ComplaintsforPepe's Towing Service

• Initial Complaint

  11/01/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  I fell victim to predatory towing from this company, they patrol our apartment building lot late at night. In my case I was parked at my brothers garage drive way for around 30 mins unloading furniture and my car got towed. Additionally, they tow cars late at night and refuse to release cars until the next day to add on overnight fee to release the car. According to the *****************************************, theres a one hour limit when parked in an illegal manner. And The curb of a fire lane must be painted red and be clearly labeled. ***************************************************************************************************************** As you can see in the picture attached, I was parking in front of the garage door to the right most and theres no indication that you cant park there

• Initial Complaint

  06/26/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  My family friend has a car that was stolen over the weekend. ************************* called today saying it was taken to Pepes towing business today. When we contacted them we were told they had the car since Monday. We were told that since it was a stolen car and they retrieved it when it was stolen that they only charge storage fees which was $70 a day so it should only be at most $210 but the company is saying they are charging $600 and if we dont get it today they add $70 a day on top of that. They wont tell us why they are charging $600 they are just saying those are our fees.They still have the car and would like to see if they are allowed to charge that $600 or can we just pay the storage fees since it was a stolen vehicle.

• Initial Complaint

  06/17/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  I am writing to express my extreme dissatisfaction with the service I received on 06/16/2024 the towing of my vehicle from promenade terrace in ******, ** to your storage yard at *********, ** Misleading Website Information and Unprofessional ***********:24/7 Service Discrepancy: My experience directly contradicts the information advertised on your website **************************************, which clearly states 24/7 towing service. Despite contacting your call center after hours on 06/16/2024, I was informed that vehicle retrieval was unavailable. This caused significant hardship, especially as I was traveling with young children and needed immediate transportation solutions.Dismissive *********** Representative: The call center representative displayed a blatant lack of empathy and professionalism. They placed blame on me for the situation and offered no solutions for my predicament with young children at night. They then abruptly ended the call, leaving me stranded.Excessive Charges: Upon arriving at your storage yard on 06/17/2024 by taxi (due to the lack of after-hours vehicle retrieval), I was surprised by the exorbitant fees. I was charged a total of $357, plus a $70 storage fee for a single night. I demand a formal apology for the misleading website information, unprofessional call center conduct, and overall negative experience.I request a detailed breakdown of the towing and storage fees. Given the website discrepancy regarding 24/7 service, I believe a significant reduction or full waiver of the storage fee is warranted.I would appreciate a review of your after-hours procedures to ensure customers are treated with empathy and provided with reasonable solutions, especially those with young children.I would like clarification on your payment authorization process and its adherence to industry security standards.

• Initial Complaint

  11/03/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  The date of the transactions was on 10/27/23 my car got towed from a Target parking lot after a music festival. The towing company didnt have viewable signs about no even parking or even the information a the towing company that towed the vehicles. We had to ask a tow truck driver for a business card and when we called the places their customer ********************** was being rude using bad language. On their website it says they are open 24/7 but when we contacted them to pick my car they told me I can only pick up the car after 8 am so they can charge me more. I just want my refund for all the illegal actions that are taking place with this towing company.

  Business response

  11/22/2023

  Good afternoon 

  Target *************** is located on private property.  Proper signs  are posted according to ********** Vehicle Code *****.  I have provided pictures of the signs that are located at the entrances. ****************** (event promoter) went above and beyond to place signs (NO EVENT PARKING VEHICLE WILL BE TOWED)throughout the property. I have also provided those pictures.

  Pepes Towing is a police impound, with several accounts that require 24hr service and patrol. Our office hours for release are Mon -Fri 8a-5p closed weekends and holidays. We offer an after hour fee if the regristered owner of a vehicle wishes to retrieve their vehicle after normal buisness hours which requires an appointment.   

  Target closes at 9:00 pm and all employees leave at 9:30 pm. Any vehicle left on premises after 10 pm is in violation of 1 hr. customer parking.

  All tows are in compliance with CVC. *****. Security

  signs for all vehicle and SBPD was notified of the tow.  The charges are in accordance with our ********** Highway Patrol approved rates. 

  Pepes Towing did not commit any illegal activities. We are 100% in compliance with state and city ordiances and laws.    

   

  Thank you

• Initial Complaint

  11/02/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  10/31 my vehicle was towed and charged $455 from Pepes Towing. As a tenant at ****************************************************** ******************** for approaching 5 years I have seen first hand Pepes towing with predatory style towing tactics. On 10/31 1:08 a.m. I was finalizing the rest of my moving since I had got off of work at 6:00 pm and the owners of the property had a new prospective owner moving in November 1, 2023. On that night, my garage was open and an ample amount of light showing with my vehicle parked in front of my garage while I was actively loading it, momentarily I went inside the house to grab a few items out of the closet and when I came out my vehicle was gone. Inside of my vehicle I had my work keys which was communicated to the dispatch representative and medication for my wife. Pepes towing Dispatch Rep was rude and disrespectful, then when trying to obtain information about my vehicles location I was told to call back at 8:00 am and hung up on abruptly. Shortly after, called back and when trying to obtain more information I was hung up on again. It was later uncovered that *** was the one who towed my vehicle. Ultimately I had to miss work and pay nearly $500 to get my vehicle out after dishing out a boatload if cash to move in to my new property. Pepes Towing should be analyzed closely for their tactics and more. After analyzing the perimeter of the property there is a missing sign on ****** St where I enter which should indicate a tow sign and when looking at the entrance of the community, the tow sign view is obstructed by a traffic light pole; very misleading and deceptive. It was later uncovered that the vehicle was towed due to being parked in a fire lane however it was not overnight and was actively being loaded up by me.

• Initial Complaint

  02/20/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  Pepe’s towing was attempting to tow my car Saturday morning, driver was rude and told me I was a “******* weirdo” and proceeded to be rude. As I was leaving I noticed him looking at a friends vehicle I parked and went to tell that friend to come move her car and returned immediately and the driver was towing my car away we had a verbal altercation and he put the car down and proceeded to be rude leading to some by standards getting into a physical altercation with the driver for being rude and disrespectful. Two days later my car was towed from my parking stall for no reason other than the driver being upset about an altercation I had no control over. Pepe’s is being unprofessional and targeted my vehicle.

  Business response

  03/09/2023

  Good afternoon,
  
   
  
  We filed a police report with ****** ****** Sheriff File#*********** because our driver was assaulted by three male subjects who were accompanied by the female of this vehicle that was towed and authorized by the Apartment manager. We have submitted all pictures and videos of this incident over to the Sheriff’s Department. We have a written agreement to tow the vehicle from this property and we also had written authorization from the manager for the removal of the vehicle.
  
   

• Initial Complaint

  09/09/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Parked in same handicap space from July 24, 2022 thru July 31, 2022 with placard * ****** Expires June 30 2023. My husband went to get coffee in his Lexus and my Avalanche was there. When he came back it was gone. No manager answered our call. We called the police gave them description they told us it was not stolen the the motel manager had called it in stating handicap violation. No manager on premises. Had to call police back to find out towing company. When the Pepe's manager saw my truck being brought to us he said who would believe someone is handicapped driving that. I raised my hand and said I am since 1996. ********** ****** in Colton has an agreement with Pepe's to police their property looking for violations which Pepe's Towing does not have TO GIVE NOTICE TO VEHICLE OWNERS PRIOR TO TOWING according to Pepe's. We were forced to PAY me $490.00. Pepe's towed my Avalanche at the same time they called dispatch at 6:20 am July 31, 2022.receipt number ***** Log ******* Call ******** released 7,31,2022 at 8:43am. What A SCAM. They are by-passing THE Law that requires 24 hour notice. Someone should reimburse me the $490.00 plus $100.00 for the time and extreme emotions they caused us.

  Business response

  09/10/2022

  Good afternoon,

  
  

  Pepe's Towing does have a current contract with the property management at Wood Springs Suite located at **** ** ****** ****** ****** ** which authorizes Pepe's Towing to remove vehicle that are parked in Handicap parking spaces without the proper Handicap Plaque. I have provided pictures of the vehicle that was in violation of the property rules and the vehicle was removed off the property and impounded at Pepe's Towing. The vehicle was removed within the law of ***** ***

  Customer response

  09/12/2022

   I am rejecting this response because: My placard was on the mirror beginning July 24, 2022 and thru July 29, same parking spot the whole time, then July 30, my husband forgot to put the placard up, an Pepe's knowingly knew it had A HANDICAP PLACARD.  They ARE IN VIOLATION OF FEDERAL LAW PERTAINING TO AMERICANS WITH DISABILTIES AND SO IS WOOD SPRING SUITES.

  
  

  
  
  

• Initial Complaint

  08/08/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  My car was wrongfully towed on August 5 2022. My car was left a warning/notice from Patrol One at 1:16AM on August 5th. My car was not parked for a full hour before it was towed. The citation does not say my car was going to be towed. There was also no hour gap between the time the towing company was called. The towing statement shows the truck was dispatched at 2:03am and arrived at 2:03am on August 5th. This was a wrongful tow because it goes against AB2210. I have been going back and forth with Patrol One and the towing company and both continue to try and resolve my issue and pin it on someone else. I have also emailed the contact Patrol One provided and have not received anything back. Bellow I have provided the citation that does not show the check mark that my vehicle was going to get towed, I attached a screenshot that shows the citation portal that provides the time the citation was written, I also provided the papers the towing company provided. It shows the time they were dispatched which was less than an hour of the citation, and on the yellow paper it shows 2:08 which shows that my car was not even parked for a whole hour before it was towed. I also added a picture of what I found under bill AB 2210. The towing papers also show how much I paid and what I was charged.

  Business response

  09/02/2022

  Would you happen to have vehicle information or the pictures this person provided of the citation and “papers the towing company provided”?

  Business response

  09/06/2022

  The “warning notice” this person received is actually a notice of the violation of not having a permit to be parked on the property at Palacio De Oro South located in Moreno Valley. If you read the violation section in the picture from Patrol One, it clearly states “No digital hangtag associated with this vehicle/not on the safelist”. The tow was generated by the security company Patrol One which contacted Pepe’s Towing to tow this vehicle, we have a signature from the security guard to remove the vehicle. This apartment complex property requires for any vehicle parked on the property to have a permit issued by the property management or Patrol One Security company.

   

  AB 2210 only applies to public parking that is held open to the public for parking at no fee. This vehicle was removed from private property for the apartment complex and its residents, parking is not open to the public.

   

  (5) Existing law prohibits an owner or person in lawful possession

  of private property that is held open to the public, or a

  discernible portion thereof, for parking of vehicles at no fee, from

  towing or removing, or causing the towing or removal, of a vehicle

  within one hour of the vehicle being parked, except as excluded.

• Initial Complaint

  02/07/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On February 5, 2022, at 1:32pm Pepe's Towing violated CVC ***** (a.) and CVC ***** (g.) b. Illegally towed customer's vehicle that was parked in the restaurant parking lot. Tow Truck driver also sped off as I began to approach him in the parking lot. Which violates CVC ***** (g.) b and can result as a misdemeanor, as he is to release the vehicle immediately. Pepe's Towing held customer vehicle hostage until customer paid $447.00. Pepe's Towing is aware of the illegal activity in which they are participating in. They not only removed a customers vehicle from customer parking, there is also evidence of them performing predatory towing on 02/05-02/06/22, which is illegal under California law. Pepe's manager, **** ******, refuses to help customer because he "does not want to" and because customer is not being "nice". **** ****** has completely ignored the fact that he and his employees have violated CVC ***** and ***** in which his company must follow as stated on their parking signage. **** ******, Pepe's towing manager, is also performing black mail. States he will give us $200 only if we stop contacting the restaurant. Refuses to refund FULL amount of 447.00. **** ******, and Employees have footage of the tow and also refuse to provide the footage even though their policy states it is required.

  Business response

  03/02/2022

  Good afternoon,
  
   
  
  I have attached the signage that is posted up at the property this persons vehicle was towed from. As you can see the signage states “NO EVENT OR FREE PARKING”. The property this vehicle was towed from is a restaurant located near the Ontario Convention Center. Any time an event is help at the convention center the restaurant has a long history of people coming to park on the restaurants property and walking over to the convention center, which takes up space and doesn’t allow parking for restaurant customer. There is video and picture proof of the vehicle drivers parking on the restaurant property and walking off the property to the convention center.
  
   
  
  This property only allows parking for customers that patronize the restaurant and are allowed to park for an hour. The property manager, owners, and or authorized agent signed for the removal of this vehicle off the property, which was within the guidelines of California law CVC *****.
  
   

  Customer response

  03/02/2022

   I am rejecting this response because:
  
  All employees are lying due to malicious intent because I yelled at all of them for stealing my car. I was a customer there, which is why I parked in the parking lot and they still cannot provide actually evidence that I wasn’t a customer nor can they prove I was parked illegally.

  This business constantly predatory tows, I’ve seen them all around Ontario waiting for people to walk away from their car. Also, they  illegally towed the vehicle under the CVC they’re claiming they followed. That vehicle code itself states tow truck driver must NOT remove a car until ONE HOUR of it being illegally parked, they removed my car within 5 mins.

   There are multiple CVC codes they have violated which the California court system will be aware of. 

  Truck driver sped off with my vehicle while I was in the parking lot, which is going to result in a misdemeanor as it is illegal for the driver  under the CVCs to not release my vehicle while I am still present, which I was.

  This business along with the restaurant have both lied on multiple occasions.  I already spoke with the restaurant manager the day they towed my car and he said they didn’t not call them and that they will give me my car back for free since I am a customer. 

  After yelling at the drivers they have gone back and forth with the restaurant, releasing information that’s also a violation of personal information, that the court is also now aware of.

  
  

  This business and it’s employees also use blackmail against me and my husband, which the court is aware of also since I have the phone call recorded of Mr. **** ****** trying to blackmail us.

  
  

  
  

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