might have bought from the Plaza 72 stores wont bother to come back.

Posted by: LLR on Dec 2, 2008 at 08:23 AM
I agree with Plaza 72's management 100%. The lot was clearly marked and has been for years. A friend of mine who works the overnight hours in that area said he even saw people parking at Kohl's, Pet Smart, etc and jaywalking across 72nd St in the early morning hours of Black Friday. Any business has the right to post their lot as parking-only for THEIR customers.

Posted by: Complainers on Dec 2, 2008 at 08:21 AM
It's never anyone's fault except the people who gave you the fine. With signs being posted I don't know what else could have been done. Like he said, even when he has warned people in the past, they have still parked there. I only feel bad for the guy who actually shopped there, spent thousands of dollars and then went to NE Furn. or Mrs. B's and got towed. Now, this guy should be reimbursed!

Posted by: Tim on Dec 2, 2008 at 08:08 AM
Oh please!! They should be forgiving because its the day after Thanksgiving?? I don't think so. You lazy people didn't want to walk a long stretch to get your big bargains so you took a chance and parked where you knew you shouldn't park. And you got busted. You get zero sympathy from me.

Posted by: Frank on Dec 2, 2008 at 08:07 AM
"If that's the way he plays it..."? Plays what, keeping people off his property that aren't supposed to park there in the first place. Excuse him for protecting his private property. By your same logic then, you should not get angry or do anything when your neighbors park their cars in your driveway. Stop blaming others when people won't take responsibility for their own actions.

Posted by: John on Dec 2, 2008 at 07:36 AM
The person that made purchases at the bike shop in the strip mall should just return his purchases and go somewhere else. That simple. It is kind of a difficult situation, but this is one way to say that you won't shop there since you towed me after spending money at your mall. Merry Christmas plaza 72.

Posted by: Hildo on Dec 2, 2008 at 07:36 AM
People too eager to find bargains that they probably can't afford...Plaza 72 has no furniture or electronic stores in it, so I'm not sure jealousy was their motive, Anonymous. Their (Plaza 72) parking lot is well-marked, so people deserved what they got. Holidays or not, no one is obligated to cut anyone any slack, and the "it's Christmas" excuse is simply that, an excuse. Put yourself in the shoes of a Plaza 72 merchant or its management, and you may find it difficult to place the blame solely on them. Sorry folks, that's how life is sometimes.

Posted by: MaX on Dec 2, 2008 at 07:29 AM
The day after Thanksgiving is the very day the plaza can LEAST afford to be MORE forgiving. It isn't jealousy; it's survival. People like Jennifer think they're special when they run "a short errand". Really, what does "a short errand" mean? It's a relative term, and her errand wasn't relatively short enough--i.e. she took too long--to avoid being towed.

Posted by: Chris on Dec 2, 2008 at 07:21 AM
Jennifer needs to quit crying about it and learn to read the signs posted in the lot. Maybe then she wouldn't be towed.

Posted by: Bill on Dec 2, 2008 at 05:23 AM
People always want to play the blame game. I didn't see the sign, it is the day after Thanksgiving, I was only at NFM for a short while. There are a whole lot of people out there that work real hard to follow the rules and live right. Don't complain about things, take responsibilty for your mistakes and learn from them....that is what I teach my kids.

Posted by: Mac on Dec 2, 2008 at 05:06 AM
OK jealous that no one is shopping at their stores ? No it's called your business and if you are stupid or lazy you deserve to be towed . I have seen people park in Plaza 72 when they had places at the Mart . Don't coplain if you got nailed for 200 dollars ! Pay up and shut up !

Posted by: Charlie on Dec 2, 2008 at 02:40 AM
Maybe NFM should just add a parking garage or a 2nd story to some of its lots. That would take care of the probelm.

Posted by: Lisa on Dec 2, 2008 at 01:45 AM
I sure hope the owner of the car that was "inadvertently towed" was reimbursed his $200 and then some! One thing's for sure... I'll be staying out of Plaza 72's lot, and their stores!

Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 2, 2008 at 01:10 AM
Plaza 72 is private property. If you left your vehicle there and had to business there, they should have the right to tow it. If you don't want to pay the fee, don't park there. Seems pretty simple to me.

Posted by: CG on Dec 2, 2008 at 01:05 AM
Kris, If I started parking my car on your driveway, would you tow it?

Posted by: Elizabeth on Dec 2, 2008 at 12:27 AM
Jealousy? It is a business and part of their cost includes the parking lot. They have the right to restrict parking to their customers. A business parking lot is not public domain. Think- if you lived near a busy movie theater and folks figured they can park in your driveway or yard so they can easily access the theater..would you have them towed? or would this be you jealous they were not visiting you?

Posted by: michael on Dec 2, 2008 at 12:13 AM
Our business has at least a few cars towed every week. It is a giant pain when your crew shows up at 7am and can't park in their own lot. These people park directly in front of large signs warning them of being towed. I'm with the owner on this one.

Posted by: Tonya on Dec 1, 2008 at 11:57 PM
If I were the guy who spent several thousand dollars at the bike shop and got towed, I'd take the merchandise back and shop somewhere else. Seriously.

Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 1, 2008 at 11:10 PM
It's not like the Mart doesn't have enough parking spaces. Were you just trying to be closer to the entrance you wanted or what?

Posted by: Anne on Dec 1, 2008 at 11:10 PM
To KRIS: Regardless of the real estate Mr Holdeman chose, he has a right to the parking spots IN HIS LOT. Of course he chose to place his location in a highly visible and trafficked area. BUT, he also pays a higher price for this real estate, and again that does not forfeit his parking for his store just because he is close to a busy business. Seriously, get a clue and learn something about business. You are the same type of person that blames the road for being icy when you get into an accident rather than thinking about why you didn't slow down. Lets take some responsibility for ourselves, grown up, and stay off of peoples property.

Posted by: Dan on Dec 1, 2008 at 10:32 PM
I shop several stores at Plaza 72. Holdeman is right but I will take my business elsewhere just because of Holdeman's attitude and knowing tow companies can make mistakes. I won't be taking that chance or will I be shopping any of the stores at Plaza 72. Thanks WOWT for the tip.

Posted by: annonmus on Dec 1, 2008 at 09:41 PM
come on i will warn people to sta yout of his parking lot and hiz store!!

Posted by: Pat on Dec 1, 2008 at 09:38 PM
Beg, borrow or steal. What a thought, huh? It's the first thing that came to mind. Why? I'm not sure. Maybe if I think hard enough, I'll come up with a better comment. Here's a comment: Plaza 72 is in the right as far as there are signs posted. No? But to let people learn their lesson the hard way, the $200 hard way? It shows that somebody doesn't care enough. The `parkers, for one. Should we hope what goes around will come around? Since questions sometimes lead to good answers: Do the owners of Auto- 1 have more than enough business these days? Apparently! 10 cars = $2,000. Nice? And Plaza 72: They must be suffering. ZERO TOLERANCE! says as much. Let's hope the car owners, Plaza 72 & Auto-1, aren't chasing money too much. That would be a shame. Still, everybody's working for the weekend, romance & RETIREMENT! I don't own a car & can't get a monthly bus pass from Welfare. You won't have any problem with me! Thanks! for the taxes, though some had to be paid the HARD WAY! Merry X-mas!!!

Posted by: Tracy on Dec 1, 2008 at 09:03 PM
I dearly hope that at some point people will come to realize that they sound so much more intelligent when they take responsibility for their actions. The Pileges made a poor choice and had to face the consequences. It's really just that simple, and the blame lies solely with them.

Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 1, 2008 at 08:53 PM
I'm from out of town so I'm not sure what Plaza 72 is, but it sounds like it's a case of jealousy that people weren't shopping at their stores and were petty enough to do something about it.

Posted by: Kris on Dec 1, 2008 at 08:49 PM
If that's the way he plays it, then I'll be happy to stay out of Mr. Holdeman's lot - and out of his tenants' stores, too. I'm sure they don't mind having the Mart's huge lot nearby so that customers can park over there and walk to Plaza 72. Heck, they probably wouldn't get much retail traffic at all, if they weren't so conveniently located within sight of NFM.

Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 1, 2008 at 08:43 PM
"Somebody should have said something"?? I'm thinking six private property signs might have been saying something. Why should those businesses be more "forgiving" the day after Thanksgiving? Shouldn't they have room in their lot for their own customers regardless of the day. The rules don't apply only when you choose for them to.

Posted by: Jens on Dec 1, 2008 at 08:40 PM
Again, how hard is it to pay attention to your environment. These people are costing the other business space for their customers and it's clearly marked that it's for customers only. It's like that story with the couple who weren't intelligent enough to realize that they needed to pay a toll on a toll road. Wake up Omaha, stop being so ignorant.