Towing Issues: Posting of Amount Charged, credit card receipt, tow company

Question
Our car was towed and when we went to retrieve it, a sign inside the place of business stated that towing was $100 and additional charges would be applied if special equipment was used.  They stated they had to use a dolly and the total charge was $150.  We asked for a copy of the bill and were told we couldn't have one.  We also asked to just see a bill or see the tow trip ticket to verify the date and time of the tow as well as the listing of special equipment.  Again, we were told that they didn't have to provide us with a bill.  After filing a complaint with the BBB, the towing company has now said that a sign in the place of business can be used in lieu of a bill.  Do businesses have to provide consumers with a bill, especially if the consumer asks for one?  The tow company owner kept telling us that our receipt was our bill and we would get nothing more.  We paid using a credit card and the receipt just showed the total paid as $150.  We live in Virginia.

Answer
as a general rule, in most places the rates have to be posted in the office, visible to customers which detail the fees charged for the services.

That works in 99 % of the US.

Now it sounds as if they did follow the law which I can find online, but I do want to say that Virginia in the last 2 years or so has totally revamped the regulations for towing vehicles, both for commercial, trespass (illegally parked), non consent (generally police ordered towed) and the laws I found might be outdated or wrong.

Now you did not mention why the vehicle was towed and that might affect this a bit, but for the most part it sounds legal to me.

Now as to the receipt, I think that a detailed invoice would be given along with the credit card receipt. After all the credit card receipt does not list any of the vehicle information which is required to be listed on the regular tow invoice. After all you might be able to get some of your money back if you have towing insurance or belong to a motor club,  and without a detailed receipt, the chances of getting a refund are slim to none.

Now Virginia code which I found regarding towing and payment does talk about receipts and as such the link is below. You might want to check it out and see if they did follow the law, as you know all the answers to what if's, and I would be guessing.

reference link   http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+46.2-1231



You might also check out the regulatory board which I mentioned earlier and see if you can find things which might apply.

reference link  http://www.btro.vi.virginia.gov/


hope this helps