Towing Could Cost You More

The attorney general is investigating multiple towing companies for price gouging during last week’s winter storm in Mid-Missouri. The A.G. tells ABC 17 News there were two complaints against Slate Towing & Performance in Columbia and two other complaints against other companies. These tow companies are used and approved by the city to clear abandoned cars off the roads.Road crews have said the main priority is to get the roads clear. If they have a situation like they did last week, with many abandoned cars blocking their way, they need to get them towed. They say they have to go through the 911 center to get a tow company out to get a car. If that happens, it’s going to cost you a little bit more than a normal tow. Just days after the snow stopped falling, tow truck companies are preparing once again on having another busy snow day. Some companies tell us they’re expecting it to be just as busy as last week, but the traffic may not be as heavy. Regardless, they’re still expecting to have hundreds of calls on Tuesday.Some tow truck companies tell us if they get a call from the city to remove a vehicle, it’s going to cost more than a normal tow.”The reason we charge the difference, we take that call as a priority we may have other calls waiting, we may be losing calls,” Tiger Towing owner Dave DeBates explains.DeBates with tiger towing tells us a normal $50 charge would cost about $85 if they get called by the city. But it seems not all companies are charging the same. ABC 17 News had several complaints of other companies price gouging with last week’s storm. The attorney general’s office would not comment on to what they’re looking into.