Boot It, Inc. Parking Enforcement Scam Las Vegas, Nevada

Go to this link and here is the Stance on the Nevada Transportation Authority.

They can't enforce it, so you HAVE to call the police and demand that they go.

http://www.ktnv.com/link/448429/read-the-nevada-transportation-authority-position-on-private-party-booting

These parking enforcement companies provide a service for the growing demand in parking issues. As private property the owner/owner agent of such has the right to decide what happens on their property. If they want to enforce parking rules to solve their parking situation then they can do so by following the proper steps.

1. Call a local parking enforcement company

2. Set up a contract that specifically explains what is to be done on the property

3. Post signs that comply with all city ordinances at all the legal entrances to the parking lot

Then the parking enforcement company can start enforcing.

"We didn't see any signs about a time limit"---- It is very rare to see a time limit on a lot that is enforced. If there was a time it would limit what the private property could do as far as removing a car or enforcing one of their rules.

"...pay her $200 cash in 15 minutes or the car would be towed"---- She was probably just telling the truth. Most parking enforcement agencies will boot all cars in violation but only have a limited number of tow trucks to pull the cars.  Therefore the next truck was probably in route to come back to the property to pull your car.  It isn't extortion.

"...debating calling the cops..."---- It is a civil matter and the police have no jurisdiction over the matter.  When the police are called, if all city ordinances are being followed by the parking enforcement company, then they will always side with the parking enforcement company.  The only job that the Police do is keep the peace.

"They wouldn't show us any credentials or tell us their name"---- Due to the nature of the business it is very wise to remain anonymous.  It isn't mandatory that someone gives you their name.

Just as in any industry there are laws and ordinances in place to protect the people.  Example: In Provo, UT the city ordinance states that if a lot is to be enforced it has to be posted at every entrance to the parking lot within 10 feet of the entrance on a 18x24 inch reflective sign. Each sign must include the rules of the parking lot and a fee schedule.

I haven't looked at the laws/ordinances in Las Vegas, NV but it is safe to say that the example mentioned above is uniform to most all parking enforcement ordinances. I could go on and on explaining every ordinance for every complaint in this story.

On a side note, I read a rebuttal that said if it's attached to your car then it is yours.  Actually the boot belongs to the parking enforcement company that has been hired out to perform a service.  Any attempt of taking the boot off or tampering with it will land you Criminal Mischief and Theft of Services.  It would be a lot cheaper to pay the fee.  Not to mention one would have to pay for the inoperable boot which can be from $150-$700+

IT IS YOUR JOB AS THE DRIVER TO KNOW ALL OF THE LAWS THAT PERTAIN TO YOU AND YOUR VEHICLE.

Yes! I certainly remember you USMC Rugby old boy team....of course its kind of hard to forget witnessing a group of grown men, USMC grown men, sobbing like scolded children begging the police officers to make us release the boot.  Truth be told when one of the USMC men in your humble group offered to pay the $200.00 directly to me right in front of those officers I politely declined.  I will now waste even more time, but I am having fun doing this one, and explain it to you in a manner consistent with my most excellent writing abilities.....this is good by the way I am thinking if you do know where this came from you need to go to the nearest blockbuster...buster! 

"Son, we live in a world that has walls (and private property parking lots) , and those walls (and private property parking lots) have to be guarded by men with guns (and vehicle immobilizers). Whose gonna do it? You? You, Mr. USMC Old Boy Rugby playing dude? Who by the way stood by watching and even participated in the aggressive treatment of my 2 employees, and one of the heros on your "old boy" team called my guy a n*g*er and after his racial comment shoulder checked the kid, and my employee was not holding a Gilbert (Rugby Ball)?  Where is the honor in trying to provoke him to touch any of you oversized USMC rugby players by saying such a thing to him then initiating physical means to elicite a response? Tell you what, if you are trying to convince anyone that the skinny kid tried chest thumping any of you giants, then I will stop now because you are completely out of your mind, the kid is crazy, but not stupid. The kid weighed all of 140 to 150 LBS. there were 2 of them, one a female and 5 of you...regarding the taser you are lucky she didn't use it, but anyway back to my dialogue....I have a greater responsibility than you could possibly fathom.... You have the luxury of not knowing what I know. That Santiago's death (Nobody named Santiago was killed during this boot incident), while tragic, probably saved lives (or parking spaces for people who were rightfully entitled to use them). And that my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives (well back in the day I did, I was a crisis counselor....before I get off track too far...I now save parking spaces for customers who should have them). You don't want the truth because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that wall (or parking lot), you need me on that wall (yeah or parking lot). ... I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom that I provide (in the parking lot for customers of the center), then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said thank you, and went on your way, seeing how I refused your money and removed the boot for free like 90% of the rest we put out for the 6 months we were booting. I did so because I figured you did wave the USMC flag around a little more than I felt necessary, your service while greatly appreciated simply does not grant you a pass to do whatever and whenever you so choose.... Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon or in this case a parking boot and stand a post. Either way, I don't give a d**n what you think you are entitled to....really you are calling me the scam artist, okay if that is the best you got GIVE ME ALL YOU GOT!

You stated my case in your post when you said "we even read the signs" and you went anyway, and you were the proud recipient of the well deserved Medal of Immobilization, and for that if you are pissed off, too bad you have been rather discourteous to the help.  You and people like you screw up get mad and all of the sudden I am a scam artist?  You tried scamming a free parking spot, how about that?  Makes about as much sense doesn't it. I say you should be pissed off, but at yourself for doing what you clearly stated was read on the sign that to you was the size of a business card but to normal people it is actually 12 x 18 and 56 of them.  The best part is your vehicle was parked less than ten feet away from 2 signs. 

For the record I am not paid to be courteous, and I paymy people to exercise a fair amount of professionalism, but when you are in battle do you run after your enemy trying to give them a hug?  Our job sucks to most peopk to most people, but we still do our job and no matter how many of you or people like you call us scam artists or crooks orwhatever truck load of horsepuckey you bring we will still continue to do our job.  Regarding your caped hero bandit who swooped in like The Batman and took your copy of the violation has yet to file his lawsuit, and I am praying to God he does!  I double dog dare him, you, or anyone else to take me to court, think it over then get back to me because that you didn't even have to pay for, which frankly makes me want to ask you, WTF are you even complaining for? I let you go, I out of concern for your safety (it was late and you all were kind of loud with your racial slurs) so I allowed you to leave and this is why I can only laugh at you and your complete disregard for the rules and ridiculous display of gratitude when you were given a break.  

3 final points then I have to go back to work and have some real fun.

1. The Hardrock is a massive marketing machine, and at the time we were in the news they saw an opportunity for some free positive press.  Wath the videos again and count how many times the new parking structure is mentioned right along with all the wonderful new restaurants and boutiques that just happened to be opening the same day the began the appropriately named "Boots for Buck" generousa refund of a $200 credit voucher which could be used anywhere except the Nobu Sushi place and was restricted from and gaming usuage.  The catch was you had to use the entire $200 in one place so if you did not have a hearty rugby appetite, well you are SOL Capitan! No matter what you say I tell you this had to be the Hardrock being generous and feeling sorrowful for our brutus treatment of countless victims of personal disregard for the rules and in no way was the "Boots for Bucks" promotion by the Hardrock a promotion, it was the furthest thing from a brilliant well thought out marketing strategy! They clearly had to know that they would not seem like heros to the community, especially during these tough economic times!  Friendo, a true scam artist would have hauled butt to the local kinkos and had boxes of receipts made and sold them for $50 bucks each. 

2. the 50+ paragraphs you speak of were actually only 12 paragraphs.  I like being thorough, obnoxious and even rude to people who try to lie and furthermore do so at the expense of my business and my employees.  I want you to know had you and your slightly intoxicated team approached this issue with a little less Drill Sgt. and did not go about it the way that you did, the way most people do, you may have had a better night? Maybe I would have given you a $200 voucher for our marketing brilliance called "You Got a Boot, Well Shoot that Sucks"

3.  As of December 28th, 2009 My company no longer services the property at 4480 & 4490 Paradise Road. Why you are waiting until now to complain about not having to pay and you were not towed is really kind of confusing me. I mean if your guilt is eating at you feel free to mail the company $200, and yes I would have no problem accepting it if you have to pay it to ease your mind.  I would do that for you! While our time was well spent and our services were applauded by most every tenant, we began taking off as I had hoped we would from all the free press the Hardrock generated for us, I am obnoxious, sometimes, but never am I scamming people.  If the State says no more booting I will go back to the classroom and teach, until then read the signs and you will be fine. When I post you will know its me because I love to write! Just an FYI genius, your Pal that you said was posting from Buffalo NY is actually posting from Atlant GA.

The sign only says for "Customers Only" Pal - dont try to muddy the waters - with appropriate sized signs that indicate that by parking within " you must be an active customer at a business in this mall" or you will be booted and charged 200 dollars and/or towed"  it Will completely resolve this matter.  We all know that Boot It does not want clear signage as it will limit their victims and thus reduce their intake of scam funds.  Your goal is to not have non-customers parking in the lot - your goal is to keep the signs as small, vague and ambiguous as possible so innocent consumers of Las Vegas trade will park there and you will victimize them.  Cut the non-relevant bull crap. You would not need 56 extrememly small ambiguous signs - you would only need about 8 good sized properly articulated signs and this would not be an issue. By the way your rebuttal is listed from Buffalo,NY - you are probably the owner of Boot it trying to sway readers opinion in hopes to keep your scam money flowing.

I thank you, and your fellows, for their service but I am completely fed up with people who flaunt their service as if it should excuse any and all improper behavior/screw-ups on their part.  I'm sorry but your inclusion of your organization makes it appear that is what you are doing.  You could have simply said you were attending an event at the Hard Rock.

As to your comments about the signage should "define" what a customer is:
I haven't been in school for awhile, and I deal with the products of our schools daily so I shouldn't be surprised, but anyone with a high school education should be aware of the fact that you are a customer of a business only so long as you are in that establishment conducting business such as purchasing product, eating, or having a service performed.  Once you leave the business, and walk to another across the street and leave your vehicle, you are no longer their customer.  If you are patronizing another business in the same strip mall/whatnot, you are okay UNLESS the first business has spaces reserved specifically for their customers and signed appropriately to allow towing if someone goes elsewhere.

Others have stated that because something was allowed before does not mean that the status quo cannot change.  That is correct.  It's possible the towing company may have approached the management of the parking lot, seeing a juicy revenue stream, or the management may have made the initial contact as I'm sure they have problems any time there is a major event at the Hard Rock.  I don't know since I don't work for either party.

Could the signage be clearer?  I don't know as I've never seen them.  If it as the news report said and there were 56 signs, I don't see how everyone in your party missed all of them. I doubt it as there is another ROR from someone apparently affiliated with your group that stated the signs were seen but ignored because there was no time limit.  

Did the company's representative behave inappropriately?  It would appear so based on your report but there are three sides to every story:  your side, their side and the truth. The female employee probably displayed her taser because she felt threatened by the size/make up of your group.  If you truly felt she was threatening you, you should have notified the authorities.  Booting is civil, menacing/threatening someone with a gun is criminal.

To the person who responded saying just remove the boot, it then becomes a criminal matter of destruction of property or a similar charge. 

To the owner of Boot It Las Vegas -  You can try and justify your so called legitimate business with 50 plus paragraphs - remember the USMC Rugby Team in November 09 when your crew tried to rip us off and one of your so called professional polite employees shoved one of our guys - you did not tow or charge us because you knew better.  The bottom line is there are insufficient signs in this lot that clearly state the definition of a "Customer" - w/ Time Limits etc. - just put "you must remain in the this mall if your vehicle is parked here or you will be fined 200 dollars or towed". You will not put decent sized signs in the lot - especially in the entrance because you know that you will not get all of this scam money!  Your crew was polite on the video - because they knew there were on tape!  They were rude and obnoxious with us and shoved one of our players. You were also disrespectful. If you want to prove you are legitimate - put proper signs up and post them on this site to clear your companies name. Also why was Hard Rock re-imbursing victims of this scam if it was so legitimate?

Clay, in the current debate in which you have so moronically decided to use a very well edited video, made by an even bigger idiot, to launch and demonstrate your excellent viewpoint of how people such as yourself keep people like me and my wonderful and polite employees with jobs. People such as you have unsuccessfully attempted to smear the otherwise impeccable service record my company proudly maintains. People such as you (known from here on out as "you people" make mistakes and because a private company holds you accountable for those mistakes "you people" turn it around and make us out to be uneducated gun toting thugs. Well, after several weeks of listening to "you people" whining and crying about how we extort and scam money, and even have the VP of Marketing at the Hardrock calling us "obnoxious" and wondering how we can do this during tough economic times? I have decided to speak out. If times are so tough then why are you people going to gamble, see concerts, eat out, or do whatever it is you are doing while avoiding the $1.00 tip to valet or free parking in the Hardrock garage?

"You people" say we profit off of ignorance....yes, we do profit in part off ignorant...arrogant...drunk...violent...nasty...(and the list could go on) "you people" show daily, and what in the world is so wrong about that? People profit off ignorance everyday! Here are some examples for "you people"; media, casinos, attorneys, city code enforcement, ex-spouses, late night infomercials, reality shows (which we have turned away a really excellent opportunity to market our company nationwide because we are reality and refused to script anything...unlike your Fox 5 pile of crap reporting, and that type of exposure would not limit the amount of vehicles we boot which has been blown way out of proportion, because there are always plenty of "you people" out there, who know the rules but ignore them. Well I have a sure bet you remember next time, huh?). Unlike the other profiteers of ignorance, we actually give you MORE than enough warning and even stop people when we can often times being told to "F" off, and frankly "you people" should use the one thing that would likely put me out of business, and that is GOD GIVEN COMMON SENSE!

Here is what you do, next time remember to bring your angry eyes and your scowl it makes every Mr. Potato Head 10 times more terrifying! This is useful when yelling at a 53 125 lbs. female from within the confines of a vehicle, who according to the softball coach, you know the other "you people" idiot in the YouTube video who we really did a favor for by only booting one van instead of all three and this was how we got thanked, by him laughing and smiling his way through a video claiming my employee "had a gun" hehehe, and I quote (sporting a sheepishly coy smile and answering the question about a weapon) She had a gun Getting within 50 feet of her, you can see it is a high powered very scary looking non-lethal taser, just so you know. In fairytale land that YouTube video would have been more interesting if it told everyone about the real guns posted on the surrounding rooftops of the surrounding buildings and manned with none other than the world class highly trained with deadly accuracy Chef and Cartman sniper assassin squad, they are armed with the deadliest weapon of all snipers, common sense and the menacing cork in the barrel attached to a string and it makes a pop noise when discharged and the flag that rolls out has a message that says READ THE SIGNS THAT SAY CUSTOMER ONLY PARKING

No individual business or all businesses combined at that center see any revenue generated from vehicles that have been or will be booted or towed, they never have and since a friend of a friend told me the owner of Boot-It is a very well educated man who knows paying anyone outside of the company any form of a kickback or bribe is at the very least unethical and may even be illegal.

Believe it or not I have gone way above and beyond to be in compliance, including seeking guidance from the Metropolitan Police Department, and I even hold 3 College degrees and am a College Professor with high marks for being good at what I do in the academic community check me out at rate my professor, oh my :-z see what a High School diploma does for you or even a GED, but I dont suppose offering two sides of the story is of any interest to you.

Clay, I like you. I found your story to be compelling and more importantly I am grateful for your $200.00 removal fee and hope to do business with you in the future, and I mean that! Nobody loves return customers more than me, not even the center you have been spending money in for 20 years, or the center Stuart Scheinman fellow rip-off report complainer who was taped telling a Fox 5 reporter that he has been spending money there and as a matter of tradition for the past 10 to 12 years walks across to the Hardrockwait 20 yearsand 10 to 12 years.OMG that is amazing! The signs are so small that Stuart Scheinman, parked and ran, not walked, but ran across 5 lanes of traffic to and from a concert....Confidentiality? No, not today, "you people" found it necessary to post our names and faces all over the place and lie about the circumstances surrounding your abundantly present lack of common sense, so nope I am letting out weeks of frustration and exposing your lies. I guess his traditional numerous visits over the past 10 to 12 years, or you yourself Clay, who I quote "I have bought a lot more then gum in this shopping center over the past 20 years. This Parking lot is huge and was not even half full." You clowns are so loyal to this place that you were spending money at that center before it was even built! Amazing, you guys are such loyal customers that you purchased more than gum and pizza from a dirt lot which then became a Thrifty Car Rental, then the shopping center you shopped at before it was even built! I love you guys! Try 5 years, the center was only built 5 years ago. So when posting future lies and publicizing your stupidity, this tip will make you both look less stupid.

I am hopeful you find it in your heart to do a video like your buddy Jim, which depicts your apology regarding your insensitive comments and speaking in a diminutive way about my company. I for one forgive your ignorance in fact I appreciate it, and ask that from now on you think with that pea sized brain of yours before speaking, but do not use it when parking because as you know we hide and cant be seen until we jump out from a car trunk, rope down from silent black ops helicopters, or my personal favorite stationary bush that suddenly comes alive and rushes a vehicle, deploys a boot, and returns to hiding.

Calling Boot-It, Inc. scum is useless and rude, kind of like you people are useless and rude. Where is the professionalism on my part? After being called a thief, scam artist, criminal, and who knows what else and receiving death threats against myself, family and employees because of stupid people who like to cry when they are held accountable, such as yourself, tends to wash out the professionalism I maintained...but consider yourself and "your people" lucky I dignified any of it with this response, you are honored to receive this response and I accept your gratitude, right along with your $200.00 removal fee, thank you kind sir!

However, because I like you I will give you the SECRET to avoid the scam, extortion, or shakedown.the SECRET is....wait for it.wait for it.WHEN YOU ARE ON PROPERTY YOU ARE A CUSTOMERWHEN YOU LEAVE PROPERTY YOU ARE NOTTHEREFORE TAKE YOUR CAR WITH YOU WHEN YOU LEAVETHEN YOU WILL HAVE NOTHING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT.Sum it up for you? You all had the first amendment right to free speech and posting videos of my people doing their job and now I had the right to rebuttal and I feel so much better, thank you Clay!

I am being as polite as I am going to be after being called the names, hearing the threats, and being put on the defensive when even the police have stated (I have them on video) that we are 100% compliant and within the law. I have defended my company, and I am off to better things.

See you around Clay (hopefully not) and remember your excuse that you accidentally hit the zero key after the 2 key making the 20 year argument a typo, please say it so you look like an even bigger idiot, please! The two keys are far enough apart that the only ones likely to buy that are your fellow parking violators! Scheinman is videotaped and broadcast stating his 10 to 12 year error maybe his lie was Boot-It jedi mind trick from afar? Your mistruths are good for me, not so good for you people Good day to you, Sir! Yall come back now, Ya Hearcuz we all know you cant see!

In your last message you said:

"First of all to everyone that thinks I was in the wrong here, I've been parking in this parking lot for years supporting the several businesses in this shopping center and have often walked across the street to the Hard Rock Cafe for a drink or to eat. I see none of you live in Las Vegas and obviously don't realize the time it takes to drive across the street when you are near the strip." 

Boo h*o, time for an able bodied person to drive across the street. 

Do you ever think that CVS is a pharmacy?  That CVS is more convient to me but I cant go there because idiots like you fill up the parking spaces. 

I hope they keep booting and towing so real customers can park while doing business at the store. 

OK Clay, just keep repeating your mantra and maybe youll come to believe it in the year 2525.

Until then, Ill try to post a comment in big, bright, signage that perhaps even you will understand:

IDIOT!

You stated that you have been parking in that lot for years. So you are to have everyone believe that in all that time you NEVER saw the signs that you admit are there. Okay and I have some nice beach front property for sale at the corner of Las Vegas Blvd and Hacienda.

You stated that it takes a long time to get across the street, agreed as I have been to Las Vegas on more than one occasion. But I don't think you had any intention of parking at the Hard Rock, and wouldn't have even if you "saw" the signs. Mainly because of your history of stating you have done this in the past and nothing happened to you.   Because you could have parked at the Hard Rock and walked across the street to CVS to buy your gum.  After all let's see here..CVS 2 minutes, Hard Rock 2-3 hours..Ummm where oh where should I park.

You will probably always think that you were right, and if the Hard Rock reimbursed you for the money..consider yourself lucky that you got "comped".  But don't take it as a "free pass" to do that again or that you did nothing wrong. 

Since you don't think that they handled it correctly, I really wonder what you would have done in the businesses "shoes" if you have people using your lot to park and then going to another business.

"I've been parking in this parking lot for years supporting the several businesses in this shopping center and have often walked across the street to the Hard Rock Cafe for a drink or to eat."

Just because you did this in the past (for years) doesn't give you "squatters rights" to continue to do so.  Obviously, the owner of the lot has gotten tired of it and has taken LAWFUL action to discourage folks from doing as you.

"obviously don't realize the time it takes to drive across the street when you are near the strip."

And this added time becomes the problem of the lot owner because...?  I own a rental property with a parking lot that is reserved for TENANTS-this lot is about 40 yards from a busy commercial district on Hertel Avenue.  I have the appropriate LEGAL SIGNAGE as required by the City of Buffalo and I don't hesitate to have violators towed at their expense.  I don't play around with any "boot."  I make a call to a local tow company, the truck meets me in the lot, and the violating vehicle is TOWED AWAY at the vehicle OWNER's expense.

"And even if I was in the wrong by not leaving the premises after I made my purchase,"

There is no "even if."  You are wrong.

"There are signs in the Parking lot that you can't see in this badly lit lot  (if they're were better signs, this company wouldn't be bringing in all this money).

The signs are (as reported by Fox5) in compliance with city ordinances.  If you don't like it, contact your city lawmakers and have the ordinance changed to require the signs to be bigger or to change the colors of the sign.  While your at it, try to make it a requirement that private lots be required to have a Walmart type greeter who will stop you and instruct you that this is a private lot and that you must leave when your are done doing business there.

"If I would have seen a sign I wouldn't have risked parking there when there is completely free parking at the Hard Rock."

56 SIGNS, and yet you couldn't see ANY of them-not one.

"This is a privately owned parking lot so I already knew the police wouldn't do anything."

"This Parking lot is huge and was not even half full."

The occupancy of the lot is irrelevant.  Do you think it's OK for you and everyone else to use it just because it isn't full?  Here's a thought; go purchase some land, obtain the permits, and build a parking lot.  After you accomplish that, then pay for maintenance (repairs, painting, SIGNAGE, etc.), property taxes, and INSURANCE.  Then come back here and tell us your perspective on folks who USE YOUR LOT without your permission. 

"If me and the hundreds of other people who this happened to over the past few months are wrong then why would this story be all over our local news and radio stations? "

Because it's newsworthy: human interest and it provides a public service in that it pronounces to the GENERAL PUBLIC that the lot is PRIVATE, and violators will be booted/towed.  The fact that Fox5 or other media publish a story about it does NOT make you and the other violators CORRECT.

"And why would the Hard Rock Hotel be reimbursing our money?"

I find this difficult to believe.  I did a quick search and I didn't see ANY media articles about Hard Rock reimbursing folks who used this particular lot.

"I suppose my report wasn't detailed enough for you to put yourself in my shoes. So don't form an opinion unless you've been there."

Your report is detailed enough for all but you.  Evidently it is not detailed enough for YOU to realize that what you did was inappropriately use someone else's property and you justly paid the price.

I would never be "in your shoes' because I would not park in a private lot and then walk across the street to do business.  I don't care how long it takes to drive over there.  It's wrong, don't you see that?  Or are you destined to get booted or towed forever?

Just because you spent money at an establishment doesn't mean you own it.  Our opinions are all that we have, you gave us license when you posted this on a public forum, it's your opinion that you can legally park anywhere you chose just because you did it before.

You were wrong, if you don't see that then, I am done.

Fox5 news in Las Vegas had a small article recently about this:

For the last 10, 12 years it's tradition to park across the street, grab a slice pizza, and then walk across to the concert," said one motorist. When I came back, I saw a boot on my car."

Boot It owner Paul Draher said his company is only following the law. He was hired by the property owners to regulate the lot.

The problem is, it's prime real estate. It's close to Hard Rock, Hofbrahaus and UNLV, and it's private property.

Draher said there are 56 signs posted.

Once you're done being a patron, and you leave the property, your vehicle needs to leave with you, Draher said.

But some drivers said they aren't buying it. They said the signs weren't big enough to see.

Draher said he has trained employees to be understanding and work with drivers, but rules are rules.

"It's hard to be a customer here when you're over there," he said.

Metro police said the boot is in 100 percent compliance with the law. Police have recommended the company use bigger signs with bright colors, and the company has agreed to the changes."

Let me see....  56 signs posted...  FIFTY SIX SIGNS.  Posted in accordance with the city law.  And yet folks complain and think it's OK to use someone else's property without permission.

You parked at CVS and attended another establishment's function period - CVS parking is for patrons of the store period - who care if the lot was full or empty CVS owns that lot and can do what they want

My local Walgreens has signs that state 2 hour parking limit for Walgreens customers only - don't like it sue em - You will lose

As for the idiot who stated how to disable the boot that is destruction of private property ie CVS property - cute -  

read your own post

Last night before attending an event for Halloween at the Hard Rock, my girlfriend wanted to stop at the CVS located across the street in the Paradise Esplanade shopping center to buy some gum. After purchasing the gum we figured we would just run across the streett to the Hard Rock instead of getting in our cars again.

Why would you stop at CVS to get gum, when I am sure they sell gum at the hard rock? 

you can sugarcoat this all you want, you figured that because you shopped at cvs for 20 minutes (or less), that made you a  "CVS" customer, so you could park there.

well your 20.00- 30.00 parking fee savings cost you 200.00.  Bad Decision.

Unlike municipalities this company has no recourse if you want to remove the boot yourself. Just drill out the lock cylinder. The boot is not city/county property. If it's attached to your car, it's yours. To shut down the towing threat just climb into the car. It is illegal to tow an occupied vehicle. The police can't help, because it's civil, right?

First of all to everyone that thinks I was in the wrong here, I've been parking in this parking lot for years supporting the several businesses in this shopping center and have often walked across the street to the Hard Rock Cafe for a drink or to eat. I see none of you live in Las Vegas and obviously don't realize the time it takes to drive across the street when you are near the strip. And even if I was in the wrong by not leaving the premises after I made my purchase, the Boot It company went about this in completely the wrong way. There are signs in the Parking lot that you can't see in this badly lit lot  (if they're were better signs, this company wouldn't be bringing in all this money). If I would have seen a sign I wouldn't have risked parking there when there is completely free parking at the Hard Rock. This is a privately owned parking lot so I already knew the police wouldn't do anything. In these tough economical times I don't know why a business would risk losing customers by putting boots on they're customers cars. I have bought a lot more then gum in this shopping center over the past 20 years. This Parking lot is huge and was not even half full.

If me and the hundreds of other people who this happened to over the past few months are wrong then why would this story be all over our local news and radio stations? And why would the Hard Rock Hotel be reimbursing our money?

I suppose my report wasn't detailed enough for you to put yourself in my shoes. So don't form an opinion unless you've been there.

Kind of like that guy in Austin who went into jack-in-the-box and bought a cup of coffee in the morning and left and thought he could leave his car in their lot all day cause he had purchased something there. The OP thinks the same thing, cause his girlfriend buys a a 25 cent pack of gum, he can park there for a number of hours and avoid having to pay the $20 or $30 or more parking fee at the Hard Rock. Darn, why didn't I think of that. I could buy a $1 cup of coffee every morning and NOT have to pay $10 every day to park downtown. Who was trying to scam whom? To the OP, did you REALLY think that no one had thought to go in and buy a small item and leave their vehicle there before?

Never ever threaten to call the police, just do it. If you think its a scam and they are going to tow the vehical illeagily, sounds like, fraud, extortion, theft to me. But you are right call the police and let them work it out.

Have had your car towed immediatly?  Then not only would you probably have the same charges, but then have to figure out how to get where your car was.

If you thought you were right you would not have taken the "it's a civil matter" reason from a person who you say refused to give you their name or show you any identification.  Of course that is what the police would have told you.  That you may have been a customer but once you bought the gum and left the premises your business with them was concluded.  If the parking lot has any notice such as "Customer Parking Only", which I can almost guarantee you it did.  Then your car can be towed/booted.

The fact that you didn't call the police on what you say is "extortion" shows that you knew you were in the wrong and are just upset that you got busted.

Here is a real simple idea to avoid this in the future.  The next time you want to go to the Hard Rock, perhaps you should park AT the Hard Rock and not another business...You know just a thought.

Oh and if there several other cars that were booted also, you think that CVS had to do this because their regular customers can't find parking spots?

The CVS parking lot is for CVS customers only and once you have completed your business with them you are supposed to leave. Not use their parking lot so you can take up a spot intended for their customers, then go somewhere else.

If I was the manager/owner of that CVS and our PRIVATE parking lot was being used by people attending nearby events, you can bet I would hire private security to boot every car that was parked by people leaving the premises to go elsewhere.

I'll bet $100 there are no signs regarding a time limit, however there ARE signs saying the parking lot is for the use of CVS customers only. Once you purchased your gum and left, you had no right to leave your car there and attend an event across the street.