This rating is based on customer reviews, inventory size, pricing, and service quality
United Auto Recovery in Birmingham, AL shows a negative trend overall: many reviews cite rude customer service, no‑shows, hard‑to‑reach phones, long waits, strict appointment rules, disputed damage or missing belongings, and concerns over storage/fee practices. Positives exist—some staff are described as professional, patient, and helpful—so experiences can be inconsistent. Little to no info on yard organization, inventory variety, or ease of finding parts (this isn’t a self‑serve parts yard), so that’s unclear. Overall score: 23/100.
Address:
5280 Pinson Valley Pkwy, Birmingham, AL, United States
If I could leave 0 stars I would in a heartbeat... I surrendered my vehicle to the finance company on March 1st and this place was assigned to recover it for them, Steven called me on Monday to make a plan to come get the car and asked me to leave the key inside it as he would be coming early on Tuesday, I felt uncomfortable doing so after thinking about it so I knew I'd be home until 6:30 AM and would leave the key in it as I left for work but when I awoke @ 5:55AM the car was already gone and the key was still in my possession. When I called to to tell him I had not left it inside the vehicle he was very rude and unprofessional stating I needed to drop it in the damn mail was the only thing he guessed could be done (mind you this is at my own expense) all he had to do was call me or knock on the door, i didn't want the car and was not going to stop him from taking it as I stated before I SURRENDERED IT!!
Unfortunately, this company had possession of my vehicle for 6 days. During that time, my cargo mat was snatched from the rear of my 2021 Rav4. When I asked about it, I was told that it was not in there when they received the vehicle. My vehicle was full of larger items in the rear cargo, space. If i did not have the rubber mat that came with my truck, it would have slid everywhere. Also, I had no clue what that you could even remove the mat! It appears to have been snatched out because the rivets are snatched up and no longer lay flat in the place where the seat folds down. They said they took photos but I couldn't see them. I was given an opportunity to file a claim. I did, and they denied it. When you are having financial difficulties, it's very sad that a business would steal from you. I was made to feel that I was being dishonest. However, the day I came to get my vehicle, I saw a lady in a white Rav4 coming from the back lot. She appeared to be placing something in the rear. Could that have been an employee adjusting my cargo mat in her vehicle. Now, when I drive anything in the back, just rolls around and makes lots of noise. It makes me so nervous. I wish management would have corrected this. I would not advise any reputable company to use them. They WILL steal your things and deny your claim!!! Plus, when you arrive, it is a trailer that looks very sketchy.. Hopefully, if misfortune sends you to them, it is my hope that you have a better outcome than me. This place deserves 0 stars!!!!
Devante M. was friendly, communicative, and able to pull a key ring out of a dead 98 sedan glass pane in minutes while also holding a cordial conversation. I wish I could say the same.
They are known for repo people vehicles without paperwork showing, also known for goin in people yards taking vehicles. They circle certain vehicles they see new & try to auction them off. BEAWARE THEY NEED TO BE SHUTDOWN !!
AAA assigned my tow this company. Not only did they not show up, they didn’t let me know they weren’t coming, leaving me stranded. Horrible company with horrible customer service! I’d give 0 stars if possible! AAA should remove them from their list!
TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE WITH BATTERY SERVICE!!!
I have always had a good experience with AAA/United Towing, but today was terrible. I have a Honda Civic that I purchased a brand new battery for it last year. It would not crank this morning and I called AAA. I have a warranty on the battery and when he jumped started the vehicle it cranked, but would not crank once you turned off the vehicle. So the warranty should apply. The technician said I should take the battery to Auto Zone to see if it needs charging. THEN WHY PURCHASE A BATTERY FROM UNITED TOWING I SHOULD HAVE JUST WENT TO AUTO ZONE IN THE BEGINNING. A second technician came out and got it to start and let it run for approximately 20 minutes and it's still dragging. My DAUGHTER is driving back to Auburn and I don't want her STRANDED. AAA stated they should change the battery but United Towing still is refusing. I have AAA in 8 of our vehicles because they were a trusted company but like the technician stated take it to AUTO ZONE FOR CHARGING!!! VERY DISAPPOINTED!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My son can't get his vehicle. We have been trying to get an appointment to pick it up and he keeps getting denied for money owed but he can't pay the storage fee online, he can't get ahold of anyone to talk to them. When calling the number he just gets routed for a call back but never gets one and the only time they did call back they hung up on him. Every day they KEEP his vehicle they are STEALING money from him. He has done everything to get his vehicle back and they are the only thing stopping him.
They illegally repossessed an equipment trailer I am purchasing and the day they stole it I was told I was not allowed to retrieve it the same day. As it was done on a Friday they wanted several days impound fees to release it. I spent 22 days between the company I purchased the trailer from and them getting the run around and ending up driving back to Alabama from my job 12 hours away twice before they would release it back to me. The fees were in excess of 1000 dollars for stealing my property that was not late on payments. I was told on one occasion that there were fees for holding it back from auction, when it should have never been impounded, and the company I purchased the trailer through even attempted to charge me back the fees they ended up being liable for since they contracted with this towing company to steal it in the first place. I hope someone can get them caught up in their illegal practices before they do this to more people
If you’re worried because of these previous reviews I just dealt with them yesterday. They have all new people there and they are great. They were so sweet and waited over an hour for me to clean my car out.
Went to pick up my son's car. A staff member ACTUALLY hit 2 parked cars trying to back it out! Manager was EXTREMELY rude! Had to call police!!! All around terrible experience
A horrible place to go and pick up your car. I've never heard of having to have an appointment to get my car. Then you ask them nicely to let you come get your car today because you have to work now I have to call in. Complete rude and horrible company. This place needs to learn how to be nice to people and not have appointments to get yr car its crazy.
Unprofessional, RUDE!!! Showed up for an appointment on time. Lady at desk was out smoking a cigarette. Waited until she was through to get back to her desk, and she had the nerve to claim we were 2 minutes late and that we missed our appointment. It wasn't until she was called out for smoking on the side of building that she dropped the issue. Not only a dirty attitude, but her personal hygiene was as well. The place is disgusting. Prepare yourself prior to going. If you hear the sound of banjos don't say I didn't warn you. The hills have eyes!
I was made to wait 45 minutes, after being told 15 minutes, and she ignored me standing in the little office. Then talked about me right there. Very Ruded!!!
Tried to charge me $50 to get my personal belongings (including my wallet, debit cards, etc). Then still didn’t give me all that was in my car. The worst!!!!
The people who work here are rude and disrespectful. Management needs to redo their staff and think of better ways to have people served properly. I was charged a whole day for only four minutes of my car being gone from my home. It’s unnecessary and robbery of money. I pray y’all do better in the future.
My car was picked up by this so called towing company on April 29, 2019 and my car payment was made that morning and now it is 16 days later and no car and can’t get the things that were in my car. Went to get the stuff on the 16th day and they stole a wallet that had $200 and all the change in my car. They also did property damage when they picked up my car. I am suing them as well as the finance co. In Memphis , Tenn.
Jennifer
Wouldn’t let me get my own things out of my car and now I see why. Took most of my prescription Adderall out of the bottle and left barely any. The lady who cleaned out my car was very very rude and tried to argue with me about something she claimed she put in the bag. Learn customer service, I was nothing but respectful.
My car was repossessed on Jan 24. I had 10 fays to get my car back. They transferred my car to a local sister dealership the thursday after, 8 days later. Paid in full on the 9th day. Went to pick my car up and everything was gone out of it. Even my tag and registration! It is now Feb 14th ans I still can't get them to call me back, and have not gotten my things, including 200$ worth of tools, a brand new lawn mower battery, and various odds and ends. And lets not forget my tag and REGISTRATION! WHY! They were prepping it for resale.
The people here are so rude and completely incompetent. They had a tough time simply comparing the name on my ID to the name on my paper work. I understand that it's not a customer based operation but it's totally uncalled for the way they treat people.
They jumped the gun...had to July 6th to come up with money to get my car back. On July 3rd...Had already paid the money & was told my car was not there, it had been released to go to auction, & it was on it's way back to their lot. Got to Pinson from Cullman...car was still not there. After sitting there from around 10:30 am until almost 5 pm my car finally comes back. They also done damage to my car & denied my claim against them & blamed it on the transpoter. In turn found out the transporter was also them!!! Now having to retain a lawyer just to get a dent fixed!!!
A BUNCH OF BS!!!!
1st and worst experience ever!! I was there helping a family member and because the rude,unprofessional,awful looking women at the desk that just sits on her butt looking at window says she got release papers a little bit after the appointment she couldn’t release car. No one else even there for appointment and we were there early! We even offered to pay for her time and was just a total b****. I work in health care and I am am around all sorts of people all the tine and this whole experience was the absolute worst ?. Karma will get you every time! Pray you don’t ever have to deal with them!
The lady at the front desk (who didn’t want to disclose her name) was VERY RUDE AND UNPROFESSIONAL! Upon entering i watched staff play with change and have personal conversations instead of asking me what i needed. Was scheduled a personal pick up appointment and the vechicle wasn’t even at the place. When asked why was i scheduled the appointment if the car wasn’t there, they said corporate didn’t know the car wasn’t there after having the car for over 24 hours! Instead of getting an apology about the inconvenience, the anonymous lady just gave me rude responses. Definitely need to learn customer service bc it’s lacking!
2620 27th Ave N #4606, Birmingham, ALUsed auto parts store
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