George's Garage & Towing Inc.

Complaint: [redacted] We are in receipt of complaint # 10708174 by Mr. [redacted]. ...

In this complaint, Mr. [redacted] leaves out a large amount of detail and has edited fact in an attempt to manipulate the Revdex.com to believe he is a victim. Mr. [redacted] was not operating his car on 7/3/15, his daughter was.  It was unclear to us if she had permission or not to be operating the vehicle but the fact is SHE had an accident with his car on I-195 East at mile marker 6 at approximately 10:19 AM.  The New Jersey State Police responded to the accident to take a report and deemed the Toyota Camry belonging to Mr. [redacted] as undrivable due to the front end being crashed.  The New Jersey State Police then called for a tow and George’s Garage & Towing was dispatched.  Mr. [redacted]’s opinion that the tow was nonconsensual is false.  Title 39:4-136 justifies the tow issued by the New Jersey State Police and proves that George’s Garage and Towing did not, in any way, tow Mr. [redacted]’s vehicle non-consensually.  Title 39:4-136 reads as follows: “In the event that a vehicle is disabled or otherwise unable to proceed while on a roadway, the person shall immediately, by quickest means possible, notify the nearest police authority.  Any vehicle which is disabled on a roadway to the extent the operator cannot move it shall be deemed a nuisance and a menace to the safe and proper regulation of such vehicle.  The owner shall pay the reasonable cost of the removal and storage which may result from such removal before regaining possession of the vehicle” Mr. [redacted] makes another accusation that he made several phone calls to our shop and no one answered.  He was calling our general number for our repair shop, not the number that state police call, as well as give out to patrons that were towed.  This phone number is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year with no exceptions.  On 7/3/15, George’s Garage and Towing responded to 11 tow calls for 5 police departments, the New Jersey State Police and the NJ Turnpike.  All of those entities had no trouble contacting us and we clearly responded to the calls because Mr. [redacted]’s vehicle was one of them.  He states that he went to our facility which was not open for repairs but was clearly, to the response of so many calls, open for towing.  Had Mr. [redacted] called the towing number that he could have acquired from the New Jersey State Police, we would not be having this conversation. Additionally, Mr. [redacted] accused us of not following the Cranbury Township ordinance for towing in this situation.  This is absolutely correct.  Mr. [redacted]’s vehicle was NOT towed by the Cranbury Township Police Department.  The vehicle was towed by the New Jersey State Police, making Cranbury Township’s Police pricing and hours not applicable.  Mr. [redacted] went to the Cranbury Township Police Department regarding this matter and was told the same thing by Sgt. Giuseppe DeChiara.  To my knowledge, Mr. [redacted] made no attempt to argue with the New Jersey State Police pertaining to their version of the pay schedule or hours for release, as he should have. In conclusion, George’s Garage and Towing was open for business on 7/3/15 and responded to a call for the New Jersey State Police to retrieve Mr. [redacted]’s car that was involved in an accident and obstructing traffic on Interstate 195 as pursuant to title 39:4-136.  Mr. [redacted] called the wrong number and therefore could not reach us by phone.  He came to our facility and was rude, condescending, and had a negative agenda.  He identified himself as owning a tow business and knowing people who would straighten this out for him.  After failing to make any progress with the Cranbury Police Department, he called the DEP on the garage stating we purposely spilled fluids out of his car into the ground yet Mr. [redacted] started his crashed car and drove it onto his own trailer leaving no fluid on the ground.  The DEP dismissed the complaint stating it was a disgruntled patron.  Mr. [redacted] is simply angry because his daughter wrecked his car and caused a chain reaction accident damaging 5 other cars.  By his actions against George’s Garage and Towing in calling the DEP, Cranbury Township Police, the Revdex.com, etc., he is taking his aggressions out on everyone but who he should: his daughter and himself.  It would be greatly appreciated if you too, dismiss this complaint. Sincerely,  [redacted] George's Garage & Towing 609-655-3334

Review: George's Garage is a towing and auto repair shop. In May 2015, I broke down on the NJ Turnpike, which AAA does not service. George's Garage towed my car to their shop, where they said it would be an $89 diagnostic fee for an estimate, which I agreed to. They checked the car out, called me and gave me a quote, which was far higher than what I called around about elsewhere. I declined to have the work done at their garage, and arranged to have it towed to another establishment.

When I went to pick it up, George's Garage tacked on "storage fees" of almost $100 because I didn't get the work done with them. These storage fees had never been communicated at any time prior to me picking up the car. They said I either had to pay the storage fees, or they were essentially going to hold my car hostage. They even taunted me saying, "The [redacted] in our court. You won't win." I was forced to pay this fraudulent fee to get my car out of their yard.

When I disputed the charge with my credit card company, the owner, an individual named Tony [redacted], called me directly and threatened me with police action if I continued my credit card dispute.Desired Settlement: George's Garage should refund me in the amount of $89, which were the "storage fees" with which they held the car hostage, and never informed me of at any time during our interaction until I arrived to pick the car up.

Business

Response:

Again. Not dealing with another lying jerk. This guy has tried 3 times to stop payment on his c/c and lost all 3 times. His car was towed in, paid towed bill. Requested us to look @ his vehicle which we did. Gave him a estimate - he blew up his car! HE WAUTED 4 DAYS TO CALL US BACK TO LET US KNOW WHAT HE WAS GOING TO DO - but when he was given the estimate, he said he call back that day - which he did not!!!!! - 4 DAYS LATER. He signed a work order approving us to look @ his car which also stated that a diagnostic fee & storage charges may apply. Done with guy. He did not get any where with trying to stop payment on his credit card - which is fraud. NOW I will be filing harassment charges against him with the police department.DONE!

Consumer

Response:

I am rejecting this response because:

The key issue with my complaint, which I'll re-state was the following: "George's Garage tacked on "storage fees" of almost $100 because I didn't get the work done with them. These storage fees had never been communicated at any time prior to me picking up the car. They said I either had to pay the storage fees, or they were essentially going to hold my car hostage."It was at the time of pickup that I had no other choice than to sign their work order, as they were not going to release my car otherwise. George's Garage didn't not communicate the "storage fees" until I informed them I was not getting the work done at their shop. This is a fact that they simply cannot dispute. I would never waste my time complaining about something like this over roughly $100 unless someone's business practices were so absurdly egregious, which they absolutely were in this case.

Business

Response:

I'm done with this. Everything was explained to him. He didn't read the work order correctly that he signed. I have all signed documents that have been submitted to American Express for his c/c dispute which GGT won ALL 3 times.He left the car with no response for 4 days with no communication - storage applies.

Review: On the morning of July 3rd, my vehicle was involved in an accident on I 195. The NJ state Police engaged in a non-consensual Tow Of my vehicle, they contacted GEORGES GARAGE & TOWING. My 2003 Toyota Camry was towed to [redacted] At approximately 1:00pm on Friday July 3rd, the same day of the accident, I made several phone calls to Georges' Towing to recover my car, no one answered, and no answering service or recorder picked up. I went to the tow Companies location attempting to recover my car but the office was closed. I then emailed them asking why they don’t answer the Phone, I never got a response. CRANBURY TOWNSHIP ORDINANCE # 08-13-22 part § 140-5. Availability/Standards Paragraph 3 Clearly requires that “vehicle release must be available from the hours of 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday and 09:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Saturday. Its very clear that Cranbury Township ordinance requires tow facilities remain open 6 days a week absent of a legal holiday. Georges Towing was only open ONLY 4 days for the week, leading up to July 4th, The law only makes an exception for LEGAL holidays and Friday July 3rd is not a legal holiday.

1) GEORGES GARAGE & TOWING charged me an unreasonable and excessive fee totaling $683.35 for a one way

non-consensual tow. Furthermore, I was never provided a copy of the bill or a breakdown of charges.

2) GEORGES GARAGE & TOWING clearly violated the law when they towed my car on Friday and prevented

the recovery my vehicle on Friday July 3rd.

3) GEORGES GARAGE & TOWING does not maintain proper business hours as required by law.

4) GEORGES GARAGE & TOWING did not make any reasonable accommodation for after-hours release of my stored vehicle, at my expense.Desired Settlement: Full Refund

Business

Response:

Review: [redacted] We are in receipt of complaint # 10708174 by Mr. [redacted]. In this complaint, Mr. [redacted] leaves out a large amount of detail and has edited fact in an attempt to manipulate the Revdex.com to believe he is a victim. Mr. [redacted] was not operating his car on 7/3/15, his daughter was. It was unclear to us if she had permission or not to be operating the vehicle but the fact is SHE had an accident with his car on I-195 East at mile marker 6 at approximately 10:19 AM. The New Jersey State Police responded to the accident to take a report and deemed the Toyota Camry belonging to Mr. [redacted] as undrivable due to the front end being crashed. The New Jersey State Police then called for a tow and George’s Garage & Towing was dispatched. Mr. [redacted]’s opinion that the tow was nonconsensual is false. Title 39:4-136 justifies the tow issued by the New Jersey State Police and proves that George’s Garage and Towing did not, in any way, tow Mr. [redacted]’s vehicle non-consensually. Title 39:4-136 reads as follows: “In the event that a vehicle is disabled or otherwise unable to proceed while on a roadway, the person shall immediately, by quickest means possible, notify the nearest police authority. Any vehicle which is disabled on a roadway to the extent the operator cannot move it shall be deemed a nuisance and a menace to the safe and proper regulation of such vehicle. The owner shall pay the reasonable cost of the removal and storage which may result from such removal before regaining possession of the vehicle” Mr. [redacted] makes another accusation that he made several phone calls to our shop and no one answered. He was calling our general number for our repair shop, not the number that state police call, as well as give out to patrons that were towed. This phone number is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year with no exceptions. On 7/3/15, George’s Garage and Towing responded to 11 tow calls for 5 police departments, the New Jersey State Police and the NJ Turnpike. All of those entities had no trouble contacting us and we clearly responded to the calls because Mr. [redacted]’s vehicle was one of them. He states that he went to our facility which was not open for repairs but was clearly, to the response of so many calls, open for towing. Had Mr. [redacted] called the towing number that he could have acquired from the New Jersey State Police, we would not be having this conversation. Additionally, Mr. [redacted] accused us of not following the Cranbury Township ordinance for towing in this situation. This is absolutely correct. Mr. [redacted]’s vehicle was NOT towed by the Cranbury Township Police Department. The vehicle was towed by the New Jersey State Police, making Cranbury Township’s Police pricing and hours not applicable. Mr. [redacted] went to the Cranbury Township Police Department regarding this matter and was told the same thing by Sgt. Giuseppe DeChiara. To my knowledge, Mr. [redacted] made no attempt to argue with the New Jersey State Police pertaining to their version of the pay schedule or hours for release, as he should have. In conclusion, George’s Garage and Towing was open for business on 7/3/15 and responded to a call for the New Jersey State Police to retrieve Mr. [redacted]’s car that was involved in an accident and obstructing traffic on Interstate 195 as pursuant to title 39:4-136. Mr. [redacted] called the wrong number and therefore could not reach us by phone. He came to our facility and was rude, condescending, and had a negative agenda. He identified himself as owning a tow business and knowing people who would straighten this out for him. After failing to make any progress with the Cranbury Police Department, he called the DEP on the garage stating we purposely spilled fluids out of his car into the ground yet Mr. [redacted] started his crashed car and drove it onto his own trailer leaving no fluid on the ground. The DEP dismissed the complaint stating it was a disgruntled patron. Mr. [redacted] is simply angry because his daughter wrecked his car and caused a chain reaction accident damaging 5 other cars. By his actions against George’s Garage and Towing in calling the DEP, Cranbury Township Police, the Revdex.com, etc., he is taking his aggressions out on everyone but who he should: his daughter and himself. It would be greatly appreciated if you too, dismiss this complaint. Sincerely, [redacted] George's Garage & Towing 609-655-3334