Complaint Review: Dominion Wrcker Service - stafford Virginia

I recently got laid off, due to my store closing.  Having two children, and several bills, I was resulted in selling one of our vehicles, of which values at $2500.00.  With permission from a manager at the Giant on route 3, across the street from Spotsylvania mall to park my SUV at in the parking lot, so long as it was at the back, where hardly anyone parks.  This was convenient anyways, since it was right beside one of the busier parts of route 3 and at a stop light, where many people would get a chance to view the vehicle.  Barely two weeks later, still no one had called, and we had thankfully been able to make payment arrangements on most of our bills, so we had decided to go get the vehicle and just cancel selling it.  When I went to retrieve the vehicle, it was gone.  I called the police to find out where it was, thinking that maybe they had to tow it, since we had gotten a large snow, and the vehicle was parked where all the snow was moved to.  They informed me that the lot was considered a private lot, and there would probably be a sign somewhere.  i drove around the lot and finally found the sign at the entrance off of fall hill avenue, where I never would have seen it, being that the entrance was always almost impossible to get in or out of even before all of the construction going on right at that spot.  I called the tow company, and got a fax noise.  I then searched endlessly on the yellow pages websites and such, trying to get in touch with the company.  I left several messages on a few different phone numbers coming up under Dominion towing. 

Finally, today, I found the location of dominion (two and a half weeks after the vehicle was towed).  Found out from the gentleman there that it was not the same Dominion, and pointed in the right direction as to where to go (right down the street).  I called and spoke with the owner.  He informed us that he had our vehicle for 2 and a half weeks and that he would call us back with the price to get it out, since it is 25.00 a day from date of vehicle being picked up.  he called back telling me it was 1350.00!  And that it would be more if I didn't get it by 12!  That's ridiculous!  And not possible!  The connect fee for fredericksburg is 150.00, and I don't think he knows I knew that.  The price he was charging me was for the connect fee of 150.00 and the 25.00 a day charge for 48 days!  My Truck was not even for sale for that long, so it was not possible.  I tried talking to him and asking why he didn't call the number on the sign, and he said it's not his job.  I asked if he could work down the price and explained my situation, and he asked me if I go to- or did I go to work for free when I was employed, and that he would not be in business if he gave everything away for free.  I tried to explain the situation again, and told him I was not expecting to get the vehicle out for free, but big companies, like the one I worked for understood situations and would work things out for the customer, and that was how they stayed afloat.  By understanding that things happen, and cutting the customer at least a small break.  He told me that the company I worked for, Sprint, never cut him a break, and that was why he went to verizon. 

Finally, I gave up, and told him this- well I personally managed John Cooper, with Cooper's Towing's business account.  He came in to buy a phone, which was my job.  To sell him a phone, and take his bill payment.  He was not complaining about his large bill, just paying it and buying a phone.  I saw a kind person, that was respectful to me.  And a high bill.  I took the liberty to analyze his bill, and tell him how we could lower it by 200.00 a month, but let him know that the time it would take to change everything around would be lengthy, since it is a lot of work changing codes, and such.  He was fine with that.  All was said and done, and he was happy, as was I.  I helped a business out.  I became the only rep he went to for handling his business account needs, since I took care of him.  During our conversation while killing time, as screens were loading, and plan changes were downloading, I found out that not even a month prior, when my brother in law was ran off a road and wrecked into a tree and ditch, it was John Cooper himself that was called out to pull the car out the ditch.  My brother in law had a baby on the way, and couldn't afford a tow.  John cooper understood.  he helped get the vehicle out of the ditch, helped push start it, and went on his way.  Karma.  He took care of someone, and someone took care of Him.  Well, needless to say, the owner of Dominion Wrecker Service, Andrew Mason said, the cost is 1350.00 if you get it by 12.  I'm fine with you coming to get it, or I'm fine with you not. 
Jerk.  That's almost the cost I was selling it for!  I also found out while trying to research the company that Andrew Mason was recently indicted July 2009 for 17 felony charges for overcharging people and making money under false pretenses.  What a surprise.  Below I copied the article:

Dominion Wrecker Service owner Andrew Mason was indicted by a Prince William County grand jury on 17 felony charges this week, according to an InsideNOVA.com article.

Mr. Mason is charged with racketeering, two counts of extortion and 17 counts of obtaining money by false pretenses.

The charges result from a two-year investigation of allegations that the towing company on U.S. 1 was improperly towing vehicles, and overcharging and defrauding customers.

At least one other Dominion Wrecker Service employee was also indicted this week.

A Prince William County ordinance set more than 17 years ago limits charges to $75 per tow, with up to an additional $25 to release the car from a tow companys impound lot. Police alleged Mr. Mason routinely charges customers $125 to tow their cars and overcharged customers by $301,500 in a year. In Virginia, offenses like racketeering, extortion and obtaining money by false pretenses carry severe maximum punishments. Individuals facing such charges require specialized and aggressive legal defense.