Towed from Un-Leased Commercial Block

[R.H.G.]

I was recently towed from the parking lot of an un-leased building after being there for less than an hour and charged $440 for towing. I’ve checked out the Roads Safety Act s.90c around this and it seems pretty shady under the circumstances.

I have extensive photos of the tow, a copy of the contract I signed with the company (which they somehow let me edit the terms of) photos of the signs incl. the terms (which seem both broad and contradictory considering the circumstances), the lot, contemporaneous memos and I had the day manager hang up on me before providing proper terms.

I’ve read a few threads previously, but I’m not exactly sure how they would relate to my situation. Has anyone had any experience with this and what recourse there may be?

[Hardy]

But what's the problem?
Are you saying they stole your car, or they towed under the terms of a contract that you signed? Why did you sign a contract? Have you asked your bank to reverse the credit card transaction? Why would you pay at all instead of reporting it to the police? Suing them is an option but it would be cheaper to pay them $440. The correct path for people in this situation is to demand the return of the car free of charge, quote s.90A Road Safety Act if they don't know about it, then go to the police to report the theft if you can't get the car back, then file proceedings in court for a court order forcing them to surrender the car to you.

[Leroy]

These towing companies are everywhere at the moment - I feel like there's going to be a "showdown" in the space eventually, but for the moment, feels like you paid almost a 'ransom' to someone who took your property without permission.
Towing from a building carpark very different to having your car towed by a private company directed to do so by VicRoads (who have legislative powers)...