Red's Towing & Repair Service (Headquarters)

I contacted Reds for a tow. The dispatcher informed me that it would be $3.00 a mile. 9/18/2013 Reds towing dispatcher informed me that I would be charged $3.00 a mile. I agreed and Reds responded to [redacted] per my request. Upon their arrival, I informed them that I had a doughnut tire and would they just change the tire.[redacted] did not respond)he proceeded to change the tire.He presented us a bill for $107.90 for changing the tire. I questioned the bill, [redacted] responded that it is $65.00 to hook-up which did not occur, only a tire change.Reds is located 3.7 miles form [redacted] where I requested their service.He added $39.00 for(Tow Miles) thirteen(13) miles which did not occur, and $3.90 cents for fuel cost.Had the dispatcher explain the full cost of their service up front, I would not have used their service. When I informed them that I only wanted a tire change,he([redacted]) made no effort to advise me of the cost for the tire service. There is no reference to changing the tire on the bill, only fees for Hook-up,Tow miles and fuel cost.None of which was explained to me up front.The dispatcher indicated $3.00 a mile and made no reference to $65.00 for hook-up,(did not occur) or fuel cost. Desired SettlementI am willing to pat for a tire service and a reso0nable cost(not $65.00) for Reds to travel to my location. Tow miles and fuel cost appear to be billing for the same service.Business Response Contact Name and Title: [redacted]Contact Phone: [redacted]Contact Email: [redacted]Customer called and spoke with towing manager...requested tow at [redacted], going to Westfield. Driver on call was called in from home to perform job. Service and/or tows are $65 for the service or hookup, $3.00 per mile port to port, and a fuel surcharge of %30 of the round trip mileage. Charges are pretty uniform compared to other local companies. According to Mapquest, the location is 6 miles from Red's, which would be 12 miles round trip (not including any detours,or other road issues). Drivers mileage was calculated at 13...which could have been higher than the Mapquest's 12 because our odometers dont have 1/10 readings. I have reviewed the slip, and the only issue I can see is that the driver made a mistake and wrote the service fee in the wrong spot....should have been down one line. The state of Massachusetts DPU uses a similar fuel surcharge formula for DPU regulated towing. The bill was calculated correctly....$65.00 to change tire, 13 miles at $3.00 is 39.00, and %3 of 13 is a fuel surcharge of $3.90....for a total of $107.90. Customer needs to understand that this was an emergency service requested, provided by an on call driver. If you call a plumber, or HVAC tech after hours, you're charged after hours rates. The same goes for towing. The cost of the truck, fuel, driver, insurance, and maintainance are through the roof, and prices are set accordingly. I hope the customer can understand that we are in busuness to make money, but not gouge the customer. We have been in business for over 50 years, and have an outstanding reputation, as well as top quality service. All drivers have been instructed to confirm price with customer prior to performing service in the future.