San Antonio Mall's Aggressive Towing Leaves Shoppers Facing Hefty $235 Bills
Visitors to a popular San Antonio shopping centre are expressing outrage after falling victim to what they describe as predatory towing practices, resulting in unexpected bills of hundreds of dollars. The situation at University Square at DeZavala has left numerous customers furious, warning others to exercise extreme caution when parking.
Fifteen-Minute Errand Ends in $235 Nightmare
Michelle Salinas experienced this firsthand during the Christmas period last year. She stopped briefly at the 85°C Bakery Cafe, a Taiwanese bakery, to collect treats for her sister before travelling to the Rio Grande Valley. With the main parking lot full, she parked in the adjacent IHOP parking area.
"I had only been in the shop for 15 minutes when I noticed my car had been towed," Salinas told local media. "Apparently, they just park somewhere and watch. The minute someone leaves their car, they wait for them to walk into a business and tow the cars."
Salinas then had to arrange transport to travel 11 miles to the towing company's lot, wait in line, and pay a substantial $235 fee to retrieve her vehicle. She later took to social media to warn others, captioning her post with a sarcastic "Merry Christmas, I guess."
Poorly Marked Signs and Vigilant Tow Operators
The IHOP parking lot does contain signage indicating restrictions. Perimeter spaces feature "IHOP ONLY" printed in black ink on the curbs, while several red signs state: "Towing enforced at all times. IHOP customers & employees in designated spaces only. No after-hours parking. No for-sale vehicles. Unauthorized vehicles will be towed at owner's or operator's expense."
However, critics argue these warnings are insufficient. The signs face inward, making them difficult to see for drivers entering from outside the lot. Those parking in central spaces may completely miss the notices. Salinas and others have highlighted this design flaw as a key issue.
Another social media user, known as Cococharles9, reported witnessing two vehicles being towed from the same lot in January, corroborating accounts of tow truck drivers lying in wait. "The tow truck drivers were waiting in that lot. Once they saw the customers walking towards the stores, they would pull in and run to place the tow," she explained.
Parking Pressure and Divided Opinions
The problem appears exacerbated by the plaza's growing popularity, particularly around holidays. Many commenters pointed to the recent opening of Teso Life, an Asian department store, as a major factor. "There wasn't any parking for anything today! Fully taken up!" one person wrote, while another added, "It's the worst since Teso Life opened."
Some shoppers have adapted by constantly circling the lot to find legal spaces, sometimes parking near Einstein's Bagels instead. Yet opinions remain divided. While many sympathise with those towed, others stress personal responsibility. "People should read signs," one commenter noted, with another joking, "Wait… I can’t use private property for my own use… that’s wild!"
Seeking Accountability and Solutions
The towing company involved, Bexar Towing, along with IHOP and Glazer Properties, which owns University Square, have been contacted for comment regarding these practices. The incident raises broader questions about parking management, signage clarity, and the ethics of immediate towing in busy retail areas.
As the plaza continues to attract more visitors, the tension between strict enforcement and customer convenience is likely to persist, leaving shoppers to navigate a parking landscape where a simple mistake can result in a costly lesson.
