A little background. We live in Newark. Our car was in Livermore. 35 miles or about 45 minutes away. I’ve lived in the East Bay for most of my 41 years. Been to Livermore, maybe 3 times. Driven through it a bunch more, but I have zero experience with any of the business in that town. Similarly with the rest of the Tri-Valley area.
Today we had to have our car towed from 580 by the CHP as it had died on the side of the road last night. The CHP had called Allen’s Automotive and Towing (1 star) in Livermore and had them take it away.
We found out where Allen’s was and how much it would cost ($290 total). Yelp reviews for Allen’s were horrendous and I already knew they were waaayyy overpriced. So I looked on Yelp and found both a different tow company, R. Lance and Sons, and a different repair place, Cartech Automotive Repair.
I then called R Lance and Sons and arranged for them to come to pick up the car once we had gotten it out of hock. They said to call when we were ready.
We drove to Allen’s, paid them, and then I called RL&S dispatch. They said it would probably be at least an hour and did I still want them to come out. As I’m always told at least 45 mins for a tow, an extra 15 mins is no big. “Yes, please.”
Bruce showed up 28 mins later according to my phone call log. Woohoo!
But. Turns out, Allen’s hadn’t bothered to tell us that our car was not there. Not even when we handed over $290. Not one word. Bruce had to go ask. According to the blame-game chickie behind the counter at Allen’s, _other_ tow companies are just supposed to know to call Allen’s to ask where the vehicle is as they have two locations in Livermore.
Bruce was so nice, he told us we didn’t have to follow him to the actual storage yard, he would go get the car and take it to Cartech (Also found on Yelp.) He knew where it was and would meet us there.
Bruce also only charged us $80 for the hookup and tow. Not $210.
We followed the useless iPhone Google instructions and got lost on the way to Cartech. (It sent us first to Pleasanton then to _Old_ 1st st in Livermore!) We finally gave up and called Cartech for instructions. The receptionist gave the phone to Bruce to tell us how to get there. Yep. Bruce had already hooked up _and_ dropped off our car by the time we called. Then Bruce went out to the corner to wait for us to flag us down. Thank goodness he did! We would have driven right passed if he wasn’t waiting.
“I sum up.”
1. Showed up in half the time quoted.
2. Courteous and friendly.
3. Extra steps to be helpful.
4. Only $80. Saved $130!
Thank you so much, Bruce!