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:06/06/2025

  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.

  It was towed on may the 31st 2025 at 8:15 p.m. I picked it up June 1st thats when I visibly seen that my bumper was pulled out. When I was driving out the tow yard I could hear the noise I took the car to my daughter house and didnt move it for two days I drove the car back to ******** thats when I started to hear and feel the clanking like something was falling off or getting jammed I have no idea what's the sounds Im hearing coming from my car since the tow

  Business Response

  Date: 06/07/2025

  Please provide more information or contact our office directly. Our office is located at *********************************************************************. We will need to know the vehicle make/model and location of tow to track down your service. We take pictures before loading any vehicle and have eight cameras onboard each truck to document the loading and unloading procedure in real time. We can compare images and review footage to ensure your complaint is handled properly. Our office toll free number is ************. 

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/03/2025

  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.

  On May 25, 2025, my car was parked at ********************* in an unauthorized space. Around 3-4 a.m., a tow truck began removing my car. I asked the driver to lower my car and issue a warning, explaining my situation. The driver refused unless I paid $195 in cash, which I couldn't. Despite my plea, the driver towed my car. I called Prairie Land Towing on Sunday to check on my car and was informed the tow cost was approximately $750. I was told to wait until Tuesday, May 27, 2025, to retrieve my car due to the holiday. On Tuesday, I requested an itemized invoice, which revealed multiple unauthorized charges, including a second tow fee, illegal parking fee, special equipment fee, and drop fee, totaling $791.25. These charges violate Wisconsin Statute ******, which prohibits certain fees. I contacted the dispatch operator, ********, on May 29, 2025, to dispute the charges and offered to pay the authorized $150 tow fee and storage fees under "protest". ******** refused to release my car without full payment. I requested evidence of the charges, but Prairie Land Towing did not provide it. I attempted to get an explanation for unreasonable, unauthorized and illegal charges, but she got mad, attempted to end our call without explanation, was rude and all of a sudden couldnt explain the extra charges demanded in order to release my vehicle which will continue to accumulate daily storage fees. I also requested copies or to review all pictures taken while my car was at the towing facility, but they refused to provide this evidence as well. I have no clue what they are doing to my car while in their possession.Overall, Wis. Stat. ******(3m)- (Prohibited Charges) charging vehicle owners: Illegal Parking Fees, Drop Fees-Fees, and second Tow Fee-with charging multiple towing fees for same *********** summary, Prairie Land Towing applied unauthorized charges, violating Wisconsin laws. I request the removal of these charges and am willing to pay the authorized fees.

  Business Response

  Date: 06/03/2025

  We are sorry to hear your complaint. Lets first be clear the vehicle in question was parked illegally and the tow operator hooked the vehicle for tow. At which point you or another female approached and attempted to persuade the tow operator to release the vehicle. He advised you on several occasions the fee to drop the vehicle and for you to go about your night. You refused to pay the fee. You then attempted to drive the vehicle off of the tow truck causing severe damage to the vehicle and possible damage to our tow truck. We are turning the video over to our attorney and the ************************* and Consumer Protection to reveal the true actions that night. You are liable for damages to our tow apparatus when you decided on three occasions to attempt to drive the vehicle off of the tow truck. This is extremely dangerous to our staff and yourself which caused severe damage to the vehicle from your actions. The vehicle is charged daily storage until its is retrieved by the legal owner which is registered in *****. All charges are due at pickup. If you would like to contact us directly we can work with you to retrieve the vehicle if you are the registered owner. 

• Initial Complaint

  Date:11/21/2024

  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.

  Prairie Land towed my car on 11/17/24, I was out of town for the weekend 2 hours up north, the cops put a ticket on my car 11/16/24, it was raining the ticket was washed out before I could contact the local police department the car had been towed. After calling the department and figured out that Prairie Land towed my car. I searched them up and immediately saw really poor reviews and have done this exact same thing to other people, so now I'm thinking I'm going to get screwed over to. I called them and they said the process to getting my car back was $750 dollars and it had been 3 days at the time. I read the reviews and they said they charged other customors $25 dollars a day for storage. SO how did they get the number $750 dollars CASH? It is completely ridiculous to up charge this much and espeically in cash. Horrible expierence.

  Business Response

  Date: 11/21/2024

  Thank you for your inquiry. We will be happy to explain the incident more clearly. In 11/18/24 at 10:56 PM we were contacted by the ******************************* to respond to a vehicle that had been ticketed and not moved. The vehicle was to be impounded as the police department said the owner refused to move the vehicle. The ************************** had ticketed the vehicle and the 911 communications center was requesting emergency response as an officer was standing by. Our towing operator responded to the request and successfully removed the vehicle. The charges are as follows:  $324.50 is the emergency response towing request. We do not charge enroute mileage or towed mileage as this is a flat emergency response. There is a standard 11% fuel surcharge for current market fuel costs. Any vehicle that is impounded is assessed an $85 administrative fee for the intake/documentation/release process. This vehicle was also parked very close to the curb which required special equipment of $68.60 that does include the labor intensive unloading of a vehicle without keys that are locked in park. Once it is within our impound there is a standard $75/day charge to hold the vehicle safely in our 24/7 staffed impound. We are open seven days a week for releasing vehicles. Vehicle owners should retrieve their vehicles promptly to avoid additional charges. We do not control why vehicles are towed by police departments. We are required to respond promptly and safely secure the vehicle and maintain custody until the owner retrieves. Our pricing is commercial reasonable and standard in our industry. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 11/21/2024

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
  
  This is still insane pricing for a ticket I couldn't even read, and coming on a monday night at 11PM is also insane, I had zero time to talk to the police about my ticket that is unreadable. I was 2 hours up north. Is there any way I can do a payment plan, or you guys taking and keeping my vehicle and call it good? Or talk about pricing? You stated that is pricing in your industry. Our lawyer wants an itemized bill for the tow.

   

  The wisconsin gov *************** maximum charges permitted under the proposed rule are as follows:
  ? $150 to tow a vehicle, regardless of whether the tow is via a flatbed, hook
  and chain, wheel-lift, sling or belt lift, boom tow, or other method.
  ? $30 per ************************************** an outdoor storage facility.
  ? $50 per ************************************** an indoor storage facility.
  ? Any other necessary and commercially reasonable charges generally
  imposed upon the owners of towed vehicles by the towing service,
  including charges related to special or unusual towing services, not to
  exceed $150.
  
  Regards,
  
  **** ********

  Business Response

  Date: 11/22/2024

  As previously stated in my other message, we have no control over why a police department tows a vehicle. We are merely responding as an emergency request to clear the vehicle from the roadway. This is something that you may need to contact the police department to find out why the vehicle was ticketed or dispute your ticket, but that has nothing to do with the towing of your vehicle. As for the statute that you are referencing below that is only for vehicles that are parked on private property. The police department ticketed your vehicle and deemed it to be transported immediately which is not covered within the statute that you listed. Once a vehicle is ticketed, there is no regulation on pricing. The easiest way for you to work out these details is to contact our accounting department and come up with a form of payment. Each day the vehicle is in storage it is accruing $75 per day. you will receive certified Mail providing a current invoice and the options at that point. If you do nothing for a period of 30 days, your vehicle will go to Scrap or auction as provided by state statute. Fees, then are sent to collections. Please contact us directly so we can find a way to get your vehicle back in your possession.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:01/15/2024

  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.

  I was in an accident on 1/14 due to ice on the roads. Police declared the vehicle not a hazard and I was told to abandon the vehicle while waiting for a tow truck. FD came along 2 hours later, declared it an emergency, and requested prairie land towing. When I called Prarie Land, it took the police talking to them to locate the car. I was also charged above the legal fee for outdoor storage (item was picked up by truck 1/14 at 5:53pm, I have proof, and I paid for the vehicle on 1/15 before 11:30am. They also are charging over the legal amount for towing and other necessary equipment. This business is cash or money order only so you cant dispute the charge ad they do not tell you when you ask where your car is. I showed up there just to find out. 0/10 stars. I have the itemized receipts and all.

  Business Response

  Date: 01/18/2024

  We are sorry to see your complaint but are happy to explain this incident.  We, among other towing companies, are contacted by local police departments to remove/recover/transport vehicles that are considered hazardous or blocking the roadways.  In this incident, the local sheriff's office contacted our company to remove your 2022 ***** CX-30 from the ditch way and impound it so other motorists would not hit it or cause another accident by going into the ditch themselves.  Often motorists are traveling and see a vehicle involved in an incident, try to slow down and they too create another accident.  So in efforts of safety police departments remove these vehicles.  We have no control over why or when, we merely respond when called in as an emergency response. At approximately 4:20 PM the sheriff's office deemed this a hazard more than likely due to snowplows working and roadways in extremely poor condition.  We in turn responded, removed the vehicle from the ditch and transported the vehicle back to our facility.  Each line item is for a service provided.  The accident fee is the company emergency response which includes the truck/equipment towing response, mileage and enroute mileage fees (similar to a trip fee at a heating and cooling company or plumber).  The disposal fee is an error and we will credit this amount as the pictures that we have do not show any damages to dispose of ($54.04 credit).  The environmental fee is for any vehicle that comes to our lot as this is maintenance fee for EPA containment/cleanup as required.  The accident labor fee is for the trained towing operator labor to spend the time on site processing the vehicle from the ditch line, loading, transport and unloading.  The safety apparel is the fee for damage to clothing, jackets, gloves, safety gear and emergency deployment of cones/flares/lighting.  The fuel surcharge is an 11% fee assessed to all services for diesel fuel prices, diesel exhaust fluid liquids and up keep of emission products (this is standard in a trucking/transportation company).  The cleanup/snatch blocks are additional tools required to remove your vehicle from the ditch way.  Lastly the winch out fee is the truck fee to recover the vehicle using scotch blocks, synthetic rope, transport chains/soft straps and other tools specifically used for winching.  The State Statute that is listed in your complaint is for private property parking only.  There are no regulated fees for towing, transport or storage for motor carriers that derive from emergency incidents.  Our storage fee, as other companies, is a calendar day charge. If you would like to discuss this further feel free to reach out to our management team directly so we may help you.  We understand accidents happen and usually insurance companies are working through these billing items.  You are able to turn this into your comprehensive coverage for reimbursement by your carrier as this was a reported crash.  For over 40 years we have provided towing and recovery services to the *********, **** and ********* markets.  Understandably rates have changed quite a bit in this timeframe with inflation, equipment costs, labor costs, insurance and more.  We employ the best people with the best technology similar to that of a police department or fire department 24 hours a day.  Emergency response incidents do carry a higher cost due to the nature of the response and the type of necessary labor to clear the incident.  Let us know how you would like to receive your credit so we may process this timely and go over your storage concerns directly.  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/23/2023

  Type:Product 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.

  On August 5th, 2023 I was on 90 going towards *************** when my windshield got hit by a rock that came from Prairie Land Towing Truck #***-21 with ********* plates #RB *****, The truck driver pulled over and said his insurance should take care of the damage done to my vehicle.

  Business Response

  Date: 08/23/2023

  The roadways are littered with road debris all over the State. Our trucks can hit things but are not responsible for a vehicle following too close or damage to a vehicle from road debris. We will look into your complaint to see what happened on our video system in the truck. 

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/10/2023

  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.

  I just moved into my apartment complex one day ago. I had not yet received my permit for my vehicle, but thought Id be okay parking in the lot as I had just moved in. This predatory company came and started to tow my car, however, I had already got into my vehicle and locked the doors BEFORE my vehicle was connected to anything. I asked nicely several times for them to stop hooking things up and allow me to move my vehicle. The tow employees said I had to pay a $195 drop fee, even though my car wasnt connected and I was already inside. I declined to pay and they continued to connect things to my car and proceeded to lift my vehicle off the ground WHILE I WAS STILL INSIDE. They threatened me by saying theyd call the police and continue to tow the vehicle while I was inside and that I could no longer pay the drop fee; they were going to tow anyway. My roommate approached with our leasing papers and the tow drivers then refused to speak to me at all, even though it was my car. It was highly racially charged. They eventually agreed to let me pay the drop fee and moved their truck so that I could leave.You violated several laws. -You never contacted law enforcement BEFORE hooking anything up to my car. -I was already in my vehicle before anything was secured to my car, you had no right to continue hooking things up and moving my vehicle off the ground while I was inside. -Your drop-fee is way more than allowed by state statutes and you had no right to charge a drop fee in the first place. What I should do is file a police report for robbery, because you illegally tried to tow my car and then forced me to pay you an illegal amount (that you werent supposed to charge anyways) in order for you to allow me to move my car. However, Ill settle by filing a dispute. If your company refutes dispute, I will follow up with a lawsuit. Thanks!

  Business Response

  Date: 08/10/2023

  We are contracted to remove any vehicle without a valid permit present in the vehicle. You admit you parked without a permit. This is why you were ultimately towed/charged. You cannot lawfully park in a lot without a valid permit. The drop fee is not required by statute as it is a courtesy to retrieve the vehicle versus impounding. Statute allows up to $300 for fees and police are not required to be contacted to authorize any towing rather we notify that we are impounding prior to leaving the lot. Our job is clear, to impound unauthorized parked vehicles whom do not display a permit. Unfortunately you violated your parking rules by not having a valid permit which is how authorized vehicles are identified. We do not authorize refunds for vehicles who cannot produce a valid permit at time of violation. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 08/10/2023

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
  
  [Please type your response here.]
  
  Like I said, you had no right to continue to tow my vehicle and hook things up while I was still inside. At that point, you had NO legal right to continue to tow my vehicle. Your response of the fee is still incorrect as it is still ILLEGAL. You NEVER towed my vehicle, meaning you could only legally charge me up to $150 as thats the legal maximum in regards to fees related to a tow. Theres no mention of a drop fee because once Im in my car, you are REQUIRED to stop hooking stuff up and let me go. THAT is why you never called the police, because you knew youd have no power to take my car. I have all of this on video and my friend as a witness. I do not accept this response, and will actually just go ahead with the lawsuit because I think its about time YOU got preyed upon. 
  
  Cant wait for your bankruptcy! 
  
  Regards,
  
  *********************************

  Business Response

  Date: 08/10/2023

  Thank you for your response. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 08/11/2023

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
  
  [Please type your response here.]
  
  Regards,
  
  *********************************

• Initial Complaint

  Date:03/11/2023

  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.

  I was recently towed by this company from a poorly marked lot on *************. The lot had many, many spaces and I parked there in part due to plowed snow blocking a lot of nearby street parking. The duration of my parking was 7-11:30 on a Friday night. Im not sure why any action was necessary at all. At worst a ticket would have sufficed. This action feels predatory and deliberate. Staff at the company was unhelpful.

  Business Response

  Date: 03/11/2023

  Unfortunately we do not make the rules of the lot. We are directed by property owners and managers to follow very specific rules. Parking lots may look clear at times but there is never a case where a complex will have enough parking for all of its tenants and outside parkers. There is not enough land to create parking lots and build an apartment complex. This is why most new complexes have under ground parking. Most any complex is parking by permit only. There are signs, it will be in the lease and there are plenty of notices that go out and are posted in common areas.  As for our staff they are doing their jobs just like any other person going to their workplace. We are a neutral party and do not have any ability to change the rules or provide leniency as we are contracted to enforce these rules.   We are sorry to see your review as we are only doing the job asked of us and we are poorly reviewed for doing it. Seems unfair on both sides if you think about it. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 03/11/2023

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
  
  I would like to know who you are contracted with for the lot on ************* in ******* so I can lodge a complaint with them as well. 
  

  It feels like youre hiding behind just doing your job when I have no doubt you have some input on the situation. Even if policy enforcement is 100% outside of your control, you should at least be responsible for making sure signage around the lot to reflect that policy. If ticketing isnt an option, a sing with your logo and branding on it shouldnt say towed and/or ticketed, it should just say towed.0

  And you are absolutely responsible for the behavior of your staff. I was more than civil with the person I talked to. Im not expecting individuals to be able to do anything about individual situations, but I am expecting them to be professional and to effectively communicate next steps to those being forced to interact with them.
  
  Regards,
  
  ***********************