MEMPHIS, Tenn — The city of Memphis has suspended the booting and towing permit for A1 Towing and Hauling for 30 days after multiple complaints from truckers about overcharging them and an investigation into the towing company by the Memphis Police Department.
But that has not stopped complaints against the company.
Dewayne Little Sr. told ABC24 it was sometime in early November that he was on his way to pick up his truck from long-term parking at an area truck stop on East Shelby Drive, where he paid to park until 3 p.m. Little said he called ahead to let A1 know it would be about another 15 minutes or so before he would be leaving in his truck, saying most places offer a grace period.
“I’ve been driving over 15 years, and I never experienced nothing like this,” he said. “This is the worst I ever experienced. This is basically someone robbing you.”
Not long after he got to the truck stop, Little said an employee from A1 Towing showed up with a boot for his truck.
“And he was like, ‘Well, I’m fixing to put this boot on, and it’s going to cost you anywhere between $300-$500,’” Little said. “And I’m like, ‘You’re fixing to put a boot on and I’m standing right in front of you?’”
This follows a similar pattern to other complaints that ABC24 has covered involving A1 Towing. The city of Memphis told ABC24 that, according to a city ordinance, the maximum charge for a boot removal should not exceed $50.
Little said next, the tow truck driver arrived.
“He was like, ‘Well, we might charge you $2,500 to $3,000 to get the truck,’" Little recalled. "I said, ‘Man, you’re not going to do anything with the truck. What you need to do, you need to call your dispatcher and talk to her.’”
The city has also told ABC24 that a vehicle that’s booted cannot be towed unless the owner fails to contact the booting company within 24 hours, and if the owner or operator is present and removes the vehicle before it’s connected to the tow truck, the owner cannot be charged a fee.
Little said the dispatcher said the following to end the interaction:
“She was like, ‘Just let him go this time, but next time just look for his truck and put a boot on it,’” he recalled.
Little said he has never gone back since.
A representative for A1 towing got back to ABC24, saying they can provide the station with a statement on this incident at a later time. They added that signs with the rules for the lots they manage are clearly posted, and that drivers are expected to follow those rules, including payment being due immediately after parking and all payments needing to be made using the QR code.
