My vehicle broke down in the desert 50 miles from anything in 118 degree heat with no water and my championship Labrador. I called roadside assistance through my insurance company. Twenty minutes later a tow company called and said it would be $240.00 to tow me to Ridgecrest Ca. I really didn't know where I was so I asked how much to tow to the town I just went through, was put on hold then lost the call on my cell. Not having their number I called my insurance again and explained what happen and emphasized my lab cannot take the heat and was very concerned.
I placed another call 30 minutes later and was told a tow truck was on the way and was given the number of the tow company. I called somewhat panicked because of the heat and was told the tow truck was 20 minutes out. The tow truck showed up, loaded my vehicle and off we went. "Buddy" the driver was professional and curtious. A half hour later he asked how I was going to pay and I said a debit or credit card. He asked if I was knew what the charge was and I said yes...$240.00 He hands me his invoice for $425.00, I said I was give a price of $240.00 and kindly asked him what the normal hookup and mileage charges were. He could not provide any details. My daughters could tell someone how much I charge for my services however I was delighted to get off the desert with my dog still alive.
Buddy then said we would need to stop and run the credit card first. He pulls up in front of this absolute dump, chain link fence with hubcaps and 4 disgusting and slobbering Saint Bernard's in the dirt "yard" It was obviously not a business. I have been the victim of identity theft and was not comfortable with what I had just gone through. I asked more questions with no answers but reluctantly paid the bill, $425.00.
We got to the repair service recommended by Inyo towing which was ten miles short of where the original towing destination stated. That was still eight miles from town, in the desert.
As soon as we got of the tow truck "Buddy" said his boss wanted to talk to me and hands me his cell phone. A very aggressive person reads me the riot act.
I responded in kind and said I had no problems with the tow only questioned the dollar amount and making a stop at this dump to run my credit info.
Apparently that dump was where he and his relatives live. I apologized and explained my concerns. He demanded that we go back out in the desert, reverse the payment already processed and I come up with cash before they would release the vehicle. I explained the bill was paid in full and accepted and had no intention of going back into the desert with anyone for any purpose. I then called my insurance company and said I feared for my safety and to call the sheriff.
While waiting for the sheriff the woman who apparently owns the towing service came out with weveral people, started shaking then went ballistic several times, cussing me out, gets behind the wheel of the tow truck and starts to drive away.
At that point my insurance had already talked to the husband, authorized payment in full. He had agreed to bill the insurance company even though he had already accepted payment in full from me. He then wanted me to sign an invoice that I had received the vehicle in good shape. My vehicle was still on the tow truck, motor running, almost completely out of the parking lot and ready to get back on the main road back into town.
I said " simply get her back here, put the vehicle on the ground and I will sign the invoice stating I had possession of the vehicle". That was it, she stole my vehicle, every personal item I had in the vehicle... My business computer, camera, my wifes diamond ring, my dogs food, my toothbrush... Left me stranded eight miles out in the desert. I had swim trunks, tee shirt, sandles and a hat at 8:00pm.
I still waited for the sheriff, gave up and started walking toward light. I think "Buddy" really felt bad, came back in his own vehicle to pick me up. He admitted the owners instructed him to "get my vehichle on the tow truck first" and not give out any information.
I told him if he could work it out and take me to diffferent ATMS I might get the money they wanted. I took out my limit on my bank account and the got a cash advance on my credit card for the rest. When walking back to "buddies" truck I overheard him arguing on the phone. He threw the phone down and said they now wanted more money. I went back and got more cash and by the time I got back to the truck "Buddy" told me they impounded my vehicle.
I pleaded to get some personal items back and was verbally assalted by the women. She would start to shake then profanity would follow. I was thrown off the lot.
I called the sheriff and was told that unless there was violence it was a civil matter. I got the insurance company involved again and was informed that if I showed up with $785.00 cash the next day they would release it. I showed up with $785.00 and they asked how I was going to get it out of the impound lot. I said I had another tow company on the way. They said they were not permitted in their impound yard. I then paid to have it towed another 30 feet out of the impound yard.
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