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They Said You Could Leave Scooters Anywhere, Then the Repo Men Struck Back

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Re: They Said You Could Leave Scooters Anywhere, Then the Repo Men Struck Back

#11

Post by zrobotics »

ericmcer wrote: post #7

It seems like everyone here is in the wrong? A service that moves scooters to proper locations is necessary but these two are clearly in it for the money. It would be easier, cheaper and better for everyone involved if they just moved the scooters to the sidewalk. Holding them ransom behind razorwire is just an attempt to get money while hiding behind a thin veil of public service. Lime/Bird meanwhile trying to get t…

So how is them 'being in it for the money' any different from any other type of repossessor? I'm not aware of any tow truck operators that do the work as a charity or public service. If the scooter companies had any sort of plan to reburse people for moving the scooters to appropriate parking places, then I would feel differently, but AFAIK none of the scooter companies operates such a program.

Re: They Said You Could Leave Scooters Anywhere, Then the Repo Men Struck Back

#12

Post by GhostVII »

citrablue wrote: post #10
GhostVII wrote: post #6

“Their app specifically says you can ride it ‘anywhere’ and leave it ‘anywhere,’” Borelli says as he pushes a Bird scooter through the Pacific Beach neighborhood. If he sounds slightly bitter, it’s only because he owns a bike shop nearby and believes that dockless scooter companies are trying to steal his customers. But to Borelli, it seemed that the scooter industry was really trying to replace bicycles. He threw th…

I live in San Diego, and have followed this with great interest. From my understanding, they are only doing this for scooters that are parked illegally: e.g. on the shop owners property, blocking vehicle access, etc. It's very interesting, because the riders don't have an incentive to park appropriately (and that is sometimes a guessing game -- street signs don't exist for where you can park scooters legally). Howeve…

I think the incentive should be to call the police and have them impound it in a legal way, or just move it off of their property, not have a private party come and steal the scooters. Just because something is on your property, does not mean you can legally take it - if you park in my driveway, I can't just steal your car.

Re: They Said You Could Leave Scooters Anywhere, Then the Repo Men Struck Back

#13

Post by GhostVII »

t0mas88 wrote: post #9
GhostVII wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Even if it is on private property, that doesn't mean you can take it. If you park on someone else's driveway, they don't get to take your car.

But they do get to have it towed from their property, and you pay the fees for that right?

If the police tow it, I'm sure the owner of the car would have to pay the fees. If the property owner tows it, I'm pretty sure they wouldn't (although it may vary by state). At least in Toronto, you are allowed to tow a car from your property, but not charge the owner for the tow [1].

[1] https://www.toronto.ca/311/knowledgebase/kb/docs/articles/mu...

Re: They Said You Could Leave Scooters Anywhere, Then the Repo Men Struck Back

#14

Post by theandrewbailey »

GhostVII wrote: post #12
citrablue wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I live in San Diego, and have followed this with great interest. From my understanding, they are only doing this for scooters that are parked illegally: e.g. on the shop owners property, blocking vehicle access, etc. It's very interesting, because the riders don't have an incentive to park appropriately (and that is sometimes a guessing game -- street signs don't exist for where you can park scooters legally). Howeve…

I think the incentive should be to call the police and have them impound it in a legal way, or just move it off of their property, not have a private party come and steal the scooters. Just because something is on your property, does not mean you can legally take it - if you park in my driveway, I can't just steal your car.

What if you have a dozen people show up every morning and leave their pickup anywhere leave anywhere car rentals in your driveway?

Re: They Said You Could Leave Scooters Anywhere, Then the Repo Men Struck Back

#15

Post by grumio »

Couldn't the scooter companies negotiate with businesses and get permission? Maybe pay businesses to install docking stations. The scooters get advertising when people see the station. The restaurant or hotel gets advertisment on the scooter app as a designated docking station. And the business can tow unwelcome scooters not in the dock. Just like they are allowed to tow cars.

Seems like the scooter startups think they're special and permits and regulations don't apply to them.

Re: They Said You Could Leave Scooters Anywhere, Then the Repo Men Struck Back

#16

Post by theandrewbailey »

GhostVII wrote: post #13
t0mas88 wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

But they do get to have it towed from their property, and you pay the fees for that right?

If the police tow it, I'm sure the owner of the car would have to pay the fees. If the property owner tows it, I'm pretty sure they wouldn't (although it may vary by state). At least in Toronto, you are allowed to tow a car from your property, but not charge the owner for the tow [1]. [1] https://www.toronto.ca/311/knowledgebase/kb/docs/articles/mu...

...unless the property owner has posted signs with the law.

Re: They Said You Could Leave Scooters Anywhere, Then the Repo Men Struck Back

#17

Post by Simulacra »

I side with the scooter companies. I think these guys are exploiting a gray area in the law and shaking down the companies, and should be stopped. GPS should be able to show it a scooter was in a legit place or not. If it was, then their argument goes out the window. It just smells too much like theft.

Re: They Said You Could Leave Scooters Anywhere, Then the Repo Men Struck Back

#18

Post by [deleted] »

GhostVII wrote: post #13
t0mas88 wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

But they do get to have it towed from their property, and you pay the fees for that right?

If the police tow it, I'm sure the owner of the car would have to pay the fees. If the property owner tows it, I'm pretty sure they wouldn't (although it may vary by state). At least in Toronto, you are allowed to tow a car from your property, but not charge the owner for the tow [1]. [1] https://www.toronto.ca/311/knowledgebase/kb/docs/articles/mu...

[deleted]

Re: They Said You Could Leave Scooters Anywhere, Then the Repo Men Struck Back

#19

Post by GhostVII »

theandrewbailey wrote: post #16
GhostVII wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If the police tow it, I'm sure the owner of the car would have to pay the fees. If the property owner tows it, I'm pretty sure they wouldn't (although it may vary by state). At least in Toronto, you are allowed to tow a car from your property, but not charge the owner for the tow [1]. [1] https://www.toronto.ca/311/knowledgebase/kb/docs/articles/mu...

...unless the property owner has posted signs with the law.

It says if they have posted signs with the law, they can contact the police to issue a ticket (and tow, presumably). The formatting is a bit messed up, but you are required to both have the signs, and contact the police, you can't just tow it without calling the police, and require the owner to pay for the tow.

Re: They Said You Could Leave Scooters Anywhere, Then the Repo Men Struck Back

#20

Post by mgamache »

So the Scooter companies business model is built on a gap in local regulations allowing them to leave there products anywhere without recourse and they are now upset with another business model that found a gap in their gap? Get me some popcorn.
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