ComplaintsforFerra's Automotive Services, Inc

• Initial Complaint

  03/08/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Our truck driver ran out of gas at the light across the street from the gas station and the PA police called for this tow company to tow the vehicle to the Walmart lot and did a DOT inspection. The officer said there was a repair that would be needed so he put the vehicle out of service. The company took it upon themselves to tow my truck to their yard even when advised we had someone to come tow the truck for repair. When I called to tow company Ginger was very rude and dismissive to my request to leave my truck at the location because I had a company coming to tow it for repairs. She said they would not leave it until they were paid but could not give me a total at the time so she said they had to tow it to their lot and I have to get it from there. I called several times for an amount for the vehicle to be released but Ginger continuously advised that the invoice is not ready and she didn't know when it would be. After several calls back n forth I was emailed an invoice for a tow of 15 miles for $3,375.00 which included a wait fee ($575) for 5 hours. From the time the tow company arrived from the time of the inspection it was a total of 3 hours but $575 an hour is excessive and is not a fee for any tow company around the US (tow fees are $175/hr at the most). I was also advised that I have to pay cash only even though there is an option to pay online on their site by card but because i questioned the fees with the Ginger she absolutely refused to explain anything and she kept hanging up the phone. I emailed them and asked for a fee reduction and to pay by card since I'm not local but no response. I would like to have some resolve to this issue which has so much havoc to my company. A fair rate for the tow service would be acceptable.

  Business response

  03/22/2023

   Better Business Bureau 3/13/23
  ***** ********

  The vehicle we towed was a loaded commercial heavy
  duty box truck disabled and blocking the traveled lane of
  a major 4 lane highway .We responded with a heavy
  wrecker at the direction of the Police Dept who requested
  an IMMEDIATE dispatch .The driver and owner had
  ample time to rectify their issue by getting the fuel that
  was supposidly needed and clear the roadway. Upon our
  arrival we were instructed by the officer on scene to
  remove the truck to a nearby Walmart lot where they
  would perform a DOT truck inspection.

  The truck failed the inspection, needing suspension repairs .

  It had to be towed from the scene and we were instructed to impound
  it . At NO time was our driver informed that a private tow
  was on the way . And if it had been , it had not arrived in
  the several hours we were there or for the rest of the day
  following delivery to our storage lot.

  
  As this was an immediate response call it necesitates a
  higher rate of compensation as compared to a scheduled
  call at a much lower rate where we can handle the call in
  a timely yet extended period . This is similar to how we
  are charged more on an emergency Ambulance trip to
  the Hospital and a transport ride to a Doctors
  appointment.

  
  Our rates are comparable with all local companies
  providing heavy duty emergency response towing
  services. Our rates are posted and on file with all
  agencies. We tried but had a hard time explaining the situation as
  several persons represented themselves to say they
  were the owner of the truck and multiple people speaking
  at once on the phone. That combined with the
  inapropriate dialogue are indicators to us of an unstable
  business .

  It was decided at that point to accept only cash
  as payment.We did provide a credit of more than $600 to the
  customer.We also did not charge any additional fees to assist in the
  transfer of the load from the disabled truck into the
  replacement truck the following day .
  We can appreciate that no one is happy about an
  unexpected vehicle breakdown and having the Police
  impound the vehicle and the costs and inconvenience
  associated with it .

  Unfortunately that is part of running a
  business.

  Frank F****
  

  Ferra's Automotive Services Inc.

• Initial Complaint

  12/01/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Ferras is one of the company’s taking abandoned vehicles off the streets of Pittsburgh and the company that usually has taken them in the past charge $175 plus storage and now this place has taken my truck 2004 Chevy Tahoe white on corner of methyl and hampshire ave in beechview 15216 I called the company in question they are charging us double for the tow and two days storage for total of $470 and the truck hasn’t been there 24 hrs yet it’s not a service I asked for or wanted nor has the truck been there for a week yet had a flat and didn’t even have chance to get it out of there n they took it

  Business response

  12/09/2021

  12/9/21 
  *** ******** 

  
  Ferra's Automotive is a authorized PA salvor. We work at the direction of the Police Dept.and are bound by license to respond to any Police Officers request to remove what they deem to be an abandoned vehicle within 30 miles. It could be registration, inspection or insuarnce expired by at least 90 days . Vehicles with broken glass, flat tires or missing parts are considered a hazard and also deemed abandoned A notice prior to towing is not required. We must all be observant of the law for everyones health and safety. A Police requested tow is an immediate response call where we must arrive within 45 minutes .An abandoned vehicle usually require additional time and labor being without keys and needing winched into position, filling flat tires, unlocking doors etc. For these reasons the cost is higher than a scheduled, hook & go tow of a vehicle with keys. In addition there is a fee of $56. that we must collect and forward to Penn-Dot. There is also an administration fee and storage is charged by the calendar day like a parking lot. We would be happy to consider a reduction in fees to help reunite a vehicle owner with their car. The conversation must be civil and respectful. Proof of ownership and ID are required. The vehicle must then be towed out and not parked on the street until it's meets all legal criteria.

   

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