D & L Autobody & Towing

This is from the dispatcher who was dealing with Mr [redacted] "In rebuttal to Mr[redacted] ’s commentsMr[redacted] walked into the lobby at D&L Towing and stated that he was not going to pay for his vehicle and that I had no right to tow his vehicle from his apartment complex After I explained to him that his vehicle was towed per order of the property management co , due to the fact that he did not move his vehicle for snow removal at the proper time as stated by managementMr[redacted] stated once again he was not responsible for the charge and said he would be in touch with the proper authorities and get back to meMr[redacted] called me back and gave me a phone number of a [redacted] police officers cell phoneMr[redacted] stated that I was to call the officer and that the officer was going to instruct me to give the vehicle back free of charge to Mr[redacted] due to a clerical error on our partAfter speaking with the Police officer , I was informed that no such order was to be given , in fact the officer stated that he informed Mr[redacted] that D&L Towing had filed all the paperwork correctly and that this would be a civil matter if he would like to pursue itMr[redacted] the sent his father into D&L to try to arrange a cost effective monetary dealI offered Mr[redacted] ’s father a reduced amount of the total due as a courtesyMr[redacted] ’s father opted not to pay , and proceeded to call his sonA short time after , Mrs [redacted] arrived by herself and threatened to sue both D&L and the property management companyShe also insisted that she would not pay a penny to retrieve the vehicleRight after that , Mr[redacted] himself arrived and discussed together with his wife how they would sue D&L while standing in our lobbyAfter speaking amongst them strategizing on how best to bring D&L to its knees , they all left , once again without payment and of course with the car." We notified the customer by certifide mail as to where his vehicle was Mr [redacted] and/or his son came in a week earlier when the bill was around $and stated they were not going to pay for their car and they demanded that it be free We again tried to explain to Mr [redacted] the reason why his vehicle was towed and he didn't want to listen As it stands we offered him a discount of $which he denied We are still willing to give him that discount, but the longer the car stays here the more the bill will be Thank you, [redacted]

This is from the dispatcher who was dealing with Mr. [redacted]
"In rebuttal to Mr.[redacted]’s comments. Mr.[redacted] walked into the lobby at
D&L Towing and stated that he was not going to pay for his vehicle and that
I had no right to tow his vehicle from his apartment complex....

After I explained
to him that his vehicle was towed per order of the property management co , due
to the fact that he did not move his vehicle for snow removal at the proper time
as stated by management. Mr.[redacted] stated once again he was not responsible for
the charge and said he would be in touch with the proper authorities and get
back to me. Mr.[redacted] called me back and gave me a phone number of a [redacted]
police officers cell phone. Mr.[redacted] stated that I was to call the officer and
that the officer was going to instruct me to give the vehicle back free of
charge to Mr.[redacted] due to a clerical error on our part. After speaking with
the Police officer , I was informed that no such order was to be given , in fact
the officer stated that he informed Mr.[redacted] that D&L Towing had filed all
the paperwork correctly and that this would be a civil matter if he would like
to pursue it. Mr.[redacted] the sent his father into D&L to try to arrange a
cost effective monetary deal. I offered Mr.[redacted]’s father a reduced amount of
the total due as a courtesy. Mr.[redacted]’s father opted not to pay , and
proceeded to call his son. A short time after , Mrs. [redacted] arrived by herself
and threatened to sue both D&L and the property management company. She
also insisted that she would not pay a penny to retrieve the vehicle. Right
after that , Mr.[redacted] himself arrived and discussed together with his wife how
they would sue D&L while standing in our lobby. After speaking amongst them
strategizing on how best to bring D&L to its knees , they all left , once
again without payment and of course with the car."
 
We notified the customer by certifide mail as to where his vehicle was.  Mr. [redacted] and/or his son came in a week earlier when the bill was around $450.00 and stated they were not going to pay for their car and they demanded that it be free.  We again tried to explain to Mr. [redacted] the reason why his vehicle was towed and he didn't want to listen.  As it stands we offered him a discount of $87.00 which he denied.  We are still willing to give him that discount, but the longer the car stays here the more the bill will be.
Thank you,
 
[redacted]

Review: I park every night at my condo complex in the same area, I keep my parking pass in the same spot everyday and never move it. I woke up on New Years Eve morning to go to work and my car was not there. I called d&l towing and asked if they had my car they said yes. I had to wait for a ride and not go to work to go to this filthy establishment to have a older gentleman yell at me and tell me that it wasn't in the window even tho I had pointed out that the pass was on my seat and fell there in the tow because it's not possible to affix it to the window be preceded to tell me if I wanted my car back it's 113 cash, I then called the cops because I felt I was in danger and not going to pay them to get my car back. The cop told me this is very common with this company and the proper steps to take for my car being wrongfully towed from my house. I went back to pay and the price miraculously changed to 108.74Desired Settlement: My 108.74$ refund

Business

Response:

Ms[redacted]'s

vehicle was towed because she didn't have the proper permit in her window. The

older gentlemen didn't yell at her, he was trying to explain why her vehicle

was towed and why she had to pay. Her permit was on the floor of the car. For

security reasons we are not going to look through vehicles to see if there is a

permit or not. The price, which was explained to [redacted], her friend who dropped

her off, that as of yesterday the fuel surcharge is no longer charged because

the national average fell below $3.50 per a gallon. That is why her bill was

only $108.74. Had her permit been visible she never would have been towed. The

police explained that it is a civil matter and that there wasn't anything they

can do. She was never in harm, especially when the gentleman who was yelling at

her was inside and she was standing by her car with her friend [redacted], who

isn't a small little guy. I am not able to issue a refund at this time. Please

remember to keep the visitor pass visible at all times.

Thank you,

Consumer

Response:

Review: [redacted]

I am rejecting this response because:According to my condo complex there is a picture taken when my car was towed at 5:55 this am, I was not shown a picture to prove that the pass was in fact not shown in the window. I want to see the picture that was taken last night before my car was towed in my complex to prove it was not there. The picture should include my vin number because it is on my windshield. If the company cannot provide this photo before my car was towed I will be contacting the news and filing a small claims court case. I needed a ride to get my car which is why I came there with another person. The man was extremely rude and unprofessional. I had to call out of work for the day to deal with this nonsense, I lost out on a day of holiday pay at work. I park in the same spot every night. The condo complex is aware of the issue. And is looking into it further as well.

Sincerely,

Review: This company pays employees to sit and watch parking lots. as soon as a unsuspecting motorist leaves their vehicles these employees call the truck and come tow it away immediately. When you return your left with nothing except bogus excuses on how the property managers wanted the car towed. If you try and contact the property managers they cannot be reached or have no idea what your talking about.

Desired Settlement: They charge $133 for towing your car for no reason.

Business

Response:

Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2013/08/14) */

[redacted] is a private parking lot for [redacted] only. There are a bunch of signs that D & L put up along with the signs that the property manager put up. When you park your car in the lot and leave the property you are not conducting business in this Plaza. When you go to court there is a parking garage that is to be used. You can't park in this plaza and go to the beach, go to the tavern down the street, or anywhere else. People need to be aware of their surroundings and make sure they know where they are parking.

We have not done anything wrong. People abuse this lot and liability is on the property owner. The security guard is there to make sure the parking is being enforced. We charge accordingly by the rates set forth by the local Department of Motor vehicles. We don't abuse or over charge customers.

It isn't difficult to get a hold of the property owner's; numerous people on many occasions have contacted him. There is a new parking lot that the town built for people to park in so they are able to visit the shops and other businesses on [redacted] Street. [redacted] if you look at this article that was posted in the [redacted] press you will see that the property owners have every right to tow off the property.

Had you not left the property you never would have been towed. We do our best to warn who we can when we can.

Review: CT state law allows a maximum of $22 overnight per 12 hour storage fee and this business is charging me more than that.Desired Settlement: I want this business to abide to state law.

Business

Response:

Mr. [redacted], I already spoke to you in regards to the $50.00 charge. I explained to you that [redacted] granted us an after hours release fee. I told you that all you needed to do was to send me your email address and I would be more then happy to email you a copy of the letter that states we are allowed to charge this fee. State rate for storage is $24.00 after a 12 hour period. We are also allowed to charge you $12.00 for your car being in our custody for 8-10 hours-which we did not charge you. Also, I gave you a break on the storage fee when you picked up the car on Sunday. You should have paid more but I did you a favor and did not charge you. I have attached the letter here from [redacted]. I am not sure why you didn't message me with your email as you stated you were going to do. I am sorry to say but I am not going to authorize a refund for $50.00. If you any other questions please contact us again. Thank you, Tracy D[redacted] Office Manager

Review: On Monday,Sept. 1, 2014,my commercial truck was parked in a [redacted] parking lot at [redacted], at approx.1:30pm, at the farthest corner away from any entrance. He parked in this area since there were other trucks parked there & felt it was out of the way. The only sign he saw upon entering this [redacted] parking lot was one that stated "No overnight vehicle or RV parking". The driver unhooked the trailer (leaving a note on the trailer with his cell number)& returned within 30 minutes, give or take, & found the trailer had been towed away.The company that towed the trailer was sitting in the parking lot waiting for drivers who are obviously unaware of any sign & are unfamiliar with the area to leave so they can tow them away, as you would say an "easy target". I called [redacted] on 09-01-14, spoke to the on duty manager, and [redacted] said they never called to have trailer towed away. After calling & speaking with numerous company employees from the D & L Towing, I was told that it was the Fire Marshall from [redacted] that called to have our trailer towed. I called the town Mayer on 9/3/14 which informed me that the Fire Marshall did not make any call, matter of fact, he wasn't even working on this particular day. I feel this company stole my trailer & removed it for no other reason but to make over $742 plus dollars off of me. They held my trailer as ransom until they were paid. When I questioned this ridiculous amount, the towing company employee told me this price is set by the MVD for towing commercial trailers. Upon further research the Maximum towing charges approved by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles for Connecticut on a trailer weighting no more than 26,000 LBS is $200 per hour w/recovery included. This company only towed my empty trailer 8.9 miles, which only takes no more than 10 minutes. They say they have video & pictures, but when I ask (many times) for the video or pictures they wont send them. Also, as per the FMCSA their USDOT # shows Not Authorized to operate.Desired Settlement: I want a FULL refund, by cash, of my money for both invoices that total up to $743.27, the $66.00 it cost me to wire the money, and $125 for time lost due to them inappropriately removing my trailer without proper cause. Invoices:$743.27 Fee to wire:$66.00 Time lost:$125.00 total due $934.27

Business

Response:

I have looked into this matter with my employees and there have

been quite a few texts from this customer. Some can be considered harassment. I am not sure of the conversations that were

between the owner of the vehicle and my driver.

It is a he said she said situation, in which none us were a part of, so

I cannot comment of that. The fact of

the matter is that the owner of the property, not [redacted], but the property

management company does not want any vehicles left on this property. The customer explained that he saw the sign

warning him not to park there and chose to leave his trailer there anyway. This is private property, he does not have

the right to drop his trailer and leave the premises. My driver was not sitting there waiting, had

he been the customer would have seen our tow truck (We have very bright colors

and we are very noticeable.) I have

attached a picture of a sign that is posted in our office, for all non- consensual

tows are to be paid in cash, which is office policy. We currently have a trailer in our yard that

is the same as the one towed and it is well over 26,000lbs state rate is

$325.00 per hour. The charges were

correct. Our DOT# is active, our MC# is

on hold, we were in the process of renewing our insurance (which renewed on

09/01/2014 a holiday) which caused a delay in a form going to the FMCSA, and

this has been handled.

I can understand the customer's frustrations but they were

aware that they couldn't park there and chose to leave their vehicle on private

property. I cannot authorize a refund at

this time. I would also request that

this party stop texting my driver, if he needs to speak to someone he can call

the office at ###-###-####, my driver is just doing a job.

Thank you,

Tracy DiFronzo

[redacted] (Member)

Consumer

Response:

Review: [redacted]

I am rejecting this response because:

Review: D&L towed my vehicle from a condo without being called to do so. Because they needed to dolly my vehicle (AWD), they dragged the vehicle out of the spot in order to get to the front wheels. In doing so, the timing was thrown off and all the valves on both heads were bent and as a result the engine needed to be replaced. The total cost was over $21k. It took me almost 6 months to finally get [redacted] (the owner)to acknowledge the damage. I am told now that he will not be reimbursing me because I cannot prove that he caused the damage. The fact is that I drove the vehicle to where it was towed from 3 hours before he towed it. There was no additional damage to any of the timing components or engine, indicating that this damage didnt occur while the vehicle was being driven. None of the timing components were worn and they are not serviceable items (meaning they are maintenance free) [redacted] techs indicated that if the car was in gear (first) and dragged backwards, the titanium timing chain could jump time and that would have been enough to cause the pistons to contact the valves, bending them. This business and the owner dont accept responsibility for their liability when they damage property.Desired Settlement: The owner ([redacted]) will make FULL restitution for the cost of the engine and labor. I have presented the invoice from the dealership via registered mail detailing all work performed and the total cost.

Business

Response:

D & L Auto Body & Towing, LLC has been in contact

with Mr. [redacted] from day one, and it did not take six months. We explained to Mr. [redacted] that we did not do

the damage that he states we did. At the

time of tow Mr. [redacted]’s car was unregistered and parked on private property.

I had parked outside my girlfriends apartment. They sweep the lot every night at 11 to check for guest and tenant parking tags. I had a guest tag sitting visibly on my dash, they towed my car and when I called them and told them that they towed my car and I had the proper tag, they became profane and told me that the only way I could get it back was to pay 170$ and if there was a problem with that that I would need to take them to court. They said that the car wasn't leaving without me paying. They essentially stole and held my car for ransom. I took a taxi to their place, waited over an hour for the guy to show up. He wouldn't even open the gate to talk to me, I had to slide him the cash through a hole in the gate, 20 minutes later I had to walk through their lot and get my car, when I found the car, I pointed out that my tag was right where I said it was. His response was " it wasn't visible to our driver at the time it was towed" somehow this is my fault. I am taking them to court over this matter and hope nobody else has to go through this experience.

Review: I would like to say that I am very upset that wit a towing company from the [redacted] I was visiting a friend that live in [redacted] and I park in the parking lot next to my friends house on [redacted] Their was no sign that stated I can't not park their. Their was a sign their bout no lettering on the sign it was blank so I didn't think of nothing of it I was their a few hrs when I went outside to find my truck not their I was very upset because their was no warning signs nowhere so I couldn't not I underetand that I ask well their is no sign their they told me yes their is at the entries I said that sign has no letterings. So I had to pay someone to barrow the 130.00 to pay the towing company as well 20.00 for someone to bring me to pick up my car please help me!! This wrong I know it has happened to others I have seen them after towing cars.. I as well call the housing authority and they said they couldn't do anything about it I ask why not it theier property they said theirs a sigh I am going to send the picture of the sign thank you!!Desired Settlement: I would like them to fix the sign n as well refund my money please

Business

Response:

Before I can answer this complain I will need to know what type of car was towed and the date of tow. Once I have this information I will be able to review the tow in question and return with a respone.

Thank you,

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], it was a [redacted] towed on 5/5/2014

Sincerely,

Review: My car was towed from [redacted] property. Called D&L asking if they towed it. They told me they don't have my [redacted] Camry in there possession. I assumed my car was stolen and called local [redacted] Police department. Police officer arrived to my house to investigate. He also called D&L and they told him they don't have my car. Police officer personally went to D&L and saw my car on their lot. He called and me and informed that my car was in fact with D&L.I went to D&L to discuss the issue. D&L employee ([redacted]) told me that neither I or Police called or came to them looking for my car. I do have phone records showing that I did in fact called them. I also gave them [redacted] Police officer name ([redacted]). D&L still refuses to acknowledge their fault and want around $500. I've been without my car for over two weeks now.Desired Settlement: I believe D&L should at least return my car without any payments from me and offer their apologies for putting me through this nightmare.

Business

Response:

This is from the dispatcher who was dealing with Mr. [redacted]

"In rebuttal to Mr.[redacted]’s comments. Mr.[redacted] walked into the lobby at

D&L Towing and stated that he was not going to pay for his vehicle and that

I had no right to tow his vehicle from his apartment complex. After I explained

to him that his vehicle was towed per order of the property management co , due

to the fact that he did not move his vehicle for snow removal at the proper time

as stated by management. Mr.[redacted] stated once again he was not responsible for

the charge and said he would be in touch with the proper authorities and get

back to me. Mr.[redacted] called me back and gave me a phone number of a [redacted]

police officers cell phone. Mr.[redacted] stated that I was to call the officer and

that the officer was going to instruct me to give the vehicle back free of

charge to Mr.[redacted] due to a clerical error on our part. After speaking with

the Police officer , I was informed that no such order was to be given , in fact

the officer stated that he informed Mr.[redacted] that D&L Towing had filed all

the paperwork correctly and that this would be a civil matter if he would like

to pursue it. Mr.[redacted] the sent his father into D&L to try to arrange a

cost effective monetary deal. I offered Mr.[redacted]’s father a reduced amount of

the total due as a courtesy. Mr.[redacted]’s father opted not to pay , and

proceeded to call his son. A short time after , Mrs. [redacted] arrived by herself

and threatened to sue both D&L and the property management company. She

also insisted that she would not pay a penny to retrieve the vehicle. Right

after that , Mr.[redacted] himself arrived and discussed together with his wife how

they would sue D&L while standing in our lobby. After speaking amongst them

strategizing on how best to bring D&L to its knees , they all left , once

again without payment and of course with the car."

We notified the customer by certifide mail as to where his vehicle was. Mr. [redacted] and/or his son came in a week earlier when the bill was around $450.00 and stated they were not going to pay for their car and they demanded that it be free. We again tried to explain to Mr. [redacted] the reason why his vehicle was towed and he didn't want to listen. As it stands we offered him a discount of $87.00 which he denied. We are still willing to give him that discount, but the longer the car stays here the more the bill will be.

Thank you,

My car was towed from [redacted] property. Called D&L asking if they towed it. They told me they don't have my [redacted] Camry in there possession. I assumed my car was stolen and called local [redacted] Police department. Police officer arrived to my house to investigate. He also called D&L and they told him they don't have my car. Police officer personally went to D&L and saw my car on their lot. He called and me and informed that my car was in fact with D&L.I went to D&L to discuss the issue. D&L employee ([redacted]) told me that neither I or Police called or came to them looking for my car. I do have phone records showing that I did in fact called them. I also gave them [redacted] Police officer name ([redacted]). D&L still refuses to acknowledge their fault and want around $500. I've been without my car for over two weeks now.