ComplaintsforDominion Towing, Inc

• Initial Complaint

  05/10/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Dominion Towing services my area of Alexandria Va. I live in a secured garage and park there every night in my reserved spot. I woke up this morning for work and my car was gone. It just so happens the one night to forget to put my pass, they tow my car. When I called to explain to them the situation, I was put on held while the woman held a personal conversation in the back before she came back to the phone and was met with complete rudeness. In addition to all of this, I was called out of my name dummy and told there was nothing I can do about it because they are the towing company. In an attempt to explain my car was broken into recently, and that they can check with the local Police, I was cut off with I dont care, it doesnt matter, you can either come pay for your car or we can keep it. My wife went up to the facility to retrieve the car and was met with threats and disdain. So after paying nearly $200, we got the car back that was never suppose to be towed. They are very inconsiderate and RUDE at this business, they need to be investigated for their improper practices of waiting for cas and watching cars before they tow them.

  Business response

  06/21/2023

  Complainants vehicle was parked in apartment community that requires a parking permit. Dominion Towing is contracted to patrol and impound vehicles that are in violation of the parking rules. The fact that we towed complainants vehicle does not make us unprofessional and rude as suggested in the complaint, we are simply doing our job. Complainant mentioned that their pass was stolen during a phone call but in this complaint, they claim they forgot. Our phone calls are recorded and at no point did we address the complaint as 'dummy'. I will gladly share the phone recording to prove our team was not rude in any way. If the complainant would like to call me to discuss further, I can be reached at ************

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

• Initial Complaint

  03/22/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I parked in a parking lot across the street on ***** ***. On my way to see if ********* ******** was still open I made a lot to *** for only 10 minutes. I walked out to find my car gone. I was unaware that *** is not a part of the parking lot area where I was parked but my car had to have been gone within 5 minutes which gave me no opportunity to see about grabbing ice cream. I am appalled at this since I had to get my car. Also there were 2 other cars parked in the same lot yet neither vehicles got towed. This felt like a discriminatory action of cars are not authorized to park in this lot.

  Business response

  04/13/2023

  Complainant parked their vehicle on private property and left the premises to shop at a store across the street and admits that in the complaint. I have attached the signs that are posted at the entrances where the complainants vehicle was towed from. In Virginia, property owners are allowed to have vehicles impounded that are parked illegally on their property. Dominion Towing is contracted by the property owner to remove and impound vehicles parked in violation.  Therefore this complaint should not have any negative affect on Dominion Towing Inc and should be closed as we were providing a service to the property owner and following Virginia code.

  There is public parking in the area and I would be happy guide the complainant where to park in the future. I can be contacted at ************.

  Sincerely,

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

• Initial Complaint

  03/03/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Dominion Towing Lorton Driver Made a false promise to leave my car if I handed him $50. I told him I would go inside and bring $50 for him. Dominion Towing Lorton Driver stated “if you can catch me I will give you your car back. Dominion Towing Lorton Driver drove as I chased him down the street. I am a resident of the HOA. I was unloading groceries to my house in the driveway going up to my house. I am a single mother or 4 kids living in Fairfax County. I am not on government assistance I pay my own bills. I want a refund of the money I had to pay for them to get my car out. I want an apology from the driver himself.

  Business response

  03/21/2023

  Thank you for allowing us to respond to this complaint. The customer stated they were in their driveway and unloading groceries. That is false as they were in a No Parking Zone/Firelane. Below is the timeline of events on March 3, 2023. 
  The driver saw her car are 19:32.
  He hooked up to the car around 19:33:20.
  At 19:34:47 her started to back out of the pipe stem.
  The resident came out are 19:35, where she told him she lives there and not to tow her car. He told her it is $50 to drop it. She told him she doesn't have $50 and to put his car down.
  At 19:36:18 she said "you're such a ******* ******* to our driver.
  At 19:37:00 he told her if she was out before he left he would take the drop but otherwise he was leaving.
  At 19:38:25 she still wasn't outside with the payment so he left. At no point did he flick her off.

  I would be happy to discuss this with the customer and explain the procedures of towing if she would like, but we do ask this be closed as the claims made by the customer were false. 

  Thank You.

• Initial Complaint

  01/28/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On November 28, 2023, I parked in an empty parking lot of a strip mall to shop. Upon returning from shopping, I discovered my vehicle had been towed after contacting Dominion Towing Inc. I was informed my vehicle was transported to a location in Lorton, Virginia, without my consent. After taking a $25.99 **** to that location, I was informed I would be charged $160.00 to retrieve my vehicle. When attempting to regain my illegally seized vehicle, the attendant scoffed at my military veteran ID and refused to accept it. Another ID was provided, and the illicit transaction was completed. I request a refund for the kidnapping of my vehicle and the subsequent uber charges which were incurred due to these unscrupulous activities.

  Business response

  02/15/2023

  Complainants vehicle was impounded because they parked in a shopping center and left the premises. I have attached pictures to support this reply and reason for tow. Although these spaces are convenient to surrounding buildings, only patrons/ employees are allowed to park while in this shopping center.

  I am requesting the BBB to close this claim as the complainant has provided false information.

  I would be happy to suggest other parking areas for the complainant if need be and can be reached at ************

  Thanks

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

  Customer response

  03/07/2023

  [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:
  
  --------- Forwarded message ---------
  From: *** * <*******@*****.com>
  Date: Thu, Mar 2, 2023 at 5:10 PM
  Subject: Re: You have a new message from the BBB of Metro Washington DC & Eastern Pennsylvania in regards to your complaint #********.
  To: Better Business Bureau <[email protected]>
  
  

  I wish to appeal this decision as the provided photos contain no "no parking" signage, this is not a fraudulent complaint.  The conduct of this company is totally inappropriate and their passave aggressive responses are not appreciated.
  

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

  Business response

  03/21/2023

  I have attached a screenshot from our message log showing the text the customer was sent with the address to their vehicle. They were sent the correct address to where their car was so I'm not sure if they came to our Lorton office and if they did, why. The photos I sent previously show a sign just a few spaces away from where this customer was parked. There are also signs posted at every entrance to the parking lot and around 30+ other signs spread throughout the property stating customer parking only while on premises. This tow was valid as the customer walked off of the property they were parked at and that is prohibited. As mentioned previously, I would be happy to discuss with the customer and explain where they are permitted to park depending upon where they are shopping, but we still ask this be closed as the tow was valid and there was no misconduct on our end. 

  Customer response

  03/29/2023

   Complaint: ********

  
  I am rejecting this response because: This is yet another example of Dominion Towing's Predatory Towing Practices 

  
  

  Screen shot of text messages have not merit in this complaint.  

  As listed in Code of Virginia No tow truck driver shall: Vehicles towed from commercial properties during the hours that the business is open must be authorized in writing, either by an individual on site or by electronic means, by the property owner or their designee.

  A refund of the illicit fees acquired by this unscrupulous "company?" is demanded. 

  
  

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

  
  

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

  
  

  ###-###-####

• Initial Complaint

  11/11/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  11/11/2022 parked my car at the *************************** shopping parking for 10 mins to go into coldstone ice cream a story that the parking sign allows you to go to came out to find my vehicle had been towed at my expense. I have proof of purchase at 6:18pm from coldstone to find my vehicle gone when I left the store

  Business response

  11/30/2022

  I have already spoken to the complainants wife regarding this. Complainants wife admitted to going to a pizza shop and that is not a part of the center they parked at. Complainant was towed because they parked at one shopping center and left the property to go to a different place.  See below from complainants wife.

  We were parked in lot and I went into **** ***** to buy ice cream with my niece . After **** ***** I went into the pizza place also in your lot to get the key from my husband so I can sit in the car while he wrapped up. At that point I walked outside and my car was towed . I was a patron of the lot within the time frame -my receipt says 6:18 and my car was towed at 6:33.

  Unfortunately the lot they parked at is for customers while on premises.

  I would be happy to discuss further and can be reached at ************

• Initial Complaint

  07/25/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I visited the ******* ***** Shopping Center in order to visit a friend at work and conduct some shopping. I visited my friend at her place of work; but when I returned to my car for my shopping bags, my car had been towed. When I called the towing company, they told me that because I had “left the ******* ***** Center” property, I was now liable to be towed. I literally walked across the parking lot, and was towed. Attached is a screen shot of the map, circling where my friend works, where I parked, and where Target is. I reached out to the property manager, Ms Debra B********, who indicated that I had a valid reason to reach out to the company to dispute and get a refund. I have also attached the invoice from Dominion Towing. I would like a refund/chargeback to my credit card. $135

  Business response

  08/03/2022

  The complainant parked in a shopping center and walked across the street to an office building, once a person leaves the premises they are no longer considered a customer and subject to being towed. Unfortunately the complainant needs to park in the lot designated for the office building he is visiting.

  I would be happy to discuss this further and would need to see the receipt for ******.

  Dwight G*************

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

  Customer response

  08/05/2022

  [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 do not have a ****** receipt, as I was no longer inclined to shop after seeing that my car had been towed. Additionally, there are no warning signs posted in said parking lot that state that once a person leaves the premises, they are subject to be towed. There are signs that say unauthorized individuals are subject to towing, but I did not consider myself an unauthorized individual, as I fully intended to shop at the ****** and ****** & *****.

  I spoke with Ms. Donna B*********** *************, and cc'd on this message), the Sr. Real Estate Manager of the property, and she indicated that I very much had reason to dispute this matter, and that I should reach out to you at Dominion.

  I understand that you are paid to do a job, and you are obliged to do that job by the people that hired you. But when a customer who gets towed and the property management that owns the property both agree that this situation did not warrant a towing, I would hope that you would agree.

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

• Initial Complaint

  06/25/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I'm a current resident of ********* Apartments at *************************************, Falls Church, VA *********** Apt.#*** since 9/30/21. I left my apt Thursday morning, May 12, 2021, on my way to my morning job and unexpectedly noticed that my car was missing, I frantically thought it was stolen, thinking there was no reason for it to be towed. I returned to my apt and called the rental office to see if they knew anything, the staff person asked me if I had parked in the guest spot, and I said No, next, was I parked in a handicapped spot, I said No, her only other request was to check with Dominion towing to see if they had towed it. I called them and yes they had. It was towed that night (at 1:58 am per the invoice). I asked why and they said because I had an expired safety inspection sticker (which expired in April) I informed them that wasn't a legal reason or a violation to tow it (per my Parking Addendum Rules and Regulation). The Woman I spoke to insisted that it was and that it would cost me $180 for the 1st 24 hours, an extra high additional fee charged daily after that. So, at that point, I had no choice but to retrieve it. I made paid arrangements to get a ride to the facility along with, at this point, would be missing my morning job and losing that pay. I have since obtained a copy of the Granview Parking Addendum (which will be attached) and again within it, it clearly states all set conditions or reasons for violations that are subject to towing my car at my expense, including and in addition to those stated above, were, unproperly displayed license tags, expired tags or without tags, vehicles in the state of dispair or abandoned, or a car without a proper current parking sticker, which I had and was in no violation of any of the others. So. yes they towed my car illegally as no violations were committed. I now request at least a full refund of the $180 charged for pick up and at most a refund and my reimbursement for additional expenses and loss of pay.

  Business response

  07/05/2022

  Good Afternoon,

  The complainant stated his VA State Safety Inspection sticker was expired. A vehicle with an expired Safety Inspection is illegal to operate, therefore, the vehicle is not in ''operating condition" and in violation of the parking rules for the community. I would be happy to discuss further to resolve this matter, I can be reached at ************.

  Thanks,

  Dwight G**************

  Business response

  07/19/2022

  Again, the complainant parked his vehicle on private property that has parking rules and regulations. If a vehicle is parked in violation then the property owner has a right to have the vehicle removed from the property. 

  Dominion Towing has followed all applicable laws.

  I have offered to discuss further but complainant is rejecting my offer. The BBB does not handle legal disputes so we are requesting this case to be closed.

  Customer response

  07/29/2022

  [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:
  
  Regards,
  
  ***********************
  

• Initial Complaint

  03/04/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  2/9/2022 0550 - Called to find the location of my car that had been towed. Registration had been renewed but sticker had not come yet. Car was parked in my spot, in front of my townhouse, with a legal, up-to-date registration, and the letter from the DMV on the front passenger seat. The dispatcher first told me the drivers only look at the stickers on the car and do not verify any other documentation. He then told me they do look in the car for proof of renewal from the DMV but they only look on the dash.2/10/2022 1557 - Called DT: I asked to get a recording of my call the previous morning when I called the dispatcher. I was first told the company does not release recorded calls, but then the individual told me I could get a copy of the call for a $250 IT fee. Seemed like a made-up fee.2/10/2022 1659 - Called back and asked for the same person. I agreed to pay the IT fee, and would also like to get the recording of the call an hour earlier. The individual said he would have to check with his supervisor the next day to confirm they could release the recordings and he would call me the next day. The next day I received no call.2/11/2022 1634 - I called Dominion Towing and asked for the person I was talking to the previous day, who was supposed to call me back. I was told the person I needed to talk to was in the office but was busy so I could hold. I was on hold for 15 minutes and finally hung up. 2/14/2022 1535 - I called back and asked for the same individual, but was told he was unavailable so the dispatcher sent me to voicemail. I left a voicemail to have the individual call me back about getting the voice recordings. 2/15/2022 1049 - The individual called and left me a voicemail while I was at work. 2/15/2022 1604 - I called back and was told that the call recordings would not be released because the company was fearful I was attempting to take legal action against them. If they had done nothing wrong on the calls there would be no reason to not release them.

  Business response

  03/28/2022

  Good afternoon,

  Complainants vehicle was parked on private property and in violation of the association's parking rules. Complainants vehicle did not display valid license plates, see attached photos for evidence. Dominion Towing is contracted by the association to enforce the parking rules. 

  After speaking with complainant about the recorded calls he mentioned legal action so I would direct him to speak to our legal counsel.

  I would be happy to discuss a resolution with the complainant and can be reached at ************.

  Sincerely,

  Dwight G************

• Initial Complaint

  12/22/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  My car was towed overnight from my apartment complex's secure underground parking lot with no notice to myself or due diligence from Dominion Towing to confirm that my car was unauthorized to park. My car is registered with the apartment complex and documented on my lease. Dominion Towing states they towed my car because my parking permit was not visible. My parking permit had fallen between my seat and was shown to the attendant when I went to retrieve my car. I have included screen shots from my lease agreement which state the conditions that a vehicle can be considered illegally or unauthorized to park. There is no mention that a parking permit must be visible from the outside of the car therefore my vehicle did not meet the requirements that would deem this towing legal.

  Business response

  01/13/2022

  Good afternoon,

  I can not comment on the parking information that was or was not given to you by your apartment complex. However, the property owner has contracted us to tow vehicles that do not display the parking permit. Please feel free to call and discuss further, I can be reached at ************.

  Thanks

  Dwight G************

• Initial Complaint

  09/29/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Predatory towing, which is illegal in Virginia. Lot signage allots 1 hr parking for retail customers. I was a retail customer who was "watched" entering the establishment, and my car was towed in 7 minutes-- witnessed by multiple parties. I had receipts showing the timing of my visit. Still missed work, no keys, no car and no complaint resolution process.

  Business response

  10/06/2021

  I located the impound this is referencing. While ************** is correct that there is 1 hour retail parking, there are numerous signs posted (2 at each entrance that are rather large, in addition to a towing enforced sign at both entrances)) stating the businesses this parking lot is to be used for. I attached a photo of one of these signs. ************** actually went across the street to a different business and therefore is not subject to the 1 hour parking, she is subject to being towed. This parking lot has very little parking and need every space they have for their customers. They have every right to tow vehicles from their lot that are not patrons of their businesses. While we take every complaint seriously and investigate what exactly happened, we ask this case be closed as we followed all guidelines and did nothing wrong. 

*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. ↩