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:03/16/2023

  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.

  We was given permission to park at **** ******** ** in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from February 17th - February 19th. We was told to park at the end of the lot. Confirmation came from management and the landlord of the parking lot. When I return to pick up my car on Sunday it was gone. When I called George Smith Inc. towing they stated it was towed because it was unauthorized to park in that lot over night. On February 20th, I picked up my car without charge. Attached to the paperwork was a ticket #********** dated 2/18/23. While driving back to Virginia I notice my car was driving differently. After further investigation I had to take my car to the mechanic. I believed when George Smith Towing company towed my car they caused major damage because my vehicle is all wheel drive and can only be towed with a flatbed tow truck. The cost to have my car repaired was $3,450.18.

  Business Response

  Date: 03/22/2023

  03/22/2023
  
  Complaint ID ********; *****************************

                  On, FEBURARY 18TH 2023, at 5:07AM, 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 PRIVATE PROPERTY. Law enforcement was called to ticket this vehicle. THE PHILADELPHIA POLICE DEPARTMENT, BADGE #**** ticketed this vehicle at 3:05 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, 2018, color, GRAY, plate, **/***-****, VIN, *****************, for BEING ON PRIVATE PROPERTY, WITH SIGNS POSTED, at this location at 5:07AM back to their impound located at **** ***** **** **, Philadelphia, PA *****, where the vehicle was then released AT NO CHARGE. George Smith Towing, Inc. was never notified that this vehicle was permitted at this location. There was a miscommunication where the owner never notified them. Instead of charging, ******, where George Smith Towing, has every right to charge the fees, they did ******, a good deed and release the vehicle at no charge due to the miscommunication. Attached is ******’S ID, signed release and waiver form, signs posted at the property, and pictures of the vehicle illegally parked. ****** is now complaining about damages a month later. ****** drove the vehicle perfectly fine off George Smith Towing’s lot over a month ago. ****** states her vehicle is all wheel drive. ******’s vehicle is 4 wheel drive and there is a difference between 4 wheel and all wheel drive.

  INFORMATION REQUESTED:
  -ESTIMATE FROM MECHANIC WITH PICTURES

  Customer Answer

  Date: 03/23/2023

  [To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed as Answered]
  
   Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  

  On 2/9/23 I took my vehicle in for an oil change and tire rotation at ****************************.  My vehicle was service before I drove to Philadelphia.  Once I got on the highway heading back to Virginia my vehicle drove differently.  I thought it my was tires, so on March 6th, I took my car back to my mechanic at ****************************.  We went out driving the vehicle, so he could feel what I was feeling while driving the vehicle.  He stated that I would have to leave the vehicle for him to take a look at it.  So on March 9th I left the vehicle with them and picked it up on March 10th.  He told me I need to take the vehicle back to the dealership.  I made an appointment at ************** dealership for Monday at 130pm.  I took my vehicle there and had to leave it and it was fixed on March 14th.  I have all my receipts for all my services.   On March 16th when i called George Smith Towing complaining about the damage to my vehicle i was hang-up on.   We was given permission to park at this location from **** the landlord of the parking lot.
  
  Regards,
   
  *****************************

  Business Response

  Date: 04/05/2023

  This doesn't prove anything. Please provide documentation from the mechanic exactly of any damages. After we recieve documentation/estimate, we will be able to discuss more about this vehicle. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 04/07/2023

  [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. 
  
  Regards,
  
  *****************************
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 04/27/2023

   Here’s my proof and paid receipts for my vehicle.  
  
  

  Sincerely,

  
  

  ****** ********

  Business Response

  Date: 05/02/2023

  This states the coupler on your vehicle was going bad. It says nothing about damage to your vehicle.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 05/05/2023

  [To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed as Answered]
  
  
  
   Complaint: ********
  
  
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  
  
  
  I did not start hearing the noise and having the problem until my vehicle was towed illegally by this company.  I kept my vehicle well maintained with proper maintenance.  On 2/9/23 I took my vehicle in for an oil change and tire rotation.  And my vehicle was fine!  They caused this problem by using a regular towed truck to tow my vehicle instead of using a flatbed to tow it.  
  
  
  Regards,
  
  
  
  ****** ********
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:11/21/2022

  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.

  Car was illegally targeted for a tow blocking a driveway. Car was not blocking said driveway (pictures at time of incident as proof), and occurred on a free parking street where I, a resident, was instructed to park per my landlord. I was able to stop the top as it began but was forced to pay $200.00 via ******* to random user instead of company.

  Business Response

  Date: 12/23/2022

  12/15/2022
  
  COMPLAINT ID: ********; *******************
                  To properly respond to the customers complaint, please provide the date of incident and receipt of payment.
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:11/11/2022

  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 11/11/2022 around 6 PM, I visited the ********************* and I parked on *** ****** ******. In the picture there is no sign where so ever on the pole behind or on the stop sign about no parking or a tow zone anything like that. To my far left on the sign very close to the building there is a George Smith sign. In the picture with the sign showing there are two parking spaces in that area seeming as if the sign is stating that you can not park in those two spaces. They towed my car from behind the stop sign saying I was blocking the drive way. Again there is no visible sign about no parking anywhere near the stop sign, on the stop sign, or near the pole or on the pole behind where my car was. The spot literally looks like a regular open spot on a regular block. I was left in the dark around 9 PM out having to find a ride and left in lot of emotional distress. When I called the company they were very rude and not explaining why they took my car other than it was blocking a drive way. I said that the sign you have posted is no where near where I was parked so my car shouldnt have been touched.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/18/2022

  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 10/14 my car was parked outside of my apartment at ************************. @ around 8:30 it was ticketed for being parked although there were no signs stating we could not park there. I have parked there many many times as have others. The ticket was $25. 10 mintues after the car was ticketed, the towing company took the car. When I went to get it the next day, there was damage to the back of the car and the man at the desk would not do anything about it nor would he let me speak to the owner. When my father called looking for the owner a few days later, the man was rude to him and hung up on him not allowing him to speak to the owner.

  Business Response

  Date: 11/01/2022

  In order for George Smith Towing, Inc. to properly respond to this complaint please provide a valid receipt or vehicle information.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 11/02/2022

  [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 my acceptable resolution would be to get my car repaired from the damages George smith towing caused to my car. This will mean that a rental car or reimbursement for *****  will need to be given to me until my car can be repaired as I am a nurse and need to get to work at off hours of the day.

  Regards,
  
  ***********************************