Advanced Towing Company

Review: Pumped gas at gas station and parked car...went across the street to get daughter from husband and came back in to go into gas station to buy drink for daughter and my car was towed...it was a valid parking spot and was not parked illegally or past time limit...th.ere were numerous witnesses ...when picking up car emp was very volatileDesired Settlement: 200. Refund ticket plus gas and time to drive there and apology

Consumer

Response:

Ues please remove ancillary damage claims and continue processing rest of complaint

Review: This business is completely unethical and I'm disturbed that they're still in business. My car was towed from my own ([redacted]) lot around 1:30am on March 6, 2014 with my parking permit in clear view on my back window. The permit was also taped next to another permit that I have. When I get to the tow lot, I see that my sticker was conveniently placed on the floor of my trunk (I drive an SUV), as if the tape didn't hold and it had fallen on its own. I already know how predatory and unethical this company is, so I make it a point to use tape and check on the sticker obsessively. There is ABSOLUTELY NO way that my sticker could have fallen on its own and I'm positive the tow truck driver "jimmied" my lock to take it off. My back seat is pushed up at a 90 degree angle (in order to get to my trunk and back window, one must pull the seat all the way down) and I there is no logical reason as to why anyone who has sat back there would adjust the seat like that, and I know I haven't touched or adjusted that seat. Another disturbing thing I noticed was that there were two smudges on my back window, one where my other parking permit is, and one where my other parking permit was supposed to be. He was obviously smudging out my back window to check the permits because my back window was dirty. Why would there be two smudges on my window (including the one where my parking permit originally was) if the sticker had fallen before he arrived to tow my car? Knowing there was absolutely nothing I could do, I had to fork over the $135 to get my car.

This is the last straw. My car was illegally towed one time prior by Advanced Towing from my building, and now, I'm taking action. I no longer feel comfortable parking in my own lot, so now I have resorted to parking in the street. This is so unfair, I pay rent and parking fees, and it seems like nothing is being done to stop this. The police won't help either, which is also incredibly sketchy and disturbing. I have also talked to numerous other victims with the same problem, and I'm considering filing a petition. Advanced Towing also has a 1.3 rating on "[redacted]." I understand that no one enjoys having their car towed, but their unethical and borderline illegal business practices are the real issue. The news special, "[redacted]," has even done a report on Advanced Towing, where they have caught these tow truck drivers on camera doing what I have described above. But still, nothing has been done. Thank you for taking the time to read this. I have attached the [redacted] news special, so you can see firsthand the unethical nature of Advanced Towing. [redacted]Desired Settlement: My desired outcome, along with numerous other Advanced Towing victims, is that this business closes down, quite frankly. There need to be sanctions for what these people have done. They are abusive, they intimidate their victims, cuss at them, and give them the middle finger. I have done my research on this issue since this is the second time this has happened to me. I would really love if they went out of business, or at least a stiff fine.

This company's tow-truck drivers drive recklessly and dangerously to and from their storage lot. They have no regard for the damage they do to your vehicle while towing it, and work in a very unprofessional manner. Both the truck drivers and the people working in the lot's trailer display rude and unethical behavior.

The driver and dispatcher was very UNPROFESSIONAL, RUDE, N SARCASTIC. THE DRIVER was gonna charge me a second time because I was on the phone with his dispatcher who was also rude!!!!!

Review: My car was towed on July 10th by Advanced Towing company, and when I went to pick up my car there was excessive damage done to the bumper of my car. I have tried on multiple occasions to contact the company and managers about the damages but they have been dismissive or unresponsiveDesired Settlement: I would like for Advanced Towing to pay for the damages they made to my vehicle.

Review: I was towed from a parking lot at address [redacted], VA [redacted]. I am aware that where I was parked was in violation of the signage, and I accept full responsibility for being parked somewhere that I should not have been. However, my complaint is due to the legality of the $25.00 drop fee that is offered when being present while the tow truck driver is loading your car. I parked my car briefly and within 30 seconds noticed my car was being picked up by a tow truck, so I ran back to my car and asked the driver if he would release my car. He informed me that there was a $25.00 drop fee for him to release the car on the spot. I gladly handed over my credit card, to which he responded "I cannot take a credit card." I then pulled out my check book and he told me "cash only." I let him know that I did not have cash on me, and then noticed that there was an ATM right across the street and asked if I could go get cash out; he told me that he could not wait and that the only other option that I had was for him to give me a ride to the tow yard where I would have to pay $135 to retrieve my car. Thinking there was no other option I accepted the ride, paid $135, and got my car back. After doing some research I discovered that according to [redacted] County Code 14.3-10, Manner of Payment, "Towing and recovery operators shall accept payment for towing fees, storage fees, retrieval fees and the 'in lieu of towing' fee provided for in this chapter in each of the following ways: 1. cash in United States currency; 2. insurance company check; 3. travelers' checks or money orders payable in United States currency; and 4. any debit, credit or charge card that the towing and recovery operator is authorized by the issuing credit or charge card company to accept, and that is accepted by the towing recovery operator in the ordinary course of business." Since I used a Visa to pay the $135 towing fee, I assumed that this fell under the category of "any debit, credit or charge card...that is accepted by the towing recovery operator in the ordinary course of business", and that I should have been able to use this same form of payment for the drop fee. I then called [redacted], Federal Liaison, at the [redacted] County Office to confirm that I was understanding this correctly, and he did confirm that it is in fact illegal to be denied the option to pay the drop fee with a debit or credit card. He recommended that I take the next step of filing a complaint which would lead to an investigation. I filed a complaint on July 2, 2014, which was responded to by Sergeant Roger Stegall of the [redacted] County Police Department's Special Services Unit. The investigation was completed and designated inconclusive due to conflicting stories. The tow truck operator (falsely) stated to Sgt. Stegall that when he and I discussed the drop fee that he was already off of the property from which my car was towed, and thus the drop fee was no longer applicable. Given that I witnessed the tow truck arrive and approached the driver while he was in the process of lifting my car on to the truck, it is not possible for him to have been out of the parking lot. How would I have had a chance to discuss the drop fee with him if he had already driven away with my car? Also, based on the statement that once the driver leaves the lot the drop fee is no longer applicable; if the driver had been on [redacted] as he stated, why would I have been given the opportunity to pay $25 in cash for him to release my car? The tow truck driver drove me from the parking lot to the tow yard after rejecting my payment of $25.00, where I then had to pay $135 using the same credit card that I offered to pay the $25 drop fee with. It is quite obvious that there are many holes in Advanced Towing's statements - most of them are not even on the verge of logical, and their responses to Sgt. S[redacted] in regards to my complaint are quite honestly, completely nonsensical. Given that fact that I have both heard and read many unsettling things about the business practice and integrity of Advanced Towing, I hope my frustration is understandable. It is a hard pill to swallow knowing that I was taken advantage of, and knowing that I am not the first and will not be the last. The predatory and unethical tactics of this company are a disgrace to those of us who work hard to make a living in an honorable career. I was informed that charging the tow truck driver would be the next step, which I am taking into consideration. Although that would not recover my towing fee, that is the least of my worries. I am honestly less concerned about recovering the cost of retrieving my car than I am the principle of the matter. I value business morality and do not appreciate unethical business practice and I do not want to be one more indiviudual that they have succeeded in victimizing. It is infuriating that they illegally took advantage of me in the situation, and then proceeded to lie to law enforcement once confronted about the issue; businesses like this do not deserve to be in practice.Desired Settlement: I would appreciate a refund for the $135 that I was illegally charged (or $110 to cover the $25 drop fee that I was more than willing to pay at the time of the incident). More importantly, I would like to see a suitable course of action taken against Advanced Towing for their wrong-doings against myself and so many others.

Review: This company incorrectly towed my vehicle and caused almost $2400 in damages to a brand new vehicle. I called the company and was told they would call me back and didn't receive a call back. I also emailed the company regarding the issue and never received email back. When I called again, I was told that the driver correctly towed my vehicle. I asked if they had video or pictures of them towing correctly and he said they didn't have a video, just one picture that he had sent me.Desired Settlement: I would like the damages to my vehicle paid for in full due to negligence.

Consumer

Response:

From: [redacted]. <[redacted]>

Date: Mon, Jan 6, 2014 at 2:23 PM

Subject: RE: FW: Scan Document

To: Office Manager <[email protected]>

Cc: "[redacted]" <[redacted].[redacted]>, "[email protected]" <[email protected]>

[redacted],

I will forward this email to my dealership to let them know that your company does not claim responsibility. However, this is a new vehicle and if there were issues before this vehicle was towed, I would have taken it to the dealership due to the fact it would be covered under warranty. This vehicle was taken in as soon as it made the noises, which was the next day December 28, 2013. This vehicle was purchased brand new and the first car payment hasn’t been made yet and due to the negligence of your company it is in need of costly repairs. Since your company fails to claim responsibility and failed to respond to any emails or phone calls until now, I will continue filing my complaints through the appropriate channels including the Revdex.com, The Attorney General of Virginia, and News Channel 7 and will have to pursue legal action.

From: Office Manager [mailto:[email protected]]

Sent: Monday, January 06, 2014 12:45 PM

To: [redacted].

Subject: Re: FW: Scan Document

**. [redacted]:

Review: This towing company attempted to tow a car with All Wheel Drive using a tow truck that was not properly equipped to do so. If the driver had followed through with his actions, he would have severely damaged the vehicle, as well as created a severe public safety risk due to the unpredictable behavior of an improperly towed car. The driver expressed that he "did not care" and would proceed with the unsafe action if he felt like it. This blatant disregard for personal property and public safety is completely unacceptable.Desired Settlement: I would like both an apology from this business for attempting to severely damage my property through the use of improper equipment, as well as a statement that they are taking steps to ensure that they will begin using the appropriate equipment in the performance of their services.

Business

Response:

As we have indicated to Revdex.com on numerous occasions, the service we provide to private property owners is not a "goods or services in exchange for payment from consumers" transaction. Our customers are the private property owners illegally parked vehicles are towed from, not the car owners who are towed. Private property tows occur without the consent of the vehicle owners hence they are not generally happy or satisfied if their vehicle is towed.

Regardless the complainant does not provide sufficient information to respond to their concern.

Thank you

Consumer

Response:

[Ko assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed Administratively Resolved]

Review: [redacted]

I am rejecting this response because:

The business owner has ignored the actual complaint, being towed was not the issue, the issue was that the equipment they attempted to use was inappropriate. No one is happy about being towed, but causing property damage and a public safety risk through incompetence and the use of improper equipment is unacceptable. in case the business owner is unaware, all wheel drive vehicles cannot be towed simply by lifting one set of wheels and hauling away. I'm sure he wouldn't appreciate his transmission being destroyed in the course of his vehicle being towed.

In any event, the business response skirts the issue entirely.

Regards,

I hired Advanced to remove illegally parked cars from my business parking lot. I only have a few spaces and need every one. I had trouble almost every day with parking space poachers until I called Advanced. Happy to report I no longer have a parking problem. They are professional and get the job done.

Review: I was in a "customer only" parking lot at [redacted] Urgent Care in [redacted]. I walked down the street to stretch my legs at 12:35 since I was 25 minutes early for my appointment. I walked into the Urgent Care at 12:44 (as a customer) only 9 minutes later. My car was towed at 12:51 even though I was a customer at that time. They ("Driver #3" is the only name they would give me) said they watched me walk off the property but clearly chose not to watch long enough to watch me walk into Urgent Care a few minutes later. Also, the parking lot was about 80% empty, so the towing company was clearly looking for people to pick on.

Once I went to pick my car up, I asked to speak to the owner. He was not there and not available. The lady at the front desk of the towing company speaking to me again would not give me her name, only her initials "MK" on the receipt. MK at the front desk was completely rude, raised her voice to me, and (wrongly) accused me of having Urgent Care call and lie for me to try and get my car back. I was not even in the room when Urgent Care called to ask for my car back. I couldn't have any further conversation with her because she kept taking phone calls while I was speaking to her.

I later called the towing company and again asked for the owner. They told me his name (John O[redacted]l) but could not tell me his working hours or a better time to call back. I left a number for him to call me.Desired Settlement: I think this business should refund me my money since I was wrongfully towed (and then treated very poorly as a customer).

Review: On 08/15/2014 Advanced Towing towed my car at the parking lot at my address [redacted] VA [redacted]. After I called them why them towed my car, the lady who answered ther phone said I parked at the two cars spaces. I asked them if they have any proof and said them taken a picture. I asked to show them to me, but said her manager will download the pictures and send them to me at my email . I paid $135.00 and got my car . Since up to now I still didnt get any pictures from them. I told my property manager about this and ask if them send them pictures. she said yes them have after I tell them called them after I reported the incident to them, but the photo the Advanced Towing provided to her doesnt show anything. she (my manager) couldn't tell anthing what kind of car, color or anything.Desired Settlement: $500.00

Review: on sunday 3/30 I was using my membership at [redacted] VA. At 755pm I went into the locker to shower and change. At 815pm I went outside to leave and my car was towed. They listed time on receipt was 8:25 but that was the arrival of the car into their compound as my cell phone records have 8:19 as the time I called to report my vehicle stolen. My car was towed on or before 8:15pm. I could understand if there were signs that said all cars will be towed after (and list the times in conjunction with days) but this is pure predator towing company. I was forced to walk home 3 miles without proper clothing in the freezing rain / sleet.Desired Settlement: That same night I paid a fee for getting my car out of Advanced Towing Company's lot of $135. The clerk insisted I wasn't in the gym and therefore within their right to tow. The next day I met with General Manager at [redacted] that in fact I was inside Gold's locker Room at the time I was towed and therefore a patron who had the legal right to park in that lot and not be towed while in the shower.

Review: Summary: This towing company towed my car from a lot where they did not post proper signs informing me that I was not allowed to park there. I believe they are in violation of [redacted] County regulations on the amount of the tow fee, the size of their signs, the placement of their signs, and also in refusing to tell me who hired them to tow cars.

Here's what happened: On Saturday night at about 8pm, I drove to [redacted] restaurant at [redacted], VA for dinner. I thought the shopping center parking lot was for all businesses in the center. There was no sign at the entrance lane to the parking lot or on the rows of parking spaces telling me these spaces were only for [redacted]'s customers; there were only signs at the exit lane and along the fire lane. I saw two men loitering in front of the store, and parked as far away from the door of the [redacted]'s as I could. I stayed at the restaurant until 9:05; when I left, I discovered my car had been towed. The signs are small, and do not appear to be at least 12 inches X 18 inches, although I have not measured them to check. As I was waiting for someone to take me to the lot to retrieve my car, I saw the same two men loitering in front of the [redacted]'s door, and then I saw one of them run around the side of the building, where they had parked their tow truck, so they could tow a vehicle as soon as the owner stepped off the lot.

When I went to pick up my car, I asked who authorized the towing, and they would only say, "the management company," and would not tell me who that was so that I could contact them about the situation. When I asked why their trucks were parked out-of-sight behind the [redacted]'s, she said, "Well, no one would park there if they knew their cars were going to be towed, would they?" Also, they charged me $135 for the tow, while the [redacted] County website says they are only allowed to charge $125.

I took photographs of the parking lot, showing that there is no sign at the entrance or on the row of parking spaces. I also recorded my conversation with the woman at the payment desk on my cellphone.Desired Settlement: I would like the towing company to refund my money and to increase the size and number of signs so that other restaurant customers will know they are not supposed to park in that lot.

Review: My car was improperly towed from a parking lot that was for customers. I was a customer of that lot, and no more that 1.5 hours later (maximum), my car was towed. I am working with local police, and will attempt to work with listed company, to find out more particular details.

Review: My vehicle was towed from the parking lot behind [redacted]. I was parked in a spot marked with a "V" for visitor and I was displaying a proper visitor's permit. There was no reason to tow my vehicle, but when I woke up in the morning to go to work they had taken it. I was charged $125 to get my vehicle back.Desired Settlement: I want a refund of my $125. This company should have its business license revoked for towing cars without reason. Many people on the internet have similar complaints.

Review: On August 25th I was towed from a private parking lot at approximately 7:53 pm. I am not from the area and was unfamiliar with the parking restrictions. The lot was empty, the gate was up and the signs posted we very confusing since no where did it say no parking was allowed after the hours posted. I parked as was gone for only 15 minutes and was surprised to see my car gone on my return. I went to the towing facility and retrieved my vehicle. I also read [redacted] County Code; Chapter 14.3 "Towing and Storage of Vehicles".

As the Code requires, there were two signs posted on the property but they were not in compliance with almost half of the Code sign requirements. I have filed a formal complaint with the [redacted] County Police and included a document that identifies the non-compliance for each sign as well as photos of the each sign.Desired Settlement: Since the signs were not compliant with 50% of the requirement as set forth by law, I am requesting a refund and the County fine the Towing Company for the violations.

Review: On Sept. 20 2014 around 9pm I just parked at [redacted] parking at [redacted], for about 10-12 min. Just on a side lot there was a kind of live event. I was curious to check walked there and came back and my car was towed away. Sign says 20 min. I parked only for 10-12 min.

Looks like the guy was watching me from the corner and just because I left that lot on just on side lot it considered that I left my car on their property.

They put people in a trap.

I am a [redacted] customer, I used to go there and I was going for purchase there on that moment too. I just walked away on side lot which is about 25 feet away and came back.

And my car also has a scratch on front bumper. I took a picture on their tow parking lot from my cellphone

It is UNAUTHORISE removal as I parked for about 10-12 (not 20 min) and they did not asked property owner [redacted] if it is need to remove my car or not. Furthermore the Tow driver was watching me when I walked on a side lot and used this a a ,,chance,, to remove my car.

Other if it may apply:

I worked as a Military contractor in Afghanistan in job safety related field. I had to work on base with local nationals who some of them were living in caves, because they did not have other opportunity unfortunately in their life. And I swear GOD those people have way much better moral judgment and overall personality values as a normal human being other than this ,,people,,Desired Settlement: $ 135.00

Review: Failure to tow a 4WD using a bed. Theft of vehicle. Towed from private property parking with clearly visible parking pass from the owner in the dash. Overcharging beyond statutory amount.Desired Settlement: Alignment and inspection by a competent mechanic of victims choice.

Review: I had my motorcycle parked in a secluded spot of my private parking lot in [redacted]. That specific spot is where the motorcycle and scooters of the workers park whenever they are at work. I've been parking there for close to 5 years now and no one has really given me the issue.

I parked there by 10/16/2013 and noticed that the bike was gone two days later. I checked in the front desk and they said that the motorcycle was towed at the discretion of the security guard. The said guard was his first night relieving the regular security guard that was normally patrolling the night shift. Management agreed that they shouldn't have towed the motorcycle.

I called them over the phone and asked how much was the fee. They said $125, which I thought was pretty standard. So I hung up, immediately went there to retrieve it and asked for my bike. When I went there they said that the fee was $250 + $50 per day. I was shocked when they said this. At first, I asked why was it so high, they said initially that it was high because it was a county regulated fee. I started Checking on my smartphone then they got nervous. The lady then said that it was because they needed to use a "special equipment", which was a standard flatbed pickup truck. How special was that? I ended up paying $300, which is straight up robbery for them to store a vehicle that is 5 times less the size of a car and for something that they shouldn't have towed. On top of the fact that I saw a scratch and a dent in my tank that plane from the mishandling of the motorcycle.Desired Settlement: A full refund of my $300 of which I paid for in full at that time.

Review: On December 7, 2013, our Acura TSX with license number [redacted] was illegally towed from the lot across from the DMV at [redacted] VA [redacted]. Specifically, we dropped off our son at the DMV and then went to eat lunch at [redacted] on [redacted] VA [redacted] (have receipt copy) a restaurant serviced by the lot that the car was parked in. After eating lunch, we realized the car had been towed and tried contacting the company to have this issue resolved. We were informed that we must return on Monday to contest the illegal towing and we submitted a letter for this purpose.Desired Settlement: We respectfully request a full refund of the $125 towing and associated fees.