On 2/7/14 my truck broke down at about 7:15 AM on 441 and David Walker in Eustis,fl less than a mile from where it stays.The truck was empty and and weighs 12-13,000 lbs and is a former 24' budget rental truck which is considered a class B.\r
The police came and called a tow truck which did not tow the truck.The tow driver was concerned and in a hurry because he had a 9AM court appointment.The brakes autolock and the driver appeared to not know how to unlock them and left.The officer then called Bales &Langley who quickly unlocked my brakes and towed around the block.After he hooked up he told me the price was 650.00 and if I didn't get the cash immediately it would be towed to his yard rather than around the corner to where I park it.The implication being it would be a lot more.\r
I have since found Eustis has max rates which goes by class of wrecker used.Today the 10th a woman at Bales and Langley told me they used a class c which even then should be 500.00.I asked her why they sent a class C when they only needed a Class B which would have cost me 300.00.I was given vague answers.I have the police records of the calls which the police say may not be accurate.Passing the buck!!\r
Anyway I felt as if I had a gun to my head.My truck was taken hostage and I was forced to pay $350.00 more than allowed had they sent the correct truck.As the tow operator was hooking up I asked what the charge would be and he said he would let me know in a while.After he and the police officer talked I was informed it would be $650.\r
Also the receipt was not signed or detailed.He had just written 650 paid.I went there 2/10/14 and asked him to sign for purposes of a tax expense.They said they never sign receipts which was rather strange to me as I always sign receipts for my customers.He signed.I had a witness with me which may be why he signed it.He definitely didn't like it.\r
One more thing I talked to a woman from Bales & Langley later that day to get information about what wrecker they used and why.I told her they were called because the first wrecker guy couldn't pull my truck because he didn't know how to release the brakes.She informed me he did know how.He was from Amoco towing and is her brother.I told her he never attempted to release them.I think he simply wanted to leave due to his court appointment.She had no reply to this but claimed the dispatcher ordered a bigger truck because the first guy couldn't pull it.Truth was he could have pulled it easy.He just needed to release the brakes.\r
To me the tow operator should have asked what size truck and brought the correct wrecker or the police calling the tow truck should make sure they have the correct truck..If the law allows for them to bring any wrecker they want and charge accordingly it is a very unfair law to the consumer and very easy for fraud and corruption to come into play.\r
Considering both tow operators or employees are related and the woman I talked to from Bales&Langley also informed she used to be a dispatcher for the police I see some possibilities of corruption ,possible kickbacks and legalized stealing from the public during an emergency situation.\r
Turned out the coil went on my truck,cost $25, tow less than 1 mile empty small box truck $650.If this is not price gouging what is and it is with the help of government according to what Bales and Langley told me.They said they were told to bring a bigger truck than necessary,but even with that a Class C wrecker would be $500 not $650.$650 would be for a semi-truck not a Class B empty truck.Class B wrecker which is all they needed would have been $300.\r
Furthermore I called another tow company and they said they could tow me for $95.I told them the story and they said yes it would have been $300 because of the police rotation thing which allows them to take advantage of people.That is not how they put it but it is what it is.\r
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