Complaints

• Initial Complaint

  11/15/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  This business is extremely predatory. I was in a car accident in an unfamiliar area, so the cops requested a tow for me on Friday November 10th around 5pm. As soon as I looked up the company they called, MARS Towing, I instantly regretted not finding my own tow. Plenty of other customers have had bad experiences here, as well.They ONLY take cash, which is extremely suspicious, and they refuse to provide receipts. I would venture that they are cheating customers, and fudging their books.Since I live 2 hours away, I asked if I could go to a notary here and then mail them my car title and pay my fees over the phone. They refused and said I had to come in person to turn the title over and pay in cash. I paid $65 in cash twice in order to remove some of my belongings from my car in their impound lot. They are saying I owe over $400 in fees as of today 11/15, and they will charge a storage fee every day until I pay them. Its extremely difficult to pay a business that is 2 hours away when I have no car and they do not take payment over the phone.This is not a business that wants to help people by providing a service, they simply want to exploit those who need assistance.

  Business response

  11/15/2023

  The 2 $65 cash payments were for after hour gate fee's because the office was closed during the requested time to come into the office to retrieve items from the impounded car. The option to come during business hours Mon-Fri 8am-5pm to retrieve items was an option at no cost.

  The option to sign over title requires it done in person and not by mail. The fee's can be paid at that time. 

  Customer response

  11/15/2023

  [To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed as Answered]
  
   Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  
  It does not explain why I cannot pay over the phone with a card / send an ACH payment, or why they cannot provide a receipt. I offered to go to a notary here and get the title transferred then mail to them, and that was not an acceptable solution for them because they just want my cash so they can only claim half of it and pocket the rest.
  
  Regards,
  
  *****************************
  

  Business response

  11/15/2023

  Please find attached copies of the 2 $65.00 after hour gate fee's paid.

  We require all title work handled in person as we have a notary that can handle the transaction. Receipt upon payment of the towing fee's when signing over the title in person will be provided.

  Business response

  11/27/2023

  Good morning,

  The reason you can't pay with a credit card over the phone is because a signature is required for the credit card transaction. This was a non consensual tow, and the signature on the credit card receipt in person along with photo ID is required to avoid any potential card disputes in the future if it would have been a transaction done over the phone. She since came into the office and paid with certified check from the bank and all receipts have been provided. The notary service to sign over the title is done free of charge. The only charges that were required to be paid was for the towing and labor services provided at the scene of the accident. All receipts were provided for everything that was paid. 

• Initial Complaint

  06/28/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  My car was towed from the road on which I live. The sign (posted down the same road) does not specify the definition of "improper parking". Therefore, the car was improperly towed. The storage fee was $55 when state law mandates that the maximum fee is $25 per day. The business refused to accept credit card payment when this is also mandated by state law. See acknowledgement of refusal to accept credit card by employee on the attached invoice.(see ******************************************************************************************************************) for information about predatory towing practices and the relevant laws.

  Business response

  06/30/2023

  Response and documentation was submitted via email addressed to ***************@mybbb.org on 6/30/2023.

  If any further information is needed please feel free to let me know.

  Thank you, 

  *********************************

  Financial Manager

  Mid Atlantic Automotive Recovery Services, LLC

  **************

  **********************

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩