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:02/08/2025

  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.

  This company towed a vehicle at 10pm the night prior and when I attempted to retrieve it the night prior they claimed they were unable to do so, until 7 am. I returned the next morning to retrieve my vehicle as instructed only to be charged with a $80 increase for an overnight stay. Upon attempting to resolve this matter the employee many various threats against me, and raising the price to remove my vehicle with from the lot.

  Business Response

  Date: 02/10/2025

  Could I get some more information please where was it towed? What was the plate number so I can look it up and pull camera footage. 

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/24/2024

  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.

  Dear Better Business Bureau,I am writing to file a formal complaint against Cedar Towing for improper towing practices and refusal to issue a refund for a towing incident that took place on the evening of October 5th, 2024.On that date, my van was towed from a parking area in the alley off *********** in ***********, specifically from one of the parking spots located west of the *********************. At the time of parking, there were no signs posted indicating that this was private property or that vehicles could be towed. Cedar Towing shared they have a standing agreement with the Den Apartments to patrol the area and tow any vehicles parked in these spots. However, no signage was present to warn me or other drivers about the towing risk.Cedar Towing shared signage is not required for parking areas with fewer than seven spaces for the city of ***********. Cedar towing was honest in this matter as I found this to be true on the city website. The area where I parked had more than seven spaces. Despite pointing out this discrepancy, Cedar Towing refused to issue a refund for the towing, even though the lack of signage made it impossible for me to know that towing was *********** their credit, Cedar Towing has now installed signs in the area indicating it is a towing zone. While I appreciate the correction for future drivers, it does not resolve the undue financial burden and time I faced in reclaiming my vehicle when I was not in violation of any clearly communicated parking restrictions.I am requesting that the BBB review this matter and help me seek appropriate resolution, including reimbursement for the towing charges I incurred unfairly.Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to your assistance in resolving this issue.

  Business Response

  Date: 11/16/2024

  Response to Customer Statement:
  
  
  Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention. We would like to clarify the situation regarding the towing incident involving the customers vehicle on October 5, 2024.
  
  
  The area where the customer parked is part of a strip of land where signs are not required under Minneapolis city regulations. 
  
  
  While the customer may not have noticed the signs posted in every lot surrounding that strip of land.  We also note that the person they were visiting should have advised them not to park in that location. To further address this issue and reduce confusion for future visitors, we have since installed additional signage in the area.
  
  
  We understand the customers frustration and regret any inconvenience they experienced. Cedar Towing acted in accordance with our city regulations. Unfortunately, this means we cannot issue a refund for the towing charges incurred.
  
  
  We hope this clarifies our position and demonstrates that Cedar Towing strives to act in compliance with all applicable regulations and agreements. We appreciate the opportunity to respond to this complaint and are happy to address any additional questions or concerns.
  
  
  Sincerely,
  Cedar Towing and Auction

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/09/2024

  Type:Order 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 am writing to file a formal complaint against Cedar Towing & Auction, located at ************************************************, regarding their handling of my vehicle tow on August 7, 2024. The company insisted on cash payments (total $305) without providing a clear explanation or any supporting documentation, raising concerns about potential unfair or deceptive trade practices under Minnesotas consumer protection laws.They informed us that proof of insurance would be sufficient to retrieve the vehicle, so we spent an hour obtaining it. However, after presenting the insurance, they then stated that the name on the title did not match and that the person named on the vehicles title must be present. Had they informed us of this requirement when they first checked the name, it would have saved us a significant amount of time and frustration.When we returned late at night with the title holder, we were told that payment had to be in cashinformation not previously mentioned. This forced us to withdraw cash from multiple ATMs due to withdrawal limits, taking over an hour and visiting several groceries for cash back late at night, which was both inconvenient and unsafe. It seems the tow company may have intentionally delayed the process to increase fees.It is unreasonable for consumers to be put at risk by having to obtain large amounts of cash late at night. This situation may also violate local consumer protection laws and towing ordinances in *********** and ************, which regulate fees, vehicle release procedures, and acceptable payment methods. Additionally, the unprofessional conduct of the companys staff, including yelling at us when we asked for clarification, contributes to a pattern of behavior that could be considered harassment or intimidation, further raising concerns about their business practices.

  Business Response

  Date: 08/09/2024

  Tell us why here...Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention. We take all complaints seriously and would like to address the concerns raised in your letter.
  Cedar Towing & Auction prides itself on adhering to all relevant local and state laws, including those regarding payment methods and vehicle release procedures. To clarify:
  Payment Methods: Our policy payments is outlined on our website, hold music, and communicated by our dispatchers. We understand that withdrawing cash can be inconvenient, especially late at night, but this method is required to minimize the risk of chargebacks and other payment-related issues.
  Proof of Insurance & Vehicle Owner Holder Requirement: Our staff is trained to inform customers of all necessary documentation at the time of initial contact. The requirement for the vehicle owner holder to be present is standard procedure, as the vehicle can only be released to the person whose name is on the title for security reasons. We apologize if there was any miscommunication, and we will review our processes to ensure clearer communication in the future.
  Delays in Service: We strive to provide prompt service to all our customers, and we regret that your experience was less than satisfactory. We would like to assure you that any delays were not intentional, and we do not increase fees as a result of delays in retrieving the necessary documentation.
  Staff Conduct: We regret to hear about any unprofessional behavior you experienced. This is not in line with our company values, and we will address this internally to ensure that all customers are treated with respect and courtesy.
  We are committed to continuous improvement and will review your experience in detail to identify any areas where we can enhance our service. Please feel free to reach out if you have any further concerns or require additional information.
  Thank you for your understanding.

  Tamara 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 08/10/2024

   I am rejecting this response because:

  
  While I appreciate your efforts, I am still concerned about several aspects of your reply, which downplay the core problems I experienced. Firstly, your emphasis on the need for cash payments due to fear of chargebacks raises significant concerns. It suggests that your company may be implementing this policy to avoid transparency and accountability, rather than merely preventing chargebacks. This cash-only policy, particularly when enforced late at night, is highly inconvenient and places customers in potentially unsafe situations. The insistence on cash payments under these circumstances is troubling and raises questions about the fairness and legality of such practices.
  
  Regarding your statement that your staff informs customers of all necessary documentation at the time of initial contact, this clearly did not happen in my case. If I had been properly informed upfront, I would not have encountered the delays and frustrations that led me to file this complaint. This oversight reflects a lack of proper communication and customer care, which your response seems to dismiss as a mere misunderstanding rather than acknowledging it as a significant lapse in service. Furthermore, while you claim that delays are not intentional and that fees are not increased due to delays in retrieving necessary documentation, the reality is that your policies indirectly create situations where additional fees are almost unavoidable. For example, if a delay pushes the retrieval of a vehicle to the next day, it automatically results in additional charges. It is disingenuous to imply otherwise, and this aspect of your business practice feels designed to maximize profit at the expense of customer convenience.
  
  Your response gives the impression that the company is more focused on justifying its actions than on genuinely addressing the issues raised. I am frustrated by the dismissive tone of your reply and the lack of accountability demonstrated. 

  
  

  Business Response

  Date: 08/13/2024

  Tell us why here...Thank you for taking the time to share your concerns and provide detailed feedback. We take all customer input seriously, and I apologize if our previous response did not fully address the issues you experienced.
  At Cedar, our priority is to ensure a fair and transparent process for all customers. The cash payment policy is intended to protect both parties and maintain the integrity of our services, not to avoid accountability or transparency. However, I understand how this policy, especially when enforced at night, could cause inconvenience and discomfort.There is a third party ATM here.
  Regarding the communication about required documentation, I sincerely apologize that you did not understand informed information. We are committed to our communication protocols to ensure that all customers receive clear and accurate information from the start.
  I also want to address your concerns about delays and associated fees. While it is never our intention to cause delays or increase costs for our customers, I understand how our current practices may inadvertently lead to such situations. We will review our policies to find ways to minimize these occurrences and ensure that our practices are fair and transparent.
  I regret that our previous response came across as dismissive. Please be assured that we are taking your feedback seriously and will work towards improving our service.
  Thank you again for bringing these matters to our attention.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:01/11/2024

  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.

  CEDAR TOWING & AUCTIONS Towed my F-150 truck illegally, it's like they stole my truck. And no one seems to be able to do anything.

  Business Response

  Date: 01/12/2024

  The owner of the property called because you were blocking two garages. I have no idea where the amount your asking is coming from.

  Please come and pick up your vehicle. We do have pictures of you blocking the garages. 

  Thank you 

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

• Initial Complaint

  Date:11/28/2022

  Type:Sales and Advertising 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 November 28, 2022, I came out to the parking lot in my apartment complex and found out my car had been towed. It was parked legally in the lot and even had a parking pass from my apartment complex hanging from my rear view mirror. The signage in the lot said to call Gopher Towing, which had a disconnected number. I called my landlord, who said to call Cedar Towing in *********** (I live in New Brighton, which is over ten miles away), who confirmed they had my car. I told them it was parked legally, and they claimed it wasn't (even though a car right next to mine was parked the same way but wasn't towed). They told me I would have to come to Cedar and pay $300 cash to get my car back. I will go to them in the morning to get the car back, but I plan to dispute the tow.

  Business Response

  Date: 11/29/2022

  Cedar Towing received a call from the property on 11/28/2022 some one had parked another tenant in. So they had to have the vehicle towed to allow the other person to leave the lot. 

• Initial Complaint

  Date:07/14/2022

  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.

  My father, who is disabled with Parkinsons disease and lives off of social security, had his car stolen. A police report was made immediately. The criminals who stole the car left it in a Funeral Home parking lot. A lot of companies will check if a car is stolen before they tow it - not this company. They tow it FIRST and then check after. They just want the money. I was told it would cost 286 dollars to get my car out. I explained the situation and was pretty much begging them to not make my father, who is the victim of a crime, have to also be responsible for this fee. I was told about advocacy groups, which my father called and was told there is no money that exists for something like this. This company I believe should ethically check if a car is stolen before they tow it, since the owner ***** said that they have towed a lot of stolen cars lately. It all could have been solved with. I financial liability to my father if they had just informed the police that the car was stolen beforehand. They chose NOT to help my father Im any way. They did not offer even as much as a price reduction. I am complaining because I want a formal apology, a change in business practice, and my fathers car released to him IMMEDIATELY.

  Business Response

  Date: 07/15/2022

  In the ************ we let them know when we are towing a vehicle through a web based system per there rules of MPLS not Cedars rules.   All private property companies follow these rules set by the ************. They will let ** know if the vehicle is stolen as soon as they can they are very busy! They will send a cop down to do a recovery on the vehicle at that point they let the owner know the vehicle is at Cedar Towing and its clear to be released.  Cedar recovers a lot of stolen vehicles daily. We do not get any funding from the city so we do have to charge the owner of the vehicles. I tried to talk with the insurance agent that called to check on the vehicle to see if there was something she could help with but she had just gotten off the phone with the son and he was verbally disrespectful and said some pretty nasty thing so they were not willing to budge at all! My dispatcher received a call from the son as well he was so verbally abusive she transferred him to **** he continued to call her names and say some pretty nasty things. They did pick the vehicle up last night and there will be no apology for recovering his fathers vehicle and following the ************ rules. I do have the recording of him if any one would like to hear his verbal abuse. Cedar Understands it is a high stress situation but that does not give anyone the go ahead to be verbally abusive to three people because he is upset. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 07/15/2022

   I am rejecting this response because:
  
  Lets get one thing straight: i never spoke to any insurance agent. I spoke to the person on the phone  (dispatch) and was actually extremely courteous, was not nasty or verbally abusive in any way. I asked to speak to the owner and was informed she was in a meeting to which I asked how much longer? She said she did not know, and I asked for an estimate and stated that it was easier if i knew when to call back so I could speak with her. Afterwords I spoke with *****, and the ONLY THING I said that she didn't like was that she was making money off s******* my father. That is the ONLY thing i said that could be interpreted as verbally abusive. 

   

  THE MAIN THING IS THAT WHEN WE PICKED UP THE **** THE VERY NICE GENTLEMAN INFORMED MY FATHER OF THIS PROGRAM THAT THE CITY HAS AND GAVE US A FORM WHERE WE CAN GET REIMBURSED FOR THE COST. ITS KIND OF CRAZY YOUR FEMALE DISPATCHER AS WELL AS THE ***** OF THE COMPANY DIDN'T MENTION ANYTHING ABOUT THAT, AS THAT COULD HAVE AVOIDED EVERYTHING IN MY COMPLAINT, BUT NO, YOU DIDN'T. 

   

  ***** was actually very nice, although a *****, the lady dispatcher is super rude. I won't accept any apology from this company. Especially one that has been sued so many times for shady business practices, was under investigation, and ended up having to pay tons of fines. It is what it is. Cedar Towing is a company that makes money off of situations where people are already in trouble. Its disgraceful

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/30/2022

  Type:Sales and Advertising 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.

  This company engages in predatory towing In low income neighborhoods. I had my car towed and they reported they were on the phone with the owner of the building and watched us walk in the building. The owner was on the phone sitting in his car finding humor in the situation. This community is predominantly Hispanic and a known lower income neighborhood. This company is clearly praying on people who cannot afford to defend them selves. Unethical and unacceptable business practices.

  Business Response

  Date: 06/30/2022

  Cedar Towing Tows from all locations of the ******************, if a property owner calls ** to set up an account then we will put our signs up that say permit parking only or  you will be towed or unauthored vehicle only or you will be towed. Cedar does not just go tow cars that we feel like some one needs to call us or instruct us to tow a car. If we were hooked up to a vehicle it should not be there... That is why properties  call us to take care of vehicles not authorized..  If some one could give me more information I can tell you the violation Cedar was there for. Please send me address and license plate.

  Thank you 

  ******