Complaint Review: Van Lingen Towing

Do NOT use this towing company, Even if you dont read this whole account, if you have AAA or some other prepaid tow service INSIST that they do NOT use this company,  this is a long story but it is important that one knows how they will NOT resolve problems to customer satisfaction (and that may also include damaging your vehicle and how they will allow their drivers to promise anything even if untrue to get the business. )

 I had an accident where the towing company was called by the police.  When they came I told them I did NOT want the car towed, was waiting for my friend who would come with his AAA card.  The first tow driver left me alone but a second one came and hooked up the car WITHOUT MY PERMISSION.  I did NOT want the car removed as I wanted to see it was drivable. The tow truck driver told me it was not and refused to unhook the car (so I could test it out.)  He also told me that if I had towed to my place that I would have to pay for it out of pocket, and that if they towed it to the facility, that it could  be paid with by either the insurance company or AAA (since I didnt have collision I wasnt concerned about the insurance company but WAS about the AAA) and that if I didnt tow it to their facility that  my insurance company would not pay for it (TOTALLY false.)  

 I found out that the car didnt need to be towed , it was driveable which I couldnt  test out, but the adjuster that unless it was leaking  fluid or the engine is damaged (which the tow driver should know) it is drivable (if the tow truck driver had said that it may be drivable but it would be unsafe, I wouldnt be upset  as it wouldnt have been lied to) , the more important matter Was when he told me that I could pay with AAA at the storage facility which has NEVER been their policy and Sean told me the driver had worked their over 10 years and SHOULD have known that.)  I do not know WHY they wanted it towed there because the first 24 hours the storage is free but I guess theyre hoping that one keeps it there.

The person I dealt with is named Sean who refused to give me his last name.  He was very unsympathetic and while acknowledging that the driver dealt with the whole situation improperly by lying (whether deliberately or unintentionally) to me about numerous things,  refused to give me at least half of a refund, (was willing to compromise) only that the matter would be dealt with with the driver.  His lack of concern showed when he didnt seem to care that I would post my grievance online and with the BBB. This is too bad as this is a long time family owned company and youd think they WOULD care about their reputation.  this  I feel this is important to know, because if you have a problem with a tow or  unsatisfied in ANY fashion, your concern probably will be dismissed (it seems like a tacit acknowledgment that its o.k  for their driver to say anything they want so as long as they get your business.) 

  If the company is honest and reputable even if they dont tell their drivers to lie but find out they do , they should try to resolve the dispute to satisfy the customer.  So even if you use AAA  or some other road service to get your car towed, INSIST that they use another company NOT Van Lingan, (((competitor's name redacted))), is VERY good, I had complaint and the owner (Van Lingen HIDES the identity of the owners-what does THAT say) who has no need to hide HIS name, dealt with the matter satisfactorily. There is another towing company one can use in this town, called (((redacted))).  If you DO use them and if they damage your vehicle, or you were misled by the driver,  they will MOST LIKELY not try to deal satisfactorily with your complaint and you have only yourself to blame.