Prairie Land Towing

I was parked in what I was advised was visitor parking at a relatives apartment complex and someone from prairie land towing came and hooked my car up to tow it I went over and said that's my car and the guy said he needed 150.00 to release my car. He could not prove to me with paperwork why he needed 150.00 just to simply take my car off the bar he put it on. He gave me the number to call his dispatcher who was named [redacted] and extremely rude and said they do not have to give me paperwork. I wanted to know why he could not just release the vehicle since it was simply a MINUETE after he put it on that I got there. If I ever have towing needs this is not the company I will use or recommend.

Review: After this company provided service, damage was done to my car. I called and was told they will submit claim under insurance and have my car fixed. I emailed multiple times after with no response. I called again about 20 days later. A man named Erik got on phone and said its denied. The locksmith didn't go into car the way I requested. Damaging the door paint also damaging the door panel on inside. After man on phone said it would be fixed they never even looked at my car. Just denied responsibility. Said contract for them to open door states they can damage car and won't have to fix it. Verbal contract given on phone stated it would be fixed under their insurance.Desired Settlement: I would like my car fixed from the damage they caused. I feel they should pay for it just like I was told they would.

Business

Response:

I have attached our liability/damage waiver that is signed before any service is provided. It clearly states Prairie Land cannot be held responsible for any damages resulting from lockouts. All Prairie Land vehicles are equipped with an Apple I-Pad. Customers sign the liability release waiver with their finger on the touch screen. The towing industry offers tools that are 98% damage free but without a key to the vehicle the customer understands and agrees to undergo a unlocking procedure that is not 100% damage free. The only way to be 100% is to use the actual key. The customer asked our operator to unlock the driver's door. He proceeded to the passenger side as is our Policy. The vehicle was running and there was a dog within the vehicle. To the operator's knowledge the dog is how it got locked. We use an air bag to spread the door a bit and then go through the door jam to unlock the vehicle with a long plastic coated bar. This is industry standard technique and is the most damage free tool offered within the market. The operator properly unlocked the vehicle from the upper corner of the door jam. The customer did try to tell the operator to do it differently and go through the top of the door. Had the operator done this, he would have actually bent the door jam and there potentially could have been an air leak, water leak, or actually shattered the window. Our operator rolled down the window and proceeded to properly open the door as he was trained to do so. The customer called our service on October 20, 2013 at 3:45 PM and our operator was onsite at 4:10 PM. Unfortunately we did not get a phone number to get in contact with the customer. The customer did call to report damage on October 21 at 2:53 PM and also asked for her invoice be resent to her email. [redacted], received the email about the claim and attempted to get a hold of the customer on October 22, 2013 at 8:40 AM but realized no one recorded a phone number to call her back. At this point he was forced to wait for another phone call. The customer did make another return call on November 13 in which [redacted] did speak with the customer and advised her of our liability policy that she signed. The customer at that point was a bit belligerent and swore at the [redacted]. She then hung up shortly thereafter. Clearly vehicle doors are not meant to be locked and then safely opened without a key. The towing industry manufactures tools to unlock vehicles but they are merely tools to help unlock a vehicle 98% damage free. There is NO guarantee. This is why we have liability releases signed before service is provided. We do the absolute best we can but there was no negligence by the operator in the field. He followed proper protocol. I hope this sheds some light on the situation.

Review: After picking up my car from the tow lot I noticed that the front bumper on my car was damaged. I immediately notified the tow lot, they took pictures and gave me the number to call to file a claim. I contacted the tow company they came took pictures and said they would be in contact the next day. I didn't hear anything from them until a week later when I began to call and try to find out what's going on. After another week of leaving messages and getting jerked around I was told that my claim was denied! The explanation being that they didn't cause the damage, they said it was from a parking stop, when they are clearly no signs that the bumper has never had any concrete rash!! When I asked how I can dispute the decision I was told that's the way it is!Desired Settlement: Repair the damage you caused nothing more nothing less!

Business

Response:

I have made contact with Mr. [redacted]. We are in the process of reviewing and investigating this matter. Our company maintains video footage and digital photos that we will share with Mr. [redacted].

Review: I parked my car in my assigned parking spot at the [redacted] on [redacted] like I have done every day since the day I moved in, 5/1/2013, with my parking permit sticker displayed in the top left corner of my windshield at approximately 6:15 on 1/14/2015. When I left my apartment at 7:25am to take my kids to daycare and school on my way to work I found my car missing. Since I was in my correct stall with my permit displayed I figured the car was stolen. After calling my kids' schools and telling them that they would be absent today as a result of my car being stolen and calling my manager to notify that I wouldn't be able to come to work I filed a police report with the [redacted] dept at 7:36am [redacted] called me at 8:12am to get further information from me regarding the situation and he stated he would look into it and call me back. [redacted] called me back at 8:23am to tell me that my car was towed by Sun Prairie Towing and that I should call them to find where my car was taken. He then gave me the number [redacted] and said that he talked to a female there who claimed she was the [redacted] at [redacted] and that she'd be able to help me and that my case number that he created for my stolen car report was 15-15434. I called the number given at 8:34am and spoke with a female there who was rather accusatory that my sticker was not visible from my vehicle and that is why my car was towed regardless of being in my assigned spot. I informed her that the sticker is in the window and that if she'd go look and return my vehicle to me. She told me that they will not return cars I had to go get it. My voice raised in frustration at the situation and she told me that if I was going to continue to shout at her that she was going to hang up on me. I told her that I wasn't yelling at her, that I've had a rather rough morning with this whole situation and that I'm entitled to be upset. and that I would like to talk to her supervisor instead because I wanted them to return my vehicle. She again told me that they would NOT be returning my vehicle. She said I had to go down there and if my vehicle has the sticker than I wouldn't have to pay the tow charges to get it released but if the sticker wasn't visible that I'd have to pay to get it back. She said eventually gave the address of where my car was being held and I called to get a ride to go get my erroneously towed vehicle. When I got to [redacted], the location of my vehicle, I asked to talk with [redacted] because I needed to get back my vehicle. Some guy came out staying that they were about to call my apt office to try and track me down because they accidentally pulled two cars from that lot that had permit stickers and were going to return the vehicles. I relayed the conversation I had with the lady on the phone that told me they wouldn't return my car that I had to go get it. He then asked if I wanted to go get my vehicle and I said yes and asked for a letter in writing that stated they erroneously towed my vehicle. He left me with my keys to bring my car out front and then came back and told me that they would not be giving me a letter that stated they towed my car in error. I then said that I'd have to call the officer back and have him come down here me just to get a letter in writing that they towed my car in error and he said he'd have to take it up with one of [redacted]s. I informed him that I was under the impression that he was [redacted], since that's who I asked to talk to when I walked in and out came this guy. A few minutes later a gentleman came out and introduced himself as Tim, one of [redacted]s and I asked him for something written down that could submit as proof on this claim that they towed my car in error. after several minutes of bating back and forth that he wouldn't admit it in writing and offering me a gift card for the inconvenience as if that were going to make me feel better about their "new guy's mistake", which I declined and I told him that I just wanted what he was admitting verbally in writing so that no one could go back later and change their story. when I file a claim with the Revdex.com regarding this wrongful violation of my personal property and time. I will admit that in the course of conversation my voice raised as anyone's would in frustration with waking up to find their car gone. In my mind they stole my vehicle from my lot. They had no right to take my vehicle. I was finally given a zero charge invoice in which Tim wrote on it "Driver made mistake. Sticker was in top corner hard to see. No charge." I took the invoice and left. Come to find out at 2:16pm talking to my apartment office that [redacted]'s name is [redacted] and they had spoken to him around 9 that he was headed into surgery and that [redacted], his backup would be in contact with me. I told my office that I never spoke to an [redacted] and she told me that she would contact them again and have [redacted] give me a call. When [redacted] called me at 4:51pm to apologize I informed him that all I wanted was a letter in writing and all I got from his staff was lies and deceit. He stated that he wasn't going to give me anything in writing admitting to the wrong doing but offered me a 75 dollar credit should my vehicle need any work done. I again said that I would Never use their company for anything ever and that I would tell all my friends and family on social media about my experience because this incident beyond messed up my day and a 75 dollar credit was not going to give me my day back and I ended the call.Desired Settlement: I am requesting that Prairie Land Towing provide me a letter in writing apologizing for towing my car in error, which is something they have continued to deny me.

Business

Response:

First of all I would like to apologize for any and all inconvenience that has occurred. Unfortunately I ([redacted]) underwent surgery during this situation and was out of the office for several days after. I have made contact with everyone involved within my Company and have verified many of the facts. The vehicle was towed as the driver did not identify the sticker. The vehicle should have been released or returned at no charge in which it looks like it was released at no cost. Unfortunately, it sounds like a few people got involved here and did muddy the water a bit. I sincerely apologize for the lack of quick resolve and I think everyone involved were trying to give some sort of resolve although it would have been much easier to return the vehicle and provide you with a release receipt for your records. All options that have been offered still stand from [redacted] and [redacted]. Prairie Land has been built on great service and a reputable name within the Industry. Again, I understand all the frustrations that occurred here and I assure you that I have made adjustments within our core procedures to ensure this doesn't happen again. I appreciate your understanding and patience as I know this was a trying time to go through.

Review: I called Prairie Land Towing on Dec. 30th @ about 6:15am because one of our trucks needed assistance in Pewaukee. They were listed on the NTTS website as being only 9 miles away. I was told by dispatch they would be there in no later than 1 hr. It was 1 1/2 hrs later I received a call from my driver wondering where the tow truck was. I called Prairie Land to find out they had troubles starting their truck, but the driver left about 5 mins ago and would b there shortly. My driver asked the tow driver how much he owed him and was told, it was taken care of. Later in the day I called Prairie Land to find out how much the bill was and was told the bill wasn't done yet. On Jan. 2nd, I receive a call from Prairie Land telling me I owe for our tow bill. I told them I have yet to receive a bill. I received the bill about 15 mins later. Bill was outrageous!! I called my driver and spoke to him about bill. He informed me Prairie Land was NOT the tow company that came to assist him. I got the info for the other tow company and called them. I was told someone else would be calling me the next morn. I received the call and was told they billed Prairie Land about 1/2 of what Prairie Land billed us!! To show how dishonest Prairie Lane is.....she also told me they didn't bill Prairie Land for fuel surcharge. Paying the fuel surcharge is no big deal, but it sure does show how dishonest they are. Why should I pay them double what they were being billed??? I was never told the whole time dealing w/them that they were not going to be the company assisting us. I never had the chance to find a differnet company if I chose to. Even when I called and was told their truck didn't start did they tell me someone else was on their way. Then when I told [redacted] that I would pay the company that did the work, he told me if it wasn't paid by end of day (1/3/14) he was going to call his attorney. GREAT customer service when it comes to dealing with issues.Desired Settlement: I expect to pay Prairie Land what they were billed from the other company. I'm not going to pay someone for services they didn't complete. Especially after they inflated the bill almost double!!

Business

Response:

We were called to recover a semi truck and trailer that had gone in the ditch. It was a very cold and snowy day and we explained it would be awhile before we got to the call. Once ready our driver went to start our heavy duty 50 ton wrecker and it would not start as it was 0 degrees over night. We tried to get our truck started in efforts to get the job done as quickly as possible. After an hour of trying to get our own truck started we then contacted another towing company in which we do business with on a regular basis. We subcontracted that company to go out and get the job done as the customer was upset we had not made it to the site yet. Once on scene, the driver said the truck was tipping over/leaning and the tires of the truck were off the ground. After 2 hours of port to port time the truck was out of the ditch. It required lifting the trailer and pulling up two times to make it to safe ground. The question here is the customer has YET to pay the invoice in which we billed. Regardless of who did the job, the job was done, and now needs to be paid. We were contracted to provide service and clearly got the job done. Whether it was our truck or another, at any point the customer could have called someone else had they thought they needed to. We work with other towing companies nationally on a daily basis helping with calls that may be near them or may be work that they could be driving right by. In any subcontracting situation, invoices are always paid to the prime contractor.

Wonderful customer service. Timely and professional staff.

Review: I am a [redacted] member and needed to have my vehicle towed from my driveway to a repair shop so I called the [redacted] phone number. They promptly sent a tow truck however it was the wrong type of tow truck for a four wheel drive car such as mine (Audi A4 Quattro). All four wheels on a four wheel drive should be off the ground for towing so a flat bed truck is the preferred method. The driver assured me that he could tow my vehicle with his truck by putting "dollies" under the front wheels so he took the vehicle from my driveway. I did not go with the vehicle but got a call from the repair shop about an hour later saying that the tow truck driver damaged my car when it fell off the dollies during drop off at the shop. This was witnessed by several people at the shop and in fact they came to the aid of the driver to keep the damage from being greater. The driver finished delivery of the vehicle and left and never notified me of the incident. After the call from my mechanic I came to the shop to see the damage and took pictures. Next I contacted [redacted] to file a damage claim and they sent a representative of Prairie Land Towing, the company that they contracted with to tow my car. Initially the claims adjuster denied that his driver did the damage and when I said there were several witnesses he said that they would repair it.

The car was in the shop for an engine oil leak (the reason it was towed in the first place) and I ultimately traded it to the repair facility/used car lot for another vehicle so I requested a cash settlement from Prairie Land Towing instead of having them repair the damage. I made several calls to Prairie Land but was never connected to the adjuster but instead left voice messages. I called several times, identifying myself and the nature of the call and asked for the manager then was put on hold and got voice mail. Next I contacted [redacted] to tell them I had not settled the claim and that I was having trouble reaching the towing company that they had hired. The [redacted] claims representative said she would contact the towing company. A week went by and I had not heard from either Prairie Land or [redacted] so I again called [redacted] and was told that they needed more documentation to make their case to Prairie Land. Since the car was used as a trade in vehicle they needed to get a statement from the dealer that the trade in value suffered as a result of the damage. I provided a statement from the dealer that they reduced the trade in value that I received by $500 due to the damage. I also took the car to the local Audi dealership for an exact estimate of the repairs and submitted their estimate of $750 to repair the vehicle.

It has now been two months since the incident occurred and over two weeks since I last heard from [redacted] and the matter is not resolved. Prairie Land will not take my phone calls and must be hoping I just give up on this. I do not intend to renew my [redacted] membership and will be filing a similar complaint with Revdex.com on them.Desired Settlement: I filed a damage claim with [redacted] asking for $500 since this is the amount that my trade in value decreased after the damage occurred. The actual settlement should be for $750 since this is the cost of repair but I would settle for the original claim of $500.

Business

Response:

First let me apologize for this miscommunication. I have researched this claim and have found information that will assist in closing this case. We at Prairie Land hold ourselves to a high standard of service and unfortunately a situation arose with your vehicle and a repair is necessary. I have communicated with [redacted] and they have deducted $500 from our account on Monday December 7, 2015 and have sent a check to you. In efforts to close this case and ensure a positive outcome we have agreed $500 is the correct response to your claim. This is the actual costs that you incurred by trading your vehicle. I feel this is a fair and equitable settlement as its the actual loss that was incurred. Please let me know if you have received the funds. My office number is ###-###-#### and ask for [redacted] or [redacted]. Thank you for your time and again I'd like to apologize for the inconvenience.

Consumer

Response:

[A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response. If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.

Regards,

Review: Against Property Owners' wishes and Madison parking law. On 5/5/15 at 10:28am, a stranger calls PL to tow me. As there is no ticket on my car, they cannot. So they give him the number for parking enforcement to ticket my vehicle. 10:41 is the time on the parking ticket issued under code: 083 -POSTED PRIVATE OR PUBLIC PROPERTY. At 11:03 am, P.L. towed car from property. Madison Police inform me that even with one or multiple tickets, no vehicles were permitted to be towed from the adjoining lot of either address. There is an arduous process in place to prevent something like this. Pleading for help, they tell me it's a civil matter.

On the phone, PLT took a defensive tone that turned dismissive-almost immediately. Coached brilliantly in evasion tactics, these Stymie Stonewaller's: play dumb, indignant, hostile, before threatening to hang up. They did this to myself AND the property owner. (my landlord) Someone who works with him drove me to Prairie Land with a $300 loan to pick up my car. Anticipating the cross behavior we received over the phone. I was very kind, careful to absolve them of ANY BLAME. I was able to get assistance from 2 helpful employees. They gave me the timeline laid out here, the first name of the man who had me towed, a deadend officer name. It only took 33 minutes for A.L. an out of state resident to have my car impounded. No proof of residence or, indentification necessary. Sadly, I think those 2 helpful employees were punished for being kind. When we called and went back to confirm the information given. The gag order returned without the maIe or female that broke it in sight. Forced to accept $300 from landlord to get my car back. No note/receipt, from Madison Police required to prove you paid the fine which resulted in PLT taking my car. My receipt itemized $150 of the aforementioned total for "Illegal Parking". My landlord confronted the man in the van to get an explanation and his information for court. He made a threat to have landlord towed as well. Then just got in his van and sped away. This man A.L, is posing as a property manager for Capital View, LLC. Hhreatened, then fled from my cantankerous landlord believes I won't leave peacefully because of the injustice of it all.

I UNDERSTAND THAT THE FOLLOWING IS A SEPARATE MATTER ALTOGETHER.

A.L. is still colluding with PLT...as they are holding the KIA of another low-income tenant, illegally. Towed without warning from the same parking lot. How can my friend get his car back from PLT? A.L. is a ghost, hiding behind LLC's and false identities. If Capital View, really owns 516 E. Mifflin. Why would A.L. not return calls on behalf of Capital View? They have $825 from KIA owner. The building has sat vacant for months, he is only renting the parking stalls behind the property. IT'S THE SAME MAN USING VERY SAME TOWING COMPANY. The City of Madison is to be paid for parking violations. Not some private business in another city.

Imploring for help, please?Desired Settlement: This incident is costing me $80 in court costs. My landlord took a very different approach when this happened in May. A man of affluence, with the respect and resources spanning an entire city, took issue with some Florida con man messing with tenants on "HIS PROPERTY" he was determined to see A.L. and PLT in court. His 87 year old attitude shifted these past few months. Landlord is taking me to court tomorrow, not because of any wrong doing on my part. Money matters, not fairness. He can get his $300 from my security deposit, obliterating any chance at a new apartment by keeping my money. Because it is a month to month, he wrote "no reason needed" on the notice to vacate. By taking the impound money from my security deposit, he knows I will lack the funds for moving expenses and another deposit at the end of the month. so he is pre-emptively taking me to the curb. I DONT WANT TROUBLE, just a refund.

Business

Response:

In response to your complaint:If a vehicle is parked illegally and the lot is not posted per statute the vehicle may be towed once a citation has been issued. See the following:"Wisconsin Statute: 349.13 (3m)(b)(b) Subject to par. (dr) 1., if private property is not properly posted and a vehicle is parked on the private property and is not authorized to be parked there, the vehicle may be removed immediately, at the vehicle owner's expense, without the permission of the vehicle owner upon the issuance of a repossession judgment or upon the issuance of a citation for illegal parking."The Police department has a responsibility to ensure that the vehicles does not belong there. This is why the Statute is in place. The Landlord or representative must contact the Police and have it ticketed. In your complaint it verifies there in fact was a ticket. Once the ticket is placed on the vehicle it can be towed immediately per Statute as it was. Regardless of who called us they were a clear representative or the Police would not have issued the citation. Beyond this fact, the rest of the complaint does not apply to our Company. The Police would never have issued the ticket if the representative did not show ample proof of representation. Furthermore, Madison Parking law does not trump State Statute. The Ordinance in place within Madison is out of date.Also online at Madison's website it states: https://www.cityofmadison.com/police/traffic/parking/privateparking.cfm"Parking on Private PropertyThe Madison Police Department may only ticket vehicles on private property on complaint of the property owner/manager. If the property owner/manager had given you permission to park there and is willing to send a letter on their letterhead requesting the withdrawal of the parking ticket, the Property Owner/ Manager may submit a letter on their letterhead to request the ticket be withdrawn."This verifies the fact the representative had to have some sort of right to remove the vehicle. I hope this helps clarify your complaint and also clears up any wrong doing on our end.

$680.00 to tow a car across town...Usury.

My daughter lost control of her car, 9 am weekday morning...it veered off the road, hit a rock and ended up in a yard...about 10 feet off the road.

Police called Prairie Land...

Their normal towing is $75...but that fee goes up to $210 if it's an accident? Yep. But I could almost live with that...if that was the end of it.

But wait it gets better...another $125 to get it out of this person's yard...

Now Add $91 labor costs...??? Another $25 for "Fuel"? Can you tell me what the $36 "administration fee is for? AND they told us we were lucky, they were also going to file a lien, that would have been another $50, but they forgot (apparently they do that the minute it hits the lot!).

Around $60+ for cleaning debris off the road....except none of the lights broke, and all fluids intact, bumper cracked...what debris? (also car was off the road...remember you charged me extra for that?)

Just under $100 to store it...(less than 24 hours)...but I could also live with that.

Some perspective, summer 2013 my husband had a car totaled in Milwaukee...for wenching--he was on top of and 'in' a utility control box, after being T-boned took out a street light, towed out of town and stored for 3 days...under $300.

I don't know if they assume we had towing insurance so they routinely fleece insurance companies? Friend's daughter hit a deer and her towing bill was also over $600.

Here is the deal, they came, and they did the job satisfactorily...BUT charged excessively...If you've been in a accident you may want to think of someone else. I feel I've been overcharged by at least $300.00 and kicked when I was vulnerable. I also don't mind paying fair and reasonable costs for services. But I do mind getting taken advantage of when I'm down.

Review: My vehicle was wrongfully towed by prairie land towing from the meadows apartment complex, as I realized my car had been towed I called the company they gave me a very vague reason for my car getting towed also at the same time they quoted me $312 to get my car back but infact when I went to pick it up they charged me $360. I have been very wrongfully treated, was pushed around as they came up with the excuse to tow my car and overcharged.Desired Settlement: I would like a refund of my $360 but I know my request will be flat out denied by them I am just hoping that this letter highlights the issue of people being harassed and wrongfully treated by this company.

Business

Response:

The vehicle was towed by the [redacted]. The maintenance department contacted our company to remove the vehicle under their statutory right to do so. We were told the vehicle had two flat tires and was parked in the Visitor's stalls more than 48 hours. The lot is clearly posted and displays the statute and information to whom tows the vehicles.

NOT RECOMMENDED TOW SERVICE , ESTIMATED TOW SERVICE WAS FOR 28 MILES $500 FOR THE TRUCK AND TRAILER FROM EDGERTON, WI TO MADISON, WI AFTER THE FACT THEY CHARGE ME 1252.91 AND THEY JUST ADDED SOME EXTRA CHARGES , THEY SAID NO PAY WILL TOW AWAY TRUCK TO OUR YARD AND IT WOULD BE DOUBLE OF THAT AMOUNT, THEY JUST RIP YOU OFF

Prairie land towing was called in by the police for an accident that occurred. I stated that I had my own tow truck coming and was not authorizing them to tow my car. The sheriff gave me a ride home (mind you is only a mile away. Prairie land took my car a whole 1.4 miles to their business I then called them only to find out they were charging 528 for the tow!!!! Say what??? It was broken down similar to the comments above. When asking prairie land towing what the environmental fee is and the accident disposal fee they stated it was for clean up of the vehicle debri on the road and their truck. I went to the scene of the accident and picked up pieces of my car that were still in the road. The girl at the desk stated she "just automatically pushes 5 buttons when an accident is called in" so they charge you for things they aren't even sure are necessary or were done! On top of that you get two daily charges because your second day is added at midnight even though its been less than 24 hours there. mind you thats now an additional $83!!! They are contracted with the state of Wisconsin and are definitely corrupt in their business practices considering I could call other company and have my car towed for $75!

Our Dodge Durango wouldn't start and a jump start wouldn't be enough. We called AAA which disbatched Prairie Land Towing to our location within 20 mins. Two employees came out due to our situation with our car port and alley way. On a very cold night, they were able to load up our truck with in minutes. Both employees ([redacted] and [redacted]) were very courteous, professional, and calm. They listened to our situation and took corresponding action. They both worked very efficiently to get the job done. Would recommend this company and these two employees to anyone. Wonderful (short) experience overall! call# [redacted]

Got truck stuck & called & told them it was stuck in mud. They came out & said their wench wasn't long enough & couldn't help me. He than wanted to charge me the full price of $180! I said no way & we finally settelled on $60. Total rip off. I than called another towing company& they Came out & got it out without any trouble & only charged me $120! Less than what they wanted to charge me for not even getting it out! DO NOT CALL THEM !!

Outstanding customer service!!! I've used PLT before and Everytime they go the extra mile for their customers!! Thank you [redacted] for your great care and attention to detail! I Highly recommend PLT!!