Robbed last night

Ya, I fail to see how some people who don't want you to park in their parking lot is indicative of association with Al Queda. Although, when I read it, it did give me a good laugh. 😀

The fact is that they own the property the parking is on and can choose to decide what their policies are.
If you are this upset about it why not take it up with the property management/owners, directly?
Especially, if you felt you were ambushed and robbed!

Maybe they don't have a way to track the money collected from the guy that boots and collects?

Fabulous low over head. no wapa, tax-free business opportunity.
http://www.universalboot.com/ultimate-parking-enforcement-wheel-boot?options=cart

Fabulous low over head. no wapa, tax-free business opportunity.
http://www.universalboot.com/ultimate-parking-enforcement-wheel-boot?options=cart

What do you mean by, "tax-free business opportunity"? If you think Joe Schmo from Anytown MiniMart can arbitrarily boot vehicles without a license to do so then suggest you do a little research. Earlier on in this thread you intimated that USVI tow truck drivers don't have to be licensed/bonded or give receipts which is another erroneous statement. You pick on two dated threads from another travel forum related to two incidents at one business on STJ as "evidence" that booting is running amuck here when that simply isn't the case at al.

Bobby's towing is the worst company on the island. He booted our car at secret harbor while we were eatting lunch. Then held our car hostage for $1300!! And his group of disgusting workers stole my damn iPhone when I was calling to get money to pay to get the boot removed I put my phone down turned around and it was gone. At first he told me $400 to remove the boot I said ok, then $600, then 800, then 900 then 1100 and it had to be cash cause I carry that money around with me??? I am not sure but I think running a business like that is illegal. So now we will not go back to secret harbor - it's a shame that Bobby's towing will ruin businesses this way. We use to go to Pesce for Sunday brunch until we watched Bobby's employees stand on the little deck ready to boot cars the minute ppl walk away from there car. It is a shame because there are so many businesses on the east end to support but this type of behavior has now kept me downtown or NorthSide.

islandloving, did you call dcl about that-that is theft in my opinion

Park in a legal spot, don't get booted. What am I missing here?

i felt that island loving got ripped off in regards to the fact they kept changing what they wanted her to pay. $1300.00 and theft of a phone
the original poster-not so much, only 100.00

islandloving, did you call dcl about that-that is theft in my opinion

Or call the VIPD? That would have been my very first reaction if the price kept changing and if my 'phone were stolen.

In defense of Bobby's Towing I've had occasion to use them for many years and not once have I experienced anything from them other than very professional behavior and actions at all hours of the day and night.

Every week we would go to secret harbor and two girls sitting on a bar stool under an umbrella told us were to park - they were I guess parking lot attendants. So the day we got booted we parked were the girls always told us to park ( no girls that day) then we came out to a boot on the car and wouldn't you know it there was a NEW sign saying no parking. Our fault 100% but where are you suppose to park? There is a beach and restaurant on property so how can locals or tourist for that matter support them if we can't park there. We asked the restaurant and hotel manager if they called to have us booted they all said no they wouldn't do that it would hurt there business. Just in my opinion I don't think Bobby's towing should be allowed on private property to boot cars unless the company calls to report illegally parked cars.

I didn't call the cops because I had my mother, sister, and 7 yr old brother with special needs visiting. They were scared to death when a group of large men were surrounding us trying to extort money from us i didnt want a scene i wanted it over as soon as possible ( obviously looking back we should have just called the cops) I had to have a friend come get them out of there n back to there hotel while I dealt with this group of men from Bobby's!

We did go to the cops the next day, it happened on July 17th and you know till this day the report has still not been filed. We also went to the district attorney and he promised us to get our car back at a fair fee, he did nothing! We called several times after we met with him and he just said he was busy. At that time Bobby's towing took our car and held it until we paid them. We tried the department of tourism too because regardless if we parked illegal or not they took advantage of me. This looks bad for tourism because you know this company does this to everyone. Our attorney advised that we take legal action but be prepared that bobby has strong pull on the island and that he isn't a 'friendly' guy. So in the end we paid to get our car back and just said forget about its a life lesson learned. The USVI is corrupt and we can't change it we don't want to - we just want to enjoy our time on the island. But now this will keep us from the east end and supporting there businesses because you can't boot cars by prowling around parking lots and then intimidating ppl to pay crazy amounts of money! Fine us $100 you still made money and we still would paid with no complaint cause we illegally parked.

that is just a horrible story i am sorry you had to go through that

That sounds more like extortion that a simple boot or tow job.

If I cannot find parking at the place I'd like to go just to browse or have lunch, I simply leave rather than park where it says not to.
RH area really needs lots more parking. The merchants miss out at my spending money at their establishments.

I don't mind paying for parking in the lot up behind Marina Market, especially if I have to go to STJ for the day to visit family.
It's reasonable and they do drop you off and pick you back up at the ferry dock.
Beats coming back to discover your truck booted or towed and the ensuing anxiety, stress and costs.

Lovin'. I don't doubt the accuracy of your story at all. In fact I've seen these fella's lurking in the shadows around Red Hook, stalking tourrist. There
s no way to tell if these rough dudes are legit or not because they don't wear uniforms or ID badges. And from what I hear/seen they demand cash and don't give reciepts. I would assume a liegit business would give receipts. In my opinion thwy are in the business of extrotion and possibly tax evasion. Do you have a receipt? Dept of tourrism wouldn't be much help, beacase their mission is to cover-up this type of activity. I doubt the DA is interested. Maybe the chamber of commerce?

And beware, not all parking lot "attendants" are legit either. Not uncommon for some random panhandler to set up a chair and start charging for "parking". Look at was goes down at Cokki beach. A group of crack-heads, yelling full volume at torrist to park in the public spaces, then demanding "tips", then breaking into the rental cars. The Govener said he was going to address the "barkers" after that little girl was shot dead. But the actitity still persits. And now we have a new growing cottage industry--guerilla booting.

Also wnat to add.... Lovin', you'll never see any sort of refund. You are lucky that you got car back with ourt significant damage. Maybe share your story SH management and the management of your moms/sisters hotel? Maybe the hotel assosication could put some heat on Bobby and his crew? Threats, intimidation and shake downs are bad news. Parking fines are one thing and criminal activity is another.

I just want to be clear on the details. You parked on someone's private property without permission. You knew it was private property because they have the largest no parking signs on St Thomas that clearly state it is private property and parking is not allowed 24 hours a day. It further informs you that your car will be booted if you violate the no parking rule.

So the person that acted well within the scope of the rules and violated no laws is a criminal? I just don't see your point.

The parking lot is private property owned by the Virgin Islands Game Fishing Club. Why they choose to not allow the general public to use their property is moot. There were several reasons that were stated as possiblities in this thread which are all very reasonable assumptions. That doesn't make them a$$holes. Do you want people hanging out in your driveway all day and night whether your home or not? That doesnt make you an a$$hole. People probably don't do it and you don't even have to put up signs.

I also want to be clear about who is doing the booting. Bobby's towing has been granted permission to monitor and enforce the no parking in that parking lot at no cost or profit to the VIGFC. It's is the way it is done with most businesses. The VIGFC has no desire to profit on parking enforcement on their private property. They also feel it should not have to be a financial burden to them.

I'm sorry you feel the need to verbally assault VIGFC as well as Taco Hell because you chose to violate the rules and were charged with the consequences that were admittedly clear to you at the time.

Taco Hell has no association with the VIGFC and does all they can to maintain good relationship with them. We would love to have access to the parking for the business after hours but fully respect their right to utilize their property in any way they choose.

Taco Hell

If VIGFC club chooses to hire a un-reputable sub-contactor, then they shouldn't be surprised at negative blow back. I understand the desire to protect private property, but I just don't get why they feel the need to use aggressive, strong-arm intimdiation tactics to accomplish the goal. Someone's making a tidy profit. Even if VIGFC isn't collecting a monetary gain, they are inviting highly questionalbe activity to take place on their property with their blessing.

@Taco Hell - for someone who wants it known you have nothing to do with the parking situation, you sure are "owning" this event with your rant. Do your own bidding - let your landlord/owner of the property respond. Not the brightest move to get involved. Sometimes silence is golden.

@Taco Hell - for someone who wants it known you have nothing to do with the parking situation, you sure are "owning" this event with your rant. Do your own bidding - let your landlord/owner of the property respond. Not the brightest move to get involved. Sometimes silence is golden.

So now that the VIGFC and Bobby's Towing have been totally trashed on this thread it's time to include poster Taco Hell because he/she dared to comment? Silence is indeed golden and maybe both you and the other poster who won't leave well alone should bear that in mind. The OP was clearly in the wrong and if you and anyone else who wasn't involved at all feels the need to raise a furor then do it somewhere else as this is all very unpleasant and distasteful.

Perhaps silence is golden, but it also admits approval. I applaud Taco Hell. Thank you, sir. I wanted to say exactly that, but I am not as eloquent as you. Why blame the businesses of Red Hook for the abhorant parking situation there. Car pool, taxi, AYH parking garage...HOLY MOLY maybe you could pay for parking at the TWO, yes, that's right two, paid parking lots in Red Hook. AYH parking garage almost always has parking. I was working in Red Hook for almost two years and I never got booted or towed and I definitely had to park there four days a week, at least. If I could not find a spot, I would make a circuit, sometimes two, and then I found a LEGAL spot! Never took me more than ten minutes. I still go there all the time. I am telling you, it is not hard to find a parking place that will not get you booted or towed. And I never was able to park where I worked, so don't even try that argument. **TRY HARDER**

Nobody on this thread has advocated parking illegally. Nobody has disputed business owner's right to restrict parting to customers only. Nobody disputing that reasonable parking fines penalties are out of line.

The BIG issue is the method/practice of guerilla booting. The "flexible" fine schedule $50 -$1,300, very aggressive intimidation tactics, demand for cash and failure to provide receipts are the issues.

AYH is good choice....if spots are available. (allot of folks like to take up 2-3 spots with one car) Personally, I'm not too crazy about the other choices, especially at night. I do think it's in the best interest of the Red Hook businesses to work together and find a better solution.

glad our parking is better here

glad our parking is better here

Guerilla Booting is more common in tourristy areas like Red Hook and Cruz Bay. Most locals know the score (or learn it the hard way). Tourrist tend to carry more cash, which makes them better marks.

Silence is indeed golden and maybe both you and the other poster who won't leave well alone should bear that in mind. The OP was clearly in the wrong and if you and anyone else who wasn't involved at all feels the need to raise a furor then do it somewhere else as this is all very unpleasant and distasteful.

Unfortunately, I have to disagree. I'm glad OP, Island Loving, Taco Hell and the others related their experiences. I don't see why this discussion is distasteful. Insteading of being chastized, they should be congratualed. Taking the time to write about an unpleastant experience isn't easy, especially on this board where negative back lash is the norm. At the very least we all can learn where / where not to park. At best we can effect positive change.

Since Bobby is a friend of mine I have called him on this issue. The first with Taco Hell and now Secret Harbour. The fact is it is his job to police the areas for violators. If not him, somebody else will. He is not the person you make him out to be. He says if he is there and sees someone he tells them not to or he will boot them. His son however, is maybe younger and somewhat overzealous, and insists that the signs are clear. I suggested he issue receipts. He says he does.

Islandlovin fails to tell why her bill is $1300. She fails to tell that her husband drove the car all the way up the hill to the intersection by the road where that large building is. She fails to tell that he then drove the car back to SH still with the boot on. Bobby had no choice but to tow the car. She was charged for a new boot, towing, and the booting fee. He told her she can even buy a boot similar to give him he would take it instead of charging her for it. She fails to say that she took the police there as well and it was sorted out. He has texted me pictures and if she wants to take him to court go right ahead.

There are two sides to a story. A judge is the best to handle the answer. BTW, they were called by someone in SH to boot the car no matter what management said. Why take the blame?

Bobby is a kind person and does his job well. He has for many years. He and his wife raise foster children. I do not see him the way you describe him, I am sorry. Do look for signs. We have one on one of our properties and all the time I am called by folks who pay for paid parking that someone is in their spot or blocking them in. People don't seem to care.

Yep I did fail to give all the details - But the point is it is still extortion. My boyfriend broke the boot that is why I agreed to pay $400 from the start to own the mistake made. I also knew that a new boot cost about $250. Because the boot was broken does it give him the right to keep changing the price - I was apologetic for the actions of my boyfriend and nice to them.. So at $400 he still would have made a fair profit. Did they take the pictures with my iPhone they stole from me? We were never offered the option to replace the boot. It doesn't matter how nice you think bobby and his company practices are - a lot of ppl have been offended by him - imagine how many tourist had this happen to them and will never return because if this