Kenford Towing Held property hostage, attempted to charge for itmes that were bogus Novi, Michigan

The son of a friend of mine was involved in a minor car accident on Monday, September 20^th, 2010 in Farmington Hills, wherein Keford Towing company was selected to tow the vehicle by the officer (at the accident scene). The car was towed to their yard at 39586 Grand River Novi. Tuesday morning Keford was contacted in an attempt to obtain an estimate for repairs. The owner of the operation indicated that he would have an estimate in approximately (1) hour (for what it is worth their website boosts estimates in 15 minutes). 

The owner of Keford was then advised that the vehicle had no collision insurance and that all repairs would be paid directly from the owner of the vehicle (the vehicle is owned by a single woman that her son uses to commute to Wayne State. The estimate was then set on the back burner so to speak.

Multiple calls were made through the week inquiring about the estimate, only to be advised that the owner was very busy but would get to it soon. By Thursday afternoon, the estimate had not been completed. This precipitated my involvement.

I drove to their facility from Troy and made inquire at the service desk, the clerk indicated that the estimate was not done and would by end of day.

I then asked what the current cost liability for the vehicle was (towing), I was advised $200.

The vehicle is in desperate need as the son of the owner needs it to get to college each day, not wanting to waste more time, I asked that the vehicle be released to me, after providing the necessary approval from the vehicle owner, the clerk advised me that the vehicle could not be driven and that a licensed tow company would be required to take the vehicle off the lot.

I asked that I be able to see the vehicle to determine the vehicle damage. I was advised that I could not. I was told that the front windshield was cracked, the air bags had deployed, the front hood latch was inoperable, that the seat belts we not functional, and the front windows were not operable.

I was upset that I was not allowed to inspect, for all practice purposes, my private property (the owner signed a release for me providing me full authority of the vehicle).

Because I was at Kefords facility I was not able to effectively search for a tow company to remove the vehicle from the lot. I phoned the owner to look in the phone book for tow companies in this area, she called a several services only to be advised that they would not pull a car off the Keford lot.

I eventually found a tow company and had the car removed.

After the vehicle was removed, I discovered the following:

         The front windows were taped at a cost of $55 however were both operable there was no need for window tape.

         The seat belts were operable.

         The battery was dead which Keford explained as the owner likely left the ignition on after the accident.

         The hood latch was fully operable.

         The fascia had very minor damage and the windshield was cracked.

However, this is the breakdown of the bill that I received that required payment prior to the vehicle release.

My thoughts:

         The vehicle was at Keford for 4 days because we could not get an estimate, yet I was charged for this.

         The side windows did not need to be taped.

         The recovery fee was explained as an uncoupling charge for dislodging the (2) vehicles from each other the vehicles were not coupled.

         The car was driven by the Keford tow driver on to the Keford flat bed truck, so if anyone left the ignition on it was Keford.

Interestingly enough posted on one of the walls at Keford was a rate card for the various municipalities that used Keford for police towing.

The rates were $65 for towing and $10 a day, after the 1^st 24 hours.

I questioned the clerk on this disparity and why I did not revive the posted rate. I received no intelligible answer besides I owed $280 and in order to get the vehicle released I need to pay $280.

I cant help but think that this company was posturing to take advantage of the female owner that has no comprehension of vehicle repair etc.

The car was being held hostage for fees that were fabricated as well as repairs that were likely going to be charged (to the insurance company if there would have been collision on the vehicle) to the owner.