ComplaintsforS & A Towing And Recovery

• Initial Complaint

  01/27/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  My son's car was towed from the lot at ***** ***** townhomes today. He got there just in time to pay the driver the $167.50 so the car wasn't removed from the lot. While I'm not happy about it - my son was parked in a lot he didn't have a pass/sticker for that lot so the driver was within his right to initiate a tow. However, the driver completely damaged the steering. The car is now undrivable with power steering fluid spraying everywhere and he was so careless when he hooked the car up to tow that he's almost ripped the steering stabilizer from the car. Totally uncalled for. If you are going to tow at least know what you are doing. Targeting kids who are hours away from home and then leaving them stranded with a vehicle they damaged is unprofessional and these people should be put out of business.

  

  Business response

  01/27/2024

  The ****** was towed for not having a pass. The vehicle was picked up by the tires from the rear. The front was never touched. It has a blown power steering g hose that we have photos of the oil on the ground under the vehicle before we ever touched the jeep. I explained this to the customer when I met him in the parking lot after the fact, showed him the pictures of the oil trail coming into the parking lot and the oil under the jeep before we touched it. The uncle was on FaceTime with customer while I was there and showed him the proof that we did not damage the jeep. Nothing that we did caused damage to the power steering hose as we don’t touch that on vehicles. We have photos and videos to back up our side of this issue prior to us touching the vehicles tires before towing. We used a tow truck that doesn’t touch any part of the jeep other than the tires. Our employees are very well trained and have years of experience and are certified in towing. 

• Initial Complaint

  09/20/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  My son attends *** **** and lives off campus ***** ** **********). On September 9, 2023 my wife and I went to his apartment to bring him some furniture from home. (Approx. time 5:10pm). The complex does not offer a loading/unloading zone and all the "Visitor" parking places were occupied., so we parked our car in an unmarked space and began unloading. We were in the apartment approx. 45-mins. setting up. When we went back outside our vehicle was gone. I called Blacksburg police department. The dispatcher had no information as to our vehicle being towed, so an officer was dispatched. After making several calls, the dispatcher did locate our vehicle. It had been towed by S&A Towing. We were able to get a ride and recover our vehicle after paying $167.20. The towing crews informed me that they are under contract to patrol and tow vehicles without a parking sticker regardless of reason. On September 11, 2023 I contacted the Blacksburg Police Dept. and inquired if the towing company had notified their department prior to towing our car, as per the Police Department's website instructions. No prior notification was given to the police. I also called the **** ** management office and explained the situation and was told by the office manager that she would talk to the owner about the issue. To date, I have not heard a response from the owner nor her representative. I was informed that there is a sign as you enter the parking lot regarding unauthorized vehicles, however due to the heavy rain we did not see the sign. No signs are placed in the "parking area". and no pavement marking are present. I did speak to a Blacksburg Police Sgt. who had plans to discuss parking issues with the town manager in the near future and would pass along my suggestion for better signage. I have explained to all parties contacted, that we were loading and not parking for an excessive time, however, I have not been able to resolve this issue.

  

  Business response

  10/03/2023

  Our signage is up to Blacksburg code, the visitor spots are marked clearly. We do have a contract with **** ** to tow anything out of resident parking without the proper parking permit. As far as the fee goes, the state does regulate what we charge for private property towing. The state says that we can charge up to $200 for the tow but we have chosen to stay under the maximum amount. We also fax in a tow log to the local police department for any and all vehicles that have been towed in a timely manner. 

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