There are two issues here, they towed on a flatbed (more expensive) without customer consent, and charged $125 for a 2.9 mile tow (well above the local going rate).
Although I understand Mercedes suggests flatbed, since my car is not under warranty and was shiftable into Neutral, it was in no way required, especially given the higher cost, and if they are using something other than a standard tow, they should have called and obtained consent first.
Further when the local hookup rate (flatbed, I called 4 DFW companies) is $50-75 plus $3-5 per mile, and I was charged $125 without express consent, it is unreasonable. I understand in extenuating circumstances charging a reasonable rate under implied approval, but in this case, the rate was not comparable to local companies, nor was a flatbed tow required. If Mercedes Contracts them, but they intend to charge Mercedes Rates to the customers which are above the local rate, they should call to get customer approval.
I am still contacting the shop, and hope they take care of me, and to not have to deal with going through BBB, State Towing Board, Small Claims, and all that and am in the process here, hopefully this is just a misunderstanding where they charged me as a consumer the Mercedes Rate. I will update the status.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Curtis
plano,Texas,
U.S.A.
Tow authorized and paid for through Mercedes Benz
#3REBUTTAL Owner of company
Tue, September 20, 2011
We were dispatched through Mercedes Benz Roadside. They contacted us to tow this car and it is Mercedes Roadside that mandates us to use Flatbed tow trucks to transport their customers cars to the local dealerships.
We have a contracted price with Mercedes Roadside on towing of their clients vehicles. If a customers car is towed through them the prices is predetermined and we bill the Dealership that the vehicle is towed to. What happens next between the customer, dealer and Mercedes is out of our hands.
I am very sorry you had a bad experience with this process.
Curtis Jordan
President Jordan Towing Inc.
JAFO
Atlanta,Georgia,
USA
Mis-directed
#3General Comment
Thu, January 21, 2010
It seems to me, while I understand your frustration, that you ROR is mis-directed. It appears your issues are with your MB dealership, not Jordan towing.
Let's break it down:
Looking at your ROR, I am guessing you were not present for this tow?
If Mercedes recommends a flatbed for your vehicle, that is what the tow company is going to use. It may not have mattered if you were there. The tow company will use the manufacturer-recommended tow method in almost every case to avoid any liability. So if the tow bible for your Mercedes says to use a flatbed, your gripe is with MB.
Did you request the tow or did you call Mercedes and ask them to tow it? If you asked Mercedes, then they would not have contacted you for permission. If you did, you should have inquired about the rates prior to accepting service. Now if they told you it would be cheaper, you might have a legitimate concern to take up with the company. I'm doubting you even asked.
If you were not at the dealership to accept the towed vehicle from the tow company, Mercedes probably did and either a.) was charged more than a normal consumer and passed it on to you which is legit or b.) was charged the going rate and padded the bill to you. Also, they had to pay someone to receive the vehicle and move it to the appropriate area of the shop so they may have billed you for that. So again, sounds like your gripe is with MB.
Small claims will probably be a waste of time. If you didn't ask how much prior to the tow, its your own fault. Just because they charged you more than the other guys is not subject to a lawsuit. It's just the way, legally, they do business. Caveat emptor folks.
I write what I write based on your ROR. If you left facts out, then please add them so that myself and others can give you feedback based on all the facts.