Cortez Towing Must Go!!! Cortez Towing, making the lives of average people miserable... Riverside California

On Saturday January 19th, 2008 my mom made the bad choice of parking in another apartment tenant's car port and it was towed for this reason. Unfortunately the tenant called the worst possible towing company to do the job. As soon as we found out (from the police department) who had towed the car we immediately called and were connected with a lady that could barely speak English and who had no sense of direction or common sense. We immediately asked the woman on the other end of the phone if the car was there and her response was something along the lines of her not knowing and that she would have to call her manager to see she also said that she would call back as soon as she found out. [Why does she have to call her manger? should she not have a manger on site?] SHe never called back, instead we called her and she confirmed receipt of the car.

We then asked where they were located and if she could provide direction, she didn't know, not to mention she had a map in the office. We then asked what the cost to get the car out would be and it was going to cost $309.00!! We questioned the fees and she mentioned a towing fee, a "special equiptment fee" a storgage fee and a mysterious $78.00 fee. My mother tried to explian that the car had to have gotten there in the morning and that it dod not stay there overnight but no luck with the woman. She was extremly ignorant and rude, we asked to speak with a manager and she clearly said that she would not return until monday I asked if they had a mangfer onsite and she said no that her manager would not return until monday.

Finally we arrive to the hole in the wall and we see a man bringing in another car. He too had trouble explianing these fees, three hundred dollars is ridiculous for holding a car for less htan ten hours. He too gives attitude and asks why my mom was making a big deal. We asked to see the policy and he was not sure where the paperwork would be in the office. We asked him to speak to a manger and he then claimed that he was the manger [note: the lady said the her manger would not be ther euntil the following monday]. We finally pay the insane amount to get the car out and the recept is incomplete, my mother had to ask the man to put the time of pick up. [how is it that this was not documented by the driver who picked the car up].

Once the amount was paid he "verified" my mothers name and picture with an old work badge which has faded picture. SHe did not even show a Ca. ID or DL!!! we finally leave the place and all of a sudden my mothers car stops running. It would not drive when in was in gear. THe problem was quickly diagnosed, the transmission had been shot and was no longer kicking in to gear. THe machanic said that this could have been caused my the tow itself. This damge will cost over one thousnd dollars!!!

So yea the damage this place has caused is tremendous and they must be stopped before they take advantage of other people who can't afford to pay insane and mysterious fees like theirs.

N.silva
riverside, California
U.S.A.