fulltimedaniel wrote:
delwhjr wrote:
I decided to see if I could find out how tow companies prioritize their calls. I called a friend who is a principal owner of a towing service and asked him to elaborate. He told me they take calls on the following priority:
Public Safety - Emergency/Dangerous
Individuals - danger
Individuals - non-danger
Public Safety - non emergency
Insurance Companies
Private Tow (Business Tow away zones)
Roadside Assistance Companies
He said their agreement with public safety is they have to come if called. Their agreement with all others is on an agreed time/distance/time of day for the tow. He also said they have the right to decline a request from all but the public safety calls. He said his agreement is the same for all of the assistance companies and he doesn't have a preference for which. Although he did say the insurance company calls are the best paying.
This was for his company but he did say it was pretty much the same for others.
That's very interesting. And what it seems to break down to after the Police calls is economic in descending order of how much it will pay.
And if this is accurate then really as a customer we should be informed BEFORE we buy the road service that any given tow company has the right to decline the service call and thus leave us or in this case the OP stranded. But I fear GSE and all the other Road Service companies corporate ears are closed to this.
I strongly suggest you follow this link to Consumer Affairs to see why GSE want these complaints to come to this site/forum. It makes interesting reading.
ConsumerAffairs-GSE Road Service
I think it's time for a bit more openness and clarity on the part of all of these companies about how this service is really structured. Would it not be better for them to admit this upfront and just promise to pay for the Police or private call to the tow company?
That would certainly satisfy me on this issue and make me a happier customer for sure.
Really I don't see the need to reviews all the various agreements.
90% of the tows occur at normal business times and are cut and dry.
If I am able to get $500.00 tow for a $100.00 membership fee I'm happy.
I don't need to review the books or see what everyone else is paying. I try to travel during daylight hours in an effort to avoid precarious scenarios if possible.
Nevertheless I know there are lots of pitfalls and I don't expect a tow truck to be there within an hour or any set time regardless of the advertisement.
I know it will be luck of the draw.
My other option is to have no tow coverage save my annual dues and deal with it on my own.
In the end I'll take the coverage with alls of its shortcomings and cross my fingers.
I understand the tow drivers are in it to make a profit and that they will take a more lucrative call over my budget price tow every time.
If I want express instant service I can pick up the phone and dial direct and pay direct without the benefit of the roadside plans discount. Of course that assumes I know who to call at all times.
