Recently, Business
Consumer Alliance teamed up with NBC
Los Angeles for an investigative piece on 1st
Class Auto Craft, an auto repair shop with several complaints alleging excessive storage fees and delays in completing the necessary repairs. Complaints generally start with allegations that tow truck operators show up unsolicited after an accident or
vehicle breakdown. The tow truck drivers identify themselves as being affiliated with AAA or
On Star. Consumers are coerced into having their vehicles towed for free to 1st Class Auto on the premise that they are an authorized repair facility for their vehicle’s manufacturer.
It’s not until after the vehicle arrives at the repair shop when consumers find out the tow truck operators were never dispatched by AAA, nor is 1st Class Auto an authorized repair facility for their vehicle’s manufacturer. Complaints typically allege extensive
delays in completing auto repairs, inadequate or incomplete repairs, additional damages to vehicles caused by the company and difficulty contacting the company to get status updates on their vehicle or to have their vehicle released. In some cases, consumers
allege they were charged for towing although they never authorized it and the company charged excessive storage fees when consumers decided to take their vehicles elsewhere or refused service.
The company formerly operated under the name of Sunset Auto Crafters. In some cases, the company responded to complaints by explaining delays and advising that all authorized repairs have been completed or by providing more information on the fees charged
to the consumer. 1st Class Auto denies causing additional damages to vehicles and claim no affiliation with the tow truck companies.
Business Consumer Alliance provides the following tips:
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Be cautious of unsolicited help. Do not allow any tow operator to take your vehicle if you did not contact them.
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Contact the police or your roadside service contractor and allow them to handle towing arrangements. If the police arrange to have your vehicle towed don’t sign any additional paperwork from the company, which could allow them to add extra fees later on.
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Check that the name on the tow truck is consistent with the documentation. Do not deal with operators that show up with no company information on their vehicle. Also, if the operator claims to be from AAA or another motor club, contact your motor club membership
hotline to see if they authorized the operator.
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If possible, arrange to have the vehicle towed to your home or to a trusted repair facility of your choice. Be wary of any towing company that wants to take your vehicle to its own repair shop.
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Do not provide the tow truck operator with your insurance information. Do not provide them with your personal information, as this may be used to file a lien against you.
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Obtain a printed invoice which includes towing, storage, and any miscellaneous fees.
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If you suspect fraud or if the tow truck driver refuses to leave, contact the police.
As always, we recommend everyone to check out our Reliability Reports on all companies at our website, http://www.businessconsumeralliance.org.
If you have a dispute with a business, file
a complaint and we will do our best to resolve it for you. Scams should be reported to us so we can investigate the company and write up a report. All services are free to the public.
Watch the NBC investigative piece: VIDEO
– Driver Accuses Auto Shop of Holding Wrecked Car for Ransom