Dominion Wrecker Service

Review: My vehicle was towed by their company from an authorized area. I was informed that I was parked improperly (within 15 feet of corner) though there is no signage or markings to designate the area as a no parking area. Also I was quoted a price of $120 on the telephone for them to release my vehicle and when I arrived at their location I was charged $125 when I asked why the change in price I was told you "misheard me" also I was yelled at and treated rudely where I feel they were trying to lure me into an argument by yelling at me and not giving me a specific time when I can see the pictures to prove that the area was a no parking area.Desired Settlement: Refund of $125.00 due to improper towing

Review: MY VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM A RESIDENCE IN [redacted], [redacted] VA. UPON PAYING THE FEE AND RETREIVING MY CAR FROM THE STORAGE FACILITY AT DOMINION WRECKER, I NOTICED SCRATHES TO MY FROM BUMPER. I THEN PROCEDED TO CONDUCT A VISUAL INSPECTION OF REST OF MY CAR. I NOTICED THERE WERE ALSO VISIBLE DEEP SCRATHES TO THE REAR OF MY CAR. I IMMEDIAETLY NOTIFED THE ATTENDENT OF THE DAMAGES AND WAS TOLD TO CONTACT THE MANAGER. I ALSO LEFT MY INFORMATION TO BE CONTACTED. THE TOW TOOK PLACE THE EARLY MORNING OF 5/8/2014. THE MANAGER, [redacted], DID NOT RETURN MY CALL UNTIL 5/12/2014 AND AT THAT TIME, HE INDICATED THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DAMAGE AND WOULD NOT PAY ANYTHING. THIS CAR WAS JUST PURCHASED IN EXCELLENT CONDITION ON 4/18/2014. THE DEALER CAN PROVIDE US WITH PICTURES TO PROVE THERE WERE NO DAMAGES AFTER PURCHASE. WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO HAPPENE IS FOR MY BUMPERS TO BE REPAIRED AND OR REPLACED. I AM AN ACTIVE DUTY ARMY RESERVIST AND MAINTAIN A FULL TIME JOD. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT ADDITIONA INFORMATION MAYBE NEEDED IN ORDER TO PRECEED WITH MY COMPLAINT.Desired Settlement: WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO HAPPENE IS FOR MY BUMPERS TO BE REPAIRED AND OR REPLACED.

Review: Agency representative, [redacted] jumped and banged on my car, yelled and cursed at me, used extremely profaned and offensive language towards me. Sat on my car preventing me from leaving, in essence preventing me from leaving against my will. I have a video tape of this and the police dispatcher said she could hear him yelling and outing in an outrages manner. I on the other hand never acted out of order or in an offensive manner. Seeking assistance since the week of 5/20/13, I have called the owner on several occasion and left a messages asking for the owner to return my call, but have not received a return call as of yet. I was advised by the police officer whom I called and who came out to the property on 5/17/13; that this company has had previous complaints, but they remain in business. He added that the owner temporarily terminates staff and bring them back, so complaining does no good.Desired Settlement: I would like for Mr. [redacted] to provide me with a written and verbal apology and I would like him to be terminated and not be rehired with this or other towing companies.

Consumer

Response:

Thank you for following up on this matter. You stated that you need additional information in regards the following

Review: This complaint is in regards to the harassment I received by one of the drivers for Dominion Recker Service. On September 7, 2013 at 9:25pm Eastern, I noticed a driver from Dominion Recker with a flashlight looking at the dash of my car. When I asked him what he was doing, he said "the parking permit you have was altered." When I explained it was not, he immediately added "sure, you can see it with two different inks and it was changed from a 2." I have the permit in my possession and am not sure how you can decipher a change, let alone ink changes in the dark. I explained again that was not and asked for his name. He said "Driver #4," and I said again it was a legitimate parking permit for the apartment. When he came back and said, "Let me show you." I said I did not appreciate his accusation, and he started to walk away and added "maybe the office did it, but it was changed." His comments did not make sense as to why an office would change a parking permit. I consider myself a Christian, and do not want to get anyone in trouble. Equally though, you have to stand up for yourself on what happened and was really taken off guard with the experience and the insistence of the employee. I looked online and saw 3 other posts where others had their cars illegally towed. I know had I not been blessed to have come out at the time, I would have had my car towed as well- it then hit me that this guy could be paid based on the number of units towed. With the company not even having a website and difficult to glean any information online. Perhaps this is a legitimate company (giving the benefit of the doubt), although I am not holding to much by was of response, just thankful I came in time.Desired Settlement: Response as to how this was handled by the company as I am afraid the towing service may try again.

Business

Response:

I am sorry you feel that you were harassed by Driver #4. Please understand that we are contracted to do a job and that is exactly what we were doing the night in question. Fortunately, we take pictures of all cars in violation prior to towing them and Driver #4 took the attached picture of the permit displayed in the dash of your car prior to you approaching him on 9/7/13. The attached permit that was displayed in your vehicle appears to be clearly altered.

If you have any further questions/concerns please contact [redacted] at ###-###-####.

Sincerely,

Dominion Wrecker Service

Review: I was not sure what to select as nature of my complaint. Merchants of this type of services literally don't care who they hurt. they go around residentials areas and don't care if you are there 2 minutes to drop or pick up something. And the next thing hitting you if $160.00 bill if you want your car back and don't want to be charged for an extra day or two. That was my situation.. I was leaving my daugher house , was there like 2 minutes getting my dogs and my youngest daughter when I hear the car alarm going and the driver was coming out of my vehicle....can day do that also??. My purse was still in the car, towing guy took off and my son in law try to block him to explain what happen. Driver told him to move out of the way of he was going to run him over. I feel they steal from people like me and they are actually protected by law to do so.Desired Settlement: I think is only fare they refund me. Guy was rude when ever he was leaving, He could have charge me the minimum in the spot and drop the car right there. and on top of that he threatened to run over. my son-in-law. When we got to the towing company the driver had told the attendant of the lot He felt threatened by us. Really a woman a kid and two dogs. My son-in law never put a hand on the card or the person. He was just explaining that I was there to pick up my pets and daughter.

Review: My car was (in my opinion, illegally) towed from [redacted] Community Association ([redacted]) by Dominion Wrecker Service (DWS) on 30 June 2013. The DWS representative on duty that night lied to or unknowingly misinformed the police, telling them that my car was parked in a fire lane. The police would not get involved because of this. I had to pay $160 to get my car back. I wrote and mailed a letter dated 19 July 2013, requesting a refund, to both the homeowner's association and the wrecker service that proved my car was not parked in a fire line. I didn't receive a response from either party so called both parties for status on 9 September 2013. I spoke with [redacted] with [redacted], who indicated that he would present my letter to the Board at the 17 September 2013 meeting. I spoke with [redacted] with DWS who couldn't recall receipt of the letter; we agreed I would fax it to [redacted] at the number [redacted] provided. I received a denial letter dated 18 September 2013 signed by [redacted] that was not explanatory. I called [redacted] on 30 September 2013 seeking an explanation and he said that he called DWS and that they got their fire lane explanation wrong but that instead, I was parked illegally and that's why I was towed. I asked [redacted] to tell me where in [redacted]'s bylaws it was referenced that I could not park where I did. He said I was getting argumentative and that he couldn't tell me anymore. Per the police, it is [redacted]'s responsibility to define fire lanes and parking rules as it is private property. He said that I would have to contact DWS as the Board denied my refund request. The call ended abruptly. I called DWS on 30 September 2013 and asked for [redacted] or [redacted]. The male that I spoke with did not identify himself. DWS admitted that their driver messed up but also denied my request for refund without explanation. That call also ended abruptly. I did not receive any logical explanation from either party why my car was towed, nor why I was not going to receive a refund.Desired Settlement: I ask that I be issued a (check) refund mailed within 30 days, and that I receive notification of the date mailed. If I don't receive the check within 1 week of the date mailed, I will inform DWS and ask that the replacement check be mailed within 7 days. If a refund will not be issued, I ask that DWS mail me a written explanation within 15 days, on company letterhead, citing the specific reason my car was towed. References to [redacted] documentation / by laws would be preferred.

Review: On September 29th 2014 I came outside to head to drop my son off and head to work I noticed my car was nowhere to be found, so I called Dominon Wrecker at 7:07am, eventho they would have no reason to tow my car being that I lived in my condo complex for over about a year and had my permit sticker in the same place all that time. I called and long and behold they had my car I asked them why would they tow it being that I have a permit sticker and I live at the complex and never had a towing issue before. I arrived at Dominion and the gentlemen there said he would let me see my car to show me I have no sticker there. Once I went around back to my surprise my permit sticker wasn't there and THE DRIVERS CAR DOOR WAS UNLOCKED!!!! I asked the gentlemen why was the car door unlocked as I'm 100% certain I locked it and not only that my car door automatically locks after a while anyways mind you I got home September 28, 2014 around 5pm and haven't been out to the car since. The gentlemen stuttered and nervously answered "you probably didn't lock it and please don't get in the car." We walked back to the front I asked for his name didn't want to give it to me, I asked for the name of a main office he said there wasn't one, I asked for someone above him he said he was it no one above him (which I know is a lie unless he is an owner and he already said he wasn't). He tried to argue with me that the sticker probably fell which couldn't have happen because the windows were all closed to the top so no draft or wind could have came in strong enough to blow the sticker away. I am appalled that I had to pay $125.00 to a company that is as shady as Dominion that towed my vehicle from my residence where I have a permit.Desired Settlement: I want a full refund of $125.00 on my card.

Review: I had returned not more than 10 minutes when Dominion Wrecker towed my car. I had another issue with the company a few months ago when they accused me of an improper parking permit for the apt. complex. Luckily, I caught the driver before he had the chance to tow then). When I called the company, they quoted me $160 only and threatened it would be additional if parked beyond 24 hours. With the impending bad weather in the morning with ice, and threatening of additional money, I took a cab down to the office, saw that the fee to obtain the car was actually $125 and additional $35 after hours. I presented my credit card and picture license (with the same exact name), signed the receipt, the attendant then gave me another receipt to sign and then asked for a second signature without any reason. When I asked him, he said it was a refund and claimed the signature was not mine (despite my license with my picture). He said "I need cash" or you can take it up with the office on Monday. He did not give me a copy of either receipt. In 28 degree weather, I walked to the [redacted] to get the cash. When I came back, he was talking on the phone and just put his hand out (with the credit card experience, I was not sure he would just take the money). He pointed to the side and said my car was in the lot. When I went up to ask for a card, he gave it to me and refused to give me his name. When I asked again, he said "this conversation is over before I start yelling." I understand they are providing a necessary service that is not the easiest, but the treatment I received with false accusation, refusing the credit card, refusing to give name, and say he will start yelling when nothing was escalating crossed the lineDesired Settlement: Refund of $160, policy on why breaking into my car, and explanation of treatment, especially the credit card

Consumer

Response:

From: Revdex.com of Metro DC and Eastern PA <[email protected]>

Date: Tue, Dec 10, 2013 at 10:04 AM

Subject: Fwd: Complaint #[redacted]

To: [redacted] <[redacted]>

---------- Forwarded message ----------

From: [redacted] <[redacted]>

Date: Mon, Dec 9, 2013 at 10:23 PM

Subject: Complaint #[redacted]

To: [email protected]

Dear Sir/Madam. Thank you for the quick response on my complaint. Unfortunately, I have to contact you to add that after checking my bank today, $160 was in fact taken from my account via a credit card with no corresponding debit back to the account. This is also illegal based on reading the VA statute for towing operators.

Review: Between 08:00 pm on June 14, 2013 and 04:00 am June 14, 2013, my boyfriend's vehicle was towed from my residence for not having a parking permit. Upon realizing the vehicle was taken we contacted the towing company and proceeded to go and get the vehicle. Once we arrived at the facility, my boyfriend asked the person ([redacted]- not sure if that was his real name) how did they removed the vehicle considering that the vehicle had its emergency brakes in the "ON" position. "[redacted]" proceeded to say that they had to brake into the vehicle. When questioned as to why the vehicle was broken into to he stated that it was their policy. I asked for a copy of the policy and he stated" he couldn't give it to me" and when I asked for his manager's name he stated it was "[redacted]". I later called the company again and was told that the manager's name was [redacted] and he wouldn't be in until Monday after 11:00pm.Desired Settlement: I would like to see the policy which states this and an explaination of why it is necessary to take these actions to remove a vehichle.

Business

Response:

[redacted] (claim #[redacted]),

Unfortunately we do not have a written policy as requested as the desired outcome in this claim, however, the explanation to your question is as follows:

If a vehicle is front wheel drive and the emergency brake is on, it is standard practice for a tow operator to gain access to the interior of the vehicle with the purpose of releasing the brake in order to safely tow the vehicle. This is a necessary precaution to prevent damage to the vehicle being towed.

If you have any additional questions please contact [redacted].

Sincerely,

Dominion Wrecker Service