OCEAN CITY — Towing rates in Ocean City, which have remained unchanged for eight years, could be going up next year if a unified group of industry leaders in the area gets their way.
About a dozen unified tow company operators in the resort area urged the Police Commission Monday to consider their request for a hike in the rate schedule for tows in the resort area. The town’s code currently sets the maximum rate for a standard tow at $150, a figure that has been in place since 2008, but the tow company operators are seeking a graduated, across-the-board hike by as much as 100 percent in some cases.
The tow company operators cited an increase in their fixed costs over the last eight years or so, along with other changes in the market, as the reason for the proposed tow rate increase. For example, while the town code sets the maximum for a standard tow at $150, the tow operators are seeking an increase to $250 for a standard tow, $285 for a DWI tow and as much as $325 for a more complicated accident tow.
They are also seeking an increase in the standard rate for the storage of a towed vehicle. Currently, the code calls for a storage fee of $10 for the first day and $15 for each additional day, but the request change could see that figure increased to $60 to $70 per day, depending on whether the towed vehicle is stored inside or outside, for example.
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18 comments:
Ocean City should post a large sign stating ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK. For a group to chose John Derrickson as their spokesperson is laughable, we are not ripping anyone of WOW. Anyone whom has had to be towed in OC is at risk as these guys are ruthless.
I don't mean to say I understand this, because I am not for or against....just saying. A month ago a Salisbury based company came to Seaford, DE on a night call. My disabled vehicle was dropped off at a Salisbury shop and took me to my residence. The driver gave me a 85. bill which I thought was very reasonable. After paying the driver, I presented the bill to my insurance. They said it would be paid but would show an increase in my premium. I asked them to throw it in the trash and cancel road service on all my vehicles.
Last week, I had a tire issue and was towed from outside Salisbury limits to a shop in Salisbury on a Sunday. The bill was 45. I thought I was back in time.
So, are these prices in Ocean City higher now, because it is Ocean City?
@ 10:46
Consider yourself lucky with the rates you were charged. Every company has different overhead....some operate from their homes, while others have offices and impound lots.
If the Tow operators don't like the fee, go into another career field or another jurisdiction.
I always call Richard Atkins
That should be great for tourism!!!
Another reason to stay away!!!!
what a joke...and an embarrassment!
To anon 10 46
Here's the deal, you can get a car towed anywhere around Salisbury for $45.00 to $65.00 just call around and pick your best price. Now the trouble begins when it's a police call. Example you car quits running and you drift into a parking lot and call for a tow, you will get this low price, otherwise say your car quits and you are sitting in the road and the police make the call then you are at the mercy of the tow company. AAA pays tow companies a flat price that is why not many tow companies work with AAA. There are dozens of tow companies between Salisbury and Ocean City, some guys own more than one company just to have multiple names on the police list. The guy mentioned in this post is one of them and pray he doesn't get his hook on your car.
Three years ago during a light snow my daughter slid off the road she called me as she was only a half mile from our farm. I quickly climbed on the tractor to go pull her out. In the meantime a Wicomico Sherriff's deputy showed up and called a tow company. I arrived first however he would not let me pull the car out of the snow. To top it off the car was drivable and I was going to drive it home as my daughter was shook up, however they towed it to their lot and we had a $450.00 tow bill.
Most towing companies are rip-offs as the owner of a local body shop in Salisbury I have had to deal with most of them.
Call Adkins towing the most reasonable and prompt courteous service
Call Adkins towing most reasinae courteous service
Deputy would have had to shoot me to stop me from pulling my own vehicle out of a ditch with my tractor.
Just for the record, how many tow companies have gone out of business in OC in that period?
Any?
Bueller?
Bueller?
I work on Ocean City....a number of idiots double Park, and impede others by illegal parking...........I always call 1-800-Tow-Yo-Ass....works every time
Whatever you tow companies do don't resort to what one of the local companies did here and pursue offsetting with the "gonza" sales
Definitely one local company you want to avoid just ask sheriff LEWIS
I also think the prices they are charging now in Ocean city are very high. I remember getting towed for $25. Then it went up to $40. Now I have had AAA for the past ten years and usually can get a tow for no charge because I pay AAA a yearly fee to cover all of that. But I think the prices Ocean City wants to go to are ridiculously high. That would just be another nail in the coffin for tourism. Just another reason not to go to Ocean City. Much cheaper to go to Myrtle
Beach.
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