Specialty Towing & Recovery

I also found this on the BBB Website
Government Actions
The following describes a government action that has been resolved by either a settlement or a decision by a court or administrative agency. If the matter is being appealed, it will be noted below.
On June 6, 2013 the San Mateo Districts Attorney’s Office entered into a Stipulated Final Judgment (CIV 511 966) with Isabel Trujillo, Specialty Towing, Specialty Towing and Recovery, Inc.
Without any admission of wrongdoing the defendants are permanently enjoined and restrained from directly or indirectly doing any of the following:
Towing a parked vehicle from private property (other than a residential rental with 15 or fewer units) without first obtaining the written authorization from the property owner or lessee, including an association of a common interest development, or an employee or agent thereof, who shall be present on the private property a the time of removal and verify the alleged violation.
Charging and excessive rate for towing, towing services, storage, or the use of special equipment (including but not limited to a dolly) which is not authorized by either the police department or other law enforcement agency with primary jurisdiction in the city or county where the property is located, or by the California Highway Patrol for a tow operator in that jurisdiction.
Refusing to permit a vehicle owner or owner’s agent who is present after his/​her vehicle is coupled to the tow truck or lifted off the ground but before it is removed from the private property to pay one half of the regular tow charge for the immediate release of the vehicle.
Failing to provide a consumer, before the consumer pays to have his/​her vehicle released from defendants vehicle storage area, with a copy of the written authorization for towing.
Failing to provide consumer, at the time the consume pays to have his/​her vehicle released from the vehicle storage area, with a separate notice, in English and in the most populous language other than English that is spoken in the jurisdiction, that provides the telephone number of the appropriate law enforcement or prosecuting agency by stating «if you believe that you have been wrongfully towed, please contact the local law enforcement or prosecuting agency.
Defendants Isabel Trujillo, Specialty Towing and Specialty Towing and Recovery, Inc., jointly and severally, shall pay $ 20,000.00 in civil penalties. Defendants Isabel Trujillo, Specialty Towing and Specialty Towing and Recovery, Inc., jointly and severally, shall pay $ 23,330.00 to fund a restitution program.
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This place sucks! I was towed for no reason and they caused damage to my vehicle by not using a flatbed to tow an AWD vehicle. When I called to complain they told me they use dollies for towing and that they know how to use them because they are professionals. Wouldn’t a professional know that that AWD vehicles should be towed with a flat bed?! It cost an arm and a leg to get my car out.

I dont want to give this company any stars, but sadly, it makes me at least click one. First off, the lady I spoke with on the phone (wont say her name because I am not that mean!) was the rudest person I have ever spoken to. She had the biggest attitude for no reason. I asked her a simple question and she thought it was funny to be cocky and rude. I let her know I was on my way to pick up my car that has been towed (don’t get me started on that part, it should have never been towed to begin with) she told me she would have to call me back in a «few moments» to let me know what time someone would be there for me to pick up my car and sign the paper work (I needed to speak with a driver to sign the paperwork). She called me back about 30 minutes later when I had already left, seeing she didnt call me back in «a few moments». When I let her know I was almost there, I asked here where I could be dropped off at, to sit and wait for my car. Apparently according to her, there was «no office» for me to wait in. Well, that’s strange seeing that you are calling me from somewhere. I asked her what am I supposed to do then, she said «well, I told you I’d call you.» wow, so I told her that I thought she was really rude for no reason, she began to tell me «well, you’re rude». EXCUSE ME. I am a client, you’re the worker. you NEVER say that. I hung up on her, angry. When I met with the two truck guy, I let him know that she was the rudest person I had ever had to deal with. I told him how she spoke to me and how there was no office for me to wait in. He said, we have an office, it’s right over there (he pointed. and was confused of why she told me there was no office.) He also told me that even their dispatchers think that she is rude. WOW, doesnt that tell the boss something? Maybe she should be let go, because apparently she is rude to even the people she works with.
With this review said, if your car gets towed I really hope it’s not by this comany. Or if you need a tow because your car wont start, please, call another company. This staff (minus the tow truck driver, who was actually nice and respectful) is rude. Maybe it’s just Marie. I’m not sure…

Talk about shitty service. We called for a possible tow it turns out it was the battery. The tow truck driver started to work on the jump start before letting us know the cost or explaining how this will work $ 85 dollars later after a simple jump start. I called and said we were not told how much this would be or even asked if we want to proceed they said you should have asked so now your stuck. Well yeah but shouldnt you talk to the customer and not just stick it to them? They were rude and unforgiving I have no problem paying but the communication and the lady at the office sucked she was rude and unforgiving they set you up so you have to pay these crazy fees. I spoke with some «other» companies about jump start prices wich were all about $ 25 dollars lower and the second I mentioned Specialty they laughed and said that figures. It was a bad experience and I have made sure to tell everyone about it.