Henry's Wrecker Service Towed and damaged my vehicle. Falls Church Virginia
One word – PREDATORS. That’s what Henry’s wrecker towing is. They sit around parking lots watching people come and go particularly on days when they know there will be a function of some form as was the case on Sat., 21 Nov. That day I went to my bank to request my tax documents; unfortunately, their system was down so I decided to leave the premises and left my car in my bank’s parking lot, which incidentally was 95% empty. So, it wasn't that I was negatively impacting the patronage of the shopping center. However, little did I know these predators were sitting there watching people come and go. I returned a few hours later to find my vehicle gone.
Upon retrieving it, I noticed something underneath had been damaged, but of course they denied it. I filed a complaint and drove away but quickly returned to let them know that I was dragging something – they had shattered the engine pan UNDERNEATH the car. I told them to take a picture, because they were going to need it, but they refused. Instead, one of their guys went under the car and shoved the piece up as though that would fix it.
The following Monday, I called to follow up and got manager Debbie who not only refused responsibility, but was extremely rude – told me I should take better care of my car, because I had other small dings on it. Which were in an entirely different area than the damage they caused - and as if that gave them an ok to add more damage to the car. I then went above her and spoke to her manager, Fred who was no better. Rather, he deferred me to his insurance company who would determine fault. Guess who their insurance company sided with? what a joke. Bottom line, they are predators who will tow you at their leisure, when in fact they should only tow when called. And who WILL damage your vehicle and not man up to it.
To make things worst, personnel will go out of their way to intimidate you. I will also go as far as to say too that they will target minorities as was the case when I was towed - the majority of the people who were there to pick up their car were minorities, if not all. I made it my business to look around the room - perhaps their strategy is that certain minority group would just pay up and not say or do anything about it. Or, was this just a coincidence?
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Robert
Irvine,California,
USA
Boo h*o..
#2Consumer Comment
Wed, April 12, 2017
After all you were only going to the bank and get some tax documents, which in itself is an interesting errand in the middle of November not near any "tax deadlines". But darn the luck...the system was down..go figure right? So just as an after thought you figure heck since you are there why not go somewhere else.
Now you didn't just pop into the coffee shop down the street or restaurant to grab a quick bite, you were gone for SEVERAL HOURS.
Nice try but here is what REALLY happened. You were going to go to this "event" and figured parking would have been tough(or cost you money). So you knew your bank near by and figured you could do a small errand so I can "claim" you were a "customer" thus giving you parking privileges until you decide to leave.
Don't worry..well get to your damage. But first we get into your "Entitlement" "Me,Me,Me" Attitude which is the real issue here.
You say that the parking lot was 95% Empty so you were not affecting the business. Well if there was not enforcement then wouldn't everyone and their brother park there. Then not only would the businesses be affected, it is unlikely you would have found a space. Or were you just so smart that you would have been the only non-customer that was this "smart"?
Since your basis for being able to park without penalty is 95% unused, answer a couple of questions.
If there were 20 Handicapped spaces and none were being used. Is it okay to park to make a quick stop in a store? After all 20 handicapped people obviously wouldn't be needing it in this short of time..right?
You don't like that one. Okay, say you were on a public street signed for 2 hour parking. Now, there are at least 20 spaces open so there was never a issue with people trying to find a place to park. If you were towed after parking there 2 hours an 15 minutes..do you think you should have been?
Two things you never mentioned is how long you were parked there before you were towed, and how "full" was the parking lot when you were towed? Would it have been valid if the parking lot was 1/2 full, what about 75% full, what if there was only 1 space left?
Let's get back to your "damage". You say they "shattered" your engine pan. Since most pans are made out of metal just how did it "shatter"? Then you say they shoved it back to "fix it". Did you ever take it to a mechanic and get an estimate for any additional repairs that were needed?
If there were no other costs just what was the claim for? If their was a cost involved why don't you take them to small claims court for the damage?