George Smith Towing

I just moved to Philly a few months ago. These guys park their trucks in front of my place for hours on end doing absolutely nothing. They stare at me and make me very uncomfortable when I go in and out of my place. Very creepy looking guys. Then they park in the middle of the road and hold up traffic so that I get to hear several cars honking at them to move out of the way. They just blocked traffic on 9^th street for a good ten minutes goofing around doing who knows what.

My daughter and two kids was going to the Pearl movie theater. It was free parking starting at 6:00 pm. This is a new time. My daughter parked there 5:49 and I’m sure they seen her parking there because as soon as she went into the theater her car was towed. It’s $ 175 and $ 25 a day for storage. My daughter went there immediately and when she got there was told she had to pay $ 205.00. This guy is a rip off. Beware!!! LR

Only the scum of the universe would tow cars that are LEGALLY parked! The good news is that I caught them towing my car and called the cops. The cops came and told them they had ZERO right to tow my car. At least the good guys win once in a while. SCUM. FRAUDS. TRASH.

The most illegal and unprofessional… My car was taken from a spot I park daily. To make matters worse my oil pan is now cracked.

What can I say besides what everyone else has already posted? Well that the pleasant individual wearing a extremely fashionable track suit that I encountered working at this facility was nearly the slowest moving entity I have ever witnessed besides an amoeba. I arrived at around 730PM via alternate means of transportation, you know, presumably because my only form of transportation was my vehicle that got towed. I arrived and continued to wait outside for about roughly an hour due to some poor kids from NY getting their car towed. And yes I said outside so make sure you dress warmly because like I said that guy wearing the track suit… is moving at the speed of light to get you your car back!
But I mainly decided to write this post because of the inconsistency of the ‘people’ who work there. First I was told when I called on the phone I «parked within 5 feet of a driveway and that’s illegal». Wrong. Not true. At all. To quote title 75 statute 3353 section (II) subsection (i) directly «In front of a public or private driveway» are the only places considered illegal. But okay go on, please, do tell me more. Then they proceed to tell me «Okay okay you were actually a call in and the owner asked to have your vehicle removed.» Oh okay so ANY person can apparently just call a tow company and tow anyone they want? 5 feet from a driveway? Blocking a driveway? Who cares! It’s all the same thing to George Smith Towing! Makes a lot of sense guys.
My car was most definitely taken unlawfully because really there is no such thing as illegally parking within 5 feet of a driveway guys and we all know it. EVERYONE BE FOREWARNED DO NOT PARK ANYWHERE THERE IS A GEORGE SMITH POSTING IN SIGHT. To be safe I would say specifically 5 feet :)
Needless to say it was a fun filled day of searching for my car after work (because I was legitimately thinking there could be NO REASON WHATSOEVER my car would get towed) and an even more entertaining night with that Jersey Shore wannabe copping all that ‘tude with my mother and I. Oh which reminds me, nice way to talk to a grandmother, let alone any person, you arrogant, egotistical, sordid excuse of a man! You have a legitimate Napoleon complex and I sincerely hope you seek assistance for your debilitating ailment.
P. S. EVERYONE ELSE NEGATIVELY IMPACTED BY THESE SUBHUMAN PIECES OF TRASH DON’T WORRY, THERE IS NO GOD THERE IS ONLY KARMA!!! They already have an F rating on BBB and on Unilocal!but the next step is real law enforcement intervening! IF YOUR CAR WAS UNLAWFULLY TOWED THEN JUST CALL THE POLICE. Everyone knows that their crooks already, you just have to report them.

Make sure you call the police if you catch them starting to tow your vehicle because that’s what we did and we found out they weren’t following the right procedure they are just in it for the quick cash. Completely unprofessional and were definitely under the influence. Glad they didn’t leave with our car.

Long story short is I went to lunch at PYT. My car was incorrectly towed (which they now acknowledge). When I went to retrieve my car. I paid and signed the release slips. I asked for a copy and was told no. I said «why not, you should give me anything I sign». He said, «what part can’t you understand»? I told him he was «ignorant». He said «and you’re a F – king N — er». I clearly lost it and told him off. He then proceeded to tell me «he’s glad black people were enslaved because we don’t deserve anything better and should be put back in slavery». I can’t begin to describe the emotion I felt. Two other employees stood there and said nothing to help me. One finally said, «he doesn’t speak for all white people». I said «and that’s the only correct thing you’ve said all day».

I bought a new car on ⁵⁄₁₈ and updated the management company that I rent a parking spot from the following day. George Smith was updated Wednesday. Or so they thought. I was towed from the parking lot behind my building that I pay to park in. This happened the Friday (⁵⁄₂₂) night of memorial day weekend. I couldn’t get hold of my management company to clear this up until the following Tuesday (⁵⁄₂₆). I called George Smith and was informed that their list hasn’t been updated since March. So I was stranded all of memorial day weekend thanks to someone’s incompetence at this company. The lady I talked to was polite and apologetic but the guy I talked to was rude and cut me off. Just a bunch of thieves and liars.
Also, back in March, I was towed 2 days before my wedding from the VERY POORLY MARKED «free lot» over on 2^nd. There was no sign saying that it was permit only parking and the guy I talked to basically said that they can do what they want to «non permit cars» and there was nothing I could do about it. I thought about fighting this but it would have cost more to take them to court than it would have cost to just pay the fine. Someone needs to get them under control!!!

Hey kids, want to hear a prolific story of a horror towing experience set in south west Philly in the midst of the night? Of course you do!
Unfortunately, I like many other people who have reviewed this previously had the unfortunate experience of dealing with these fuckers. Honestly, if it were possible to give a half star solely based on customer «service» alone, I wouldn’t think twice.
I work in Nothern Liberties near the Piazza so naturally I park in the free lot and make my little way over to where I need to be. I was towed a few days ago, after getting off of work in the sheer hopes of going home early and getting some shut eye. I come to the lot at around 9 o’clock and sure enough my car is nowhere to be found. Luckily, I spotted one of the tow truck guys who was taking someone else’s car. I asked if he had seen [insert car make, model, here] and surely enough after calling it in he said yes. He also dropped the bomb that it would cost me the lovely sum of $ 205 just to get it out of the lot. Now granted, I do take responsibility for where I parked. I’m a frequent visitor of Northern Libs, however I didn’t realize that only HALF of the lot is free. I’m sure other people have probably fallen victim to this unfortunate mishap, which is also part of the reason I’m posting here.
So, luckily tow truck guy takes pity on me and was able to give me a ride to the tow yard (which by the way looks like something ominous out of David Lynch film) fun right? He pulls up and tells me to go to the window, I get out of the car and of course there is NOTHING around. No convenience stores, no gas stations, nothing. I see a guy behind a bulletproof glass window looking sullen and other words just doesn’t give a flying fuck about anyone but himself.
At this point it’s about 10 at night, and here I am a young girl all by myself getting a free ride to George Smith’s Towing. Right off the bat I’m going to say DON’T bother with their ATM. Seriously, I tried it twice and it didn’t work. Another girl right behind me had the same unfortunate experience. I told counter dude that his ATM doesn’t work, and his brilliant response was «call the 800 number» …Yea, let me do that so I can get money out for you shitheads. WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE. I get it, really. You hate your job, you sit there all day bored out of your mind dealing with irate customers. But when you see someone is obviously panicked and in a strange place (it was nowhere near where I was towed) think twice about being a total dick.
Needless to say, I finally found two forms of id and was able to have my debit card charged. The guy opens the gate and tells me my car is back on the left. Luckily, I didn’t see any damage like other people described to their cars.
My advice? Avoid dealing with these people at all costs. I unfortunately found out the hard way of the ruthlessness of Philadelphia towing companies. Also, would it kill to educate your employees on BASIC customer service skills? It’s bad enough having your car towed as a starving student, but to deal with asshole serviceman? Pass.

These guys towed my car from an unmarked location on Moyamensing. They claimed they had pictures of my car in front of a «tow sign» but when I requested the pictures they showed me a picture of my car and a separate picture of a sign. They didn’t have a picture of my car AND a sign because it didn’t exist. I went back and took my own photos. They later told me that neighbors may have taken the signs down. I had no ticket from parking authority or police and no credible reason for my car to be towed. These guys were completely unreasonable and essentially stole the $ 205 (plus ATM fees) from me to get my car back. They made me 30 mins late for a business appointment. And my car is all wheel drive and should only be put on a flat bed to be towed (they towed it with a standard hook truck). So now I need to have the dealer look at the car because warning lights are on.
These guys were absolutely the worst to deal with and crooks who refused to have any discussion or be reasonable. I am certainly going to pursue further action to get my money back and stop someone else from being taken advantage of.

Your scumf!&$ towing company «stole» my car which was parked LEGALLY (with the hangtab) in the spot that I pay for. Don’t be misled, people: George Smith is a for — profit, predatorial towing company that skulks and patrols around the city, looking to tow hardworking people out of the spot that they have honestly paid for or legally parked in and then demanding ransom. I hope the regulators come down hard on your money-​grubbing, soulsucking, scumbag tow truck company for all of your misdoings and the continued hardship you’ve caused families in and around our community in Philadelphia. I am contacting the local government about your treacherous means of towing legally parked cars and not returning them until «ransom» is paid. I hope your dishonesty and extortion catch up with you.
SERIOUSLY PEOPLE IF YOUR LEGALLY PARKED CAR IS TOWED HEAD TO GEORGE SMITH AND CALL 911 AND AN OFFICER WILL HELP YOU GET IT BACK RATHER THAN YOU BE EXTORTED

I’ve never had my car towed by these people, but I did witness one get towed a few weeks ago on Schuylkill Ave. The tow driver scammed this car big time! The car was legally parked and 3 feet away from a garage door. The tow truck pulled up, driver got out and walked around the car. The driver then made sure nobody was around and then hooked into the car and backed it up about 4 feet to put it just partially blocking the garage door. He disconnected the car, then walked around it again taking pictures of the car now being illegally parked. He then hooked into it again and towed it away. This tow truck driver basically STOLE this car. You thought nobody was watching, but guess what JACKASS??? I saw everything you did.

George smith towing stole my car from my lot. I had the car legally parked in my buildings lot with my parking pass on the dash. When I went to go retrieve my car from George smith I told the man behind the 3″ thick glass that my car has the pass on the dash. he told me to go get it. So I went to retrieved it off my dashboard. When I got back to the counter to show him he said «I saw you pull it out of your pocket» Then a guy out of nowhere says the same thing. I simply replied Cameras don’t lie… Check your 20 cameras in the tow lot and you will see that I in fact did get it off my dashboard. Once I said that they said they were doing me a favor by giving my car back with no charge (The car they stole). It must be convenient to pick and choose when you see a parking pass and when you don’t. George smith Please provide your lying employees with eye care because they clearly have vision issues.
Notes:
–CASH ONLY. Don’t use their ATM. The rate is astronomical.
–Don’t expect to hear the guy very well behind the 3″ glass.

Getting my car back was not a difficult process, although that kind of scared me. I simply told the guy the make and model of my car, and he took my drivers license. So I guess anyone could have just come and taken my car. The place it was towed from simply said «cars parked illegally will be towed.» My car was legally parked in a spot in a garage where I had purchased wine earlier that night. There was not one sign in the entire garage stating that it was illegal to park overnight. (The adjacent lot has plenty of signs stating that towing begins at 3:00am however I was not in that lot, I was on a completely different property). This will NOT be the last this company hears from me and I will absolutely be consulting a lawyer.

This place is a pure disgrace. I parked in the theater parking lot tried using my card wouldn’t accept any of them at the machine. I had 15 min left until it was 6pm where you wouldn’t get towed if you parked without paying. I am a student so all I had was my card on me and had 15min to get to class. Again cards didn’t work so I took a chance and when I came back at 8pm my car was gone. Like really? Your machine won’t accept cards so I get towed. Not only did I have to pay 175 but $ 30 for it being there for 2hours in their lot! When I questioned him he acted like he couldn’t hear me. This place is an absolute joke and they are thieves!!!

My car has been towed in Philly for the 3^rd time. I’ll admit, the first two times were totally my fault. This time, while it was technically my fault, I blame the snow. Some people don’t bother to shovel their driveways, and with no signs and a foot of snow, how is anyone supposed to know there’s a driveway they’re not supposed to park in front of? Furthermore, someone else had parked there previously (and probably got towed), leaving a car-​print parking spot in the snow and perpetuating a vicious cycle of repeated towings, thereby fattening the pockets of George Smith.
But that’s not my issue with George Smith. The towing company’s sign (all the way up the driveway and behind the house) stated that the cost of towing is $ 150 + $ 25 per day for storage. When I went to pay, they told me the price had changed to $ 175 + $ 30 per day for storage, and that they had a year and a half to correct all the signs since there were so many throughout the city. However, I also happened to be towed by them over a year and a half ago, and their prices were already raised then. So they clearly have not changed all the signs within the year and a half they were given.
Furthermore, every time I have been there they have told me that their card machine is not working. I believe towing companies are required by law to accept cards, but it seems like their card machine is just for show and they never intend to use it (possibly unless you are willingly paying them for a towing service). They insist on cash only, but why would anyone carry over $ 200 in cash to a place as dangerous as their location? But, you are forced to pay in cash because they are holding your car hostage and it’s the only way you can get your car back. So then you’re forced to use their ATM with the $ 7 fee (with a $ 200 max transaction, so more like a $ 14 fee). They are master extortionists.
And yes, I’m still pissed about the tire they popped last time.

My car got towed from the free lot near the Piazza on Thanksgiving morning at 3 am. It’s my fault for attempting to leave my car there overnight, I realize, but I chose to do so rather than driving it home under the influence. The person I dealt with on the phone and when I arrived was unnecessarily rude, for starters. I get that he probably wasn’t thrilled to be working on Thanksgiving morning, but I certainly wasn’t thrilled to be driving to SW Philly and shelling out $ 205 (cash only) to retrieve my car, either. After I paid him and wished him a Happy Thanksgiving (he grunted some sort of half intelligible response), he pointed to a gate and said, «Your car’s back there.» When I got to my car, the rear passenger tire was flat. I knew from the unpleasant interactions we’d already had that the dude at the window would want no part of me inquiring about the flat (which was definitely NOT there when I parked my car the night before). So I drove it home (very slowly) and took it to my mechanic the next day (missing Thanksgiving dinner with my family, I might add). In hindsight, I wish I had confronted the guy about the flat, since I see from other reviews that this sort of thing seems to happen a lot. I was upset and not thinking straight at the time, and was worried about getting out to the ‘burbs in time for Thanksgiving (which didn’t wind up happening).
Bottom line: if you’re in need of a tow, do NOT call these guys. And if your car happens to get towed by them against your will, be sure to look for flats and other damages before leaving their lot.

No, it’s not in the best neighborhood, but it’s a tow yard, what do you expect? Yes there is bulletproof glass and a slot you put your money through, but if I worked there, I’d want to sit behind that too, given how irate people get about their cars. They probably have a lot of money back there considering it’s common for people to pay in cash.
I walked up to the window, told the guy the make/​model of my car. He asked for my license and payment, handed me a release form to sign which included my car’s info, where it was towed from and the fees ($ 175, plus $ 25 per day for two days, and $ 10 tax). Signed the form, signed my credit card receipt (they took Visa without any hassle or argument), walked into the lot and got my car (which had no damage, and all the contents were there) and waited at the front for the guy to verify I was taking the right car, and that was that. Entire process took about 10 minutes, only because there was someone in line in front of me. This was as painless as possible and a LOT better than getting towed by PPA, where you have to show registration, proof of insurance, etc. The only thing that could have made this better was my car not getting towed…

The grossest building, the most disgusting humans working there, really just creepy. I’ve been here with a couple of friends who parked in the guest lot in the piazza and forgot to move their cars. When you put your money (thru the glass door like you’re in jail) they let you into the lot and close the gate. It’s seriously like a scene from a rape movie. I don’t know how these people sleep at night robbing people blind, but everyone has to make it somehow I suppose.

Let me start by saying the ticket (s) I received were bullshit. I parked in front of MY apartment building but got a ticket for parking by a private driveway (REALLY?) and expired registration (I didnt know it was expired as I jus frickin moved and that kind of mail still goes to my moms house).
Anyway, my car was towed, I read the reviews on these guys and I was ready to be just as rude and ignorant as I’d read they were especially since it was $ 775 (yea, u read it right) to get my damn car out. $ 175 for initial towing and 25.00 a day to store it (I was on vay-​cay lucky me). So, I was already pissed at that AND everybody in Philly (re: public transportation) decided to be attitudinal assholes today, I was NOT in the mood to deal with the towing guys rudeness. Surprisingly, the guy that handled mine was coolly indifferent (re: he didnt give a shit one way or the other) I did almost get away with only paying 205 for my car because he gave me the wrong paperwork, but not thinking, I corrected him and he gave me the right paperwork and I paid full price. It was an okay experience. Not too bad but not good (I mean hey, my car was impounded for $ 775 nothing would make that good).
The neighborhood was not the best, but its a tow yard, I dont expect it to be great. The bus (after another bus and a train) took me pretty much right there in front of it, but it is easy to miss on the bus or if you’re driving there.