Recently, I was involved in a car accident in the Warsaw city limits. Luckily, no one was hurt, except for my car. The officer that responded to the accident called a tow company (from rotation) to tow my vehicle from the accident site to the body shop of my choice. I drive a Volkswagen, so I wanted a tow to a Volkswagen-specific body shop in Fort Wayne.
This local tow company was informed prior to dispatch that I wanted it towed to Fort Wayne, rather than serviced at their own body shop. They told the officer this was acceptable and arrived shortly on the scene. My vehicle was put on the flat-bed truck and prepared for towing. At the accident scene, I was never informed of what I would be charged for the tow.
Half an hour later, I received a call from the tow company. They had towed my vehicle to their own shop, not mine. They demanded that I pay them up front for the tow (even though they already had possession of my vehicle) and informed me the charge would be $330. What was I to do at that point except pay the money? At the time, the best I could do was ask for an itemized receipt. Their receipt basically said "Tow to Fort Wayne - $330." They made me sign it.
Later that week, I confronted the tow company. I asked for a rate sheet. They did not have one. I tried debating the charges with the owner, and he laughed at me. He told me that everyone in town charges the same rates. He even tried to scare me by saying he was recording the call. He called me "psycho." I knew it was a waste of breath.
I decided to investigate his claims, so I called five different local tow companies. All five of them, after explaining the circumstances of the tow, quoted me prices at least half what I paid. Three of five people that I spoke to named my tow company as the offender, even though I had not divulged the name to them. The other two did not ask. Apparently, this company has ripped people off before.
When I needed help, stranded on the side of the road, hurt and scared - they took advantage of me. I hope my letter will help others avoid the situation I was put into by this greedy, unprofessional auto body shop.
