Van Lingen Towing

Had the pleasure of dealing with these guys on a recent work related impound issue on a commercial vehicle. The release was signed for by CHP but these guys gave us and the trucking company the run around. First they said they needed the CHP release. As mentioned it was provided. Then they said the guy on the CDL (my colleague) that was listed with the release needed to be present. Bullshit as confirmed with CHP. Then they asked for a hold harmless letter which we provided. After which they promptly backtracked and said that wasn’t good enough and cited some phony contract they supposedly had with the CHP. Again, bullshit as confirmed with the CHP. We assumed these stall tactics were to get an extra couple days of storage fees tacked on the bill.
After we contacted the CHP about these issues, the officer handling the case actually called the tow yard to see what their problem was. They lied and said that we never attempted any pickup on this vehicle. The officer told them to release the vehicle to the trucking company and said the CHP will be filing a formal complaint with the tow yard.
And their employees had the nerve to complain about our lack of professionalism. Hard to match wits with professional ass holes, especially ones with so much experience.

The red headed girl (I think her name was monique) was very helpful and kind hearted to my situation. The business it self was professional but exhausting. Great staff.

Leaving town and needed my cars towed to the shop. A driver was there to greet me within 30 minutes of my call. He was professional and courteous, and took extra care when loading my 67 which made me extremely happy.

My friend and I just came here to release the car. It was very easy and simple, the lady at the front desk was supporting and helpful (she has red hair). Very good experience, they took my friend to her car so she could get her stuff without any hesitation. The whole process of releasing the car took less than 10 minutes. Thank you so much for making this go easy and smooth!

This place deserves –5 stars. One of the worst places of customer service you can ever go to

I’d like to give them zero. So terrible service. Never let police tow your car to this company. It’s so hard to get your car back from this company. They always say: we didn’t get your email, which is an authorization they ask me to write to allow my insurance’s tow company to tow my car. Sucks!!! And my car stayed there one week. So terrible service.

They make up procedure as they go. Inept and just awful. I don’t want a tip, this is a review.

People who call on Van Lingen are already distressed, so I suppose that explains some of the negative reviews. But I have nothing but compliments for this company. When our pick up truck camper unexpectedly died as we were leaving for a trip, AAA sent another company who could not help us. Van Lingen was the one who eventually came to our rescue.
Carissa, whom I spoke with on the phone, was understanding, helpful, and efficient. She assured us that the problem would be solved despite the late hour (our truck was blocking an alley, so we could not wait until Monday as another towing company had suggested). She also promised that we would not be left hanging, although help was not available immediately, because we needed a heavy-​duty tow truck and none were free at that time. Carissa called back just as she said she would to keep us posted about when the drivers would arrive for both the first and the second towing attempt.
The first driver was very reassuring. He introduced himself by saying, «Hi, I’m Chuy, and I am here to help you.» What wonderful words to hear when you’re distressed! In the end, Chuy was not able to help us, but it was not for want of trying. He was very persistent in his efforts and did everything he possibly could, all with a positive and cheerful attitude. I think if he could have hauled the truck by hand, he would have! When he finally had to give up and leave, he told us more help would be on the way, and not to worry.
Carissa called us before we had a chance to get anxious and explained that an even bigger truck would be coming as soon as the driver finished another job. The price would be higher, which upset me at first, but when I thought about much they had already done for free, I realized I was being unreasonable. I did not get the name of the driver of the Big Truck, but despite the late hour (it was now well after midnight), he was also cheerful, professional, and competent, and in no time at all, our truck was hooked up and towed a half mile to the repair shop.
Overall, we were very pleased with the service and felt the price was quite reasonable for all that they did. I would definitely recommend Van Lingen to anyone who needs to have a large vehicle towed.

These people belong in this line of work. True professional assholes. Every move they make is to entice you to their level of misery. Unprovoked threats to remove your car with a fork lift because you don’t want a grease monkey sitting in your car, raised voices because you asked a question, JD getting in my face with summer teeth and halitosis. Just what I expected from these people.

I was very disappointed with the service at Van Lingen. I got in a fender bender on a friday morning and my car was towed to their tow yard. I had advised to the police officer assisting us that I had wanted to call AAA and go through my own towing process, but he called this tow service for me anyway.
When the tow truck driver arrived he was very unhelpful and uninformative. I asked him which location they were towing my car and how to contact the office to release my car and he just handed me a card and said «call the girls» and walked away.
I called and Monica was supposed to be helping me work with my insurance to release my car. Long story short– she required me to go through the DMV and go through all these pointless obstacles to release my car, while all this time not responding to e-​mails with questions and concerns.
I ended up calling back and talking to with Stephanie, who helped me release my car in a quick and easy process (turns out I had been misinformed previously and did not need to contact the DMV or take any further steps for car release). She was very helpful and polite.
I would not recommend this company but if your car gets stuck in their tow yard as mine did, I suggest you request Stephanie when contacting the office.

The two ladies on duty pay no attention to me even though I was standing there for more than 10 mints.

Brunette lady that works front desk is rude. She doesn’t answer any of your questions and isn’t helpful at all. I understand you deal with angry customers all day but you shouldn’t take your anger out on everyone that walks through the door!

Such bad customer service! The brunette lady in the front office is extremely rude and very condescending. Every time you ask her a question or she has to get up out of her chair, she rolls her eyes and makes sure you realize how much you are bothering her. If she hates people so much, she should work in a cubicle where she doesn’t have to interact with anyone. I left the ER and came straight here after my car accident. There was not one ounce of sympathy from her… all she did was give me a minute by minute countdown of how much time I had left before the office closed. She kept repeating «we close at 5! We close at 5!» The guys in the yard seem very nice, and one guy actually tried to apologize for her rudeness. I guess he has to do that often! I’m sitting in their office right now, and I just keep hearing her complain and talk smack about the people calling in. Van Lingen needs to get rid of her ASAP!!! Not helpful, not friendly, and a complete waste of oxygen!

Great staff, quick service. Best towing experience I have ever had. Love this company.

Car down. Needed assistance. Who you gonna call? Van Lingen.
I was involved in a serious accident not too long ago and it occurred in an area that I had not visited in some time. I didn’t have much time to react because the cops swarmed the scene and I was trying to grab insurance information from the driver who hit me.
Van Lingen showed up within minutes of the accident and they approached me concerned about my well-​being rather than what had to happen to the car. The driver could see the stress on my face and was very comforting. He explained what had to be done and gave me several options as to how to proceed with the towing of my car. He told me exactly where he would be taking it and when I could come and see the car. He even told me the insurance would be taking care of everything and that I should relax and worry more about making sure I am okay and uninjured.
CONS:
— none
PROS:
— service
— drivers
If you ever require vehicle assistance I strongly recommend calling this company to help you out in your time of need.

I called for a tow from Simi Valley to Lawndale. They suggested I call a company in Simi Valley because it would save me money! I called them because I have used them before and always found them honest and reliable. They will keep my business because they were more concerned with my well being than their own pocket-​book! I spoke to Shawn Van Lingen, the owners son. He’s a good young man.

I give it one star for enforcement issues. Other than that, the process went smooth and impound fees are cheaper than other impound lots.
I was there earlier today with a friend to pick up his car and he had a suspended license due to a recent situation. As I said, I was there with him because I was a licensed driver. The problem that I have is that they did not even check whether my license was good (which it is) or even verify his license although my buddie’s was suspended and he did not have it on him.
Other than that the guys that helped us was very friendly and polite especially since they brought the car to us and since I guess it had a dead battery they did jump start it for us.
Other than licensing verification which I feel needs to be enforced, good experience over all.