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:05/14/2025

  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.

  On 5/10/25 my car was towed at the ********** location ALDI in ********, **. My girlfriend and I had purchased from the store and had a friend meet us and pick us up for a couple hours. There was a sign above the parking lot that just roughly stated for our customers (laid receipt on dashboard of vehicle), when we got back around 11pm my car was gone and had to call 911, they couldn't give me information on where my vehicle was because the tow company hadn't reported it, then while I was on the phone with 911 the wrecker pulled back into the lot and I inquired if they were the ones that had my vehicle, they said they had it and could not give a ride to the impound due to insurance coverage, the guy gave the address and said it was about 4-5 minutes away. I was unable to request a Lyft or **** because of some festival going on and me and my girlfriend had to walk 2 miles through an unfamiliar neighborhood to get to the impound that we were wrongfully towed by. When arriving I politely asked the lady at the counter what time and why my vehicle was towed and she said that it was because it was after store hours, mind you the entrance and parking lot did not have any visible "tow-away" notifications or I would not have parked there. Reading some of these other reviews it looks like this is common practice with this company and I feel like something needs to be done about it. They make you feel helpless, I was worried not having any protection and having to have my girlfriend walk with me in a rural unfamiliar area, on top of that she ended up with blisters on the back of her heels from not having walking shoes on. This company is most definite predatory, I worry about misfortune of others that may have medication or something that is direly needed in a timely fashion that could be prevented if this company had any morals and wasn't worried about anything other than making an easy dollar by wrongfully taking vehicles that should not have been touched in the first place.

  Business Response

  Date: 05/22/2025

  The complainant parked their vehicle on private property without consent from the property owner. There are signs everywhere identifying the property as a private tow away zone. Just because you claim to have been a customer of Aldi hours earlier doesnt give you permission to leave the vehicle on the property and leave to go somewhere else. The parking lot is for customers who are in the store shopping only. We were told to tow all vehicles because nobody had permission to leave their vehicles on the property. While the store was open customers were unable to find a parking spot because the lot was full of people who went to the concert. The security and management had us towing individual vehicles all day and after they closed we were told to tow everything that was left. You didnt want to pay for parking at the concert and chose to park at a business without getting permission and your vehicle was impounded as a result. I spoke to you in the parking lot and you told me that you went to the concert. This was a valid tow and there will be no refund. You chose to park there and now youre upset because you had to pay an impound fee because of your choices. Its not predatory when you parked there for hours and prevented paying customers from being able to shop. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 05/22/2025

  [If you do not say why you are rejecting the company's response, BBB must close your complaint.] 
  
  Complaint: 23331194
  
  I am rejecting this response because: I did speak with you in the parking lot to find out if you had towed my vehicle, I did not speak to you about anything other than asking if you had it and then asking for a ride to the impound, that was definitely another one of your victims. As far as signs everywhere this is not true, Im not willing to take a ****** on leaving my car somewhere if signs are posted. I have tried contacting **** regarding this issue as well to see if they have a written contract with you and they have poor communications to where they have forwarded my message to the district manager where I may or may not get receive a call back. What your company is doing is lying and preying on people that cant do anything about it. If theres one thing I wish I would have done is tried to get a group of your victims together to take you to court over. YOU ARE SCUMBAGS
  
  Regards,
  
  ***** *******

  Business Response

  Date: 05/23/2025

  The simplest solution to not getting your vehicle impounded is to not illegally park it on someone elses property. You chose to ignore the signs at every entrance and around the buildings and parking lots and the consequence was that your vehicle was towed. You need to take responsibility for your own actions. If you choose to take us to court over your mistake I will be happy to prove that youre the only one at fault here. I guarantee that I will win the case and then Ill happily file my own lawsuit to cover my wasted time and attorney fees. 

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/06/2025

  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 am filing a formal complaint against Hound Dog's Towing & Recovery for significant and preventable damage to my vehicle due to negligent towing practices. My 2003 *** 530i M Sport (rear-wheel drive) was towed using a dolly, despite manufacturer requirements that it must be flatbed towed to avoid mechanical and structural ********* a result of this improper towing:The bottom of the front bumper is scraped from bottoming out during transport.The driver-side bumper hanger is broken.The drivers front side of the vehicle now sits visibly lower than the passenger side.The car has been diagnosed by ******* *********** in ********* with a bent strut on the drivers side, confirming towing-related suspension damage.The alignment is now severely off, causing rapid tire wear and making the vehicle undrivable for safety reasons.I have attached photos showing the bumper damage, the visible lean of the vehicle while parked against a curb, and screenshots of two separate emails I sent to Hound Dog's Towing & Recovery with no response. This complete lack of communication or accountability has left me with no choice but to escalate this issue through the ************************* a college student putting myself through school, I cannot afford the cost of repairs for damage that should never have occurred. This incident has caused severe financial hardship and taken away my only form of reliable transportation.I am requesting:A full explanation from the company regarding why a flatbed was not used.A copy of their towing and damage policies.Full financial compensation for all necessary repairs caused by the negligent tow.This situation has created a serious and lasting impact on my daily life, and I am asking the BBB to help ensure that Hound Dog's Towing & Recovery is held accountable for the damage they caused.

  Business Response

  Date: 05/22/2025

  We towed the vehicle because it didnt have a parking permit. The ONLY part of the vehicle that we touch when its being towed are the tires. All 4 wheels were off the ground when it was towed because it was towed using dollies. We did not damage the vehicle and have numerous pictures that were taken prior to towing that show pre existing damage to the vehicle. This is a fraudulent damage claim and we will be happy to prove it in court if necessary. 

• Initial Complaint

  Date:03/19/2025

  Type:Order 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.

  To Whom It May Concern,I am filing a formal complaint against Hound Dog's Towing & Recovery for improperly towing my vehicle from ******************************************************************* *********** failed to follow proper notice procedures per my lease agreement and misapplied city code, leading to an unfair and unauthorized tow. I am requesting a full refund of all towing and impound fees.Complaint Details: Violation of Lease Agreement Insufficient Notice My lease agreement requires a 48-hour written notice before towing a non-compliant vehicle. Hound Dog's Towing only placed a 24-hour sticker, failing to meet the required notice period. This is a breach of contract, making the tow improper. Incorrect Classification of My Vehicle as Inoperable *********** cited a 72-hour rule to claim my car was inoperable. However, Columbus City Code ******* defines inoperable as: No valid registration or license plates (mine were valid). Missing parts, flat tires, or visibly unsafe conditions (none applied to my car). Simply not moving does not make a car inoperable under city law. No Direct Authorization from My Landlord *********** claims my landlord ordered the tow, yet no proof of landlord authorization has been provided. If the landlord did not directly request my car be towed, the tow was unauthorized on private property.Requested Resolution:I demand a full refund of all towing and impound fees due to: Failure to provide 48-hour notice (only 24 hours given). Incorrect application of ******** inoperable vehicle law. Potentially unauthorized action on private property.If this issue is not resolved, I will escalate the complaint to: The ********************** **************************** The local housing authority for lease violations Small Claims Court to recover my towing expensesI expect a response within 14 days with a resolution.Sincerely,******* ****

  Business Response

  Date: 03/20/2025

  Your vehicle had not moved in quite some time which you alluded to in previous correspondence. City and state codes determine that a vehicle is considered inoperable if it hadnt moved in a minimum of at least 72 hours. However, your vehicle had been sitting for even longer than that. We do not have access to your lease agreement nor do we know what it contains. Our contract with the property owner/manager has us place a warning sticker on a vehicle for 24 hours if we observe that it hasnt moved in an extended period of time or is visibly inoperable. Your vehicle fit that description and was warned that it had to be moved in order to avoid being impounded. The vehicle wasnt moved and was impounded as a result. It then sat at our lot accruing storage for several days before you picked it up. When you picked it up you had to spend a considerable amount of time trying to jump it because the battery was dead from sitting so long. We abided by our contract so we will not be issuing a refund. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 03/20/2025

  [If you do not say why you are rejecting the company's response, BBB must close your complaint.] 
  
  Complaint: 23089771
  
  I am rejecting this response because: 
  
  Regards,
  
  ******* ****

  Customer Answer

  Date: 03/21/2025

  The business stated they did not have access to my lease, masking the fact that they have a contract with my landlord which they should honor my lease and having a written consent from my landlord before towing. I am requesting the written consent given to Hound Dog's towing and recovery for this tow.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 03/21/2025

  Tow pic taken by the business, does not meet inoperable definition

• Initial Complaint

  Date:09/09/2024

  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.

  Hound Dogs towing and recovery:I was towed from what appeared to be a public parking space at a local business. This happened on Sunday, Sept 8th at approximately 7:15pm.There were no indicators that I could not park there. The parking lot had other cars parked there and there were no signs in front or around this parking space.I had to pay $165.00 to get my car back. I understand if I parked in a clearly marked spot that was private or permit only. But this was purely predatory.

  Business Response

  Date: 09/09/2024

  You were towed from Hippie Hit Smoke Shop located at ******************. The very small parking lot is private property and is to be used for customers of the business only while they are in the store. You (or ****** since he picked the vehicle up) parked on private property and then left the property to patronize another business. There are only 10 parking spaces in this lot and it is very obvious that it is not a public lot to be used by anyone who wishes to do so. We make it obvious by having approximately 10 signs on the property clearly stating that it is a tow away zone. The store also has signs stating that if you leave the property without your vehicle that it will be towed. It is not predatory at all. You (or ******) chose to park the vehicle on someone elses private property ignoring the multitude of signs telling you not to do so and as a result your vehicle was impounded. There were signs on a post in the gravel in front of your vehicle, a sign on the railing on the side directly behind your vehicle, one at each entrance as you pull into the lot, and 3 on the building itself directly behind your vehicle. To say there were no signs indicating that you couldnt park there is a blatant lie. There were other vehicles parked in the lot when you parked there. Those other vehicles belong to employees and customers of the business that owns the lot. You were neither and as a consequence of your decision to park there your vehicle was legally impounded and removed from the property. They have a very limited number of parking spaces and every time someone illegally parks there it takes up a space that a paying customer could be using. We will not be issuing any refunds because there isnt any need to do so.  You parked in a lot that was clearly marked as both private and permit only and chose to ignore the warnings. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 09/09/2024

  [If you do not say why you are rejecting the company's response, BBB must close your complaint.] 
  
  Complaint: 22258673
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  
  I am rejecting this response because: 
  You are stating that there were signs posted in front of the parking space and on the handrail to the right of the parking space. The pictures that I have attached clearly show otherwise. The signs in the gravel that are not in front of this parking spot are broken and laying face down. 
  We are smart and respectful people, If we knew that this was private parking we would have found another place to park. We drove up and down *********** trying to find a decent place to park. (We were just visiting the area) 
  I think this is a simple case of misunderstanding, because genuinely it was not clearly posted in that specific parking space. 
  
  Regards,
  
  *********************
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/08/2024

  Type:Billing 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.

  The early morning of 8/7/2024. 530am. Hound dogs towing decided to tow my vehicle. They are targeting vehicles parked close to the entrance. My vehicle was towed over a parking pass that was in the vehicle. They say it has to be displayed but never said where. Not one person said prove to them the pass is in the vehicle. Not on my person when I go to retrieve my vehicle. So for them to tow my car it was a total of $156.95. Then the employee refused to take my credit card as a payment. I get to the building and noticed my car was pulled in forward. Which means they towed my car wrong. I've never had my car towed from the back. It has always been towed from the front with the extra wheels put onto the back. Tow truck driver drugged my car 20mins away. Causing whatever damage that may occur. Not only that I'm sure they have no right to enter my vehicle. Tow truck driver somehow got into my vehicle, then tied my seat belt around my steering wheel. Which also confirmed my car was not towed correctly. Nowhere on any signs or anything posted that they are allowed to enter your vehicle. Hound dogs towed my car wrong, refused the payment I wanted to use and then entered my vehicle without permission. This was not a call for a tow this was a tow from a complex which in fact I have a parking pass for. Never received a receipt I was given an invoice. The invoice doesn't show I paid, the amount I paid and or the change. Also they only required an ID to release the vehicle. There was no verifying the vehicle actually belonged to me.

  Business Response

  Date: 08/28/2024

  Your vehicle was impounded because you didn’t have a parking permit visible anywhere on the vehicle. It has to be visible because otherwise we have no idea that you have one. When you showed up to get your vehicle our internet was down which also meant we couldn’t accept credit cards until it came back online. Your vehicle was dollied so all 4 wheels were off the ground. As far as why they tied the steering wheel it was to keep the wheels from turning while the front was on dollies because your steering wasn’t locked. We towed your vehicle for a valid reason and towed it correctly and damage free. We won’t be issuing any type of refund because there is no reason to do so. 

  Business Response

  Date: 08/28/2024

  Your vehicle was impounded because you didn’t have a parking permit visible anywhere on the vehicle. It has to be visible because otherwise we have no idea that you have one. When you showed up to get your vehicle our internet was down which also meant we couldn’t accept credit cards until it came back online. Your vehicle was dollied so all 4 wheels were off the ground. As far as why they tied the steering wheel it was to keep the wheels from turning while the front was on dollies because your steering wasn’t locked. We towed your vehicle for a valid reason and towed it correctly and damage free. We won’t be issuing any type of refund because there is no reason to do so. 

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/20/2024

  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.

  This business illegal towed my car and then I woke up Monday morning with no car whatsoever. I found hound dogs towing phone numbers thankfully and found out they wrongfully towed my car and there were aware it was wrongfully towed. Then I had to track down where this "business" was. Finally found their address and went to that location and there isn't anyone even working there! I walked about for awhile before I found anyone "working" there. Finally found someone and then they tell me where my car is and then I get it and try to go and he blocks me from leaving! I had about enough at this point and just drove around him and left. I leave a Google review and the owner gets online on a public review and proceeds to call me names and says something in regards to settling it physically. I have had enough of these thugs thinking they can treat their victims like this. Can you do something? The "owner" erased his comment on my Google review but I took a picture before he could erase it proving that he called me names and acted very very unprofessional in public for all to see

  Business Response

  Date: 06/20/2024

  Your vehicle was given back to you free of charge due to an honest mistake. We’ve acknowledged that and apologized and you’ve been harassing us for two days about it. I understand that you aren’t happy about it and I don’t blame you but you have been acting very childish. Nobody has threatened you with any physical harm. That is a blatant lie. You’ve left negative reviews everywhere possible and harassed us with messages to the point that we had to block you. I’m the owner and I’m out of the country until next month so I won’t be calling you because there’s no need to. I would tell you the same thing that you’ve already been told. Mistakes happen occasionally. It’s not something that happens often but we owned up to it and didn’t charge you anything because of it. We’ve apologized but that doesn’t seem to be good enough. I’m not sure what else you want. I hope this can be the end of it. The driver that towed your vehicle has been disciplined and retrained on how to look up the rules for every property in our system. He’s relatively new and we tow from thousands of properties in ******** County. Virtually every property has different rules on what they want us to tow for.  The driver looked up another property that has a similar name and thought he was allowed to tow for expired tags. It really was an honest mistake. I really don’t know what else we can do for you except to apologize again for the mistake. I’m sorry your car was towed and that it inconvenienced you. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 06/21/2024

  [If you do not say why you are rejecting the company's response, BBB must close your complaint.] 
  
  
  
  Complaint: 21878234
  
  
  
  I am rejecting this response because: The owner is a liar. I don't think he can stop lying even if he tried to. Please remind the owner that I have his original response to my Google review so he DID indeed act like he was going to use phsyical force to solve this issue. The owner is also a liar because he said he's apologized but didn't until the very last sentence of his "response" if you even want to call it that. You don't know what else you can do? How about you wash all this marker all over my windows? How about a gift card since I had to waste my gas and waste my money to clean up your and your criminals mistakes. I want an actually solution, not just name calling from the "owner". Thanks.

  
  
  
  Regards,
  
  
  
  **** ****

  Customer Answer

  Date: 06/21/2024

  It's almost hilarious that the "owner" a.k.a. criminal, wants to talk about harassment. He doesn't know what harassment is. Once he wakes up on a Tuesday morning and his car has disappeared for NO reason  whatsoever then and only then can he talk to me about harassment. Hound dogs towing harassed me to the ultimate power by stealing and vandalizing my car.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/28/2024

  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.

  4:40am today, they towed my car from Prescott Place Apartments.
  
  * They're always on the hunt throughout the day and early morning hours searching for vehicles to tow.
  
  * I saw them hunting ~1:30am this morning before I went to bed. I woke up ~4:35 to use the restroom, on my way back to bed I heard noises outside so I looked outside and saw them towing my car.
  
  * By the time I threw my housecoat on & ran down the stairs, they were gone.
  
  * Once I got their number from my leasing office, I called to ask if they have my car. Their phone rep had the nerves to say when you don't follow the rules then your car gets towed.
  
  * They claimed I didn't have my parking permit in the window visible to the driver and they tow any vehicles that don't have a visible permit.
  
  * I explained it could have fallen off & the witch said well it'll be $157 to get your car. I explained that my permit doesn't fit around my mirror so I place it on top of my phone holder and it must have fallen down. They again said if it's not visible then I have to pay the fine of $157 to get my car.
  
  * I missed work at my part-time gig because they towed my car.

  Business Response

  Date: 05/31/2024

  We have a contract to patrol your apartment complex and impound any vehicles that are in violation of the rules. One of those rules is that the parking permit must be displayed either on the rear view or in the front windshield. If it’s not visible then we tow the car. We don’t search the vehicle looking for a permit if it’s not displayed properly. We definitely aren’t going to try to work with you or help you at all when you are disrespectful and screaming at our dispatchers on the phone. Making sure that your permit is visible is your responsibility. Our driver did not see your permit on the floor and we don’t know that it was actually there or if you put it there just to take a picture after you paid and went in the lot to retrieve your vehicle. Regardless, it doesn’t matter because by your own admission it wasn’t displayed properly.  There’s no guarantee but we may have tried to be nice and given you a discount IF what you claim is true and IF you had been respectful.  We won’t be refunding anything to you because the vehicle was impounded for a valid, legal reason. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 06/05/2024

  [If you do not say why you are rejecting the company's response, BBB must close your complaint.] 
  
  
  
  Complaint: ********
  
  
  
  I am rejecting this response because your company are predators and your dispatcher is a rude liar. I got offended after your lying dispatcher said "well if you follow the rules then your vehicle wouldn't get towed" Also, your lying dispatcher verbally told me that they checked my car and didn't see the permit. I DID follow the rules and had my permit visible but my indoor camera fell, knocked the permit down onto the floor of the passenger side of the car. If your blood hungry driver would have simply looked through the window, he would have seen it but apparently you have a shady contract with ***** Properties to make as much money as you can by any means necessary. I have been a legitimate resident of Prescott Place and what you did was wrong. The complex should give your company a list of legitimate resident vehicles but I realize this is their money scam with your company. After I paid your unfair fee, I went to my car, opened the door, took a picture of my permit on the floor of the passenger side that my camera knocked down. I did this while on your dirty property before I started my car and drove it off your dirty lot. Because you unjustly towed my vehicle, I missed my part time morning job, I missed my physical therapy appointment and I missed my full time evening job. I want a refund of $400.

  
  
  
  Regards,
  
  
  
  **** ******

• Initial Complaint

  Date:04/15/2024

  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.

  My daughters car was towed from the parking lot of her campus house on Friday night THERE ARE NO SIGNS POSTED stating no parking/cars will be towed we have pictures to verify no signage I explained to Hounddog the night of towing there are no signs posted and was accused of tearing the sign down and was told that I needed to speak to the real estate company about the sign. I called Northstep Realty on Monday to explain and was told signage is the responsibility of Hounddog Towing. Spoke to Hounddog Towing again to request a refund since they aren’t following the law with proper signage I was hung up on twice and told her car was towed due to expired permit-how can Hounddog demand valid legal permits without valid legal signage!! Hounddog Towing is in violation of Ohio Revised Code 4513.601 in order for them to do business without being sued for wrongful towing they need to POST SIGNS! I was told by Hounddog if they post a new sign it will just get torn down again-NOT MY PROBLEM-Hounddog Towing can’t choose to be irresponsible and break the law as a business because people take down their signs. I want a full refund! Why is my daughter expected to follow the law and pay fines if she doesn’t, but Hounddog Towing doesn’t need to follow those same laws to do business?!

  Business Response

  Date: 04/25/2024

  We impounded this vehicle because it didn’t have a parking permit for the property. According to our driver there was a sign posted at the time the vehicle was impounded. This sign “mysteriously” disappeared after this persons vehicle was towed and they claim it wasn’t there to begin with. Unfortunately, this is a common ploy on the Ohio State campus because people think they can remove the sign and then they won’t have to pay the impound fee. Our drivers always check the signage prior to towing a vehicle because of the prevalence of the kids removing signs. We do our best to put them in a visible space that is out of reach or hard to reach but that isn’t always an option. This property in particular has signage that is easily accessible to anyone with a screwdriver. I’m not accusing the owner of this vehicle of removing the sign but it’s very curious that it disappeared between the time of the vehicle being removed and the owner calling us about it.  The owner of the vehicle “informed” us that the sign was now missing so we immediately went and replaced the missing sign. There is evidence on the back of the building where the sign was ripped off. We placed the new sign on the porch railing now. We have been towing from this property for several years now and have replaced the signage several times due to the signs being ripped down so we always check. We won’t be able to refund any money because the sign was present before the vehicle was parked and was present at the time of the impound. We did everything legally and by the law. The sign disappearing after the fact has no bearing on the legality of the impound and doesn’t give the vehicle owner a “get out of jail free” card. If you look at the first picture submitted by the complainant, look to the left of the door for the 56 side and you’ll see where the sign used to be before it was ripped down after the vehicle was impounded. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 05/07/2024

  [If you do not say why you are rejecting the company's response, BBB must close your complaint.] 
  
  
  
  Complaint: 21576633
  
  
  
  I am rejecting this response because: 
  
  Everything in their response is a flat out LIE! Hounddog Towing is a scumbag business practicing unethical and illegal business behaviors! I have pictures PROVING NO SIGNAGE the night my car was towed in fact Hounddog put the new sign up on Monday after speaking with me on the phone Monday morning and when I asked to see their photographic proof they had before towing my car they refused to show me! Per the Ohio Revised Code they are to have photographic evidence of proper signage BEFORE towing and prove it when questioned, they did neither! We are taking Hounddog Towing to small claims court the paper work along with the estimate for the damage they caused to my car has been filled out and will be filed this month! At this point it’s not so much about my $160 it’s about this scum bag business being fined for using illegal tactics to make a buck!
  
  Regards,
  
  
  
  ****** ********

  Business Response

  Date: 05/08/2024

  This doesn’t require a response because there is nothing of substance to respond to. We have an excellent legal team if she chooses to go that route. I may have been willing to try to come to some kind of understanding at the beginning except for the fact that every interaction has been like dealing with a toddler that doesn’t get their way. I tend to be a lot easier to work with when someone isn’t being rude, obnoxious, and just generally being a horrible person.  I feel sorry for anyone that has to deal with your vitriol on a daily basis. You can see where the sign was ripped down to the left side of the left (56) door. My belief is that the sign was probably ripped down by the parents of the vehicle owner as a ploy to try to avoid paying the impound fee because their daughter parked where she shouldn’t have. Accept responsibility and move on. 

• Initial Complaint

  Date:04/03/2024

  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.

  April 3. 2024
  ********** ***** ***** Drive Columbus Ohio.
  Vehicle was towed HOWEVER there are no signs indicating a no parking zone. The condo association Towne Properties (a seperate complaint coming for them) and Hound Dogs towing team up and tow vehicles for no reason! Hound Dog said they were instructed to tow and as long as a sign is anywhere on the property they can tow. Make that make sense? If it's not a sign where someone is parking?

  Business Response

  Date: 04/04/2024

  The vehicle (2023 Nissan Pathfinder) was impounded because it was not properly parked in a parking space. We have signs posted at every entrance to the property and we are contracted to patrol and impound vehicles that are not parked where they are supposed to be. The vehicle was not towed for “no reason.”  It was towed because you parked in an area where you aren’t allowed to park. Unfortunately, we won’t be issuing any refunds because the vehicle was impounded for a valid reason. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 04/04/2024

  [If you do not say why you are rejecting the company's response, BBB must close your complaint.] 
  
  
  
  Complaint: 21523553
  
  
  
  I am rejecting this response because: 

  They can keep their little money but per all pictures submitted and where the vehicle was parked there are NO signs indicating this. People have parked their for years the only reason it's an issue is due to a racist board member who who vindictive and that is being addressed as well. There are no signs where the two vehicles were towed from that says no parking. There are signs for guest parking saying no parking between 1-6 am..again they can keep the money since they need it more I guess. 

  Your efforts are appreciated however this business is wrong and greedy. 

  
  
  
  Regards,
  
  
  
  ***** *****

  ***** <*******************>
  Thu, Apr 4, 4:11?PM (20 hours ago)
  to Better
  
  
  We can close this case. I appreciate the efforts. I will proceed legally with them and the condo association accordingly. I wish to have no other messages from this immoral "business". Thank you. 
  
  
  On Thu, Apr 4, 2024, 2:24?PM Better Business Bureau <[email protected]> wrote:

• Initial Complaint

  Date:03/15/2024

  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.

  Towed my car for no reason, my tag was valid in Ohio bmv system. But sticker was removed. Tow truck company came in the middle of the night and towed my car. Now made me pay to get the t back.say d I had expired sticker displayed. That it’s against the law to drive I’m Ohio like that.

  Business Response

  Date: 03/15/2024

  Your vehicle was impounded for a valid reason. The registration sticker on your license plate was expired. We have a contract with the apartment complex and they want any vehicles with an expired registration sticker removed from the property. We do not have the ability to check to see if you renewed your plates or not, only the police can do that. You are supposed to have the registration sticker on the plate before or on the expiration date.  If you’re ordering online you’re supposed to order the new sticker with a sufficient amount of time to receive it before the one on the vehicle expires. We will not be refunding anything since this was a valid tow.