Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:01/10/2025

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  My issue with this business was their aggressive approach in placing a boot on my car seconds after exiting my vehicle. I parked in a parking spot at a gas station, I had to go next-door and grab something from a shop, and then get gas, but I did not want to leave my car at a gas pump. I fully intended on getting back in my vehicle and using the gas pump. They followed me circling the parking lot and watched me leave my car. Seconds later when I was walking back to then move my car to a pump there was a boot on my car preventing me from moving my vehicle. The gentleman in the car gave me zero explanation, whipped out a card reader and demanded I pay him $90. He was rude, aggressive, accusatory, and made me very uncomfortable. He did not answer any of my questions. He did not tell me who he worked for. After paying him, he had another gentleman with him,  remove the boot on my car. And then he continued to circle the parking lot, poaching other people to immediately put a boot on their car. I looked up the business, and there was  already a news report from a local news station and other residents in the area that this was happening to. And there was a quote from someone at the BBB saying this company  was already on their radar. Upon doing research, it turns out that a few years ago, they were doing the same thing, but without a license. This is still happening. 

  Business Response

  Date: 01/16/2025

  
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:11/25/2023

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I parked in a ****** parking lot on ******* avenue in buffalo ny to go into ****** to purchase snacks and also to use their bathroom. When I came out lightning towing had my car blocked in and were putting a boot on it. They refused to take the boot off unless j paid $81.56. After explaining that I was in ****** the guy became beligerant, swearing and demanded that I pay cuz the boot is already on. The rude man and myself were both inside the store at the same time, so he saw first hand that I was in there and didnt care. Being sick and in a rush in paid the money and would like a refund and I was wrongly booted, fined and alsi the emotional distress this rude man put me through. I have tried to call many times and he tells me to "just check the parking lot for the address" and hangs up the call. Same for my husband when he tried to call.

  Business Response

  Date: 11/27/2023

  She 1st parked her vehicle at 460 ******* at the ******* ****** Lot. She parked in a spot where it clearly states "For ****** Customers parking Only. Which was posted 1 foot of the hood of her vehicle. She then proceeded across ***** street and ***** on ******* to conduct  business elsewhere. Therefore she was not a ****** customer, the minute she left her car on thier Private lot . Thus her vehicle was booted for parking illegally.  When she returned to the vehicle she was informed of the parking regulations and said she was going to go inside and buy something from ******. This is an ongoing problem in this ****** parking lot, as people are parking thier cars thier but going elsewhere to do business.  There are over 15 Parking Regulation signs in this Parking Lot.  At the ***** entrance of the store, there is a sign posted " Parking Only for customers while shopping at ******". She was informed that any information she needed to dispute this issue was on 2 of the Large "Parking Restricted Signs" in the parking lot, and also on the lettering of the vehicle that done the booting. She refused to accept the fact that she was in clear violation of the parking regulations after being informed numerous times. Her conversation with the operator of the Lightning Towing vehicle was recorded with an in vehicle Dash Cam and at no time did the operator of the vehicle get rude or disrespectful with this customer. ******* ****** has many cameras in their lot and would also show that she clearly left the parking lot to conduct business elsewhere, therefore in violation of the parking regulations. No refund will be issued. 

• Initial Complaint

  Date:12/22/2022

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I parked in a gas station parking lot, with the intent to stop in a store and then go into the gas station to make a purchase. I was gone about 5 min and when I got back to my car, it had been booted and the towing company was blocking me in my spot and waiting for me to come out and spoke to me extremely condescendingly and told me I needed to pay him $81 immediately or my car would be impounded. Multiple customers saw this happening and told me they hide in the lot waiting for someone to park there and then they boot them. They said to report them and they are “scumbags.” I had $100 to my name to buy food and I told them that and they still demanded $81. This company should not be in service and they take advantage of unsuspecting people who are vulnerable. This same thing could happen to an elderly person and I think they operate immorally. I want this company to be reprimanded and it known that that do this. I also want a refund for $81 as well as compensation for extreme embarrassment, inconvenience, and and taking the last of my money right before Christmas. They had no clue I was intending to go into the gas station to make a purchase when they booted my car.

  Business Response

  Date: 12/28/2022

  To Whom it may Concern, Ms. A clearly states that she parked her car at the ******* ****** and had every intention of going shopping at another shop elsewhere. When Ms. A returned to her vehicle she was informed that her vehicle was booted and and the boot would be removed when the boot fee was paid. She then asked "what if I dont pay" and she was told that the vehicle would be towed and impounded. Ms A then asked " where are the signs?" She then was told and showed one of the 16 signs surrounding the property that was 1 foot away from the hood of her vehicle, that was centered in front of the parking spot she parked  in.The sign states "****** Customer parking only"Ms A will not be issued a refund

• Initial Complaint

  Date:12/09/2022

  Type:Customer Service Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I parked at the ****** at *** ******* **** Buffalo, NY 14222 for approximately 3 minutes to get something from a shop nearby and these guys put a boot on my car. $81 to get it off -- unbelievable. Of course, there is a sign in the parking lot stating that ****** reserves the right to tow anyone who is not a customer at their place of business; however, I did some research and it confirmed my suspicions that Lightning Towing is a bunch of scam artists: ********************************************************************************.
  Therefore, I would like my $81 back.

  Business Response

  Date: 12/12/2022

        To Whom it May Concern:      Mr. N he states he left the property to go shopping at another Store. He also states that he read the sign. Therefore, he knowingly parked illegally     at the property.       No refund will be issued.      Lightning Towing & Services Inc.