Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:09/23/2023

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  George Smith Towing Inc. towed my car; while doing so, they broke into the car by forcing the driver's door to get in the car so they could switch the gear to neutral and put the Handbrake down. As you see in the photos attached, while they trying to do so, they broke the small emergency key next to the gears that used to move the gear stick without having the car key in. As a result, the door is damaged; air and water are entering the car and the emergency gear stick is broken.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:09/05/2023

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I am a security guard employed by the *** theater at ****** N. Broad St, ********. My car was illegally towed from the parking lot behind the theater. I was parked in the employee designated spot but was still towed. The tow truck had no right to tow my vehicle. I called to speak with the manager, but the person on the phone was rude and stated there was no manager. On the weekends the tow trucks hide out and wait to tow other cars in the parking lot. The kiosk is not visible to other customers as well. Please view the ****** reviews and also research lawsuits already against this company for illegal activity.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/24/2023

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  They towed my car and messed up my wheel axil and I cant drive my car. I called them letting them know they damaged my car they told me its nothing they can do about it.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/12/2023

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  On Wednesday morning, August 9, 2023, personal vehicle originally parked at parking lot located around **************, Towed by George Smith Towing Company. At 10:45am, same day, I picked up my vehicle paid the fine and left the premises.While driving the same day, i noticed a sound coming from near my front Left tire region while I was driving on the highway. After safely getting home and parking, I checked on the underside of the vehicle and I found that the undercar splash shield for my ****** ****** 2019 car was damaged and there was a big hole that Pierced the front and another another hole to the back. As if something went into it and out of it completely. Reference photos. Called the towing company next day about this issue to talk about it and submit a complaint and claim. the one who picked up phone promptly said it wasn’t them and refused to give me any contacts for claims declaring that he is the inspector and there is absolutely no one else I can contact and hung up the phone. I told him I have photos and videos and he continued to banter at me taking zero accountability nor any means to have a conversation. In his remarks he said it was probably due to underside of car hitting street after leaving the property’s very steep declining ramp and not a result of the towing operation. This remark means that inspector knows that the property’s ramp is a known issue. Also, it was not relevant to my case since my issue was due to big hole from the front all the way to the back of the underside splash shield on only the front-left side of the car. Took my car to the mechanic for him to check car out and confirmed that it was not simply due to bottom making contact with the street. Rather that something like a fork actually pierced through the shield. There are 2 photos taken from when at the mechanic on Aug 10, at 2023 when they put the car on the lift, looking from the underside. As you can see it is clear that the towing company gashed the underside. 

• Initial Complaint

  Date:07/03/2023

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  My car was towed on the morning of July 3rd, from my apartments parking lot. I pay for my parking pass and my parking pass was in the vehicle. I was harassed by the employee on the phone who accused me of lying and saying the pass was nowhere to be found. After i retrieved my car, I couldnt find my parking pass until I started to look around. I found it shoved deep into my center console even though I put it out in plain view not even 8 hours prior. The tow truck driver broke into my car to disable my emergency brake and hide my parking pass so that he could tow my car from the lot. They never call the police to handle the situation with my building like theyre supposed to. Somehow they get the parking authority to write tickets without any police every being present. It is very obvious that there is and always has been a shady practice going on with this company. It is no surprise that people have been trying to have them shut down for a long time.

  Business Response

  Date: 07/26/2023

                                                                                                   07/26/2023
  
  BBB COMPLAINT ID ********; ***********************************
                 On JULY 3RD, 2023, at 10:28 AM, George Smith Towing, Inc. towed a vehicle for being illegally parked, ON PRIVATE PROPERTY, located at *** * **** ******, PHILADELPHIA, PA *****. George Smith Towing, Inc. and the property owner of this property have an agreement, which is required by the CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, to tow any VEHICLES ON THEIR PRIVATE PROPERTY WITH NO PERMIT DISPLAYED. George Smith Towing, Inc. patrols THIS PROPERTY. THE PHILADELPHIA PARKING AUTHORITY, BADGE #** ticketed this vehicle at 10:18 AM, ticket #*********, a picture of the ticket is attached. Police radio, badge #***, cleared George Smith Towing to tow the vehicle, which was a make, **, model, ***, year, 2015, color, *****, plate, PA/***-****, VIN, *****************, for PRIVATE PROPERTY, at this location at 10:28 AM back to their impound located at **** ***** **** **, Philadelphia, PA *****, where the vehicle was then paid for and released. On this same day, ********* ********, paid $205.00 by credit card for the retrieval of this vehicle. Attached is HIS ID and credit card which matches, a signed white credit card receipt/VERIFIED BY PIN, along with a signed credit card waiver, in case HE was to dispute this transaction, this waiver is, *********, allowing George Smith Towing, to run HIS credit card for the $205.00 and HIM accepting all fees. Attached is a signed release and waiver form, signs posted at the property, and pictures of the vehicle illegally parked. 

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/17/2023

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  On June 16, 2023 at approximately 8:30PM, my car was being towed for parking in an area that was allegedly prohibited to park. This parking area was directly across from ****** in Fishtown and there were no signs that explicitly stated one could not park there. To my surprise, I see a tow truck emerge and proceed to mount my vehicle onto the tow truck. As soon as this was witnessed, I quickly ran out to my car to see what the issue was. The man who was in the process of towing my car stated that I could not park there - despite there not being a clear display that stated this information. Additionally, the man claimed that in order for him to drop the car he needed to be *******d $200 to his personal account. He also stated that if ******* wasn't feasible then he would also take cash. This raised immediate red flags. I asked where there was a policy that stated that this was formal practice to which he blatantly ignored. The $200 was then issued via *******. Upon further research, it was noticed that there was no ticket that was originally issued in order to make this tow legally possible. After bringing this to the mans attention, he stated that he must have removed the ticket before setting the car down. This did not happen. I asked to see proof of history of the ticket that was allegedly issued, of course there was none. I am seeking a full refund as this incident was clearly illegal and predatory as per Philadelphia law.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/18/2023

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Somewhere between 5/17 2100- 5/18 0630, this company and illegally towed my car and refused to release it without payment. There was no ‘no parking’ signs in the area besides the school zone signs which are from 0700-1600. This company was very rude and unprofessional when I ask for an explanation as to why I was towed. I have pictures documenting that my car was towed before 0700, as well as pictures of the surrounding area proving that there were no signs.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:04/18/2023

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I paid for parking, they towed my car on a technicality. I don't believe I should have to pay the tow fee There are many other members of my community that have fallen pray to this company's unethical practices. They offered me a cash-only pickup at the time of tow and said if I did not have the cash I had to come tomorrow. I at least should get refunded for parking fees. My car was towed before 9:20 pm. I paid until 9:41 pm.

  Business Response

  Date: 05/02/2023

  In order to properly respond to your complaint, please provide receipt, date of incidient, and your vehicle information.

   

   

• Initial Complaint

  Date:04/02/2023

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Hello,This complaint involves George Smith Towing scamming and unlawfully towing us. On Tuesday, 3/28/2023, we parked our car in the spot shown, on the 800th block of ** *** ******, between ***** **. and ****** **. The spot had no signage, as we were confident in parking on our own block and NO SIGNAGE can be seen in the attachment from a screenshot of a local neighborhood ********* post (screenshot attached, but here is a link to the post *******************************************). Yesterday, 4/1/2023, I noticed our car was missing from the spot and in its place was a large commercial dumpster, and a George Smith Towing sign stapled, upside down, on a wooden stick. We called the number on the George Smith sign - we asked if they recently towed a ***** ******. The man said "We don't have any ******'s, I would know. Call ************** We were confused as to why they would not have our car since their sign was there. We asked him if he could search by our license plate and he responded with, "We hand write everything so I cannot search. We don't have your car. We have an ****** here." We called the police who said they would send an officer out to us - they never called or showed. Today, 4/2/2023, we called George Smith again, asking if they had our car (I thought it was fishy they didn't have it yesterday, since he didn't bother checking) and today he responded with "Yep the brown ******, ********** plates?" He then claimed he told us they had it yesterday and he remembers talking to us (lying). We called the police dept. asking if they could meet us there - they said they would send someone out. We ****** and waited outside of George Smith until 3 (close at 4) and went up without police to pay $265 for the car. We asked them why our car was towed, and they said the whole street is no parking and we parked on private property. In the pics they took there is a sign that is not on the actual street, I'm thinking somehow they staged it?? Man was extremely rude.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:03/18/2023

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  On Friday evening, March 10, 2023 my car was parked in a parking lot of ********************************. There were not signs visible posted about a Kiosk. When I came out the movie theatre my car was gone. I had to go looking for the tow sign because as I said it was not visible. On Saturday morning, March 11, 2023 I was able to come retrieve my car and pay the fees. Upon getting to my car I notice how close my car was touching the wall so I took a picture because I can tell my car was backed up into the wall. When I went to look at the back of my car, there was visible damage that was not there prior to towing. I called to report the damage and was told that they take pictures. Any pictures taken prior will show no damage. I was provided an email that I have yet to receive a response from. I made a police report on Monday, March 13, 2023 and I am looking to get repairs done from the damage that George towing caused. It is not fair for me to pay tow fees and have to ride around with damage I did not cause. I take good care of my car.

  Business Response

  Date: 03/22/2023

  03/22/2023
  
  Case Number: ********; *********************

  
                  George Smith Towing, Inc. has signs posted all throughout **** * ***** ******, PHILADELPHIA, PA *****. The signs clearly state the kiosk needs to be paid. Please see the attached signage. This complaint seems to be made several days ago. As of, 03/22/2023, George Smith Towing, Inc. is not admitting to any damages, however, they are working with, ******** ******, in getting her vehicle repaired.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 03/23/2023

  [A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response.  If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]
  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me. However, my main complaint is the damage that was caused from being towed. I am currently waiting to be contacted about repairing damage to my car as stated in their response. 
  
  Regards,
  
  *********************